Lecture: "Temple to the Wind" by Chris Pastore
by Herreshoff Marine Museum 14 Jun 2022 16:36 EST
June 23, 2022
"Temple To The Wind: The Story Of America's Greatest Naval Architect And His Masterpiece, RELIANCE" by Christopher L. Pastore, Ph.D. (Lyons Press, 2005)
Designed and built in 1903 by America's greatest naval architect, Nathanael G. Herreshoff, Reliance was a yacht like no other. A marvel of her time, Reliance's topsail yard towered nearly 190 feet above the water, with sails stretching 202 feet from the bowsprit to the boom's end.
Many said Reliance, carrying more sail than any single-masted boat before, was simply too dangerous to sail, but the stakes were awesome. By the turn of the century racing for the America's Cup had become more than a gentleman's game. In 1903 it was an all-or-nothing contest—fraught with political tension—between two great rivals, Britain and America.
Anticipating the acrimonious battles over the America's Cup today, the story of Reliance explores the ways big yachts and even bigger personalities have defined the contest since its inception. Drawing from Herreshoff's sketches, photos, original models and plans, as well as Herreshoff's personal papers and letters, author Christopher Pastore shares this story at the Herreshoff Marine Museum on June 23, 2022.
"Temple to the Wind is as expertly crafted as Nathanael Herreshoff's epic America's Cup yacht Reliance. A riveting account of an enigmatic genius and the yacht race that was once as big as today's Super Bowl, Christopher Pastore's new book will fascinate sailors and landlubbers alike." —Nathaniel Philbrick, National Book Award-winning author of In the Heart of the Sea and Sea of Glory
"An excellent, close-up view of the world of big yachts as sailing moved into the twentieth century." —Olin Stephens, eight-time America's Cup-winning naval architect and author of All This, and Sailing Too.
June 23, 2022
Begins at 7pm, Eastern
In-Person Reception begins at 6pm
Virtual Tickets:
Members: $10
Non-Members: $15
In-Person Tickets:
Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
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