Ingomar – A Herreshoff Schooner Reimagined
OLIN Yacht Design is involved in the recreation of Ingomar, one of the most significant schooners designed by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff. Originally launched in 1903, she represents a landmark in early 20th-century yacht design and international racing history.
Ingomar under sail during her early racing career.
The Original Ingomar
Ingomar was designed by Nathanael G. Herreshoff and built at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, Rhode Island for American industrialist Morton F. Plant.
She was commissioned at a time when large schooners symbolised both technical innovation and prestige. Plant’s goal was to own a fast, competitive racing yacht capable of challenging the best vessels in the United States and Europe.
Built with a steel hull and advanced Herreshoff engineering, Ingomar represented a major step forward in large yacht design.
International Racing Career
Shortly after launch, Ingomar was campaigned in both American and European waters.
Under the command of Captain Charlie Barr, she competed in a series of high-profile international races, achieving strong results and establishing a reputation as one of the fastest schooners of her time.
Her success helped reinforce the global reputation of American yacht design during the early 1900s.
Later Ownership and Evolution
Following her racing career, Ingomar passed through several private owners.
As the era of large racing schooners declined, she was gradually modified for cruising use. Changes included adjustments to her rig, hull configuration, and later the addition of auxiliary propulsion.
By the 1920s and 1930s, she was no longer actively racing and had transitioned into private service along the US East Coast.
In 1931, Ingomar was lost after grounding off the coast of North Carolina near Cape Fear during a passage south.
The vessel sank following the incident, marking the end of her nearly 30-year history. The crew were safely rescued.
A Living Piece of Yacht Design History
The recreation of Ingomar connects past and present yacht design. It preserves the legacy of Herreshoff’s work while ensuring these iconic schooners continue to inspire future generations of sailors, designers, and shipbuilders.
OLIN Yacht Design is developing a complete design reconstruction of Ingomar, combining historical research with modern naval architecture tools.
Our work includes:
- Approval of the design by Class and Flag;
- 3D and 2D modelling of hull and interior;
- Engineering validation;
- Preservation of original aesthetic and sailing characteristics.
The goal is to create a buildable, historically faithful representation of one of Herreshoff’s most important schooners.
