Black-hulled and a full complement of cruising canvas aloft, LIRIS shows her artisan lines in this top level work by Willis. A significantly historic yacht, she has connections to several prominent names from this grand era of yacht racing. Most importantly, she is the first yacht by American designer William Gardner. Freshly returned from his privileged education at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, England, Gardner went head-on into competition with the established masters Edward Burgess and A. Cary Smith. The results: LIRIS won 3 1st, 4 2nd, 3 3rd and 1 4th in her 11 starts her inaugural year against 12 competitors in the 40' waterline class.
Built in the Bay Ridge, Long Island yard of Samuel Ayers & Son in 1889 from Gardner's design, she was commissioned by misters Colgate Hoyt and Charles W. Wetmore of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, and partner Samuel Mather of Cleveland. Their goal was to have a first class racing yacht which had every livable amenity aboard. Her main saloon would sit eight at the specially designed table, which would break down to be run ashore along with the other non-essentials when she raced.
The yacht proudly flies the American yachting ensign and private signal of Clifford B. Hendricks of the Larchmont Yacht Club of New York. Upon the water of Long Island Sound, it is believed to be Mamaroneck Lighthouse at the visible headland. LIRIS makes good purpose of her more than 3600 sq. ft. of sail. Quite impressive, since LIRIS was the first American yacht to employ hollow spars. Hendricks purchased the yacht in the 1890s, and sold her to Robert & George Barrie in 1900, who re-rigged her as a ketch. Gardner actually was inspired from observing "Itchen boats" in Southampton, and improved upon their design for the larger racing yacht class. As mentioned this was his first yacht; he would design more than 100 over 50 years.
