Sail Number: US 56
Vessel Type: 6 Metre Class
S&S “Jill” Specifications:
LOA: 36′ 5″ / 11.09m – LWL: 23′ 5″ / 7.13m – Beam: 6′ 6″ / 1.98m – Draft: 5′ 4″ / 1.62 – Design Number: 16 – Rig: Sloop – Displacement: – Sail Area: – Designer: Sparkman & Stephens – Built By: Henry B. Nevins, City Island NY – Original Owner: J. Seward Johnson – Current Owner: Martha Coolidge – Current Location: – Launched: 1931
Historical:
North American 6 Metre Association
US 56 Jill was designed by Olin Stephens and built at the Nevins yard on City Island, New York. She was built for J. Seward Johnson and almost immediately made her presence known in the Spring races in Bermuda, then as part of the famous American team that went to England for the 1932 British American Team Races. The other members of the team were US 55 Lucie, US 54 Bobkat II and US 60 Nancy (in England since 1932). Jill also won the Seawanhaka Cup following the British-American series in a light weather series in Scotland on the Clyde against 3 time winner Coila III. Jill was recently relaunched after a massive reconstruction from the ballast keel up by Rockport Marine in Maine.
Restoration
Rockport Marine
The six-meter class, a group of one-design racers that compete to this day, attracted designers such as Herreshoff, Fife and Sparkman and Stephens. Known for their elegant lines and nimble performance, the six-meter design remains a popular racing yacht.
Although Jill is technically a “restoration,” only the lead ballast remains from the original. The frames are steam-bent white oak, and the hull is double planked, with Alaskan yellow cedar on the inside and mahogany outside.
2008 – Complete new restoration from the keel up. Steam bent oak frames. Double planked hull with Alaskan yellow cedar on the inside and mahogany on the outside.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: J. Seward Johnson
Owner/Guardian: Martha Coolidge