Thomas Harrison Butler

Butler graduated with an MA from Corpus Christi College, Oxford in May 1902, and received a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) at the same time.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=University intelligence |date=17 May 1902 |page=11 |issue=36770}} He practiced in Coventry, Birmingham and Leamington Spa, where he had private practices. He spent most of his time, however, on unpaid hospital work.[http://www.tradboat2.co.uk/editorial/harrison.htm biographic note on Dr Thomas Harrison Butler] Tradboat2.co.uk, accessed 26 September 2020

Harrison Butler was "a strong believer in the 'metacentric shelf formula' to achieve good balance and handling under sail. The theory held that as a yacht heels under sail, its balance will depend on the immersed form of the hull, with different sections exerting varying degrees of buoyancy and aft sections possibly being more buoyant than forward sections. Metacentric shelf analysis plots the shifts in the varying buoyancies as a net value to windward or leeward and serves as a guide to achieving equal buoyancy in the dissimilar ends of a design. The work can now be done by computer, but when it was applied by the brain, hand and eye of Dr. Harrison Butler it produced famously sweet-handling boats, in the age of heavy weather helm."[http://www.coburgbrokers.com/ard2.html Harrison Butler boat] www.coburgbrokers.com, accessed 17 August 2006

In the days before computers, Harrison Butler was known to cut out paper cross sections of his hulls in order to calculate lines of symmetry and centres of mass. Boats built to his designs are noted for their sleek looks as well as their pleasant handling.

He wrote two books, Cruising Yachts: Design and Performance,T. Harrison Butler [https://archive.org/details/cruisingyachtsde0000butt Cruising Yachts: Design and Performance] at archive.org, accessed 31 October 2023 and An Illustrated Guide to the Slit-Lamp,[https://wellcomecollection.org/works/w4p3w9re An illustrated guide to the slit-lamp T. Harrison Butler, 1871-1945. Date: 1927] wellcomecollection.org, accessed 31 October 2023 and was the subject of a 1980s BBC TV documentary.[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X9QISHp5hJ0 Harrison Butler documentary- "Under Sail: Just what the doctor ordered" BBC documentary from the 1980s] via youtube.com, accessed 31 October 2023

File:hull-butler2.jpg

• Cyclone II Bermudan Cutter A small sailing yacht. Designed 1928, circa 7 built.[http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com/Pages/TheDesigns.html#1928 1928 designs listed] www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com, accessed 26 September 2020

:Overall Length: 25ft 6in 7.77m

:Waterline: 22ft 6in 6.85m

:Beam: 9ft 1in 2.76m

:Draught: 4ft 6in 1.37m

:Displacement: 13 000lbs

• Yonne Class Cutter Described by Harrison Butler as a 'sports model'. Designed 1931, circa 8 built.[http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com/Pages/TheDesigns.html#1931 1931 designs listed] www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com, accessed 26 September 2020

:Overall Length: 32ft 9in

:Waterline: 22ft 6in

:Beam: 8ft 6in

:Draught: 4ft 6in

• Englyn Design A small sailing yacht – circa 8 (+ 2 close derivatives) built, including 'Almonde', 1933–1959[http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com/Pages/TheDesigns.html#1932 1932 designs listed] www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com, accessed 26 September 2020

:Overall Length: 26ft 6in

:Waterline: 22ft 5in

:Beam: 8ft 6in

:Draught: 4ft 6in

:Displacement: 7T (TM)

• Zyklon Similar to a Falmouth Quay Punt, although smaller and with traditional rigging. Versions of the Zyklon were built by Alfred Lockhart Ltd. and known as the 'Z' 4-tonner. Circa 45 built.[http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com/Pages/TheDesigns.html#1938 1938 designs listed] www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com, accessed 26 September 2020

:Overall Length: 21ft 9in

:Waterline: 19ft

:Beam: 7ft 2in

:Draught: 4ft

:Displacement: 7 400lbs

In addition to those above, a number of other Harrison Butler designs were built over the years, including:[http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com/Pages/TheBoats.html Harrison Butler designed] www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com, accessed 26 September 2020

• Hong Kong – 1909, 4 built
• Cyclone – 1919, 9 built
• Askadil – 1934, 5 built
• Bogle – 1934, 6 built
• Khamseen – 1934, 4 (including one new in 2015) built
• Omega – 1938, 7 built
• Irmiger – 1943, 1 built
• Thuella – 1944, 6 built
• Dream of Arden – 1945, 6 built

A [http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com Harrison Butler Association] was formed in 1973 for anyone interested in his designs. It aims to keep track of Harrison Butler boats worldwide and help owners keep in touch. It holds two meetings and produces two newsletters annually.

Harrison Butler was the father-in-law of actress Joan Hickson.

• Bermuda rig
• Boat building
• Cutter
• Yachting

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/z-4-tonner/z-4-tonner.htm 'Z' 4-tonner]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060628123619/http://andrew-campbell.members.beeb.net/id70.htm Harrison Butler discussing the Solent X-Boat]
• [http://www.harrisonbutlerassociation.com Harrison Butler Association]

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Category:1871 births

Category:1945 deaths

Category:Boat and ship designers

Category:British yacht designers

Category:British ophthalmologists