Thomas Harrison Butler, DM, FRCS(Eng) (19 March 1871 – 29 January 1945) was a British ophthalmologist and amateur boat designer. He published various designs of small, traditionally built yacht and was particularly concerned with the boat's handling under sail.
Medical career Butler graduated with an MA from Corpus Christi College, Oxford in May 1902, and received a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) at the same time. He practiced in Coventry, Birmingham and Leamington Spa, where he had private practices. He spent most of his time, however, on unpaid hospital work.biographic note on Dr Thomas Harrison Butler Tradboat2.co.uk, accessed 26 September 2020
Boat designer 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."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 Cruising Yachts: Design and Performance at archive.org, accessed 31 October 2023 and An Illustrated Guide to the Slit-Lamp,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.Harrison Butler documentary- "Under Sail: Just what the doctor ordered" BBC documentary from the 1980s via youtube.com, accessed 31 October 2023
Selected designs
Cyclone II Bermudan Cutter A small sailing yacht. Designed 1928, circa 7 built.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.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', 1933–19591932 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.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: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
The Harrison Butler Association A 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.
Trivia Harrison Butler was the father-in-law of actress Joan Hickson.
See also Bermuda rig Boat building Cutter Yachting
References
External links 'Z' 4-tonner Harrison Butler discussing the Solent X-Boat Harrison Butler Association