Herreshoff #187004es Julia IV

ES187004_Julia_IV.jpg

Particulars

Name: Julia IV
Type: Catboat
Designed by: CFH
Launch: 1870-4
Construction: Wood
LOA: 23' 5" (7.14m)
LWL: 21' 5" (6.53m)
Beam: 8' 10" (2.69m)
Draft: 2' 7" (0.79m)
Rig: Cat
Built for: Herreshoff, C. F.

Note: Particulars are primarily but not exclusively from the HMCo Construction Record. Supplementary information not from the Construction Record appears elsewhere in this record with a complete citation.


Model

Model #1606Model number: 1606
Model location: H.M.M. Workshop North Wall Right

Vessels from this model:
2 built, modeled by CFH
#187004es Julia IV (1870)
#187011es Georgie Miller (1870)

Original text on model:
"JULIA IV 1870 (C.F.H.)" (Source: Original handwritten annotation on model. Undated.)

Related model(s):
Model 1218 by JBH? (1860s?); sail
{?}: Catboat???


Note: Vessels that appear in the records as not built, a cancelled contract, a study model, or as a model sailboat are listed but not counted in the list of vessels built from a model.


Drawings

Explore all drawings relating to this boat.

List of drawings:
   Drawings believed to have been first drawn for, or being first referenced to
   Herreshoff #187004es Julia IV are listed in bold.
   Click on Dwg number for preview, on HH number to see at M.I.T. Museum.
  1. Dwg 065-007 (HH.5.04603): Tiller Socket for "Julia" (1880-05-31)
  2. Dwg 064-002 (HH.5.04478): Bronze Rudder Stock for G.A. Thayer's 29Ft. Sailing Yacht (1883-03-06)
  3. Dwg 060-012 (HH.5.04235): Rest for Centerboard for C. Herreshoff Boat (ca. 1892)
  4. Dwg 065-036 (HH.5.04632): Tiller Socket Used First for Julia 1880 (1898-02-17 ?)
Source: Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Together with: Hasselbalch, Kurt with Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin. Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997. Together with: Numerous additions and corrections by Claas van der Linde.
Note: The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection is copyrighted by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass. Permission to incorporate information from it in the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné is gratefully acknowledged. The use of this information is permitted solely for research purposes. No part of it is to be published in any form whatsoever.

Documents

Nathanael G. Herreshoff

"September 24 [1874] - ... In Fisher's Island Sound, we met JULIA, with my father and Mr. Henry Brownell on board. They, too, had started to meet us the day before and passed the night at Stonington. Lewis went on JULIA and we all headed for Bristol. VISION, with RIVIERA in tow arrived at dusk and JULIA in the late evening of the 24th with a moderate south wind." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "The Log of the Riviera." Nice, France, Spring 1874 with additions from March 1932. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 92.)

"Julia. May 29th 1975.
Fall Rover to Bristol 1h 2m
Fall River to Ferry Light 48m
Fair tide most the way. Fresh SE by E [wind]. Jib set. Boat doing about her best.
6 1/2 + 1 3/4 miles." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. 1871 to ca 1874 calendar. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Model Room Rolltop Desk.)

"This year (1876), John built for himself a steam yacht named VIOLA, forty-seven feet long and nine feet wide, having one of James' coil boilers and a single engine, eight inches by twelve inches, that I designed. He and others attended the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in this craft, in company of my father's twenty-two feet catboat JULIA, having Father, Lewis, and myself." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "The Old Tannery and My Brother John." Written July 28, 1933. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 25.)

"[I] also sailed JULIA No. 4 for my father a few times in races." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Some of the Boats I Have Sailed In. " Written 1934. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 49.)

"June 19, 1935
Dear Mr. Stephens,
In reply to your interesting letter of 16th I don't know if I made a slip of pen in writing and omitted to correct it, or someone else who may have copied my paper, but my father died in September 1888, at age of 78 years, and it was without doubt he who showed you his boat JULIA. ...
On your mentioning the shifting ballast-box in JULIA, in that period shifting ballast was allowable, and to my observations should be now, in all small craft racing to a limited amount. My father designed and built the shifting ballast box and gear you saw in JULIA No. 4 for JULIA No. 2 in either 1884 or 1885 [sic, i.e. 1854 or 1855? CvdL], I am not sure which and the same box and gear was used in three successive boats without any change, and appeared to be the perfection of ease in operating. I do not know of any serious accident by it getting adrift. It certainly made each JULIA pleasanter to sail in -safer and faster, and was always used when wind enough to careen the boat an appreciable amount. In a freshening wind and wishing to get the box to windward, it was not pulled there, but a half-board taken, and as the helm was put up, the 'trigger' was released and the box would run to windward by momentum. I imagine you sail your own boat for pleasure and not for racing, and you would appreciate such a contrivance if you had it, making the boat pleasanter to sail and faster. JULIA's shifting gear weighed 550 lbs. ... My first outside ballasted was CONSUELO, 1883. Later, JULIA had some of her ballast put in keel.
Very truly yours,
N.G. Herreshoff" (Source: Letter 6. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated June 19, 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 35-38.)

L. Francis Herreshoff

"June 24, 1932. {1932/06/24} Dear Father: ... Mr. [Willard B.] Jackson [born in 1871] who took the picture of the class A dinghy is one of my regular callers and he wants to be particularly remembered to you. He was around Bristol when a boy and often speaks of sailing in the "Julian" [sic, i.e. Julia] with my Grandfather." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 8: Letter from L. F. Herreshoff to N. G. Herreshoff.)

Other Contemporary Text Source(s)

"Mr. J. B. Herreshoff is to build a sail boat exactly like the Julia [#187004es Julia IV] owned by Mr C. F. Herreshoff, for Mr. Robeson of Newport. [The reference to Mr. Robeson's yacht is probably a reference to #187107es Tahena.] ...
At the regatta in our harbor on Friday [July 14, 1871], of last week, the Hildergarde [sic] won the prize in the first class, which was a silver wine cooler. In the second class the prize was a silver cake basket, and was won by the Julia. In the third class the prize was a silver ice pitcher won by the Herreshoff." (Source: Anon. "Local Tintypes." Bristol Phoenix, July 22, 1871, p. 2.)

"The Centennial International regatta comes off at New York on Thursday and Friday of next week, and quite a fleet of Bristol craft will be present to represent the town. Mr. C. F. Herreshoff and Dr. Brownell in the 'Julia,' [#187004es] and the brothers Herreshoff, N. G. and Lewis, in the new double boat 'Amaryllis,' [#187601es] expect to start to day. On Monday Mr. John B. Herreshoff and a Providence gentleman will start with three of the little Herreshoff steamers, viz the 'Fleche' [#17p], 'Vision,' and a new pleasure launch [#22p] last completed for a Mr. Lawrence, of New York. The first and last mentioned steamers are to be delivered to their purchasers in New York, and the 'Vision,' after the regatta, will go direct to Springfield, Mass., where she is engaged as referee's boat for the great Harvard Yale eight-oared race. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol." Providence Evening Press, June 17, 1876, p. 3.)

"... For many years the Herreshoffs have been celebrated for their small sloops and catboats, both centerboard and keel, and they have now a fine specimen of the latter class in Julia, owned by the father of the present partners, a deep and able cruising boat. She has a large portion of her ballast on the keel, but is fitted also with a sliding carriage containing a weight of 600lbs. fitted to ways running thwartships, about level with the floor. The carriage is held either amidships or in either bilge by a catch which is easily operated. In working it the catch is released by the steersman just before the boat comes about, and while there is still inclination enough to carry it down to leeward, where it fastens itself, and on the boat paying off it is on the windward side. The boat, including this arrangement, is handled entirely by one man. Forward there is a nice cuddy giving room for two to sleep and cook, and dry storage for clothing and bedding, so that the boat is well adapted for extended cruises. ..." (Source: Anon. (W. P. Stephens). "The Herreshoff Works at Bristol." Forest and Stream, April 16, 1885, p. 236, 237.)

"Bristol, R. I., Nov. 5. 1904. ... The 20-foot catboat Julia, remembered by racing yachtsmen of 25 years ago as the fastest craft of her size in Narragansett bay, is now equipped with a gasolene motor, and, although high out of the water, makes good speed.
The Herreshoffs are preparing to build new boats in the 30-foot classes [New York 30]." (Source: Anon. "X.P.D.N.C. Is A Flyer." Boston Herald, November 6, 1904, p. ?.)

"BRISTOL, R I, Oct 30 [1909] --- There is no pleasure craft here, as far as known, so sound as the converted catboat Julia. The Julia was designed and built by the late Charles F. Herreshoff in the spring of 1870, and when hauled out for an inspection on a marine railway in the harbor the first of the present week, the Julia was said to be as sound as when she was first launched nearly 40 years ago. The boat has had an eventful career. Her original owner, the father of the noted Bristol yacht designer, and his brothers raced her many a time in cat rig and her fame as a cruiser and boat of good speed spread over Narragansett bay in the early [18]70s. Since the death of the builder of the Julia the craft fell into the hands of one of his sons who, a few years ago, changed her into a power boat and as such she has given good satisfaction. There is no reason, it is claimed by experts, why the Julia, if properly cared for, will not be of service for a quarter of a century longer. The boat named after Mr Herreshoff's wife was the outcome of former Julias, all catboats, owned by the late Mr Herreshoff. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, October 31, 1909, p. 29.)

"One of the soundest yachts in the basin is the converted catboat Julia, which was built from designs by the late C. F. Herreshoff in 1870. This yacht has been hauled out and inspected, and was declared to be as sound as when she was launched nearly forty years ago. This yacht has had an eventful career. Her original owner, the father of the celebrated yacht designer, and his brothers, raced her as a cat-boat, and she won many races on Narragansett Bay. Since the death of the builder of Julia, the craft fell into the hands of one of his sons, who a few years ago changed her into a power boat. Those who have seen the yacht say there is no reason why she should not do well for another twenty-five years." (Source: Anon. "News from Bristol." Forest and Stream, November 13, 1909, p. 786.)

"The 50-year-old catboat Julia, built by the late Charles F. Herreshoff half a century ago and which won many noted rates on Narragansett Bay, after being laid up for several decades, is again afloat. William P. Gladding, who recently purchased the Julia, has transformed the catboat into an auxiliary. The Julia, of the type that prevailed in 1869, is 25 feet in length and her timbers, planks and deck are as good as they were 50 years ago. The catboat is moored in Bristol Harbor, near the Bristol Yacht Club and is the pride of many a Bristol tar." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, September 7, 1919, p. 53.)

"... Julia, a former racing cat, owned 50 years ago by the late C. F. Herreshoff, father of the present designer of that name, is being fitted out this Spring, and will be soon under sail again after a lapse of 22 years. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, May 2, 1920, p. 61.)

"June 16 1935
Dear Mr. Herreshoff: -
... my first visit to Bristol was early in 1884 [sic, i.e. late March 1885, see Anon. (W. P. Stephens). "The Herreshoff Works at Bristol." Forest and Stream, April 16, 1885, p. 236, 237] (there was snow on the ground and J.B. drove me over to Warren in a sleigh). You took me into your boathouse and showed me CONSUELO; and a very pleasant old gentleman (who I understood was your father) took me into another boathouse and showed me (with much pride) the thwart-ship track and ballast car on his catboat JULIA. This is a good while ago, but I think that my memory is correct? ...
Yours sincerely,
W. P. Stephens" (Source: Letter 2. From W. P. Stephens to N. G. Herreshoff, dated June 16 1935. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 31-32.)

Other Modern Text Source(s)

"Julia IV --- Charles F. Herreshoff's catboat about 1883. Named for his wife Julia Ann (Lewis) Herreshoff. This catboat sailed many years and with a one cylinder engine added was owned and operated as a lobster boat by the curator's father, D. G. Pinheiro, in the 1920's." (Source: Anon. (Carlton Pinheiro?) [Text on Plaque accompanying a photo of Julia IV on Display at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.] Bristol, R. I., no date.)

Archival Documents

"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled 'Cat Boat' and 'Sail' listing dimensions (Deck, Waterline, [unclear], Sail head, hoist, foot) for ALICE [#186807es or #188004es ?], JULIA [#187004es], NORA [?], JESSIE, SPRING GREEN [#186709es], THORN, THISTLE, GRACIE, HOPE, HATTIE, NELLIE, ALPHIN, ROBROY, SUTTON, NO 5, EMMA, RAMBLER, and REINDEER. On verso calculations. Compare with MRDE08_03050 which shows a similar table under same title and on same paper and is certainly related." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE05_01710. Folder [no #]. No date (1870s ?).)


"[Item Transcription:] [Letter from Providence, RI to Nice, France:] Your welcome letter came Friday March 27th. Was glad to hear you were so well and enjoying yourself so much.
I would like to be with you. Your accounts of the weather with you are enough to make one get up and travel from this blustery dusty place.
The past month has been for the most disagreeable since cold weather commenced. The wind has blown a gale from the N.W. most of the time and kept the air filled with blinding clouds of dust and only a week ago the thermometer reached 10deg above zero. I had already heard from you when your letter came, through your mother. She sent us (Mrs Houghton and I) the letter you wrote on board ship and also one written after you arrived at Nice. But it seemed nice to have one come to me. Mary and I read it two or three times and there i took it up to the Houghtons and read it to them. The Houghtons are all well and both Mrs H. and Mave wanted to be remembered to you when i wrote. I started a letter to you last Monday but didn't feel quite equal to finishing it, so today I have begun again and shall finish and mail it tonight. Last Sunday I had a little attack of inflammation of the bowels or at least the doctor thought it might develop into that so I couldn't write to you then as I had intended. Monday I was better but had to keep rather quiet and Tuesday I was well enough to go the shop a little while in the afternoon. I had to be careful about eating, same thing as you did. I am all right now, feel as good as ever. I'm glad you have no more of these distressed spells. I guess the sea sutuces[?] was good for you. But I though you was proof[?]. I'd like to have been with you on the trip across, not for the sake of keeping you company in throwing over board all the good victuals[?] I could, but to have had the experience of a trip across the Atlantic and a gale at sea. It must have been grans. Your ride across France too. How new and strange it must have seemed. Three thousand miles from home in a strange country, strange people & strange language and to ride through groves of orange, figs and olives. Quite as romantic and novel as to walk through the horse burying ground with its thousand struts[?]. How strange you should arrive at Nice just as they were reading of your departure from home. I guess there was some surprise. Things here at home are moving along much as usual. The new pumping engine is nearly ready to begin setting up in the shop, Mr C. [Corliss] as enthusiastic as ever, and thinks he is going to astonish the world as I sincerely hope he will. The building isn't yet begun. They have had a good deal of trouble putting in the foundations from the water coming in so fast and washing out and undermining[?] the banks. Here is where the building is going up. [Sketch labeled Pond, Machine shop, Boiler, Delivery, Suction.] The foundations are all in now and the buildings will be rushed.
[Sheet] 2 They get a plentiful supply of water at the south end of the pond. Have dug the pond to a depth of twenty feet below grade and as I indicate in the sketch, bot take and return the water at the same end of the ponds. Use two boilers 48in diam, 14ft long, 3in tubes. With Brick Stack 68[?] ft[?] high. The building is to be of brick. The circular portion 28ft dia. is to contain the pumps, 10 in number single acting driven by connections to a wrist[?] plate on a spur gear 80in dia 100 teeth. Gearing into this is the pinion 16in dia. 20 teeth on the engine shaft which stands upright. The engine is 12in cyl 4ft stroke and stands, or lays (its a horizontal engine) over the pumps the cylinder end resting at the foundation and the shaft end, supported by a cast iron arch reaching across the upper circle of pipes. I'll enclose a little sketch showing the arrangements. I read your figures of the 'Goethe's performances to [Edwin] Reynolds [Corliss Superintendent] and Hobart and others. They thought 1 1/2 lbs was pretty good, almost equal to the Hope engine. By the way, the referee's report is out, and I will send a copy when i mail this. They met and wrangled for a week before coming to a conclusion and there it ended in a sort of give and take game I guess from the reading of the report. 'You give me this and I'll give you that.' You give me the credit, I'll give you the money.' Mr. C[orliss] isn't much pleased with the report, although it does give him his money. e hadn't got it yet, though, and I guess will have to go to law now before he gets it. The extra compensation any way. The water commissioners were mad as hornets, and Cooke wrote a letter to the Referees telling them their work wasn't done, that they hadn't started[?] the contact &c &c. It was a pretty sany[?] letter. It has never come out yet, or I'd send it to you. In the paper containing the committee's report you will see a report of the reelective[?] by the City Council of the old board of Water Commissioners. It was a hard fight and Cooke had a narrow escape. I also send a copy of the Bulletin with Aspinwall's article. It was published just before the turn of the Commissioners expired, and of course was calculated to help select them. Mary and I were up to Mrs Houghton Wednesday. Annie and Mr Green were in. Annie seemed in good spirits. They are having their house put in order to move into. New Shingles, new paint, paper windows & c. Mother moved up on the Hill here a few weeks ago. Lives[?] in the house directly opposite us, the one on the S.W. corner. Billie and family are well. He has a situation in Goddard's office in the Franklin building, Market Square. I haven't seen any of your folks since you left. Your mother has been in town but didn't get a chance to call at the Houghton's or here. I wish some of them would come when they are up. How did you make out in the Regatta at Cannes_ I am anxious to hear. I was in to see Jacks the other day and he wants me to go with him on a trip up the Sound and north River in his boat this Summer. Would like to go first
[Sheet] 3 rate but guess i won't be able. He expects to be gone two or three weeks. Mary's brother Will is coming to see us this summer and I want to take about a three days trip with him if I can and show him round the bay and perhaps run over to Block island. I wonder if your father won't be ready to go in the JULIA [#187004es] by that time. I shall get the Magir[?] or Haze[?] and carry a small boat this time. I forgot to tell you Otto has a little daughter, three or four weeks old. Everybody at the shop is well and all send their regards. I have written a long letter and told you all I can think that will interest you, and perhaps much that will not. Now write again some[?]. It seems a long time before your letter came. Have a good time and come home well. Mary is writing to you herself. Love to [your brother] Lewis.
Your friend, George Phillips [Incl pumping engine sketch by George Phillips as described in his letter.]" (Source: Phillips, George and Mary. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07910. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-04-05.)


"[Item Transcription:] Bristol, R.I. June 25th [18]74
Dear Brothers [Nat and Lewis in France],
I have been trying to write you for the past two weeks --- have been busy for the past two weeks, but am now more at leisure. We rec[eive]d Lewis' letters to Sister Carrie two days ago.
You have probably decided we[?] think[?] how you will pass your time for the few months remain[in]g in Europe. Your proposed trip in the small boat [#187406es RIVIERA] has caused a good deal of talk & feeling among your relatives here: All I can say is respecting that you & Lewis are the most competent to judge for yourselves, in relation to it, and I think will not needlessly expose yourselves.
Have been talking with Mother in regard to funds for your use. Mother expects to send in a day or two ab[ou]t[?] $100. We think that the $270 Mother sent about the latter part of May will be all that you [p. 2] require on the Continent.
I expect you will occupy at least one month in England & Scotland before returning home.
Sadie & I have placed $100[?] in the Saving Bank, which we shall be most happy to send you at any place you may designate. I should think you would need it by the time you arrive in England. It is for both of you.
Then I will also send $100 from elsewhere[?]: So do not try to economize too close or shorten y[ou]r tour.
You must all be having rather a pleasant & happy time.
Your letters are always interesting & eagerly read by us all.
Do not forget to write one a falnight[?] during your tour.
Now I must tell you how we are at home.
Brother Charles and the family [p. 3] are all well. Aunt Anna & Sister Sally are well. Aunt Sarah recov[erin]g[?] from a recent nervous attach. Papa & Mama & all here are well except for Stanton [Chesebrough] who has not been quite so well the few past days.
Bro James started off yesterday on an excursion to Montauk, expected back in ab[ou]t ten days. I called Ms. Haughton three days ago. Said she had just written you. Stopped at Corliss & one[?] hauled the new pumping engine he had just made to play with: Some very good and some very poor features about it: There is the usual trouble too much fiction. We completed the Steamer 'WM. SPICER' [#13p] on the last day of June: She worked well, every way, except the condenser which was 3[?] 2in[?] half[?] pipes alongside of her hull. The exhaust steam chose very foolishly to pass thru the upper pipe, which after all is very natural. I had to take it all off & make a condenser in our usual manner. The boiler seems to be capable of supply[in]g all the steam required & that [p. 4] without foaming. We made a few trials of her speed, found 40lbs would run her ten miles an hour, 52lbs 11 miles an hour. I think with 85 or 90 she would easily run 13. She is a very pretty boat & I think nearer right than others built for the business. We sold the CREST [#12p] to a Mr. Potter of N[ew] York who will use her at his residence on the Shrewsbury river. She left here on the 11t. Capt Denum who came with us from Springfield last year took her on alone, the same made a satisfactory run. Now I must tell you about the new [Coil] Boiler. We made one & used it in the CREST about one month. The upper 1/2 inch pipe, then 3/4, & the[?] the lower 1 in. pipe encased by a sheet iron drum 28 in. diam[eter] & about the same height. Our first trial in the boat was to run her in the harbor about one hour with a steam pressure of 1 to 200 lbs, you can imagine the speed. She was used ab[ou]t every day & the greatest speed obtained with 140lbs, 11 miles an hour & 110 lbs 10 miles per hour. [p. 5] The boiler is undoubtedly a great success, it seems to work equally well with all kinds of water, the cylinders run longer without oil than ever before & did not wear at all or grunt. The only difficulty seemed to be the proper amount of feed water which must vary according to the heat from the furnace. Me or James have got up something, a pocket which the steam passes thru from the worm [i.e the coil] & then[?] is superheated from the remaining lower coils, a floating ball with pks[?] let out the surplus water & also regulates the feed water. I shall have the boiler completed with the attachment, also another engine finished up with metal piston & stem[?] packing, to put into a boat 30 ft. long, 4 ft wide, 18 in deep. W[eigh]t of machinery 500[?] lbs & w[eigh]t of boat 500[?] lbs. We expect to run our 32 in. wheel 500 turns per min[ute] & keep a pressure of 110 lbs, using salt water, no condenser or water tank required. [This appears to be a reference to what will become the 48ft VISION, the first boat built with a coil boiler but VISION had already been mentioned in earlier letters as a 50ft boat.] Can we get a speed of 18 miles per hour?
We expect to have the boat completed by Aug[us]t[?]. We are just finish[in]g the R.[?] Island boat [apparently #187402es ASPHODEL] & expect to beat[?] the JULIA [#187004es] next week. [p. 6] Mr. Reynolds has tried his new steam boat at Phil[adelphi]a & runs her at the rate of 20 miles per hour. The trial was made last Saturday.
When you come back we want you both to take hold with us and make something out of Jim's new invention. There is room enough for you both.
The HARTFORD [#186703es] is launched & Pa & I[?] are now going off to race with her. Stanton [Chesebrough] is much better to day than he was yesterday. Love to our kind cousins C & H. We feel very grateful to them for their kindness to you. Pas strawberries are now ripe and very nice. Wish we could send you some.
Yours with love, both from Sadie & your aff[ectionate] brother John B. Herreshoff.
Katie often speaks of you both. We had a pleasant visit from Geo[rge] P[hillips] & wife.
[The same pages contain a second two-page letter under different date:]
Bristol R.I. May 29 / [18]74
Dear Brothers
Your letters were received in due time and have been gladly perused by all of us --- they are full of interest.
I wrote you a long letter about the middle of April [1874-04-12 and 1874-04-19] giving you a description of the steamer [#13p WILLIAM SPICER] I have been building. Think you should have got it before Nat's last letter was mailed. We launched the WM. SPICER Tuesday P.M. May 26th with quite a number on board, mother, leng[?] Lizzie & Sally, Francis, Geo[rge] Phillips & wife, Grace & her father & Mrs. Locke being among them. She was launched with all the machinery on board and all the piping up. We made our trial trip in her this P.M. She is a great success, all the machinery and joints being right the first time. She is [p. 2] fitted as follows --- boiler 5 x 9ft, main engine 14 x 16 inches, screw 57 inches 4 blades, hoisting engine 3 1/2 x 7, being a Sturtvant blower with 7[?] inch pipe and an auxiliary pump. Water tank of iron contains about 3 h[un]d[re]ds[?]. Safety valves, one 1 1/2 inch common & one 2 1/2 inch Slip[?] Locke[?] valve. Condense pipes, brass, three in number, 2 inch inside, most of the small piping is brass, according to Lewis' request.
The result of our trial this P.M. was with 40 lbs pressure, 120 rev[olutions], 1/2 mile course with head tide, three min & 6 seconds. The blower works admirably, could have driven the boat with it so to have run the boat 13 m[iles] per hour, I think. Will write you about the next trial which will be on Tuesday next, when the boat will be ready for delivery. Yours John." (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to Herreshoff, Lewis and Herreshoff, N.G. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07470. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-05-25 and 1874-06-25.)


"[Item Transcription:] Friend Nat,
I suppose you have given up expecting to hear from us, but with me it is the old story of procrastination. I didnot know but you were going to forget us entirely it was so long before we heard from you, I think you were very excusable as you were in another country and there was so much to see that was new to you.
I am very glad your health is improving and hope it will be so well established that when you come home to me you may never have any more attacks of neuralgia or any other diseases.
This is the month we expected to see you, how about the time has seemed, it seems but two weeks ago that you left Prov[idence].
Annie is in today, and it seems very much like old times particularly as she has a head ache and I have been doctoring her on the sofa. (This is the meanest paper to write on that I ever saw.)
I saw by the paper that John [JBH] had sold the CREST [#12p] so I don't expect to have any more sails in her. The Wardens[?] often speak of the pleasant sail they took in her last Summer. Mr. W. was up here the other evening and sent his regards to you and told me to tell you he should like to be with you when you take your cruise in your new boat [#187406es RIVIERA].
Annie and I took a little ride last night and drove up to Georges. Mary says her mother and brother will are[sic] are coming soon. Katie had gone homesick. I suppose George [Phillips] keeps you posted on the doings at the [Corliss] shop and [Hope Street?] pumping station.
We have been very quiet here, after the wedding and reception. We find Mr Andom[?] to be very pleasant and kind. He want to take your place to, chop would[?] bring water & c.
You will see I commenced my letter some time ago, have been waiting for Anne to add her sheet, but shall wait no longer. She has been so busy getting her carpets and furniture and preparing for housekeeping she has had no time for any thing else, but will write as soon as she is settled. They will get into their house this week. I was at Bristol last week, called at your house. Your mother had gone to Prov., called at John's. He and Sadie had gone to Providence, too & then I went to Mrs Chesebro's [Caroline] and found her at home. Julian came to the door when I rang, and I said good morning. He said how do you do Mrs Kelton[?]. When I asked him who he thought I was, oh, Mrs Houghton, well your voices are alike. I have just heard, Mr. Broome was going to Bristol to work at John's establishment. Mr. Broome has been lately married, so will take his new bride to Bristol.
I forgot to tell you, we have our ketehen[?] parmels[?] and are going to have it prepared[?] this week. Aren't you glad.
Mrs Phillips mother and brother are here. George [Phillips] and his brother William, 'brother Will', and Otto went down the river in a sail boat, last week and were gone 3 days. I think brother Will liked not very much sleeping on the planks. Some people can never put up with anything out of the common course. George called at Bristol and your father went out with the JULIA [#187004es] and beat them all out and out.
Charley Wescott and George are getting up a party to go sailing this week. Want Mame to go with them. I suppose she will go but I would just as licue[?] she would stay at home. Johnny [JBH] called her about two weeks ago on his way to New London. The first of your family I had seen since you left. They all seem to think you will not come home till Oct, is that true? I hope you will write and let us know, if you intend to stay away so long. This is the worst paper I ever need to write on. I hope you can decipher it.
Mrs Budlong is very low indeed, not expected to live very long, poor Gertie, if she had a good father it would be some comfort for her. [Incl envelope to NGH and Cyprien Fighiera in Nice, France, postmarked July 8 (1874) in New York and July 21 in Nice (which appears to be late given this letter's date of June 11, 1874 and may indicate that this envelope originally belonged to some other letter.]" (Source: Houghton, Mary S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_78830. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 213. 1874-06-11.)


"[Item Transcription:] My dear Sons,
your letters are giving us a great deal of true pleasure. the one dated May 25th enclosing one to the Francises, another to Mrs Rogers, which was sent to your aunts & then ours[?], one last Saturday to Charlie & Alice, and this morning, Charlie Eatons's letter to Carrie & Stanton. So we feel almost as if we had been with you. I think Charlie & Nellie have done wisely in staying where they are for they seem to be most comfortably & pleasantly settled, and I am sure the sea bathing in your lovely climate must be very beneficial to Nat. Charlie's description of the villa, its landlord & the new teacher for the children, the sittings under the awning over the terrace and all he wrote is very interest in. You seem to have everything that one could wish and I should not fear the degree of heat as I should our sudden & great changes. With regards to Nat, I think he must have improved very much indeed since he left us. We could hardly expect that in so short a time he could be entirely restored to his condition three years ago, and perhaps he may have applied himself too closely, but I trust that after the boat [#187404es L'ONDA] was finished & launched, he gave himself more recreation and that he has been since gradually gaining in health & strength. The excellent vegetables, & variety, & quality of the fruits, too, are just what his system required, & we all think he could not have been so well & pleasantly situated as with Charlie's family & his brother Lewis. With regard to clothing for summer, I think blue flannel or sheep's grey, if it could be found, very desirable if it can be then[?], so that it will be cool & dry easily, suits that are without lining & as cool as live[?] out[?] & not so much trouble in working & youring[?].
You are favored, dear Louis, in friends, who write for you! The hand writing of these[?] the[?] last is not familiar to us. I was so much pleased with the description in your letter to Mrs Rogers that I copied it. Since I wrote you, Francis has been in Rhode island to pass three days. He came gown with Grace on Monday last in the early train & left us the next morning. I am quite ashamed that he has not written you in all this time & send most of your letter to him[?] & he is very much pleased to have them & practical[?] in returning them. You enquire of home & what he is doing in New York. Habershaw's[?] laboratory business is very little indeed now, and we shall not be surprised if he should be unable to retain Francis, unless there should soon be an improvement. But business generally is considered dull & besides at this time of the year, people feel like resting rather than starting anything new. Francis is in his usual health, but he looked pale, compared I suppose with y[ou]r father & James who are bronzed by the sun. Aunt Anna is wonderfully well & energetic, driving to town as of old. She is charmed with the letters from the family at Nice, talking abut you all this morning. She drove around early this morning, along for Sally, who had been here since Saturday as is her usual custom. Sally devotes herself to her aunt Sarah, who still continues out of health, altho' very much improved. She has a good appetite & sleeps well, but cannot bear any noise, as you have seen her before. They have a new girl from New Hampshire who is quite promising, one of our own people, who pays great regard to aunt Sarah's wants, and besides little Julia is at home for the summer.
Her father took her out of school for the remainder of the quarter on account of the alarm of the scarlet fever and she is a great comfort to your aunt Sarah.
Sally manages to keep along with her music, and occasionally to learn something new. She has improved very much in singing.
Your father practises with her every week & it is quite interesting to see & hear them together. Julian finished the 'Grand Sonata' [Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 4, in E-flat major, Op. 7] last Saturday & I know is thinking what he will take next.
Lewis Mitchell has made us several visits. Quite a number of persons were at Carrie's on Saturday eve[nin]g, June 13th. The Ushers, the Andrews sisters, & young Andrews cousin, with Gallup from Prov[idence], Mrs. Locke & Mr. Locke's sister, &c, &c, but some of them had better remained at home, rather than disturbing the performer, and those that wished to listen.
You do not know, my dear Sons, & you Charlie & Nellie, the comfort your letters give us here & at P[oin]t Pl[easant], but I fear mine are often a repetition. Mrs Mitchell, Nellie's mother passed a few hours with us a week since. She is looking very well & read from a letter of Nellie's to us. It was the day of John C. Brown's funeral & Carrie, your father & James were in[?] Providence to attend it. You will have heard no doubt before this reaches you of his death, the funeral, & his will. His mind was clear & calm during his sickness & from the beginning he said it would be his last & that he was perfectly assigned to death. The preparations for the funeral were very undecided in the beginning and some did not get the invitation until the same morning. Amasa did not receive his in time to go out for Maude[?] & the Francis cousins came[?] up on business, having heard at first that it was to be very private, their invitation was rec[eive]d in town that forenoon of the funeral, ours was by telegram the afternoon previous from Moses G., and then the will, I do think Mr Brown should have remembered his niece, Mrs Words, more especially on account of her having given to her husband all her property. But I have heard she was not even mentioned in the will, a legacy of $2000 to Carter[?] Woods, and the children of his brother Nicholas were not named, but I suppose you have heard all this before, and of his bequests to Brown University, the R.I. Hospital & only five thousand to the Butler H.
We should have been happy to have had Mrs. Mitchell with us over Sunday, but she had a previous engagement & so missed seeing Carrie, except for a few moments at the depot. I always write of your father's excellent health. He is beginning to bring in strawberries from our garden but they are very sour as yet. Evening of the 22d. Your aunt Mary went to Prov. with Mrs Richmond to visit y[ou]r aunt Elizabeth & found her in her usually comfortable condition. She was able to call on Mrs. Sawyer with aunt M. & enjoyed the strawberries we sent her. Last Sunday was your grandmothers' Lewis's birthday 88 years.
June 23d.
Ther[mometer] today 85deg here. Carrie & Bertie [Chesebrough] have gone to Prov[idence] today on business. I will meet E.&.S.[?] Francis at Amasa's office. James also has gone up this hot day. The cousins Francis have sold the Prudence farm wa[?] Company for $10.000. Charlie Potter will have a share in it. Mrs Slocum is repairing clothes[?] at our home & sits most patiently at work. Julian is just going with his father to Poppasquash in the JULIA [#187004es] to pass two days, and James, who has just come from Providence will join them. James says the ther[mometer] is from 90deg to 95deg in Providence today, but a fine breeze is blowing. Sally was so much pleased with her letter that she asked for it Sunday to preserve. it was brought back from new York by Francis. John [JBH] is in New London with young Mr Haswell[?], Sadie's cousin Bumstead[?] having gone for the present. James tells me to write that the engine did not goout[?]. It was used four weeks without scratching cylinder or valve. The new [coil?] boiler goes perfectly well without superheating the steam, but with an equal fire the pressure goes from 110 to 165. When we admit less water the former not superheated, the latter superheated to about 700deg. Johnnie is going to put the propeller under the bottom in the new boat [apparently #15p GEM]. James thinks that when the dip of the shaft is equal to about 2.3 of the angle of of[sic] slip, then the wings on the up side, when rising half way up, have no effect, and pull back of the shaft is more inclined or more than 1 in 18 with the CREST's [#12p] wheel. What thinks Nat?
Johnnie [JBH] is building two seine boats (row) [#???s], & a 27 foot sail boat [#???s] will be done this week. He is also setting up the engine for the narrow steamboat [#14p VISION], to be completed by the middle of July. The CREST [#12p] was taken to New York by one man, who, as the Bristol paper says, was cook as well as Captain, engineer, & all in one. Something i think he ought to be ashamed of, ventyious[?] risky man. James told me his name & that you knew him, but it has slipped from my mind. Amasa has sent us a translation of the last cruise though the torrent. The paper is at Carrie's & I can't spell the name.
Mrs. Rose is with Stanton today. Julian & I passed most of last Tuesday with him (while Carrie was in Prov[idence]) reading Hume's History of England in[?] a History from Hume & Smollett to Stant & Julian and I enjoyed the day, for I had parted that morning from Francis & was thankful to have my mind diverted & knowing that I was making Stant so comfortable, feeding him &c & giving Carrie a chance for a change. Julian is quite interested in History & I am very thankful he enjoys reading. Therein he differs entirely from Mitchell, who can never fix his mind on anything but music. He says he never reads. We hear he is considered the best pianist in prov. I have written you since I sent the draft for $270 through Duncan & Sherman the same as James did, but I suppose it is hardly time for me to receive an acknowledgment of this draft. I am as usual in somewhat of a hurry for mail. Carrie has a good girl at $2.50 per week devoted to her but not as capable as Mary. I am quite interested in your descriptions of your landlord &c.
With a great deal of love for you all & kisses, for the children. I am your aff[ectiona]te mother ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Julia A. Letter to Herreshoff, Lewis and Herreshoff, N.G. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07570. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-06-22.)


"[Item Transcription:] [To:] N.G. Herreshoff Esq. 30 Jenkins St.
Providence June 4th, 1875.
Nat.
Here is a copy of dispatch received today.
'Philadelphia June 4th. Proposals accepted. Terms satisfactory. Tell the foremen to clear the decks, ready for action on my return. G. H. C. [George H. Corliss.]' [This is a reference to the order to build and set up the big Corliss steam engine in Philadelphia for the 1876 Centennial Exhibtion. The Scientific American Supplement of June 24, 1876, p. 403 reported that work on the engine had commenced on June 14, 1875.]
Had six fillings put in yesterday, four in the forenoon, and two in afternoon, and then took a real good sail with your father [Charles Herreshoff] in the JULIA [#187004es] for my nerves.
Jimmie [James Herreshoff] and his little scotch lassie are there.
Pleasant voyage to you.
George" (Source: Phillips, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_08890. Correspondence, Folder 27, formerly 215. 1875-06-04.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled comparative notes:] Model Oct[ober] 1881; Length 40f; Sail Base 76f; Sail Perp. 76f Large sail; Sail Perp. 61f Small sail; S[ailing]-L[ength] 42 1/2 [large]; 40 1/2 [small]
MADGE [English cutter]; Length 40f; Sail Base 71f; Sail Perp. 75f Large sail; Sail Perp. 56f Small sail; S[ailing]-L[ength] 42 [large]; 39 [small]
Schooner design; Length 76f; Sail Base 133f; Sail Perp. 102f Large sail; Sail Perp. 84f Small sail; S[ailing]-L[ength] 73 [large]; 70 1/2 [small]
Phil[?] race boat; Length 15f 3in; Base 22f; Perp. 27f; S[ailing]-L[ength] 15
DARE DEVIL [sandbagger]; Length 27f; Base 73f; Perp. 45; S[ailing]-L[ength] 31.2
SADIE Sch[ooner] [#186704es]; Length 48f; Base 87f; Perp. 67f; S[ailing]-L[ength] 47
ARROW; Length 63; Base 112; Perp. 110; S[ailing]-L[ength] 65
SAPPHO [Poillon, New York, 1867]; Length 126f; Base 208f; Perp. 140f Large s[ail]; Perp. 118f Small s[ail]; S[ailing]-L[ength] 112
GUINEVERE; L 126f; B 200f; P 132f Large s[ail]; P 114f Small s[ail]
FLYING CLOUD; L 74f; B 118f; P 94f Large s[ail]; P 72f Small s[ail]
MOSQUITO; L 64; B 114; P 82 Small sail
Design in 1875. Sliding gunter sail [#187505es ?]; L 16f; B 114; P 82 Small sail
SPRING GREEN [#186709es]; Length 16f; Base 22f; P 24f
NORA [#187802es ?]; L 16; B 19; P 21
AMARYLLIS [#187601es]; L 25; B 41; P 26
JULIA [#187004es]; L 22; B 27; P 33
GLEAM [#187702es]; L 25; B 33; P 38
J[OHN] GILPIN [#187703es]; L 29; B 57; P 33.
RIVIERA [#187406es]; L 16 1/2; B 15 1/2; P 21.
Pentagonal[sp?] Design; L 25f; B 32; P 37. [On verso half-sections and displacement calculations arriving at 97.3 tons]. [Undated (the latest design listed appears to be from 1881]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Comparative Notes and Half-Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0571. WRDT08, Folder 44. 1881 ?.)


"[Item Description:] Newspaper clipping from the [Providence?] Evening Bulletin titled 'The Bristol Regatta' about the July 25, 1881 regatta, among other participants were C. R. Herreshoff with JULIA [#187004es] and C. F. Herreshoff with ALICE [#405s] and Albert S. Almy with the 15ft 11in NORA [#187105es, #187802es, #188001es or other?]." (Source: Providence Evening Bulletin (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28640. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. 1881-07-26.)


"[Item Description:] Newspaper clipping from an unknown newspaper, penciled date Sept 13, 1881, titled 'The Sailing Regatta. A Great Day for Yachtsmen and Lovers of Aquatic Sports', reporting about the regatta at Rocky Point round the Plum Beach Point or around Hope Island for third-class boats, some of the boats mentioned were Jos. True's SPRITE [unclear if #186001es], C. F. Herreshoff's JULIA [#187004es], and C. F. Herreshoff's ALICE [#188004es] [Note: the regatta took place on Sept 13, 1881, but the newspaper was published Sept 14, 1881]." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28670. Newspaper Clipping. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. 1881-09-14.)


"[Item Description:] Newspaper clipping from unknown newspaper [Bristol Phoenix?] titled 'The Sailing Regatta' about the 4th of July [1882] regatta [in what Bristol], among other participants were C. Herreshoff with JULIA [#187004es] and C. F. Herreshoff with ALICE [#405s] and Albert S. Almy with the 18ft long NORA [#188210es], 'The NORA, which took the first prize in the fourth class was launched the day before the Fourth, and is said to have been built by the Herreshoff's in a week's time, she is a trim little craft, carrying a leg-o'-mutton sail'." (Source: Bristol Phoenix (?) (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28610. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. 1882-07-04.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter on 'The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co, Established in 1861, Incorporated in 1879, Sole Manufacturers Of The Herreshoff Patent Safety Coil Boiler, Builders of Steam Vessels and Engines' stationery:] Bristol, R.I., Sept[ember] 4 1885
Dear Daughter Kate,
I have just received your birch-bark letter. You did well to get so large a piece, it is so very thin. You do not say anything about leaving Princeton so I presume you will stay there until next week. I drove to Pt. Pl[easant] last eve and fount Aunt Emilie very happy and contented. uncle Charles won the prize at the Pawtucket Regatta a few days ago of $30 [presumably with #187004es JULIA IV], beating the IDEAL 10[?] seconds. Uncle Lewis says the water is fine for bathing. I took a sail to Bristol Ferry and back yesterday in the MARINA [#105p]. It seemed quite natural to be in her again. I think Uncle Nat will go to N.Y. in the STILETTO [#118p] with Grandpa and other members of our family. The shops are running [p. 2] [remainder was not imaged]." (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to Herreshoff, Katherine Kilton. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Item LIB_6090. HMM Library Rare Books Room (Various), Folder [no #]. 1885-09-04.)


"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) experiments and trials booklet titled 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Experiments 1884 to 1889. N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§5: Race for Cat Boats between #187004es JULIA IV, #188004es ALICE, #186001es SPRITE and #188210es NORA [?]. 'Prize awarded to ALICE.' (1884-04-07)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_03520. Folder [no #]. 1884-05 to 1890-05.)


"[Item Description:] sandbaggers, Pat McGiehan and Jake Schmidt, Tom Ratsey, Herrick Duggan and the Seawanhaka Cup in 1896, on looking up Forest and Stream I find that my first visit to Bristol was described in the issue of April 16, 1885, your father showed me the operation of the ballast car of #187004es JULIA and you took me into a little boathouse and showed me #400s CONSUELO, I was at City Island last Monday and saw #402s CLARA at her moorings; I met Rufus Murray and he gave me a piece of planking knocked out by a motorboat which stove a hole in her starboard bow, above water, I am sending it to you with Murray's compliments, breaking up of WHIRLWIND, #1275s MITENA, ISTALENA, #186403es KELPIE, schooner AGNES, #187106es SHADOW, SNIKERSNEE; [This letter published as 'Letter Seven' in Herreshoff, Stephens. Their Last Letters 1930-1938. Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, RI, 1988, p. 41.]" (Source: Stephens, William P. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_20620. Correspondence, Folder 59. 1935-07-21.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten memorandum:] Model Boat [#186201es] made by N. G. Herreshoff in 1861-62.
This rather queer shaped model was made by Nat Herreshoff when a boy of about thirteen years old, and perhaps her hard bilge, or resemblance to a V-bottom boat, can be traced to Nat's first racing experience in J. B.'s METEOR [#185601es], a V-bottom boat which was built by J. B. and his father between 1855 and 1857. Also Nat's father, Charles Frederick H., was at the time interested in models which gained stability or sail carrying ability by the action of the low bow wave. (In other words, the leeward bilge was supposed to rise up, or plane, on the lee bow wave).
J. B. once described these early bows to me by saying 'they were like the mold board of a plow which cuts into the sod, turns it over and throws it down.'
It is also interesting that C.F.H.'s later JULIAs [#185602es Julia III and #187004es Julia IV] had bows of this type, particularly those which used shifting ballast cars, so at the time that Nat made this model boat there may have been much talk about gaining sail carrying ability through hull shape. It is interesting, too, that Captain Nat did not use tumble-home sides after 1875, but earlier models like SADIE [#186704es (designed by JBH)], and SHADOW [#187106es] had tumble home. Apparently after stability was gained by deeper ballast he decided the slack bilges made an easier driven model.
A± any rate, it is interesting that this toy boat, or model boat, was owned by five boys without being seriously damaged. She was rigged at various times as both cat and sloop. The model probably has had several coats of paint, but is all original but the stem which L. F. H. made before the last painting. The stem is about 1/2in too high and was intended to be cut down after the flat bowsprit was fitted. The rudder is original and shows the stopper which went against the transom and prevented the rudder from swinging far enough to jam the rudder hangings.
This model is now presented to Norman F. Herreshoff by L. Francis Herreshoff who thinks it should be in the back part of the old Herreshoff house in Hope Street where it undoubtedly was made nearly a century ago.
The writing on the after deck is in Captain Nat's hand done after I returned the model to him in 1936." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis (creator). Memorandum. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_00590. Folder [no #]. 1956-12-27.)


"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten copy of a memorandum, laminated in plastic:] Model Boat [#186201es] made by N. G. Herreshoff in 1861-62.
This rather queer shaped model was made by Nat Herreshoff when a boy of about thirteen years old, and perhaps her hard bilge, or resemblance to a V-bottom boat, can be traced to Nat's first racing experience in J. B.'s METEOR [#185601es], a V-bottom boat which was built by J. B. and his father between 1855 and 1857. Also Nat's father, Charles Frederick H., was at the time interested in models which gained stability or sail carrying ability by the action of the low bow wave. (In other words, the leeward bilge was supposed to rise up, or plane, on the lee bow wave).
J. B. once described these early bows to me by saying 'they were like the mold board of a plow which cuts into the sod, turns it over and throws it down.'
It is also interesting that C.F.H.'s later JULIAs [#185602es Julia III and #187004es Julia IV] had bows of this type, particularly those which used shifting ballast cars, so at the time that Nat made this model boat there may have been much talk about gaining sail carrying ability through hull shape. It is interesting, too, that Captain Nat did not use tumble-home sides after 1875, but earlier models like SADIE [#186704es (designed by JBH)], and SHADOW [#187106es] had tumble home. Apparently after stability was gained by deeper ballast he decided the slack bilges made an easier driven model.
A± any rate, it is interesting that this toy boat, or model boat, was owned by five boys without being seriously damaged. She was rigged at various times as both cat and sloop. The model probably has had several coats of paint, but is all original but the stem which L. F. H. made before the last painting. The stem is about 1/2in too high and was intended to be cut down after the flat bowsprit was fitted. The rudder is original and shows the stopper which went against the transom and prevented the rudder from swinging far enough to jam the rudder hangings.
This model is now presented to Norman F. Herreshoff by L. Francis Herreshoff who thinks it should be in the back part of the old Herreshoff house in Hope Street where it undoubtedly was made nearly a century ago.
The writing on the after deck is in Captain Nat's hand done after I returned the model to him in 1936. [Incl. envelope marked in red pencil 'Description of Model Boat Built By N.G. Herreshoff']." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis (creator). Memorandum. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_02970. Folder [no #]. 1956-12-27.)


Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #187004es Julia IV even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

Further Reading
  • Grayson, Stan. Herreshoff Catboats. The Roots of a Boatbuilding Dynasty." Wooden Boat #289, November/December 2022, p. 58-67. (1,855 kB)
    Document is copyrighted: Yes. Detailed, well-written story about Herreshoff catboats, from early boats such as Sprite and the four Julias which were all built before the founding off the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company to the numerous small catboats like Dandelion and Bluebell, many of which were delivered to Boston yachtsmen and most of which were also built before the founding of HMCo to the later, often very extreme and rule-beating catboats such as Wanda. With some minor errors, not all Julias were keelboats, Dexter Stone was from Philadelphia and not just a local yachtsman, Peri was not built for W. Starling Burgess, and Bluebell was built for Ed. Burgess with no proof that this was Edward Burgess.

Images

Supplement

Research Note(s)

"Dimensions as taken off from the half model by Halsey Herreshoff and Maynard Bray in October 2007. Note that NGH in "The Old Tannery and My Brother John." mentioned a length of 22' (probably LWL)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

Note: Research notes contain information about a vessel that is often random and unedited but has been deemed useful for future research.

Note

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Citation: Herreshoff #187004es Julia IV. Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné. https://herreshoff.info/Docs/ES187004_Julia_IV.htm.