HMCo #102p Gov. Hamilton

P00102_Viva_ex-Gov_Hamilton_Stebbins_3273.jpg

Particulars

Construction_Record_Title.jpgName: Gov. Hamilton
Later Name(s): Viva (1888-)
Type: Steamboat
Designed by: NGH
Launch: 1883-4-9
Construction: Wood
LOA: 76' (23.16m)
Beam: 12' 6" (3.81m)
Draft: 4' 6" (1.37m)
Displ.: 39.0 short tons (35.4 metric tons)
Propulsion: Steam, Herreshoff, Double exp., 2 cyl. (8" & 14" bore x 14" stroke); Comp. con.
Boiler: Coil; [67" x 64"?]; Size L. with 3 tops [spelling?]
Propeller: Diameter 45", Pitch 67"
Built for: U.S. State of Maryland [owned by J. B. Herreshoff in 1894 and 1895]
Note(s) in HMCo Construction Record: Oyster police, for Maryland oyster commission
Last reported: 1906 (aged 23)

See also:
#188402es [Yawl Boat for #102p Gov. Hamilton] (1884)
#188403es [Yawl Boat for #102p Gov. Hamilton] (1884)

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 #609Model number: 609
Model location: H.M.M. Model Room North Wall Left

Vessels from this model:
6 built, modeled by NGH
#83p Nereid (1882)
#92p Permelia (1882)
#100p Permelia [One Hundred] (1883)
#102p Gov. Hamilton (1883)
#105p Marina (1884)
#123p Ladoga (1885)

Original text on model:
"Str. #83 76' 1882 NERIED
[Str.] 92 95' PERMELIA
str 100 100' 1883 "100" (ADIA)
str. 102 76' 1883 GOV. HAMILTON
Str. 105 86' 1884 MARIANA (COSETTE)
Str. 123 97' 1885 LADOGA
[on bow front] 6 yachts" (Source: Original handwritten annotation on model. Undated.)

Model Description:
"76' and 95' loa Nereid and Permelia, steam yachts of 1882. Also 100' loa Permelia (II) [or 100 or Aida], steam yacht of 1883; 76' loa Gov. Hamilton, Oyster Police boat of 1883; 87' loa Marina, steam yacht of 1884; and 97' loa Ladoga, steam yacht of 1885." (Source: Bray, Maynard. 2004.)

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

Main drawing Dwg 003-023 (HH.5.00166) Explore all drawings relating to this boat.

List of drawings:
   Drawings believed to have been first drawn for, or being first referenced to
   HMCo #102p Gov. Hamilton are listed in bold.
   Click on Dwg number for preview, on HH number to see at M.I.T. Museum.
  1. Dwg 054-007 (HH.5.03940): Condensing Pipe for Str. 65 (1880-03-09)
  2. Dwg 094-002 (HH.5.07736): For Str. 102 3 Front Posts for Pilot House Str. # 83 (ca. 1882)
  3. Dwg 003-023 (HH.5.00166): Construction Dwg > 76' Steam Yacht Gov. Hamilton (1883-01-04)
  4. Dwg 004-006 (HH.5.00191): Sails > Sail, Yacht - Stm (1883-02-27)
  5. Dwg 091-001 (HH.5.07270): Masts and Standing Riggings, Str. 102 (1883-02-28)
  6. Dwg 067-018 (HH.5.04745): Steering Gear for Str. 100 and 102 (1883-03-29)
  7. Dwg 094-003 (HH.5.07737): Steering Gear for Str. 102 See Pilot House of Str. 100 and the Detail Drawing (1883-03-29)
  8. Dwg 005-011 (HH.5.00246): General Arrangement > Steamer Viva - Length Overall 88'-6", W.L. 73'-3", Draw 6' (1894-06-14)
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

"[1894-05-02] Wed 2: ... John returns from Norfolk in Viva [#102p ex-Gov. Hamilton].
[1894-05-31] Thu 31: Heron[?] & Hais[?] towed to NY by Viva [#102p ex-Gov. Hamilton]. ...
[1894-06-17] Sun 17: ... Aida [#92p] towed here by Viva [#102p ex-Gov. Hamilton]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1894. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"Eng[ine]s forward of Boiler. 16in center to center of frames. 4ft 6in Draft. 12ft 6in Beam. 5ft 11in Depth. 76ft Long. Eng[ine]s 8in & 14in x 14in. LL Round Boiler. 67in Dia[meter]. Steel shaft." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Handwritten Note in Casting Record Books Vessel Castings Book 4, s.v. Steamer 102. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120. No date (1878 to 1887).)

Other Contemporary Text Source(s)

"OYSTER POLICE STEAMERS.
The board of public works has contracted with H. A. Ramsay & Co., of Baltimore city, for a steam propeller, to cost $12,500, for the oyster navy of Maryland. Another steam vessel for the same service has been ordered, to cost $12,500 also, from the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, of Bristol, R. I., which will be ready for use by the close of the present month. The act of 1882 authorizing the building of these vessels prescribes that they shall be equal to a rate of speed not less than 12 knots an hour, to be determined before acceptance. On the completion of both vessels the old oyster steamer Leila will be sold. The officers and crew will be transferred to one of the new steamers, and appointments will be made for the other. The acquisitions will be large-sized tugs or yachts, built for light draught, and with the view to celerity of movement." (Source: Anon. "Maryland State Affairs. New Vessels for the Oyster Navy." Baltimore Sun, March 9, 1883, p. 1.)

"Annapolis, April 12 [1883]. ... The new steam yacht constructed by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company at Bristol, R. I., for the Maryland oyster navy, will probably be finished and brought to this State in two weeks. On Monday, 9th instant [1883], the vessel was launched and named the Gov. Hamilton. The steamer is 76 feet long by 12 1/2 wide and has an engine of 100-horse power, which by the terms of the contract must drive the vessel at a speed of 14 miles an hour. The cabin is comfortably but not expensively fitted. On Monday next [April 16, 1883] Mr. Thos. McCosker will go to Rhode Island to make the required inspection before acceptance. Then the new steamer will be brought on and used first in the service of the commission appointed to report on the resources of the Maryland oyster beds. This commission will have control of the Governor Hamilton for three months from about May 1. Capt. William G Gordy, of the oyster navy, will be in command of the vessel. He and Messrs. Waddell and Lesgg settled the preliminaries in Annapolis today with the sanction of the board of public works. Mr. F C. Benner, engineer of the oyster steamer Leila, Mr. McCosker and Capt Waddel all speak highly of the qualities of the yacht. Mr. Geo H. Lewis, No. 391 Hanover street, formerly of the tugboat Baltimore, has been appointed engineer of the vessel. Capt Lemuel Mitchell, of Annapolis, is the first mate. The oyster commission will meet in Baltimore next Wednesday." (Source: Anon. "Matters in Maryland. An Oyster Police Yacht." Baltimore Sun, April 13, 1883, p. 1.)

"[A] steam yacht, called the Gov. Hamilton [#102p] was launched Monday morning [April 9, 1883]. The Gov. H. is 76 feet in length, by 12 1/2 feet in width, and has an engine of 100-horse power. She is intended to be used in the oyster culture in the head waters of Chesapeake Bay. The steam yacht Orienta [#89p], built here last season, has received a new engine and sailed for New York Saturday, whence she is soon to make a southern trip." (Source: Anon. "Successful Launchings." Bristol Phoenix, April 14, 1883.)

"Annapolis, April 27 [1883]. --- The board of public works today accepted and paid $12,500 for the steam yacht Gov. Wm. T. Hamilton, built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol, R. I., for the oyster police service of the State of Maryland. The vessel is a trim little propeller, fully equipped for service, and very fast. It was found on trial to answer all the requirements of the act authorizing its purchase, and a check in payment of the builders was handed over to Mr. Herreshoff in person, who had made the voyage in the vessel from Bristol to Annapolis, accompanied by his wife and daughter. Mr. Herreshoff has been blind from his childhood, yet his knowledge of the minutest details of his business is perfect. Without guidance he is able to put his hands on any part of the vessel without faltering. He walked over the yacht with the Governor and other members of the board of public works, leading the way, and with his switch cane showed them things they would not have observed with their eyes. The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company is especially noted for elegance of models and speed. The class of vessels to which the yacht Wm. T. Hamilton belongs is known in naval service as 'vidette boats,' and the makers of this vessel have constructed similar craft for the English and French navies. Before final acceptance the yacht took a turn around the Naval Academy, in which the vessel was put to its greatest speed. Test-stoppages were made quicker than air-brakes will bring up a railway train. The turning is as neat and expeditious as though the vessel was on a pivot.
By direction of the board of public works, Capt. Wm. G. Gordy, commander, transferred the yacht to Capt. James I. Waddell for the service of the oyster commission appointed under resolution No. 7 of the General Assembly of 1882. This commission [is] charged with the duty of investigating the oyster resources of the State, and making suggestions on which to base remedial legislation for the restoration of the oyster beds now so nearly exhausted by over-dredging. ..." (Source: Anon. "The Maryland Oyster Navy. Steam for Fishery Police Service." Baltimore Sun, April 28, 1883, p. 5.)

"THE following copy of a letter from Chief Engineer B . F. lsherwood, U. S. N., to the Secretary of Board of Public Works of Maryland, explains itself:
Bristol, R. I. , April 18, 1883.
HERRESHOFF MANUFACTURING Co.
James T. Briscoe, Jr., Secretary of Board of Public Works of Maryland:
SIR --- Agreeably to the request of the Board of Public Works of Maryland, communicated in your letter of the 29th ult, that I should actt as umpire in the trial of speed of the steamer Governor Hamilton, built by the Herreshoff Co., of Bristol, for the State fishery force of Maryland; and to notify the Board if the said steamer makes 12 knots an hour, I, have the honor to state that:
The final speed trial which was made today in Narragansett Bay, near Bristol, over a straight base three (3) nautical miles or knots in length according to the Coast Survey chart, at slack tide, with a light swell and moderate wind abeam, gave a sustained speed, as a mean of running over the base in both directions consecutively, of 12.3518 knots per hour, burning anthracite coal of fair merchantable quality. The vessel at this speed steered properly and behaved remarkably well. The machinery performed perfectly. There were neither hot journals nor any other engineering difficulties experienced, and the machinery could have continued to work on indefinitely. Both hull and machinery are well designed and built, and perfectly adapted to the intended service. I have been experimenting with this vessel during the last four days on behalf of the Navy Department, assisted by a Board of Naval Engineers, who were present at the trial above described; and have carefully examined and tested both hull and machinery, the latter particularly for economy of fuel, which I found not to be excelled by any performance known to me, the indicated horse power being obtained for a consumption of two pounds of anthracite an hour. Respectfully submitted by, sir, your obedient servant, B. F. ISHERWOOD, Chief Engineer, U. S. N." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, May 26, 1883, p. 2.)

"The oyster police steamer Governor Hamilton, which was lately purchased by Mr. Franklin Weld, president of the Albemarle aud Chesapeake, Canal Company, is on the ways at Brusstar & Bros.' shipyard receiving a general overhauling and remodeling. She has already been lengthened seven feet forward, with an overhanging bow, and six feet aft with a stern modeled from that of a cutter yacht. This gives a total length of ninety-five feet. Her depth has been increased twenty-two inches at the middle and two feet forward and aft. Her deck will be flush with wire nettings. The pilot-house, companion ways, skylights and stateroom on deck will all be finished in cherry. The whole appearance of the vessel will be made to conform to the latest style of American yachts, and will be a decided credit to the Messrs. Brusstar." (Source: Anon. "Port Paragraphs. An Oyster Police Steamer Being Converted Into A Steam Yacht." Baltimore Sun, September 19, 1888, p. 6.)

"The state oyster police steamer Governor Hamilton, which was bought by Mr. Franklin Weed, president of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, has completed her changes at Brusstar Bros'. shipyard and looks like a fancy yacht. She is now named the Viva, and hails from Falmouth, Mass. It is expected that the Viva will soon leave for a cruise." (Source: Anon. "The Yacht Viva." Baltimore Sun, November 2, 1888, p. 4.)

"Providence. April 17 [1894]. --- The Herreshoff 10-rater [#440s Dacotah] built for Mr. Allan, of Glasgow, Scotland, left the company's shop at Bristol yesterday, to be towed to New-York by the steam yacht Daphne, accompanied also by John B. Herreshoff's new steam yacht Eugenia [#178p Eugenia I]. She will be put aboard an ocean steamer for Scotland. The Daphne will keep on to Norfolk. Va., from New-York, where Captain Frank Torrey will exchange her for the steam yacht Governor Hamilton [#102p], for which the Herreshoff Company has traded the Daphne." (Source: Anon. "Herreshoff Yachts Coming Here." New York Tribune, April 18, 1894, p. 1.)

"John B. Herreshoff and wife, left town Saturday [April 21, 1894] on a trip to Virginia, they are to return on steam yacht Governor Hamilton, for which the Daphne was traded." (Source: Anon. "Home News." Bristol Phoenix, April 28, 1894, p. 2.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 961:]
Viva, steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1883.
22.94 tons; 75 ft. x 13 ft. x 73 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, two masts, billethead.
Previously enrolled Aug. 21, 1890 at Falmouth.
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) May 7, 1894. Owner: John B. Herreshoff of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff.
Surrendered [license] June 24, 1895 at New York. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Bristol. Ship Registers and Enrollments of the Port of Bristol - Warren Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. Viva.)

"The Viva [#102p ex-Gov. Hamilton] took in tow the Honira [sic, i.e. #442s Houri], the new boat built for Mr. Duncan of New York, and also the racing boat Acis [#441s], built for Mr. Francke, who will sail in the Far Rockaway Regatta the coming season." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachting." Bristol Phoenix, June 2, 1894, p. 2.)

"NEW-LONDON, Conn., June 1 [1894]. --- The trim little steam yacht Avis [sic, i.e. #102p Viva ex-Gov. Hamilton], with John B. Herreshoff and family on board, came in here this forenoon about 10 o clock with a fresh breeze against her and a strong tide running. She ran up near the steamer Chelsea's pier, but before she came to an anchor a Block Island catboat in charge of Manuel Allen, her owner, ran across the bow of the Avis and lost her sheet as a result. The Avis's bowsprit ran through it and tore it the entire length from gaff to boom. Skipper Allen said he did not notice that the yacht was under steam.
The Avis is on her way to New-York with William Butler Duncan's new sloop Houri [#442s], just built by the Herreshoff Company, and the catboat Acis [#441s], built for Lewis C. Francke of New-York. ... The Avis is to be a competitor in the races at Far Rockaway this season. Both boats will be delivered to their owners to-morrow, for the Avis left here before sundown on her way to New-York. [Note: The article confuses the names of steamyacht and catboat. The catboat's name was Acis (Avis), while J. B. Herreshoff used the steamyacht #102p Viva ex-Gov. Hamilton.]" (Source: Anon. "The Houri A Fast One. Outsailed Every Yacht She Encountered at Bristol and Fall River." New York Times, June 2, 1894, p. 3.)

"Yachts Reported. ... NEWPORT, R. I., June 15 [1894]. ... Herreshoff's steam yacht Viva [#102p Viva ex-Gov. Hamilton] left Bristol today for Shelter Island with a new twenty-one-footer [Larchmont One-Design Fin Keel #444s Vaquero I] for Mr. Dwyer [sic, i.e. Duryea] aboard. She will return with W. P. Douglass's steam yacht Aida [#92p Aida ex-Permelia] to have new boilers." (Source: Anon. "Yachts Reported." New York Times, June 16, 1894, p. 3.)

"Steam yacht Viva, J. B. Herreshoff owner, has been leased by Mr Langdon of Shelter Island, N.Y., for the season, and sailed for her destination on Tuesday [July 24, 1894] last." (Source: Anon. "Home News." Bristol Phoenix, July 28, 1894, p. 2.)

"Steam yacht Viva, with Mr. and Mrs. John B. Herreshoff and his daughter Miss Kittie Herreshuff on board, sailed for Newport last Monday morning for the purpose of bringing Secretary Herbert of the United States Navy to this port. The Secretary visited Bristol by invitation of Mr Herreshoff, and was accompanied by Miss Herbert, and commander Convers of the Government Torpedo Station at Newport, with Officers of the United States Steamer Dolphin, accompanying them. The party were escorted through the Herreshoff boat building and machine shops, and inspected the varied patents used in construction, and were then taken for a drive about town, and through its suburbs, which was much enjoyed. They arrived in town in the afternoon and were taken back to Newport in the Viva, a lunch being served on board by the Hope club of Providence." (Source: Anon. "Secretary Herbert." Bristol Phoenix, September 1, 1894, p. 2.)

"From the Providence Journal. ...
A new bowsprit will be fitted to steam yacht Viva the coming week. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Boats. New Steam Yachts Under Way. Craft Being Hauled Up for the Winter." New York Sun, October 21, 1894, p. 8.)

"FOR SALE --- The fine, flush deck, cruising yacht Viva; length 90 feet; has new hardwood cabin and furnishings; is in perfect order throughout; can be seen at Pier 14 North River, between 9 and 11 A. M., Monday, June 10; after that be appointment, adressing the owner, JOHN B. HERRESHOFF. Astor House, New York city." (Source: Anon. "For Sale." New York Herald, June 9, 1895, p. 12.)

"Steam yacht Viva has been sold by J. B. Herreshoff to the president of the American Steamship Company, New York." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 18, 1895, p. 2.)

"Ex-Mayor Frederick W. Wurster of Brooklyn has chartered through the agency of Frank Bowne Jones, the steam yacht Viva, owned by Isaac A. Hanper [spelling?]. The Viva, formerly the Governor Hamilton, is a Herreshoff boat measuring 96 feet overall, 76 feet waterline, 13 feet beam, and 8 feet draught. She will be used by Mr. Wurster in Long Island Sound, and will make her headquarters at Glen Cove where Mr. Wurster has a Summer home" (Source: Anon. "Notes for Yachtsmen." New York Times, May 23, 1900, p. 8.)

Archival Documents

"[Item Description:] Casting Book # 4, steamers #40p, #54p, #57p, #63p, #67p, #70p, #79p, #89p, #92p, #99p, #100p, #101p, #102p, #103p, #104p, #105p, #106p, #107p, #108p, #109p, #110p, #111p, #112p, #113p, #114p, #115p, #116p, #117p, #118p, #119p, #120p, #121p, #122p, #123p, #124p, #125p, #126p, #127p, #128p, #129p, #130p, #131p, #132p, #133p, #134p, #135p, #136p, #137p, #138p, #139p, #140p, #141p, #142p, #143p, #144p, #145p, #146p, #147p [castings by hull number; front page shows summary size and engine and boiler data for steamers 99 thru 146 as well as repair data for steamers #40p, #54p, #57p, #63p, #67p, #70p, #79p, #89p, #92p, #118p, and #128p]. Undated, vessels mentioned were built between 1878 and 1887. Dates mentioned for repairs range from 1885 to 1887. Note considerable informational overlap with Casting Book # 1, which as in this book also contains data for #99p through #116p, although it appears (!) that Book # 4 lists more patterns per boat than Book # 1. Likewise, considerable overlap with Casting Books # 2 and # 3 which also contain data for boats that are also listed in book # 4. It may well be that information in Book # 4 was copied from books # 1, # 2 and 3." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-07. Castings Book 4. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Vessel Castings Book 4. No date (1878 to 1887).)



"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Work order notebook [Titled Nathl G. Herreshoff, Esq., Bristol R.I.; 1882-1887, mostly signed by N.G.H., later ones by C.H.K.; material and item orders relating to #400s CONSUELO, #401s ROMP and steamers #89p, #99p, #100p, #101p, #102p, #104p, #105p, #106p, #110p, #111p, #113p, #118p, #119p, #120p, #122p, #123p, #140p, #146p; many orders from the marine store of A. B. Babbitt at Tiverton]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Work Order Notebook. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-04. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Sketch and Order Book 1882-1887 NGH CHK. 1882 to 1887.)


"[Item Description:] Casting Book # 1, steamers #99p, #100p, #101p, #102p, #103p, #104p, #105p, #106p, #107p, #108p, #109p, #110p, #111p, #112p, #113p, #114p, #115p, #116p [castings by hull number]. Undated, vessels mentioned were built between 1883 and 1884. Note considerable informational overlap with Casting Book # 4, which also contains data for all of the boats mentioned in this book, although it appears (!) that Book # 4 lists more patterns per boat than Book # 1. Likewise, considerable overlap with sometimes identical information with Casting Book # 2." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-09. Castings Book 1. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Vessel Castings Book 1. No date (1883 to 1884).)


"[Item Description:] Three sets of penciled side-by-side half-sections and displacement curves. The topmost curve is labeled 'Displ. curve to painted water line (3in higher than actual). St[eame]r 101 [#101p 101]'. The second set of half-sections with two displacement curves labeled '#102 GOV[ernor] HAMILTON' and '#100 PERMELIA', respectively. The third set of half sections is labeled 'ORIENTA. #89 [#89p]'. With tabulated data for all four designs showing draft, area at waterline, area at midship section, dist. exclusive of keel, wetted surface of hull, keel, rudder and skeg and angle of deadrise." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Side-by-side Half-Sections and Displacement Curves. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0581. WRDT08, Folder 45. No date (winter of 1882/1883 ?).)


"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) experiments and trials booklet titled 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Experiments 1883 to 1884'. Relevant contents:
§11: #102p GOV. HAMILTON Trial Run engine working stiff [best speed 11.59kn] (1883-04-16 to 1883-04-18)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_03950. Folder [no #]. 1883-03 to 1884-04.)


Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #102p Gov. Hamilton even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.


Images

Registers

1896 Manning's American Yacht List (#409)
Name; Former Name(s): Viva; Governor Hamilton
Owner: Thos. L. Watt; Port: New York
Official no. 161599; Type & Rig Scw Schr. [Screw Schooner]
Tons Gross 38.98; Tons Net 22.94; LOA 96.0; LWL 76.0; Extr. Beam 13.0; Depth 7.8; Draught 6.0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1883
Engine F[ore] & A[ft] C[ompound] 8 & 6 x 14. Coil; Maker Herreshoff. Roberts

1902 Manning's American Yacht List
Name; Former Name(s): Viva; Governor Hamilton
Owner: E. Eyre; Club(s): 1 [New York]; Port: New York
Official no. 161599; Type & Rig Scw. Schr. [Screw Schooner]
Tons Gross 38.98; Tons Net 22.94; LOA 96.0; LWL 76.0; Extr. Beam 13.0; Depth 7.8; Draught 6.0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1883
Engine F[ore] & A[ft] C[ompound] 8 & 6 x 14. Water Tube [Boiler], 1902; Maker Herreshoff. Roberts

1903 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts
Name; Former Name(s): Viva; Governor Hamilton
Owner: Edward Eyre; Port: New York
Official no. 161599; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig TwnScw [Twin Screws], Stm [Steamer]
Tons Gross 38.98; Tons Net 22.94; Reg. Length 75.1; LOA 96.0; LWL 76.0; Extr. Beam 13.0; Depth 7.8; Draught 5.5
Builder Herreshoff M. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1883
Engine C[ompound] I[nverted]. 4 Cy. 6 & 8 x 14; Maker Herreshoff M. Co., Brs., R.I.

1905 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts
Name; Former Name(s): Viva; Governor Hamilton
Owner: Edward Eyre; Port: New York
Official no. 161599; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig Scw Stm [Screw Steamer]
Tons Gross 38.98; Tons Net 22.94; Reg. Length 75.1; LOA 87.0; LWL 76.0; Extr. Beam 13.3; Depth 7.8; Draught 6.5
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1883
Engine C[ompound] I[nverted]. 4 Cyl. 6 & 8 x 14. Rebuilt 1896. 1 W.T. [Watertube boiler]. 1902; Maker Her. Mfg. Co. Roberts W.T.B. Co.

1906 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#3107)
Name; Former Name(s): Viva; Governor Hamilton
Owner: Edward Eyre; Port: New York
Official no. 161599; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], FC [sic], Scw Stm [Screw Steamer]
Tons Gross 38; Tons Net 22; LOA 87-0; LWL 76-0; Extr. Beam 13-4; Depth 7-10; Draught 6-6
Builder Her. M. Co.; Designer N. G. Herreshoff; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1883
Engine C[ompound] 2 Cyl. 6 & 8 x 14. 1 B[oiler] Wt [Watertube] [19]02; Maker Her. M. Co. Roberts

Source: Various Yacht Lists and Registers. For complete biographical information see the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné under Data Sources. Note that this section shows only snapshots in time and should not be considered a provenance, although it can help creating one.

Supplement

From the 1920 and earlier HMCo Index Cards at the MIT Museum
  • Note: The vessel index cards comprise two sets of a total of some 3200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and information regarding drawings, later or former vessel names, and owners. They were compiled from HMCo's early days until 1920 and added to in later decades, apparently by Hart Nautical curator William A. Baker and his successors. While HMCo seems to have used only one set of index cards, all sorted by name and, where no name was available, by number, later users at MIT apparently divided them into two sets of cards, one sorted by vessel name, the other by vessel number and greatly expanded the number of cards. Original HMCo cards are usually lined and almost always punched with a hole at bottom center while later cards usually have no hole, are unlined, and often carry substantially less information. All cards are held by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass.
From the 1931 HMCo-published Owner's List

Name: Gov. Hamilton
Type: Steam
Length: 76'
Owner: Maryland, State Of.

Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. "A Partial List of Herreshoff Clients." In: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Herreshoff Yachts. Bristol, Rhode Island, ca. 1931.

From the 1930s L. Francis Herreshoff Index Cards at the Herreshoff Marine Museum
  • Note: The L. Francis Herreshoff index cards comprise a set of some 1200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and / or ownership information. Apparently compiled in the early 1930s, for later HMCo-built boats like the Fishers Island 23s or the Northeast Harbor 30s are not included. Added to in later decades, apparently by L. F. Herreshoff as well as his long-time secretary Muriel Vaughn and others. Also 46 cards of L. F. Herreshoff-designed vessels. The original set of index cards is held by the Herreshoff Marine Museum and permission to display is gratefully acknowledged.
From the 1953 HMCo Owner's List by L. Francis Herreshoff

Name: Gov. Hamilton
Type: 96' steamer
Owner: State of Maryland
Year: 1883
Row No.: 255

Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Partial List of Herreshoff-Built Boats." In: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Capt. Nat Herreshoff. The Wizard of Bristol. New York, 1953, p. 325-343.

From the 2000 (ca.) Transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Vermilya/Bray

Year: 1883
E/P/S: P
No.: 102
Name: Gov. Hamilton
OA: 76'

Source: Vermilya, Peter and Maynard Bray. "Transcription of the HMCo. Construction Record." Unpublished database, ca. 2000.

Note: The transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Peter Vermilya and Maynard Bray was performed independently (and earlier) than that by Claas van der Linde. A comparison of the two transcriptions can be particularly useful in those many cases where the handwriting in the Construction Record is difficult to decipher.

Research Note(s)

"... Str. #102 - 76Ft. long. 8+14x14 Eng[ine]. LL Round [Boiler]. ... " (Source: Anon. [Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. (N. G. Herreshoff?)] No Title. [Handwritten Notes on Outer Cover of Notebook.] No date [ca. late 1880s.] Notebook in the Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, The Francis Russel Hart Nautical Collections, M.I.T. Museum, Cambridge, Mass., obj. no. HH.6.120.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (38.98) from the 1896 Manning's American Yacht List (Net Register Tons were reported as 22.94) and converting to lbs by dividing through 2000 (short tons). Note that this figure can only be a rough estimate because register tons as reported in Yacht Registers correlate only loosely with actual displacement figures." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

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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Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné.
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Citation: HMCo #102p Gov. Hamilton. Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné. https://herreshoff.info/Docs/P00102_Gov_Hamilton.htm.