HMCo #164p Javelin

"[1890-07-26] Sat 26: Have order for 85' high-speed yacht from Mr. Hearst [This vessel is apparently #164p Javelin whose contract was recorded on this day in the HMCo construction record. On 1890-12-04 Hearst ordered a larger steamyacht, #168p Vamoose, prompting the HMCo on 1891-01-26 to sell Javelin to E. D. Morgan.]
[1890-12-04] Thu 4: Closed contract with Mr. Hearst for 110' steamer [#168p Vamoose]. We take 85' one partly built [#164p Javelin].
[1891-01-26] Mon 26: Mr. E. D. Morgan and party here by car. Mr. Morgan ordered steamer #164 [Javelin].
[1891-01-31] Sat 31: Began bending tubes[?] for steamer #164 [Javelin].
[1891-02-21] Sat 21: Began planking steamer #164 [Javelin].
[1891-06-30] Tue 30: Put boiler in steamer #164 [Javelin].
[1891-07-18] Sat 18: Launched steamer #164, Javelin.
[1891-07-27] Mon 27: Tried Javelin, steamer #164.
[1891-11-16] Mon 16: ... Mr. Morgan left for New York & Javelin [#164p] here to haul up.
[1891-11-19] Thu 19: Took machinery out of Javelin [#164p].
[1891-11-20] Fri 20: Hauled out Javelin [#164p] at P[oin]t Pleasant.
[1892-04-14] Thu 14: Launched Javelin [#164p] from ways at P[oin]t Pl[easant].
[1892-04-28] Thu 28: Javelin [#164p] left for N[ew] Y[ork].
[1892-06-03] Fri 3: ... Mr. [E.D.] Morgan arrived in Javelin [#164p].
[1892-11-19] Sat 19: ... Hauled out Javelin [#164p] at P[oin]t Pl[easant].
[1893-01-02] Mon 2: Launched Javelin [#164p] at Popasquash.
[1893-01-07] Sat 7: Mr. Morgan took Javelin [#164p] to Newport.
[1893-01-31] Tue 31: Nat went to Newport in Javelin [#164p] with party. ... [This entry apparently not in NGH's handwriting.]
[1893-02-08] Wed 8: Mr. Iselin & Mr. Morgan [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate] here in Javelin [#164p]. ...
[1893-03-09] Thu 9: Messrs. Iselin & Morgan [of the #437s Vigilant syndicate] here in Javelin [#164p]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1890 to 1893. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"Steamer no. 164.
Length overall 89'.
Length on water about 86'.
Beam 10' 0".
Scale of model 1/24th.
Frame spaces 15". Zero line at outside of stem.
Keel 10" wide, 5" deep.
Deduct in making moulds for wooden timbers for planking 1 1/8".
For timbers 1 7/8".
Total 3".
Oak timbers forward and aft of machinery compartments.
Deck beams all of steel.
Measurements above sheer refer to a 2nd baseline 9.0.0 above the other and the measurements are downward." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.024.] Undated, ca. 1890-07. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"Mr. Morgan liked 'Pelican' very much but the next winter, 1890-91, he had Captain Nat design and build the high-speed steam launch 'Javelin' which was a remarkable open launch ninety-eight feet long, double ended, planked with mahogany. I think she went around twenty-six miles per hour and was one of the fastest open launches of her time. She, too, like the 'Stiletto,' made a circle around the Hudson River steamer 'Mary Powell." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 160.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. has contracted with Mr. W. R. Hearst, son of Senator Hearst of California, for a high speed mahogany steam yacht to be sent to San Francisco, California. ... [This is apparently a reference to #164p Javelin whose contract had been recorded on July 26, 1890 in the HMCo construction record. Hearst subsequently ordered a larger steamyacht, #168p Vamoose, prompting HMCo to sell the unfinished Javelin to E. D. Morgan on January 26, 1891.]" (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, August 2, 1890, p. 2.)

"Mr. John B. Herreshoff, the builder of the famous engines bearing his name, returned from Europe Wednesday [October 8, 1890] on the Teutonic with his daughter. Mr. Herreshoff told a Times reporter that his visit to Europe had been purely on business, and that it involved the interests of the Thornycroft boiler, with which the torpedo boat Cushing is supplied.
He said that he had completed an arrangement with the Thornycroft people whereby he had secured absolute control of the manufacture of those boilers in this country. His works at Bristol, R. I., will be enlarged and improved, he said, to meet the demands of the new plant. Mr. Herreshoff and his daughter left town on the evening boat for Newport. [Javelin was the second of only three Herreshoff vessels to be supplied with a Thornycroft boiler.]" (Source: Anon. "Mr. Herreshoff's Return." New York Times, October 10, 1890, p. 3.)

"The works of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. at Bristol, R. I., are busy with a number of yachts, both sail and steam, in addition to Government work. The largest yacht is a steamer [#168p Vamoose], 112ft. long for W. R. Hearst, to make 25 miles per hour, another steamer [#164p Javelin], 98ft. long, is for E. D. Morgan, her speed being 23 miles; while Mr. Morgan will also have a steam tender, the Katydid [#165p], 27ft. long and 6ft. 5in. beam. Beside these two steamers he has a keel catyawl 29ft. 6in. l.w.l., of the same family as the Consuelo and Clara. Her name will be Gannet [#409s]. Another catyawl [#408s Pelican] 26ft. 5in. l.w.l. is for Mr. J. C. Moran [sic], of New York." (Source: Anon. "Work At Bristol." Forest and Stream, March 12, 1891, p. 161.)

"... The Herreshoffs have had a very busy winter, and at present employ 105 men, and have $115,000 worth of contracts on hand, outside of projected government work. ... Steam launch Katydid [#165p], of mahogany, 27 feet long and 6 1/2 feet wide, has been built for E. D. Morgan, of New York, for use as a tender. A keel cat yawl, 29 1/2 feet long on the water-line, and named the Gannet [#409s], has been built for E. D. Morgan, of New York, and a keel cat-yawl, Pelican [#408s], 26 1/2 feet on the water-line, for I. C. Moran, of New York. ... A steam yacht [#164p Javelin] 98 feet long is building for E. D. Morgan, of New York, the speed required being 23 miles an hour. --- Boston Globe." (Source: Anon. "At Bristol, R.I." Rudder, March 1891, p. 32.)

"M[ar]ch 22, 91.
My dear Mr. Herreshoff,
We have at last decided upon a name for the '46' [#411s]. 'GLORIANA' in Spencer's 'Fairy Queen'. The 'greatest glorious queen of fairy land' (Webster).
It also refers to Queen Elizabeth & as I have [a] rather soft spot for the name Elizabeth, it appeals to me very much in that respect as well as its euphony.
For the steamer [#164p JAVELIN] how do you like the name 'ZOPHIEL', in Milton's 'Paradise Lost' an angelic scout 'of cherubin the sweetest wing' (Webster) - ? ...
I am of course awaiting with much interest from your next letter to hear how things are progressing & any possible news.
Kind regards to your family, Yours truly [E. D. Morgan]." (Source: Morgan, E.D. [Letter to N. G. Herreshoff.] Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 98. Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. March 22, 1891.)

"... Mr. Morgan's new steam yacht, the Javelin, which Herreshoff is building, will probably go into the water this week. The boat is ninety-eight feet long. Her machinery and pilot house is completed, and when she is once floated she will be almost ready to go into commission. ..." (Source: Anon. "A Fast Yacht Is Oweene." New York Times, July 19, 1891, p. 20.)

"Javelin, steam yacht, of Newport.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., 1891.
37.28 gross tons, 20 net tons; 96.3 ft. x 10 ft. x 7.3 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, no masts, plain head, pointed stern.
Surveyed and measured, July 23, 1891." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Javelin.)

"... Commodore E. D. Morgan's new ninety-eight-foot steam yacht Javelin has been launched at last, and her preliminary runs showed her machinery to be in first-class order. She was built by Nat Herreshoff, whose mind it was that thought out the Gloriana's model. The only remarkable thing about Commodore Morgan's boat is its speed. The Javelin contains a Thornycroft boiler and a triple-expansion engine which is guaranteed to send her through the water at a speed of twenty-three miles an hour. Those who have watched the construction of the Javelin are of the opinion that she will do much better than twenty-three miles when put into harness." (Source: Anon. "Ready for Launching." New York Times, July 26, 1891, p. 20.)

"JAVELIN. --- The new steam yacht Javelin, built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. for Vice-Com. E. D. Morgan, New York Y C, was launched on July 18 [1891], making her trial trip on the following Monday [July 20, 1891]. She is 98ft over all, 94ft. l.w.l.. 10ft. 2in. beam, 4ft. 9in. draft, with three cylinder compound engines, 9, 14 and 22 1/2 in. x 12in. cylinders, and a Thornycroft boiler. The speed expected is 23 miles per hour." (Source: Anon. "Javelin." Forest and Stream, July 30, 1891, p. 37.)

"... The recent conversion of the merchant vessels El Cid and Britannia into the armed cruisers Nictheroy and America for the Brazilian government presents an object-lesson, the value of which can scarcely be overestimated. These two ships, together with the pleasure yachts Feiseen and Javelin, were so quickly transformed from their peaceful condition into efficient fighting vessels and torpedo-boats, as to astonish naval officers and others having knowledge of the circumstances. ...
There were three torpedo-boats in the fleet. Two were converted from the yachts Javelin and Feiseen; the third being obtained complete, with the exception of launching tube, from the well-known English builders, Yarrow & Co.
The Javelin and Feiseen were stripped of their deck and pilothouses and furnished with light steel conning-towers. ... The work done on the Javelin was similar to that on the Feiseen, one centre-pivot launching tube and one 1-pdr. being fitted as on the other boat.
These two boats were hoisted and carried on the deck of the Nictheroy, one on each side amidships and secured in a cradle prepared for it. ..." (Source: Elwell, Howard P. "Arming Of The Brazilian Cruisers Nictheroy And America." In: U.S. Naval Institute. Proceedings, Volume 18, Part 4. Annapolis, 1893, pp. 391, 404-405.)

"BRAZIL.
By reason of the revolt, in September, 1893, of the greater part of the Brazilian navy, and with a view of subduing the insurgent ships, the legal Government, under President Peixoto, purchased abroad the following vessels: ...
The Poty, formerly the American steam yacht Javelin, was converted into a second-class topedo boat, being armed with two 1-pounder Hotchkiss R. F. G. and one Howell torpedo tube." (Source: Dorn, E. J. Dorn and J. C. Drake. "Notes on Ships and Torpedo Boats." In: U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence. Information From Abroad: General Information Series. Washington, 1894, pp. 7, 9.)

"... The Nictheroy is a steel screw steamer, formerly known as the 'El Cid,' and built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company for the Morgan Line in 1893. She is 389 feet long between perpendiculars, ...
The Nictheroy carries two second-class torpedo boats, the Poty and the Inhanduay. The Poty was formerly the yacht 'Javelin,' built by Herreschoff, and converted into a torpedo boat. Her length is 120 feet, beam 12 feet, and draught about 3 feet; speed, 18 knots. On the forward deck is a central-pivot Howell torpedo tube, and a light 1-pouuder R. F. G. is mounted on the iron conning tower. Her displacement is 30 tons. The Inhanduay, 17 tons, was formerly the canoe shaped yacht 'Feiseen,' built by Gardner & Mosher. She has a record of 30.6 statute miles, or about 25 knots per hour. Her length is 90 feet, beam 10 feet, and draught 3 feet. Her fittings and armament are like those of the Poty. ..." (Source: Rogers, C. C. "The Revolt in Brazil." In: U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence. Information From Abroad: General Information Series. Washington, 1894, p. 395-396.)

"In the summer of 1891 two steam yachts were launched at the Herreshoff works, the Javelin [#164p] and the Vamoose [#168p]. Both were of the full decked type, with accommodations for cruising, but they were intended for a far higher speed than had thus far been attained in this type of craft. The Javelin, ordered by Mr. E. D. Morgan, was 97 feet 10 inches over all, 94 feet 6 inches lwl, 10 feet 3 inches beam, 6 feet 7 inches depth of hold, and 5 feet draft, with triple-expansion engines 9, 14, and 22 1/2 inches by 12 inches, and a Thornycroft boiler. ... The two yachts were of similar model and construction, with a rounder section and more deadrise than the Norwood, and the after body fined away in the usual manner. The Javelin failed to realize the expectations of her owner, and did not show remarkable speed. ... At the time of the troubles in Brazil, 1893, both the Feiseen [designed by Mosher] and the Javelin were sold to that country, being refitted as torpedo boats in New York, with conning towers and armament, and shipped to Rio Janeiro by steamer." (Source: Stephens, W. P. "The High Speed Steam-Yacht as a Factor in Torpedo Boat Design." Van Nostrand's Engineering Magazine. August 1898, p. 790-791, 793.)

"... The desire among wealthy yachtsmen for high-speed steam craft developed about 1900. The Vamoose [#168p] was the pioneer in 1891, and held sway for several years, till the Yankee Doodle appeared in the field. The Javelin [#164p] followed and then the Now Then [#142p]. Each exceeded the speed of its predecessor slightly, the Now Then achieving the unheard-of record of twenty-one miles an hour.
How the mighty fall in yachting can be illustrated no better than by the fate of this quartet. The Javelin and Yankee Doodle have disappeared. Where the Javelin is none but the most dyed-in-the wool enthusiast can say. ... [Note, that the article confuses the sequence in which these high-speed yachts were built.]" (Source: Anon. "Gen. Ives Owns the World's Fastest Steam Yacht." New York Times, June 18, 1905, p. SM6.)

"... The Fiseen [sic, i.e. Feiseen] and the Javelin I transformed into torpedo boats for a South American government. [Charles R. Flint was co-owner of the famous racing sloop Gracie and had been owner of the steam yacht #71p Sport. In 1904 his Arrow became famous as the world's fastest steam yacht.] ..." (Source: Flint, Charles R. Memories of an Active Life, Putnam's (1925), p. 142.)

"1892. That spring a ninety-eight-foot steam yacht of the torpedo-boat design, the first one of her kind except Mr. Herreshoff's Stiletto, was planned and partly built for Mr. Hearst by Mr. Herreshoff, but for various reasons Mr. Hearst changed his mind and decided to build a larger and faster boat, the Vamoose [#168p]. This left the former Javelin more than half paid for and Mr. Herreshoff sold her to me for the money it would take to complete her. She was a very interesting boat, but, except for going to New York or some distant point, her speed was too great for the ordinary daily life of Newport, as one saw everything and was back almost before starting.
I had a very amusing experience with the Javelin. Mr. Taylor, my engineer, a most excellent man, was very much disturbed by the talk of some of the newspaper men and Hearst's skipper of the Vamoose, as to how much they were going to beat him, and in fact he mentioned it to me once or twice. The following autumn was the celebration of the landing of Columbus, when the two caravels came across the Atlantic, and a great parade was held. The caravels were anchored well up in the Hudson River, and the men-of-war and other Naval craft were anchored south of them. This particular day was to be celebrated by manning the yards, firing the guns, etc. Many who were going to see it had their boats at the New York Yacht Club landing at the foot of Twenty-sixth Street, East River, and the launches, large and small, were moored heading into the float, the Vamoose as well as the Javelin being there. When my party, a good-sized one, joined the Javelin, steam was up. I had told Mr. Taylor to have a good deal of steam, as we might use it going down the river. The Vamoose backed out ahead of us and started down the river, then I backed the Javelin out and also started down the river following closely, and called to Mr. Taylor through the tube that we would use all the steam he could make in the next hour. I had been up and down the river so much that I knew the eddies well and how the different ferryboats came out of their slips. Making use of this I found to my great satisfaction that we had gotten inshore of the Vamoose, which began to pour black smoke out of her funnels. Nevertheless we kept gaining on her and by making several fortunate sheers into the piers the Javelin had a respectable lead when we got to the Battery. At that point a ferryboat was coming out of the slip, but from previous experience I figured she would be out in time to let me through between her stern and the slip, in which I was right, and we started up the North River with a very nice lead of three to four lengths. To make a long story short, they never caught us, and as we passed the fleet the cheers from the warships, who saw that a race was on, were very inspiriting, but I think of all hands the race did my engineer the most good.
At the latter part of the summer we were not making steam. One day when the crew went up to Connor's kitchen on the place to eat, I went down to the fire-room to see if the ashes had been thoroughly hoed out of the ash tray. The boiler was very close to the bottom and I found there was a great collection in the forward end, which was of course the cause of lack of steam. After lunch I told Mr. Taylor I was afraid this was the result of having relatives under him and said he must get rid of his nephew as fireman. It was to this cleaning out that I attribute the beating of the Vamoose, for I am sure they were in the same fix as I had been in earlier in the summer when I could not make the steam that she was designed for. ..." (Source: Morgan, Edwin Denison. Recollections For My Family. New York, 1938, p. 176-178.)

"With the much-heralded speed of their personal steam yacht Stiletto [#118p], the Herreshoffs began to enjoy a widespread reputation for steam yachts that were fast as well as efficient. As a result, orders came for boats like Javelin --- boats that could do close to 30 m.p.h. Javelin did about 26 m.p.h., and she, too, took on the Mary Powell and won.
Javelin was ordered by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst on July 26, 1890. Before completion, Hearst changed his mind and ordered a larger yacht, which was to become Vamoose [#168p]. On January 26, 1891, the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. sold the partly finished Javelin to E. D. Morgan, who took delivery about six months later. (Morgan, during the same period, also took delivery of the cat-yawl Gannet [#409s] and the famous 46-foot LWL sloop Gloriana [#411s]).)
Javelin was composite-built with mahogany planking over a steel framework, and, like Stiletto and Vamoose, was given a kind of turtleback deck shape which limited the usable space but added to the rakish appearance." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 27.)

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] After examining the drawing which I am sending with this for a long time I have come to the conclusion that it cannot be much improved. I think the deck house floor [of what appears to be #164p JAVELIN] should be dropped just so far below the deck as to give[?] fair[?] head room in the stateroom below, & that the d[ec]k house itself should have six feet two inches head room. You will notice I have suggested extending it back two feet over fire[?] room. This would serve as a seat and by having, towards the door, an arm on hinges, it could be let down at right across the door and form an athwartships bunk from bottom of windows to deck[?] should be at base eighteen inches basically a little more and as you suggested much of shil[?]. Possibly d[ec]k house could be 2[?] inches[?] forward a foot over deck w[ic]h would give a place for glasses also better room for working the wheel. As these are the most important points & I dreadfully hurried just now I won't write any more. Drop me a line if there is any question you want answered or there is any interesting news. With kind regards to your family, believe me yours in hast, ...
On verso of last page:] Back view of deck house looking towards stem[?] with hinged arm for day use. [Sketch] Night use. [Sketch]. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77210. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-02-02.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I have thought over the matter of the 46-footer [#411s GLORIANA] and as I wired you today have decided to build. She is not exactly what I want but the temptation of so good a racing class was very great. I think the price high but understand she will have the best of everything. The Boston boats will be never less[?] expensive but I hope less speedy. I notice by the dimensions that[?] high[?] has exaggerated[?] the UVIRA's[?] topside fulum[?] so I am convinced more than ever that your idea is the correct one. As soon as I can I will send you a list of the racing sails I used on MOCCASIN. Don't forget the plough steel wire as I think it is good having greater strength for diameter[?]. I wish you would send me a model as I am very anxious to look it over and get intimate with it. Also a drawing of sail plan. Of course we want to carry all the sail we can. Boom & gaff should be hollow & by the way I should like to keep the matter quiet as long as possible as I particularly dislike newspaper talk. I shall not speak of the mater to anyone. Before I forget it the drawing of the steamer [#164p JAVELIN] came & I think it most satisfactory, the only thing I would like to have changed is the fore & aft diameter of stack, in the drawing it is 2ft 6in & I would like to have it 3 feet.
To return to the '46' [#411s GLORIANA] I think it will be most interesting & should she prove the winner, how fine we would feel.
I am very sorry I cannot go on to Bristol but it is an absolute impossibility just at present. I shall, however, do so when I can. In the meantime I hope you will keep me posted as to progress in the construction & any new 'wrinkles' you may have. I wish you would send me deck & floor plans & the way you would suggest cutting her up. I like a narrow cockpit & I like an after stateroom. Can they both be had. The 'CLARA's [ #402s] cockpit is large enough for anything. I have forgotten the draft you mentioned. What a draft the BARBARA has & what a raking stempost[.?] When writing if you think of any crehetsuns[?] on the other 46's mention then[?] that I may have some food for thought. Mrs. Morgan joins me in sending kind remembrances to your family & with hopes of hearing from you soon I am, ..." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77270. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-02-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Mr. Morgan desires me to send you the following items concerning the MOCCASIN which we have culled from the various data we have concerning her.
The Herreshoff anchor was 150 lbs, the other 100 lbs.
The rigging was galvanized.
The chain cable was 7/16in and not 9/16in as thought and was galvanized.
The 60 fathoms manilla cable was 4 in [diameter].
The boom slides were of this shape [sketch].
The fore-sheet leaders were like this [sketch] not blocks.
The B.B.B. 7/16 crane-chain we got of J.B. Carr & Co., Troy, N.Y.
The binnacle & compass we got of C.G. Hutchinson, Boston, Mass.
The plumbing was done by E.B. Vannevar, No 58, Fulton St., Boston, Mass.
The rigging was furnished by Roebling's Son Co., 117 Liberty St., NY, it was of plough steel from 110 to 120 tons per square inch and of these dimensions: [table]
I will send you the N.Y. Yacht Club book in a day or two. Enclosed please find two blanks which please fill out for the two new boats [#411s GLORIANA and #164p JAVELIN] and return here. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Reeves, C.J. (on behalf of Morgan, E.D.). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77390. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-03-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I was just sitting down to write you a respectable letter, but as usual some people have come in & I will have to cut it short & will[?] again soon.
Concerning the deck I have spent much thinking over it & have decided to take Mrs Morgan's advice and have the lighter or canvas deck on the principle that my object is to win so we will go ahead on that. The comparisons of our boat with the newspaper boats are very inhuljiny[?] but my faith is unshaken in our boat. The ALLERION [sic, ALERION?] is very pretty indeed indeed [as a possible name for #411s GLORIANA] & it now lies between that and the 'SABRINA' a new[?] nymph, the only objection I have to the former being that the dictionary 'defines' it as an Eagle without beak or claws, what do you think of the two names.
From the accounts in the papers it is very evident the General[?] [Paine] is going for a great deal of power.
Have you ordered the sails yet?
Mrs Morgan & I are hoping to go to Newport ab[ou]t middle April. If we do of course we will go to Bristol.
Thank you for the slips [providing #411s GLORIANA and #164p JAVELIN for club yearbook(s) and/or the American Yacht List]. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77450. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-03-18.)
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"[Item Transcription:] We have at last decided upon a name for the '46' [#411s]. 'GLORIANA' in Spencer's 'Fairy Queen'. The 'greatest glorious queen of fairy land' (Webster).
It also refers to Queen Elizabeth & as I have [a] rather soft spot for the name Elizabeth, it appeals to me very much in that respect as well as its euphony.
For the steamer [#164p JAVELIN] how do you like the name 'ZOPHIEL', in Milton's 'Paradise Lost' an angelic scout 'of cherubin the sweetest wing' (Webster) - ?
By the way I forget[?] to answer you about the diameter of ports. If they are not yet started I think six (6) inches would be better five (5). I saw a paragraph in the paper today saying[?] the Prince[?] thought of making the VOLUNTEER into a schooner. I suppose he wants a tender to the racer if it is true.
I am of course awaiting with much interest from your next letter to hear how things are progressing & any possible news." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77490. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-03-22.)
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"[Item Description:] I am glad you like the name GLORIANA [#411s] as we are particularly pleased with it. 'ZOPHIEL' I got fr[om] Urtolius[?] last production w[ic]h has a enpartment[?] for names of fiction but on second thoughts we fear the boatmen will make a mess of it & fashion some caricature of the name upon her and she will only[?] lose. So we think we will try again. A steamer [#164p] is seen[?] a thoroughly matter of fact affair that perhaps it would better to give her a more conventional name. The STILETTO [#118p] was so well named that our minds turn towards something similar. What do you think of 'JAVELIN' or 'HASTA' w[hic]h means Javelin or 'FESTINA' w[hic]h means quick or 'ROSINANTE' or can you suggest something. The deck[?] of the st[eame]r [#164p JAVELIN] I think sh[ou]ld be like 'GANNET's' [#409s] only a little more gray. Space bet[ween?] finder[?] strake[?] & hand-rail just a shade darker gray than the sides & bottom while then she will certainly look like a whale. I don't know but it w[ou]ld be better to paint each[?] just a shade darker gray than space bet[ween] finder[?] & rail giving the successive shades for which bottom to dark back but the clean[?] we can decide on a letter later. You say you fear you cannot furnish her by end of June don't you mean May. I hope so as July would be very late." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77560. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-03-27.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I hope to be in Bristol next week when we can settle all questions to date.
I am sorry Mrs Morgan will not be with me but we cannot arrive at a satisfactory plan for leaving the children. I do not see as there is any use for me to keep dark any larger so if you will send in the enclosed blank to E.Y.C. that[?] will be an easy way on letting light on the subject. [E. D. Morgan had previously objected to providing the public with any information about #411s GLORIANA.]
I would not give tonnage & her port in Newport. The more I think about this boat the better I am satisfied. My only mental query is has she enough sail for high[?] winds but probably when I have seen you I shall not even have that in mind. We have not yet decided on a name --- for Steamer [#164p JAVELIN], Au revoir ... " (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77580. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-04-10.)
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"[Item Description:] [Telegram:] Please send model [apparently for #411s GLORIANA] to Wheatly, do not want a man for steamer [apparently #164p JAVELIN]." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Telegram to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77600. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-04-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I enclose here & with selection for covering of cushions [probably for #411s GLORIANA (or for #164p JAVELIN], w[hic]h I managed between trains yesterday.
Tomorrow I will look into the stove[?] questions. Friday morning at Lawley's was very interesting, the BARBARA I still like best, I do not like the new of the Paine boat. The lines seem to converge so just in front of where the rudder post enters the counter --- having somewhat the appearance [sketch]. This is very indefinite but you may gather what I am driving at.
The boat I liked best in the yard was last year's '30' HAWK and later on Pomper[?] who came thru told me he lifted[?] his centerboard out & took me around to[?] SHOUNA[? SHONA] ran[?] the HAWK up he said she resembled in design. The MINEOLA's boom looked so large to me that I asked Burgess if it was sixty feet & he assured me it was only 56. It certainly does look extremely protracted. I hope she cannot carry it, a vice[?] general[?] wish ---
The sight of blue water & launching he has made me somewhat uneasy on an inland farm.
Hastly yours ...
P.S. MINEOLA has a hollow line for ab[ou]t 4 ft forward rigging to stem. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77610. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-05-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am much pleased to hear from & that the GLORIANA [#411s] is progressing so satisfactorily. I certainly do approve of reducing the height of cockpit rails to 5in & think it will be of advantage in many ways in addition to what it does for the tiller. I am sorry to hear about the flaw in the casting for JAVELIN's [#164p] boiler but trust you to arrange it so that it will not be 'heard from'.
I cannot tell you how anxious I am ab[ou]t the first sail in the GLORIANA & I shall await your letter with anticipation[?].
Very truly yours ...
P.S. I have sent to my[?] office for Checks. [Incl. envelope.]" (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77640. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-05-13.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.09747 (119-029). Photostat construction plan with plan view, sections and inboard profile titled 'Steamer No. 164 [#164p] JAVELIN'. Marked T. Poekel [draftsman] in lower right corner." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Photostat Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0200. WRDT08, Folder 19, formerly MRDW00. 1891-06-05.)
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"[Item Description:] Part of HMCo Plan HH.5.09747 (119-029). Photostat construction plan with partial plan view, partial sections and partial inboard profile. Untitled. Full plan would have been titled 'Steamer No. 164 [#164p] JAVELIN'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Photostat Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0201. WRDT08, Folder 19, formerly MRDW00. 1891-06-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] We have today arrived at Wheatly & received your letter w[hic]h I enjoyed extremely.
We have had a very anxious time lately having been detained in town by the illness of our boy a continuation of teething & gastric trouble w[hic]h kept his temp[erature] at 104 for a week, he is now we believe all right but very much pulled down.
I am surprised to hear that Mr. B[rooks] is considering a racer [#189104es Unbuilt Schooner for Brooks] again. I am very much interested and hope to hear very soon that you have got the order. I saw Archie Rogers [soon-to-be owner of #414s WASP] at the horse show & he asked my opinion of [Charlie] Barr. I consider him first rate. I am glad to hear that there was something tangible to account for loss of speed in the JAVELIN [#164p] & hope somebody else will get the brencfet[?] of it.
The 35 [#417s DRUSILLA?] interests me very much & I am plan[?] you like her well. Enough to take the 25 raters similar[?]. How I envy you the sail in the 'COQUINA' [#404s]. I trust that Mrs. H[erreshoff] & the children are well & enjoying themselves. I have not seen the Forest & Stream lately but will look up the 'Sampans'." (Source: Morgan, E.D. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_77750. Correspondence, Folder 98. 1891-12-09.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) trials booklet 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Experiments & Trial Trips. 1890. N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§16: #164p JAVELIN Trial Run (1891-07-27)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_02260. Folder [no #]. 1890-01 to 1898-08.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
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"[Item Description:] Four handwritten (in ink) pages with tabulated data listing 'Shop No', 'Name', '[Tons] Gross' and '[Tons] Net' for a total of 100 HMCo-built boats and classes. Tonnage data is usually precise to two digits behind the decimal. Random comparisons suggest source of tonnage data to be official Custom House data. Boats mentioned are: #664s, #663s, #625s, #665s, #634s, #658s, #657s, #646s, #641s, #617s, #626s Class, #624s, #621s, #616s, #619s, #590s, #591s, #586s, #592 Class, #618s, #605s, #578s, #560s Class, #580s, #553s, #551s, #552s, #546s, #541s, #545s, #538s, #534s, #533s, #532s, #529s, #534s, #530s, #531s, #435s, #437s, #452s, #499s, #429s, #426s, #424s, #481s, #422s, #417s, #414s, #451s, #215p, #213p, #222p, #235p, #230p, #229p, #236p, #224p, #244p, #247p, #249p, #231p, #232p, #228p, #252p, #250p, #251p, #248p, #168p, #164p, #118p, #142p, #174p, #173p, #194p, #189p, #193p, #183p, #178p, #179p, #181p, #182p, #175p, #163p, #148p, #149p, #172p, #155p, #170p, #186p, #188p, #206p, #207p, #205p, #208p, #209p, #210p, #211p, #212p, #216p. Undated (the latest boat listed, WINSOME, was launched in 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Handwritten List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00220. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #164p Javelin even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Javelin (HMCo-made index card)
• Javelin (MIT Museum-made index card)
• 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.

Name: Javelin
Type: Steam
Length: 98'
Owner: Hearst, Wm. Randolph [sic, i.e. E. D. Morgan?]

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

• Javelin
• 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.

Name: Javelin
Type: 97' 10" steam
Owner: E. D. Morgan
Year: 1891
Row No.: 317

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.

Year: 1890
E/P/S: P
No.: 164
Name: Javelin
OA: 98'

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.

"Exported to Brazil in 1893 after conversion into a torpedo boat." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 4, 2009.)

"Javelin was initially contracted for by William Randolph Hearst. On 1890-12-04, however, Hearst ordered the larger #168p Vamoose which resulted in the HMCo to sell Javelin to E. D. Morgan on 1891-01-26." (van der Linde, Claas. November 12, 2011.)

"Note that the offset booklet for Javelin records the LOA as 89ft (rather than the 98ft given by the Construction Record and other contemporary sources) and the LWL as 'about 86ft'. " (Source: van der Linde, Claas. July 15, 2014.)

"Dimensions 98ft over all, 94ft. l.w.l., 10ft. 2in. beam, 4ft. 9in. draft, from Anon. 'Javelin.' Forest and Stream, July 30, 1891, p. 37. Note that the HMCo Construction Record states a beam of 10ft 6in." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 24, 2015.)

"Steam engine rating 600hp from undated (1903 or later) diagram by N. G. Herreshoff titled 'Marine Engine. Weights and Prices' in the Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 24, 2019.)

"Marine Engine of Open Type. 9 & 14 & 22 1/2 x 12, 500[rpm], 600[hp]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten List of HMCo-Made Steam Engines. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, MRDED1_00220. Undated, between 1903 and 1918.)

"Built in 357 days (contract to launch)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

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