Herreshoff #186403es Kelpie II

"Kelpie 2nd [#186403es]: 32ft Length on deck. 29ft 6in Length on water. 11ft 7in Breadth extreme. 4ft Depth. 3 5/8in Deadrise per foot. 7ft 6in Width of stern. 1ft 3 1/2in Sheer. 4ft 1in Freeboard [at] bow. 2ft Freeboard [at] stern. 1ft 4in Freeboard [at] lowest place. 9ft 7in Centreboard length. 11ft 6in Centreboard from woodends. 7ft 2in Centre of mast from woodends. 36ft 9in Mainsail foot. 25ft Mainsail hoist. 21ft Mainsail head. 41ft 9in Mainsail leech. 924sqft Mainsail area. 22ft 6in Jib foot. 36ft Jib hoist. 28ft 6in Jib leech. 337sqft Jib area. 21ft 6in Gafftopsail foot. 24ft Gafftopsail luff. 15ft 9in Gafftopsail leech. 210sqft Gafftopsail area. 24ft 46in Jibtopsail foot. 6ft Jibtopsail hoist. 27ft Jibtopsail leech. 287sqft Jibtopsail area." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. and/or other Herreshoff family members. Handwritten table listing early Herreshoff-built boats and their dimensions up to 1870. No date (1870 or later). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, MRDE03.)

"F. W. Wilson assistant Editor Ap-27, [19]26. ... The notable designs by John B. Herreshoff were Sprite 1860-61 built by himself and father ... Kelpie, 1864 - Sadie 1867 and Orion 1869. Ianthe 1870 and Fostine [sic, i.e. Faustine] 1873." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 16, Folder 13: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to F. W. Wilson, Assistant Editor of the National Cyclopedia of American Biography, April 27, 1926.)

"After the winter's work of building a half dozen or more vessels ... - all being finished early in the season, John started a 33' sloop yacht [named] KELPIE 2nd.
KELPIE 2nd. [She] was 33 ' oa., 29 '' wl., 11 '7" beam, and about 4' draft with a watertight cockpit and quite a roomy cabin. She was launched before John was fully recovered and for that fall, was rigged with MAGIC's complete jib and mainsail outfit. With this, she was a very handy and fairly fast craft. The next summer, KELPIE had a complete sloop yacht rig of large size. I sailed her very successfully at [the] time of [the] June yacht races in New York Bay and easily beat everything in going to windward but she was very slow off the wind. She was my father's model and influenced some by John's ideas. [She] had a very fine sharp bow and full run that required ballast well aft. I sailed her a [good] deal that and the next summer." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Boats and Yachts that I have been Especially Interested in by Sailing and Some of Which I Have Owned." Bristol, April 1932. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 102-103.)

"The summer of 1864, some of the workmen were kept on, and KELPIE II was built. ...
In the late fall following, KELPIE II was launched, and MAGIC's jib and mainsail rig was put in her. John, still an invalid, Stone, and myself had a few sails in her and with this rig [she] proved a very handy yacht and sailed well. KELPIE II, was thirty-two feet overall and twenty-nine feet waterline, with considerable ballast. So MAGIC's rig was light for her. The next year, KELPIE II with a full sloop yacht rig, having topsail and jib topsail, was a real brute, but was very fast to windward. She got great applause by windward sailing in the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta in rounding the Sandy Hook Lightship ahead of the fleet, but before the wind she was slowest of all.
This exploit brought John and Stone to the limelight, ..." (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. 20, 22.)

"My next [command] was KELPIE 2nd, a thirty-two foot overall sloop, that came out late in [the] fall of 1864, with MAGICs jib and mainsail rig on her, and with this rig, she made a very nice yacht. The next year, she was given a large rig with gaff and jib topsails and more ballast. She was an extremely fast craft going to windward in moderate and light winds, and she would beat any yacht in New York Bay, but when turning to 'off the wind,' she was hopeless, and the fleet would sail by us. I think she was a remarkable case of fine ability to windward, and dullness off the wind. She was modeled by my father and was very full in the run and so took her ballast far aft." (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. 46.)

"In the Boston Yacht Club's first regatta on June 17, 1867 'Clytie' led from the start, making both the best actual and corrected time over the course. In this race the second was 'Violet' and the third 'Kelpie,' all yachts built by J. B." (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. 55-56.)

"The New York Tribune says: --- 'We recently visited the establishment of Messrs. Herreshoff & Stone, of Bristol, R. I, the builders of the sloop Kelpie [#186403es], which attracted so much attention at the time of the regattas last spring, and was subsequently purchased by Mr. Taylor, of the Brooklyn Club, where we found no less than six boats of their build on the stocks or already launched, from 30 to 45 feet in length. These gentlemen carry on the business of yacht and boat building on a scale probably unequalled in this country, conducting on their own premises, nearly every operation necessary to convert the raw materials --- wood and iron --- into boats. They buy their timber in the log, sawing it to suit in their own steam mill, and, in fact, for many purposes, as knees, &c, send their own men into the woods to cut it In their blacksmith shop, block shop, spar-yard, and rigging loft, the various adjuncts of the vessels are turned out, so that their establishment is almost a miniature navy yard. At present the sails for their boats, are made under their supervision, at Newport; but they hope soon to make arrangements for adding a sail-loft to their other departments. Among the boats launched this spring, and now building in their yard, are the Psyche [#186605es], for Mr. Taylor of the Brooklyn Club; Ariel [#186601es], for C. Anthony, Esq., of Providence, and Haidee [#186501es], for S. C Powell, Esq., of New York. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachting." Bristol Phoenix, April 28, 1865, p. 2.)

"[License issued to vessel under 20 tons. Pos. 231:]
Relpic[sic, Kelpie II? Or, possibly, Haidee I?], sloop, of Bristol.
Built at [blank].
9.07 tons; 29.8 ft. x 11.0 ft. x 4.5 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Previous documentation not shown.
Lic[ensed] ([for] C[oastal] T[rade]) May 26, 1865. Owners: Herreshoff and Stone of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff, Bristol. ([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. Relpic.)

"The sails of the yacht Kelpie, consisting of mainsail and jib, and a new boat, the property of Messrs. Herreshoff & Stone, were stolen on Wednesday night last. The mainsail of the yacht was of 25 feet hoist, 38 feet foot, 32 feet head. The jib was of large size. The boat stolen was twelve feet in length with green bottom, upper works red, white and blue." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, June 24, 1865, p. 2.)

"Messrs. Herreshoff & Stone have recently sold the yacht Kelpie to a Mr Taylor of the Brooklyn Yacht Club." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, August 5, 1865, p. 2.)

"The well-koown fast Sloop-rigged Cabin Yachts
FANCHON [ex #186501es Haidee I],
12 tons,
and KELPIE,
18 tons,
new last year [sic, #186403es Kelpie had been built in 1864], fully rigged and furnished.
May be seen off Hoboken Club House, June 8 and 9.
HERRESHOFF & STONE, Yacht Builders,
Bristol, R. I." (Source: Herreshoff & Stone. "Yachts For Sale." New York Tribune, June 7, 1866, p. 3.)

"Yacht Kelpie [#186403es], thirty-three feet long and twelve feet wide sold by auction in Boston, Monday for $2080. The Sadie [#186704es], fifty-one feet long and sixteen in breadth, brought $5700." (Source: Anon. "News Items." Bristol Phoenix, July 6, 1867, p. 2.)

"In the regatta at Stonington, on the 'Fourth,' [July 4, 1870] the Orion [#186903es], owned by Mr Thayer, of New York, and built by Mr John B Herreshoff, of this town, was the successful competitor gaining the prize of one hundred dollars. ... The first prize to centre-board boats in the first class, at the regatta in Boston on the 4th inst. [July 4, 1870], was given to the Sadie [#186704es], late ot this town. The first prize to keel boats was won by the Psyche [#186605es]. The first prize in the second class was given to the Violet [#186606es], the second to the Kelpie [#186403es], centre-boards. The first prize in the third class was given to the Posey [#186603es ex-Fannie I], the second to the Secret [#186408es], centre-boards. Those boots were all built by Mr. John B. Herreshoff, at his yard and shops in this town. ... At the regatta of the Eastern Yacht Club, of Marblehead, Mass., Tuesday [July 12, 1870], the Sadie [#186704es], of Boston, was the winning boat. Coming was second. The time of the Sadie was four hours and twenty-five minutes, and the Coming four hours thirty minutes and twenty-five seconds. Dexter Stone's Psyche [#186605es], another Herreshoff boat, although not in the race, came in next to the winner." (Source: Anon. "Local Tintypes." Bristol Phoenix, July 16, 1870, p. 2.)

"FOR SALE --- THE FAMOUS SLOOP YACHT KELPIE, built by Herreshoff; length over all, 32 feet. For full description and price apply to Thomas Manning, 53 Beaver st., New York." (Source: Anon. [Classified Ad.] New York Herald, April 17, 1887, p. 18.)

"[Item Transcription:] Bristol, R.I. July 11, 1865
Friend Stantonius,
Will you have a cigar? Or have you left off smoking. We have been expecting to see you on here for some time, else should have written you before to acknowledge the numerous favors (& cigars) we received from you when in N.Y. I'm sorry we smoked all the manillas in N.Y., but never mind I’ve bought a new pipe.
We had a gay time on the 4th at the regatta in New London where the 'MAGIC' [#186404es] won a prize of $40. Went on with the M[AGIC] & KELPIE[#186403es] and raced all the way there & back. Sand bags flew about like sand fleas, made us think of East River last year.
We want to build a 'big thing' in the yacht line and have concluded to spend say $50 or so on advertising the KELPIE & MAGIC to see if we cannot sell them and raise funds to put into a larger yacht. Will you therefore do us the great favor to have the enclosed advertisement [ed. Note: no enclosure was found] inserted in one or more of the New York papers. Use your own judgment in the selection. Would suggest however the 'N.Y. Clipper' or 'Spirit of the Times' for our class of people & the Tribune or Herald for another, but you know better than we, what papers are most read by yachting people. I do not know much about the expense of the luxury aforesaid. Should think however that 4 insertions in the 'Clipper' & a fortnight every other day in the Tribune or Herald would not be beyond our estimate. Please have the thing put in in [sic] good shape and as soon as you [ ] an estimate of the cost write us & we will [ ].
Folks all well except Nat, who has not quite got over the 4th yet.
Muchly.
H&S per the S." (Source: (Stone, Dexter S.). Letter to Friend Stantonius (Chesebrough, E. Stanton?). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 86.264. HMM Library Rare Books Room (Various), Folder [no #]. 1865-07-11.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [On Herreshoff & Stone stationery:] Friend Stanton,
enclosed find check on N.Y.[?] for $52 50/100 the acct.[?] of advertising bills [sale of #186404es MAGIC and #186403es KELPIE].
We are also intensely obliged to you for your cooperation in the matter. If we succeed in selling the boat we'll give you a Champagne Supper, besides.
We have already received several applications for the boats, so that I think the investment will pay even as an advertisement to our business.
I learn via 'the house' that you will probably be here last of this week so will save what I could else write until I see you.
Very sincerely your friend
D. S. Stone"." (Source: Stone, Dexter S. Letter to Friend Stanton (Chesebrough, E. Stanton?). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 86.255. HMM Library Rare Books Room (Various), Folder [no #]. 1865-07-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) table providing what amounts to be the earliest Herreshoff construction record with detailed dimensional data (Name, Owner, Length on deck, Length on water, Breadth extreme, Depth, Deadrise per foot, Width of stern, Sheer, Freeboard at bow, stern and lowest place, Centreboard length, Centreboard from woodends, Centre of mast from woodends, Bowsprit out board, Mainsail foot, hoist, head, leech, and area, Foresail foot, hoist, head, leech, and area, Jib foot, hoist, leech, and area, Gafftopsail foot, luff, leech, and area, Fore-gafftopsail foot, luff, leech, and area, Jibtopsail foot, hoist, leech, and area and Notes ) for Julia [#185602es], Sprite [#186001es], Kelpie 1st [#186301es], Magic [#186404es], Toad [#186411es], Prudence [#186406es], Patience [#186405es], Hope [#186402es], Faith [#186401es], Qui Vive [#186407es], Kelpie 2nd [#186403es], Teazer [#186410es], Secret [#186408es], Fish Boats [#186505es, #186506es, #186507es, #186508es, #186509es, #186510es, #186511es, #186512es], Fish Boats [#186513es, #186514es, #186515es, #186516es, #186517es, #186518es], Fanchon [#186501es], Angie [#186503es], Haidee [#186604es], Ariel [#186601es], Psyche [#186605es], Fannie 1st [#186603es], Violet [#186606es], Fish Boats [#186607es, #186608es], Fish Boats [#186609es, #186610es, #186611es, #186612es, #186613es, #186614es], Lively Whale [later Daisy ???] [#186707es ???], Fannie 2nd [#186702es], Hartford [later Polly ???] [#186703es ???], Sadie [#186704es], Clytie [#186701es], Waterfall [N/A], Bristol [#186801es], Ione [#187003es], Poppasquash [#186502es], Etta [N/A], Oysterboats [#186710es, #186711es], Spring Green [#186709es], Pellican [#186708es], Henrietta [N/A], Meteor [N/A], Fatter[?] [N/A], Annie Moies [#1p], Charlotte [#186803es], Annie [#186905es], Hildegard [#186808es], Thetis [#186705es], Clio [#187101es], Fleetwing [N/A], White Straw[?] [N/A], [Mignone] [#186904es], Fish Boats [square stern, 1868] [N/A], Sadie [#N/A (dupl. listing)], Fannie [N/A], Bunsby [#186802es], Orion [#186903es], Breeze [N/A], Nimbus [#186805es], Alice [crossed out, this MIGHT be Bessie] [#187001es], Viking [#187008es], [Ianthe] [#187002es], [Surf] [#187007es], [Georgie Miller] [#187011es], and [Pink] [#187010es]. Undated, the latest vessel on the list was built in 1870." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator) or other Herreshoff family members (?) (creator). Construction Record. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01410. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1870).)
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"[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.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #186403es Kelpie II even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Kelpie II
• 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: Kelpie II
Type: 29' 5" sloop
Owner: J. B. Herreshoff
Year: 1865
Row No.: 346

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.

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for New Measurement Tons (9.07) from the 1885 Olsen's American Yacht List (Old Measurement Tons were reported as 14 by the 1872 Fox Yachting Annual) 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.