Herreshoff #187404es L'Onda

"My Own Boats. Except a few that will be mentioned as half-owner. ...
1
1874 L'ONDA - Built in Nice, France in April, 1874, when staying there for my health. Length about 12 1/2' with centerboard, sail, and peaked stern." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "My Own Boats. Except a few that Will be Mentioned as Half-Owner." Bristol, (originally compiled 1892 with additions in) 1929. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 113.)

"Before building RIVIERA, I had built a small sailing dory [L'ONDA], in the same carpenter's shop on the Rue St. Phillipe. She was 4.0 m (12'10") long, 1.08 m (44") wide at sheer, 78 cm (29") wide at chine, 44 cm (17 1/2") deep and had a little deadrise. L'ONDA was shipped home from Marseilles. The importing charges were so unreasonable at the bonded warehouse in New York, I abandoned the boat.
When RIVIERA was finished, she was placed in an orange orchard near the Feighira's [possibly Figueira] house, and I painted her myself while the sails and rigging were being made. I cut out the sails on the upper floor of the Feighira's house that was unoccupied and had Mrs. Eaton's [Cousins of the Herreshoffs, then living in Nice] seamstress sew them up as with L'ONDA's sails earlier. ...
L'ONDA was finished and launched April 6, 1874. ...
For the race at Cannes on the 12th of April, L'ONDA's sail was fitted as a mizzen. A few days before the race, we sailed both boats to Cannes. The morning of the 12th was very cold with a snowstorm at Cannes, but it soon cleared off and the sun warmed it up. ...
I had many interesting sails about Nice and Ville France in the interval before RIVIERA was finished, and once we took both boats and a Rob Roy canoe belonging to Mr. Mahoney in a dray well up the river Var and descended to the sea. We had a moderately fresh breeze ahead and I got along to clear shoals and obstructions much better in L'ONDA rowing than did either HELEN or the Rob Roy canoe with paddle.
We had an exciting time in shooting the rapids at the beach into a heavy surf. L'ONDA went first, shipping but little water; then HELEN, with the canoe in tow (with [an] apron buttoned over [her] cockpit. HELEN was partly filled and the canoe was upside down. But I made a poor landing at Nice and got a ducking." (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. 82-83.)

"August 31 1935
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... The first two boats of my ownership [Riviera and L'Onda] I built myself in Nice, France, in 1874, being banished from home to rebuild my health. One of them [Riviera] is in my boat-house now. ...
Very truly yours,
Nathanael Greene Herreshoff
Sept. 15 1935." (Source: Letter 13. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated August 31, 1935 to September 15, 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. 67-80.)

"July 9 1936
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... Your mentioning the Rob Roy Canoe reminds me of an incident while I was regaining my health in Nice. There was staying in Nice a very interesting gentleman, a friend and disciple of Capt. MacGregor who had with him a very fine and complete 'Rob Roy.' My cousin and my brother Lewis, who was staying with him, had built a very good and light sharpie about 17' long and after getting active I had recently completed a little mongrel craft approaching a dory [and called L'Onda]. It was about 13 1/2' o.a., 12' w.l., and bottom about 30" wide at bottom and 42" or 44" extreme with a good centreboard. The bottom had a slight deadrise amidship with the bottom planks twisted at forward end to give a fair deadrise and the fore and aft sweep was almost enough to come to w.l., at end when I was aboard giving a very good form of under water part. I had a leg-o-mutton sail seized to mast boom of 50 or 60 sq. ft. perhaps more with mast about length of hull and slender in upper part that would take up the roach of luff and flatten the sail when there was a breeze. A pair of oars, one being used for steering when under sail. We planned to make a trip down the river Var, with the three boats. So had them all loaded on a truck and taken well up into the country as far as the Var could be navigated. The next morning starting early we (4 of us) rode up and floated our craft and started the descent. It soon became apparent I had very much the best boat for that kind of navigation and could get along easier, faster and better in every way than could the Rob Roy or the larger sharpie. When arriving at the mouth of the river we found a pool and then a descent of several feet through a breech in the gravel beach into the sea. There was a fresh southerly breeze blowing right on to the beach, giving a nasty surf that this stream was discharging into, and we all hesitated negotiating it. Finally I decided I would try it sculling the dory, and got thru without being but little swamped, and after a while the sharpie came out with the Rob Roy in tow having a canvas lashed tightly over the opening in deck. Three were in the sharpie and she filled about 1/2 full, but they bailed her out. The Rob Roy was turned bottom up. After making sail we started for Nice, about 6 miles, the sharpie still having the Rob Roy in tow, as her owner did not think it proper to try such rough sailing. I got there first, but made a poor job in landing on the bathing beach. I did not take a sea right, beside an attendant of bathing-beach- an expert in the water - was out in the surf to assist in landing. My boat somehow went over him and, capsizing, gave me a ducking.
The day well proved to me, such a little boat as mine would be far and away a better type than the Rob Roy Canoe for cruising either on rivers, canals, or more open waters....
Sincerely yours,
Nathl. G. Herreshoff" (Source: Letter 23. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated July 9, 1936. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 145-147.)

"March 26, 1937
Dear Mr. Stephens -
... Your opportunities for tools and material, when you built your first canoe in 1876, were far better than I had in Nice, France, in 1874, when I built my little boats L'ONDA & RIVIERA. There was no saw or planing mill in the place. Only a yard having 'deals' from Norway & the north countries -and there I selected suitable ones and hired two whip-saw men to cut them up into boards of required thickness. These were transported in a hand cart to the little carpenter's shop where the boats were built, and I hired the carpenter to plane them. There was no wood available that could be steamed and bent, so the boats were built with a 'chine.' There was no good fastening to be had, only copper wire nail, and crude brass screws -no small bitts except old fashioned gimlets with big screws that would split the wood, so nearly all holes had to be made with self-made awls with chisel points. The cousin I was staying with could speak French and was the greatest assistance in finding where things could be had, and bargaining for them. The ropes were made specially & spars by the makers along shore. I had to cut the sails from very good cotton cloth sheeting, and hire a woman to sew them. Roped them myself - mast-hoops of brass wire, and a tin worker soldered them and made our grub box. I had to make the pulley blocks having shells of sheet brass. I cannot recollect how I obtained the brass sheaves? There was no lathe available for me to turn them. ...
With kindest regards,
Sincerely,
Nathanael G. Herreshoff" (Source: Letter 27. From N. G. Herreshoff to W. P. Stephens, dated March 26, 1937. In: Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene and William Picard Stephens. "Their Last Letters 1930-1938." Annotated by John W. Streeter. Bristol, R. I., ca. 1999, p. 165-167.)

"After resting and visiting places in the neighborhood he began to want to do something, and so, after putting his cousins' sailboat into shape for launching, he started to build a small double-ended sailboat, the 'L'Onda' in which they sailed around Nice until he and his brother, Lewis, decided to make a larger sailboat which they named 'Riviera.'" (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. 69.)

"[Item Description:] Memorandum Book (NGH) containing building expenses for #187404es L'ONDA in Apr 1874 and #187406es RIVIERA in June 1874, other information related to trip incl. list of clothes, wash account, letters written and received, articles purchased, directions." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Memorandum Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_54960. Subject Files, Folder 58, formerly 218, 217. 1874-02 to 1874-07.)
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"[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.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Marseilles, 21 Sept. 1874
Mr. J.B.F. Herreshoff
care of Wm. M. Habershaw Esq.
36 New St.
Newyork
Dear Sir
In reply to your letter of the 4th inst I regret to have to inform you that I cannot make any reduction in the freight on the boat [#187404es L'ONDA] shipped per FRANCONIA, it having been perfectly agreed between your brother [NGH or Lewis] and myself, that the same would be $25.50 as charged you.
Yours truly ..." (Source: Frisch, Jules (Agent for the Anchor Line of Steam Packet Ships between Marseille & New York). Letter to Herreshoff, J. B. Francis. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_78530. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 213. 1874-09-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Dear Nat,
How much will you give the Anchor Line slummers for your boat [#187404es L'ONDA] on here? They sent in here and want to make a compromise, figuring from what I told them they would get nothing unless they were more reasonable. You better offer them what you said you would pay abroad, minus Custom House storage. Habirshaw went to Prov[idence] last end[?] and no doubt you have seen him before this.
Your affect[ionate] bro Francis" (Source: Herreshoff, J. B. Francis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_78550. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 213. 1875-01-21.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I intended telling you about the boat in my last letter to Mo[ther?] but forgot to do so.
They came in from the Anchor [steamship line] a few days after I heard from you. I told them what you were willing to do [about paying storage costs for #187404es L'ONDA] and they said they would find out if they could come down to your terms and would let me know in a few days. I have not heard from them yet. They did not like the idea of their being obliged to pay anything for storage. I'll wait a few days for them to decide or go and see them at once if you like. [p. 2] It's a bad time now to send the boat on. I suppose the bay is all closed up, and then I think no steamers have left here for up the Sound for 3 or so days. The ice is fearful here in the East River and after full moon I think we shall have plenty more come down the Hudson. Have you walked over to Popasquash yet on the ice? Habirshaw is quite busy putting up the machinery in Brooklyn. There is but little to do in the laboratory now. I contemplated going to Prov[idence] at the time of the 22d and shall leave here in a week from today or tomorrow.
Your aff[e]ct[ionate] bro
J.B.F. H." (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Francis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_78510. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 213. 1875-02-12.)
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"[Item Transcription:] My dear mother
Your pleasant letter of M[ar]ch 2d on a postal card I was glad to get. If you attempt to write such long letters on a postal card I shall have to look at them through a magnifying glass to read them. The fall I received in Br. only made my backful[?] a little uncomfortable for a few days. It seems to be all right now. A bad place to receive[?] an injury, which might have been worse with another, but with me, Nature has amply protected this end of the great nervous centre.
Prof. Appleton's wedding went off finely. I suppose you have heard accounts [p. 2] of it long before this. You should have seen how finely Grace looked, she being dressed in white tarlbeen[?] with low neck and short sleeves. I med Dr. Shepard on the street in Prov[idence] and had a long talk with him. I also met him the same day at Prof. A's wedding. I was very glad to see Nat the evening I left Providence, and I was pleased to see him so much improved in health so very much unlike the Nat I was pained to see leaving for Europe a year ago. now that he is on the right road to health let him guard well his course that some fiend may not lead him into a sickly lane. This has been a charming Spring like day and I am now setting[?] here with no fire and my window wide open, the gentle breeze which fans my face feels quite refreshing and if my im- [p. 3] agination does not deceive me it feels quite balmy. I can hardly believe that only a few weeks ago we had such arctic weather. It would be really provoking to now have a return of it after this pleasant taste of Spring.
A few evenings ago I called on the Shutes[?] in Williamsburg with Wm. Earle. We also called on Miss Bearns[?]. She referred to her pleasant summer in Br[istol] and kindly enquired for Julian. Last evening I went to a tea and dancing party given at the Brooklyn Institute Hall for the benefit of the 2d Unitary Church. I met some of Mr. Dirkes family there. Mr. Habirshaw[?] is quite busy and will start the Engine in a few days. I have not had much to do in the laboratory but expect to be quite busy soon.
Mr. N[ichols] seems much encouraged learn- [p. 4] ing lately of the great success which has attended the treatment of Peruvian Guano in Europe.
Saturday PM. Tell Johnnie that I engaged a stateroom for him in the [Steam ship from New York to Savannah] CLEOPATRA midships --- the best they had.
Tell Nat I have seen the Anchor Line people and they will cut the freight on boat down to $15. I saw her [#187404es L'ONDA] at the Government Stores 112 Washington St. She appeared in good order. They charge for storage $5.50 for the month. The owner always pays storage. I explained to them the circumstances of the case and they put the storage for $5.50 as low as possible. The Anchor Line people want to know what Nat will do.
Perhaps ere he to offer them $12 Gold they would accept. The boat will be sold at auction on about Sept[ember] 1st if not taken [p. 5 (i.e. p. 1)] away and the money and &c.[?] goes to the gov[ernmen]t and Anchor Line.
Love to all Your affectionate son Francis." (Source: Herreshoff, J. B. Francis. Letter to Julia Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_79130. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 214. 1875-03-12.)
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"[Item Transcription:] My dear Nat,
here is a nice letter from Francis. James stayed in Prov[idence] this aft[ernoon] & saw the [#15p] GEM safely on board the New York Propeller [ship].
I think you had better get the L'ONDA [#187404es] at once. The chances of buying her at auction are uncertain besides the great chances of damage & loss of a summer's use.
Offer them $12 in gold. She will stand somewhere about $23 or $24 in Prov.
Tell Francis not to pay any duties. It is raining hard now with thunder. 10 P.M.
Carrie had had quite a sick day, but we [p. 2] hope she will be better tomorrow. Mama is going over to sleep there tonight, upstairs with Carrie & Bertie [Chesebrough] also with Wilson to take charge of Stanton below.
In haste, Yr. aff[ectiona]te brother ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Lewis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_79110. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 214. 1875-03-15.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Postcard from New York to NGH at Corliss Steam Engine Co. in Providence, RI with penciled sketch of a crank shaft:] They won't take less than $15 gold for total freight expenses [for #187404es L'ONDA]. Storage is $5.50 Currency. [Steam ship from New York to Savannah] CLEOPATRA arrived out on Sat [March 21, 1875].
Launch [#15p GEM] was rowed round from N. River and hoisted on large[? barge?] steamer, with no trouble. Seen them safely off. [Undated. Postmarked March 23 (1875).]" (Source: Herreshoff, J. B. Francis. Postcard to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_79030. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 214. (1875)-03-23.)
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"[Item Transcription:] While in the Mercantile Reading Rooms yesterday, I read a long article in Van Nostrands Electric Engineering Magazine of Sept. on the Economic Value of Compound and Simple Engines for marine purposes, taken from the English Naval Science.
You had better read it, and if you can't find the magazine in Prov[idence] I'll get you one and send it on.
Recent investigations in the English and American Navies show no gain in using the compound engine. The supposed great gain is because of using steam at higher pressure than in the simple engine. Using steam at the same pressure in the simple and compound engine (50 lbs per sq. in., I think) they got about the same result with each. I.A.P. with 2 1/2 lbs coal evaporating about 8 lbs water per lb coal.
I saw your little boat [#187404es L'ONDA] today, they will sell her, they think, some time next month. About the 1st of the month they can let me know the day. She is in good condition, a little dusty, but in a dry building. How much shall I offer? How are you getting on with the Coil Boiler investigation? Do let me know of the result. The article I send you I took out of a New York paper a short time since. Business is rather quiet.
Your affect bro, Francis
[P.S.] Give my regards to Phillip [George Phillips?] and the Houghtons. [Incl. clipping about fast steam boat in St. Petersburg.]" (Source: Herreshoff, J. B. Francis. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_08910. Correspondence, Folder 27, formerly 215. 1875-09-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter on 'N.G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I.' stationery:] I am pleased to have your letter of 2nd [March 2, 1934] and congratulate you on getting the little boat [#193303es SKYLARK] completed so quickly and so well. It is so good to know the boat has attractive appearance to all who have seen her.
It is certainly quite surprising you are to take the boat off on a cruise and will first float her in the Caribbean.
Have you the rig completed? And that work out well.
Please give my kind regards to Mr. Baker.
Sixty years ago I went abroad to build up my health. I staid [Page 2] 4 or 5 months at Nice with friends. While there I built two little boats, one 12ft [#187404es L'ONDA], and the larger 16ft [#187406es RIVIERA] which was c.b. dinghy type.
We sailed a good deal between Villa France and Cannes and finally left for home in the RIVIERA via the Mediterranean Coast. The Rhone, the Saone (the two last by st[eame]r & railway as current proved too strong), Canal to the Rhine, St[eame]r from Rotterdam to London, sailed in Riviera 2 weeks on the Thames, then train to Liverpool and St[eame]r to New York, then sailed home in RIVIERA. I still have RIVIERA in my boathouse.
With kind regards & best wishes,
Sincerely ...
P.S. I have no objections to putting a plate on the boat if you wish to." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Greenough, William. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.052. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder Dinghy - 12 & 14 Foot for William Greenough. 1934-03-04.)
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"[Item Description:] Artifacts. A group of 7 wooden scales, 1 paper scale and 1 wooden slide rule. Two of the wooden scales may have been made in-house and are stamped into the wood '1:400000 KNOT' and '1:40000 MILE'. The slide rule is marked on its front side 'Tavernier Gravet Succ. 39 Re de Babylone, Paris' and carries on its back side a note 'Bought in Nice, Fr. in 1874 by N.G.H.'. [He needed it for the design and construction of #187404es L'ONDA and #187406es RIVIERA]. One scale is marked 'E. & S. London' and marked on one side '100 Millimetres', '10 Decimetres = 1 Metre', '10 Metres 1 Dekametre', '10 Centimetres', '100 Metres = 1 Hectometre', '1000 Metres = 1 Kilometre' and '1 Decimetre' and on is marked on the other side to '8ths', 12ths', '10th' and '16ths' scales and also to degrees of 30deg to 90deg and back to 30deg. [The French spelling suggests that NGH bought this scale also in 1874 in France]. Another scale is marked in plain inches with 1/16th gradations and stamped into the wood 'NGH'. Three scales are usuable from only one side and stamped 'Keuffel & Esser Co., N.Y. U.S. St'D 1426' and also stamped with K&E's Lion Trademark. The paper scale is marked in pencil by NGH 'Shrink Scale [unreadable] in per ft'." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDED2_00190. Artifacts (Wooden and Paper Scales). Folder [no #]. No date.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #187404es LOnda even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.