Model No. Ext08: Estelle

Model by: NGH
Made when: May 1877
Estimated model scale: 1/24
Power/Sail: P
Vessel Type: Steamboat
Model location: Rhode Island Historical Society Collection

Vessels from this model:
1 built, modeled by NGH

Original text on model:
[Inscription on back.]

Model description:
"Half model for the 1877 Herreshoff steamer Estelle in the collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Acc. no. 1981.49.3. Appears to have been made by NGH." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. November 9, 2019.)

Model discussion:
"John's wonderful ability is shown by the creation of the steamer ESTELLE, which was too large for him to build himself. ... He contracted for the complete hull ready for the machinery. [It was] to be made from a model I made and [for which I] drew the lines. This must have been early in May [1877, not 1876 as described by NGH.] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "The Old Tannery and My Brother John." Written July 28, 1933. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 25-27.)

Comment:
"Throughout the first floor of the Mary Robinson Research Center, we have several Hull models of different ships and boats, one of these Hull models is of the “Estelle No.1“, a steam-powered yacht. The Hull model is made out of wood and it was designed by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff in 1877. There is an inscription on the back by Herreshoff himself, it has built-in lifts, has a keel and is mounted on a plaque. The Hull model was gifted to us by Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Haffenreffer along with several other Hull models in 1981. ... [With photos. This appears to be the original model of Estelle, made by NGH in May 1876 right after his setting up in Philadelphia of the great Corliss steam engine for the Centennial Exhibition]." (Source: de Alfonseca, Collection and Research Intern of the Rhode Island Historical Society. "Estelle." Blog entry posted on August 7, 2018. https://rihs.wordpress.com/2018/08/07/estelle/, accessed November 9, 2019.)