HMCo #12p Crest

"My dear Sons [Nat and Lewis in France], ... James has been so busy making the new boiler [apparently for #12p Crest] at John's works, with blacksmiths, that he has been a sight to behold. He came in as frolicsome & frisky as a boy the other day, with his hand completely covered with black shining oil, like a black kid glove, & shook hands with me. All things had worked well that morn[in]g. ... Your affectionate mother ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Julia A. Letter to N.G. and Lewis Herreshoff. Herreshoff Marine Museum Correspondence, Folder 25 (new), 212 (old). Access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff. May 6, 1874.)

"Dear Brothers [Nat and Lewis in France],
... We sold the CREST [#12p] to a Mr. Potter of N[ew] York who will use her at his residence on the Shrewsbury river. She left here on the 11t. Capt Denum who came with us from Springfield last year took her on alone, the same made a satisfactory run.... Yours with love, both from Sadie & your aff[ectionate] brother John B. Herreshoff. Now I must tell you about the new [Coil] Boiler. We made one & used it in the CREST about one month. The upper 1/2 inch pipe, then 3/4, & the[?] the lower 1 in. pipe encased by a sheet iron drum 28 in. diam[eter] & about the same height. Our first trial in the boat was to run her in the harbor about one hour with a steam pressure of 1 to 200 lbs, you can imagine the speed. She was used ab[ou]t every day & the greatest speed obtained with 140lbs, 11 miles an hour & 110 lbs 10 miles per hour. [p. 5] The boiler is undoubtedly a great success, it seems to work equally well with all kinds of water, the cylinders run longer without oil than ever before & did not wear at all or grunt. The only difficulty seemed to be the proper amount of feed water which must vary according to the heat from the furnace. Me or James have got up something, a pocket which the steam passes thru from the worm [i.e the coil] & then[?] is superheated from the remaining lower coils, a floating ball with pks[?] let out the surplus water & also regulates the feed water. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-06-25.)

"The steam yacht Crest, recently built at Mr. Herreshoff's boat works, was conveyed from here by rail road to Springfield, Mass., last week, where she was used at the regatta. This handsome little craft is about thirty feet in longth by eight in width, and is fitted up in good style. The Hartford Post, of Saturday, says: 'Mr. Herreshoff's pretty little steam yacht, the 'Crest' which was brought from Bristol, R. I., and used as the referee's boat, passed through this city on the river to-day, en route to Bristol. Mr. Herreshoff, his daughter, Oliver Doming of the government corps of surveyors who are surveying the Connecticut River, and an assistant, make up the party as far as Lyme, where Mr. Herreshoff and his daughter will stop on a visit to friends, Mr. Doming taking charge of the yacht from that point to Bristol.' " (Source: Anon. "Locals." Bristol Phoenix, July 26, 1873, p. 2.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., of this place, have just built for the Quinepeac Fertilizing Co., of New Haven, a beautiful and substantial steamer [#13p William Spicer] seventy-eight feet in length, fifteen and a half feet beam and six and a half feet depth of hold, to be propelled by an engine of sixty horse power and four horse power for hoisting. She is to sail from New London, Conn., under command of Capt. William Speer [sic, i.e. William Spicer?], whose name she bears. On Tuesday afternoon [May 19, 1874] she was launched from the yard of the Company in presence of large number of people, who expressed frequently their admiration of the beautiful craft.
At the time of the lanch another beautiful little yacht [#12p Crest] built by this company and propelled by a new motive power, the invention of one of the Herreshoff brothers was plying swiftly about in the waters of the harbor in charge of the inventor, and excited warm admiration for the great swiftness of its motion and the ease with which she is handled. The invention gives promise of revolutionizing the mode of navigating sea-vessels and of bringing great fame and fortune to our worthy townsmen. We shall all rejoice at his success and take a local pride in the fruits of his inventive genius." (Source: Anon. "Locals." Bristol Phoenix, May 30, 1874, p. 1.)

"[Item Description:] Very detailed building account of steamer [#13p WILLIAM SPICER] being built on moulds of [#6p] OSPRAY and [#9p] KINGFISHER, Frank has finished two more engines, brother James has been experimenting with the worm [coil] boiler also with the #12p CREST's boiler, description of boiler, tried with superheated steam and a red-hot 'worm', 'I have come to the conclusion that a worm used in this way is the best invention for a boiler that has ever been used [and] think Jimmie has done extremely well', Apr. 19: brother Jas has further experimented and we'll put a 60ft [coil] boiler into CREST, Jim has filed a 'caviat' for it and given me the right to manufacture, he reserves 1/2 interest for himself and the remaining one to be divided between you, Pa, Francis and myself, N.Y. Herald article about the race [with HELEN] we recognized as having been written by Lewis, we have numerous inquiries about HELEN, also: Dear Brother Lewis, thanks for interest you take in new fishing steamer, ref. to NGH & Lewis trip abroad." (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07830. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-04-12.)
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"[Item Description:] Johny [sic, i.e. JBH] has a [coil] boiler, detailed description, operation, performance, Mr P purchased the boat, will build boat 50ft long, 3 1/2 wide, weight 150lbs, to go 13 or 14 miles [this will be #14p VISION], you should not have built the boat [#187406es RIVIERA] until you get to the head of the Rhine, the Rhone is against you, hope you will see Rome and Venice, on the back a note 'James has made this even worse than mine would[?]. He is just going out with the [#12p] CREST. Sat afternoon, 3 F'" (Source: Herreshoff, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07390. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. No date (1874-05 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] It is evening. Mary has gone to bed not feeling very well, and I am seated here by the sitting room making a beginning on a letter for you,
Sunday Mrs. Houghton sent over to us the letter you wrote to her, and Monday I sent it to your mother in Bristol as you desired. Was glad to hear from you again and to hear of your improving health. Ten pounds in five weeks! That is a gain surely. Keep on, and you'll catch up with Charlie.
I thought you wouldn't get back quite as soon as you expected when you went away, and I don't blame you. We all want to see you very much, but you are enjoying yourself so much, and improving so in health. I'd stay as long as I could.
Johnnie [JBH] and your father were up to the shop [Corliss] week before last, and I walked down street with them. Johnnie came up to get a propeller cast for the new steamer from the old pattern, but four blades instead of three. Johnnie wanted Mary and I to spend next Sunday with them, and we wanted to go very much of course, but Mary won't be able to go this week, and we shall have to put it off to another time. Mary's general health is pretty good, and she is just as enthusiastic over housekeeping as ever.
Today has been a regular Spring day. One of the very few we have had, and it has seemed pleasant enough. The month just passed (April) has been very cold and disagreeable, a constant succession of N. Easters. Sixteen mornings the thermometer was at or below the freezing point on College Hill, and the average temperature was 30deg, the coldest April by 3deg we have had in forty two years. So says Dr. Caswell.
I see by your letter that you have the Providence papers, so that the ones I sent containing the Referee's Report [apparently a reference to the Corliss Hope Street High Service Pump of winter 1873/1874] must have come rather late. I should have sent them sooner, but I kept waiting to hear from you.
I will mail with this letter a couple of 'Presses', which contain something not yet printed in the Journal &c. The communication of the Water Commissioners to the Referees asking them to reconsider their report and their reply.
First Graffe's and then Reynolds' and Smith's. I think you will find Gaffe's letter a particularly sound and well written one. You see things are no nearer settlement than when you left, and I guess the fun has but just begun.
Sunday May 10th.
This is the first uncomfortably warm day we have had. Our fires are all out, all our windows open. 81deg. Rillie and I took a walk this morning out by Mrs Railey's and Bradley's and back to Mr Grosvenors and Eaton's and glad enough we were to get into the house again, and get coats and boots off. This sudden firing up is a little too much. Why yesterday and the day before I wore my heavy winter overcoat to the Shop.
What are you up today, I wonder. Any thoughts of coming home yet. I wish I could take the trip [with #187406es RIVIERA] you propose. Would Lewis come home with you in case you took that trip.
This is the day we were to be in Bristol, and a nice one it would have been. I hope next Sunday will be as warm and pleasant. For Mary and I are going down Saturday if[?] something[?] happens. I suppose Johnnie has told you all about the new safety [coil] boiler they have in the 'CREST' [#12p] this season. I received a note from Johnnie yesterday and he said they had launched the 'Crest' and she goes one mile an hour faster with the new boiler. How is that?
The new [Corliss] pumping engine progresses fairly and will soon be ready to start up. About the 1st of June I guess. Mr. C[orliss] is very confident of showing a good result, and I hope he will. I suppose you read in the Journal of the Electric in the new ward, Raynesford for Alderman and Mrs Reynolds on the school committee and Amasa [Eaton] councilman.
Friday May 15th
I guess I finish off your letter this afternoon and mail it tonight, for I'm afraid you'll be leaving Nice before my letter gets there. I am writing this at my table in the drawing room. All the old hands are drawing at their tables, Otto, Henthorne[?] and Bower. It is a beautiful summer day, such as I hope for tomorrow. Mary and I are going to Bristol tomorrow if it is pleasant on the CANONICUS. It will seem strange to visit there and not see you. We have been cleaning house this week, have had two rooms repapered and look quite improved. But it's hard work, and I'm glad we are about through.
Mrs Corliss's sister Miss Shaw died yesterday at Mr Corliss' house, and he hasn't been up to the shop today. She had been sick quite a while, nervous prostration I believe they called her disease.
Mr Corliss has bought an expensive place in Newburyport, Mass. called 'The Evergreens' and which is to be his Summer residence, in the future. I wonder how much time he will spend there.
The pumping engine progresses slowly. Mr Corliss has applied to the City Council for his money and his claim was referred to the 'committee on claims'. The Water Commissioners have contracted with the West Point Foundry for a Cornish Engine. The streets are being dug up still for sewers and water pipes, the foundation is in for a stand pipe at Hope Station. The 'Press' is still hammering at the Commissioners, and so things go on. I can think of no more news to send you. Mary is well. Mrs Houghton, Annie and Mame[?] also, and they are all going to write to you. Remember me to Lewis.
Take care of yourself and come home well.
Your friend ...
Mary sends love." (Source: Phillips, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07720. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-05-06.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Nat's letter of March 14th to John, Lewis' to me and John, dated March 31st, were rec[eive]d. Besides a letter to G. Phillips, and lately one dated April 12th to Mrs. Houghton. We have enjoyed these letters very much indeed. They have been on their mission to the families of Herreshoff, Francis Herreshoff, Prov[idence], & now I have them by me. The account of the race at Cannes was sent to us by Lewis Richmond, it was in the N.Y. Herald of April 15th. Amasa [Eaton] translated the account of the descent of the Var & I regret he did not put it into the Bulletin. We sent it to the [Bristol] Phoenix with the New York herald and they made their appearance in our paper. We have rec[eive]d 'Pensiero de Nizza' from Nat with the description of the feat of the HELEN in the regatta. Mr. Locke is translating it, but Amasa sent a translation of it yesterday, and we shall send it to the Phoenix today. You have succeeded wonderfully in your boats, but I do not at all like the idea of your sailing as you propose along the Italian coast. You know I am always looking for danger & it seems that all is so new to you and that you may encounter some vicious & dangerous persons in the ports of the Mediterranean. I am so thankful to heir of Nat's improving health, and the pleasure you are both enjoying with your cousins. We have contrasted[?] the delightful returning health. Lewis Mitchell & young Hays passed Saturday & Sunday last here. I think Mitchell's playing wonderful. He has ten scholars in Prov[idence] & hopes to get some in Bristol for the summer. Mrs. Lewis Richmond & others are very busy getting up a Kettledrum which means I think a sort of fair for the church debt. Sally was at the Richmond's yesterday and will add her mite, a pair of very small mittens, designed for the grab box, also some of her edging.
It is to be held at the Inn Hall on Friday. Did I write you that your friend Mr. Bakker sent you a very nice song entitled 'Were I a boy again.' Music & words original. The Renwicks have tried[?] the De Wolf mansion at Poppasquash. Capt. Lawless is building a wharf at Walker's Cove & clearing out the run. Madam Brownell called here this week. Dr. B. has been in Hartford for the past month attending to repairs on their house. Annie Houghton, Mrs. Greene & husband called here last week. They rode down on Mayday to dine with Mr. Greene's sister, who lately married a Mr. Greene of Bristol. The Houghtons are well. I think i wrote you of a nice letter I read from Mrs. Houghton after sending your first letter to her.
*[sic] it, and your father & James were too much hurried when they came in to tell me, & I wish to send this letter to mail. Julian sits at the piano playing & says the boiler is a warm[?]. The fishing yacht [#13p WILLIAM SPICER] progresses & John expects it done in season.
Your aunts Anna & Sarah have rode to town with Sally twice lately and seem very bright & smart. They enjoy the letters from nice exceedingly. Aunt Anna particularly admires Nellie's [Ellen Frances ('Nellie') Taft, future wife of Julian Herreshoff] style of letter writing, & her hand writing. Did I write you that she wrote outside of Nellie's & Lewis's & Bessie's 'These are my letters --- Be careful'. I ventured to send them for Francis to read, but I got them back soon to their owner. I have not heard from Francis since Mr. N's[? Nichols?] return from Europe last week, he was expected last week & I don't know whether he has written you yet.
I send a great deal of love to Charlie & his wife and hope they are aware that we appreciate their kind attentions to you both.
There has been such a charm for Nat with them & in that delightful climate that i almost fear a change for him.
Our Charlie appears quite well, the season is the most backward we ever knew.
James has been so busy making the new boiler [apparently for #12p CREST] at John's works, with blacksmiths, that he has been a sight to behold. He came in as frolicsome & frisky as a boy the other day, with his hand completely covered with black shining oil, like a black kid glove, & shook hands with me. All things had worked well that morn[in]g.
Sally & Julian practise daily on the piano and improve. Julian is still on that very long & difficult grand sonata of Beethoven's. It is good practice. Sally is learning the treble of Schubert's 'Funeral March'. The part that Amasa played with Julian, besides now & then an accompaniment to a song.
The bathing must be refreshing to you all and very beneficial to Nat.
With love from Julian who is the only one here to his brothers and cousins. All would send love but I must close, time presses.
Your affectionate mother ...
A kiss from me for Bessie & that beautiful little Freddie -" (Source: Herreshoff, Julia A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07760. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-05-06.)
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"[Item Description:] Letter from home to France; Dear Nathie; trip to Spring Green in #12p CREST; new boiler has been perfect success; CREST now sold to Philadelphia which will be a great loss to Jimmie [James Herreshoff] who enjoyed her a lot; I hardly like your travelling in a boat as you propose [#187406es RIVIERA]; wish you could stay in Europe till spring so your health could be improved; remainder by mother Julia A. Herreshoff; very much troubled at your proposed cruise [in RIVIERA]; how would Lewis manage with you and the boat with his imperfect sight; your lives may be in danger; steamer [apparently #13p WILLIAM SPICER] to be launched on the 26th; James boiler carried the boat 11 miles in an hour;" (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. & Herreshoff, Julia A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07440. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-05-20.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Bristol, R.I. June 25th [18]74
Dear Brothers [Nat and Lewis in France],
I have been trying to write you for the past two weeks --- have been busy for the past two weeks, but am now more at leisure. We rec[eive]d Lewis' letters to Sister Carrie two days ago.
You have probably decided we[?] think[?] how you will pass your time for the few months remain[in]g in Europe. Your proposed trip in the small boat [#187406es RIVIERA] has caused a good deal of talk & feeling among your relatives here: All I can say is respecting that you & Lewis are the most competent to judge for yourselves, in relation to it, and I think will not needlessly expose yourselves.
Have been talking with Mother in regard to funds for your use. Mother expects to send in a day or two ab[ou]t[?] $100. We think that the $270 Mother sent about the latter part of May will be all that you [p. 2] require on the Continent.
I expect you will occupy at least one month in England & Scotland before returning home.
Sadie & I have placed $100[?] in the Saving Bank, which we shall be most happy to send you at any place you may designate. I should think you would need it by the time you arrive in England. It is for both of you.
Then I will also send $100 from elsewhere[?]: So do not try to economize too close or shorten y[ou]r tour.
You must all be having rather a pleasant & happy time.
Your letters are always interesting & eagerly read by us all.
Do not forget to write one a falnight[?] during your tour.
Now I must tell you how we are at home.
Brother Charles and the family [p. 3] are all well. Aunt Anna & Sister Sally are well. Aunt Sarah recov[erin]g[?] from a recent nervous attach. Papa & Mama & all here are well except for Stanton [Chesebrough] who has not been quite so well the few past days.
Bro James started off yesterday on an excursion to Montauk, expected back in ab[ou]t ten days. I called Ms. Haughton three days ago. Said she had just written you. Stopped at Corliss & one[?] hauled the new pumping engine he had just made to play with: Some very good and some very poor features about it: There is the usual trouble too much fiction. We completed the Steamer 'WM. SPICER' [#13p] on the last day of June: She worked well, every way, except the condenser which was 3[?] 2in[?] half[?] pipes alongside of her hull. The exhaust steam chose very foolishly to pass thru the upper pipe, which after all is very natural. I had to take it all off & make a condenser in our usual manner. The boiler seems to be capable of supply[in]g all the steam required & that [p. 4] without foaming. We made a few trials of her speed, found 40lbs would run her ten miles an hour, 52lbs 11 miles an hour. I think with 85 or 90 she would easily run 13. She is a very pretty boat & I think nearer right than others built for the business. We sold the CREST [#12p] to a Mr. Potter of N[ew] York who will use her at his residence on the Shrewsbury river. She left here on the 11t. Capt Denum who came with us from Springfield last year took her on alone, the same made a satisfactory run. Now I must tell you about the new [Coil] Boiler. We made one & used it in the CREST about one month. The upper 1/2 inch pipe, then 3/4, & the[?] the lower 1 in. pipe encased by a sheet iron drum 28 in. diam[eter] & about the same height. Our first trial in the boat was to run her in the harbor about one hour with a steam pressure of 1 to 200 lbs, you can imagine the speed. She was used ab[ou]t every day & the greatest speed obtained with 140lbs, 11 miles an hour & 110 lbs 10 miles per hour. [p. 5] The boiler is undoubtedly a great success, it seems to work equally well with all kinds of water, the cylinders run longer without oil than ever before & did not wear at all or grunt. The only difficulty seemed to be the proper amount of feed water which must vary according to the heat from the furnace. Me or James have got up something, a pocket which the steam passes thru from the worm [i.e the coil] & then[?] is superheated from the remaining lower coils, a floating ball with pks[?] let out the surplus water & also regulates the feed water. I shall have the boiler completed with the attachment, also another engine finished up with metal piston & stem[?] packing, to put into a boat 30 ft. long, 4 ft wide, 18 in deep. W[eigh]t of machinery 500[?] lbs & w[eigh]t of boat 500[?] lbs. We expect to run our 32 in. wheel 500 turns per min[ute] & keep a pressure of 110 lbs, using salt water, no condenser or water tank required. [This appears to be a reference to what will become the 48ft VISION, the first boat built with a coil boiler but VISION had already been mentioned in earlier letters as a 50ft boat.] Can we get a speed of 18 miles per hour?
We expect to have the boat completed by Aug[us]t[?]. We are just finish[in]g the R.[?] Island boat [apparently #187402es ASPHODEL] & expect to beat[?] the JULIA [#187004es] next week. [p. 6] Mr. Reynolds has tried his new steam boat at Phil[adelphi]a & runs her at the rate of 20 miles per hour. The trial was made last Saturday.
When you come back we want you both to take hold with us and make something out of Jim's new invention. There is room enough for you both.
The HARTFORD [#186703es] is launched & Pa & I[?] are now going off to race with her. Stanton [Chesebrough] is much better to day than he was yesterday. Love to our kind cousins C & H. We feel very grateful to them for their kindness to you. Pas strawberries are now ripe and very nice. Wish we could send you some.
Yours with love, both from Sadie & your aff[ectionate] brother John B. Herreshoff.
Katie often speaks of you both. We had a pleasant visit from Geo[rge] P[hillips] & wife.
[The same pages contain a second two-page letter under different date:]
Bristol R.I. May 29 / [18]74
Dear Brothers
Your letters were received in due time and have been gladly perused by all of us --- they are full of interest.
I wrote you a long letter about the middle of April [1874-04-12 and 1874-04-19] giving you a description of the steamer [#13p WILLIAM SPICER] I have been building. Think you should have got it before Nat's last letter was mailed. We launched the WM. SPICER Tuesday P.M. May 26th with quite a number on board, mother, leng[?] Lizzie & Sally, Francis, Geo[rge] Phillips & wife, Grace & her father & Mrs. Locke being among them. She was launched with all the machinery on board and all the piping up. We made our trial trip in her this P.M. She is a great success, all the machinery and joints being right the first time. She is [p. 2] fitted as follows --- boiler 5 x 9ft, main engine 14 x 16 inches, screw 57 inches 4 blades, hoisting engine 3 1/2 x 7, being a Sturtvant blower with 7[?] inch pipe and an auxiliary pump. Water tank of iron contains about 3 h[un]d[re]ds[?]. Safety valves, one 1 1/2 inch common & one 2 1/2 inch Slip[?] Locke[?] valve. Condense pipes, brass, three in number, 2 inch inside, most of the small piping is brass, according to Lewis' request.
The result of our trial this P.M. was with 40 lbs pressure, 120 rev[olutions], 1/2 mile course with head tide, three min & 6 seconds. The blower works admirably, could have driven the boat with it so to have run the boat 13 m[iles] per hour, I think. Will write you about the next trial which will be on Tuesday next, when the boat will be ready for delivery. Yours John." (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to Herreshoff, Lewis and Herreshoff, N.G. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07470. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-05-25 and 1874-06-25.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Friend Nat,
I suppose you have given up expecting to hear from us, but with me it is the old story of procrastination. I didnot know but you were going to forget us entirely it was so long before we heard from you, I think you were very excusable as you were in another country and there was so much to see that was new to you.
I am very glad your health is improving and hope it will be so well established that when you come home to me you may never have any more attacks of neuralgia or any other diseases.
This is the month we expected to see you, how about the time has seemed, it seems but two weeks ago that you left Prov[idence].
Annie is in today, and it seems very much like old times particularly as she has a head ache and I have been doctoring her on the sofa. (This is the meanest paper to write on that I ever saw.)
I saw by the paper that John [JBH] had sold the CREST [#12p] so I don't expect to have any more sails in her. The Wardens[?] often speak of the pleasant sail they took in her last Summer. Mr. W. was up here the other evening and sent his regards to you and told me to tell you he should like to be with you when you take your cruise in your new boat [#187406es RIVIERA].
Annie and I took a little ride last night and drove up to Georges. Mary says her mother and brother will are[sic] are coming soon. Katie had gone homesick. I suppose George [Phillips] keeps you posted on the doings at the [Corliss] shop and [Hope Street?] pumping station.
We have been very quiet here, after the wedding and reception. We find Mr Andom[?] to be very pleasant and kind. He want to take your place to, chop would[?] bring water & c.
You will see I commenced my letter some time ago, have been waiting for Anne to add her sheet, but shall wait no longer. She has been so busy getting her carpets and furniture and preparing for housekeeping she has had no time for any thing else, but will write as soon as she is settled. They will get into their house this week. I was at Bristol last week, called at your house. Your mother had gone to Prov., called at John's. He and Sadie had gone to Providence, too & then I went to Mrs Chesebro's [Caroline] and found her at home. Julian came to the door when I rang, and I said good morning. He said how do you do Mrs Kelton[?]. When I asked him who he thought I was, oh, Mrs Houghton, well your voices are alike. I have just heard, Mr. Broome was going to Bristol to work at John's establishment. Mr. Broome has been lately married, so will take his new bride to Bristol.
I forgot to tell you, we have our ketehen[?] parmels[?] and are going to have it prepared[?] this week. Aren't you glad.
Mrs Phillips mother and brother are here. George [Phillips] and his brother William, 'brother Will', and Otto went down the river in a sail boat, last week and were gone 3 days. I think brother Will liked not very much sleeping on the planks. Some people can never put up with anything out of the common course. George called at Bristol and your father went out with the JULIA [#187004es] and beat them all out and out.
Charley Wescott and George are getting up a party to go sailing this week. Want Mame to go with them. I suppose she will go but I would just as licue[?] she would stay at home. Johnny [JBH] called her about two weeks ago on his way to New London. The first of your family I had seen since you left. They all seem to think you will not come home till Oct, is that true? I hope you will write and let us know, if you intend to stay away so long. This is the worst paper I ever need to write on. I hope you can decipher it.
Mrs Budlong is very low indeed, not expected to live very long, poor Gertie, if she had a good father it would be some comfort for her. [Incl envelope to NGH and Cyprien Fighiera in Nice, France, postmarked July 8 (1874) in New York and July 21 in Nice (which appears to be late given this letter's date of June 11, 1874 and may indicate that this envelope originally belonged to some other letter.]" (Source: Houghton, Mary S. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_78830. Correspondence, Folder 26, formerly 213. 1874-06-11.)
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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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"N/A"

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #12p Crest even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Crest (HMCo-made index card)
• Crest (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.

Year: 1873
E/P/S: P
No.: 012
Name: Crest
OA: 30'

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.

"Draft 3ft 2in as per vessel name index card." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 6, 2015.)

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