HMCo #13p William Spicer

"[ANEMONE] was followed by many steam launches and by three fishing steamers of larger size than SEVEN BROTHERS. Their names were OSPREY, KING FISHER, and WILLIAM SPICER." (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. 24.)

"Bristol R.I. May 29 / [18]74
Dear Brothers [Nat and Lewis in France]
... 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 N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-05-25.)

"Bristol, R.I. June 25th [18]74
Dear Brothers [Nat and Lewis in France],
... 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. ... Yours with love, both from Sadie & your aff[ectionate] brother John B. Herreshoff. ..." (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.)

"A new steamer called the William Spicer, belonging to the Fish Oil and Guano Company of Connecticut, and hailing from New London, was launched yesterday afternoon, about half-past three o'clock, from the boat shop of Mr. J. B. Herreshoff. The Spicer is 78 feet long, and 15 feet beam. She was christened by Miss Minnie Williams, daughter of Hon. Isaac F. Williams, as she glided gracefully into the water." (Source: Anon. "Bristol. Launch." Providence Evening Press, May 20, 1874, 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 [#14p Vision] 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.)

"The fine new steamer, William Spicer, launched from the yard of Mr. Herreshoff on the afternoon of the 26th alt., made a trial trip Tuesday [June 2, 1874] afternoon, steaming off at the rate of twelve knots an hour, and working in every way much to the satisfaction of Mr. Herreshoff and to the party for whom the steamer was constructed. Her cost, fully equipped for a fishing cruise, will be nearly or quite $15,000." (Source: Anon. "Locals." Bristol Phoenix, June 6, 1874, p. 2.)

"... In 1870, the Herreshoffs built the fishing steamer, the 'Seven Brothers,' [#3p] (named for the seven boys in the family,) which revolutionized the industry in a great measure. Her success led to the organization, January, 1871, of the Bristol Steam Fishing Company, of which several of the Herreshoffs were members. But their growing boat-building business soon required all their attention, and the fishing enterprise, which has since grown to be one of the foremost of its kind in the world, is now conducted by the famous Church family, of Tiverton. The 'Osprey' [#6p] followed, in 1871, and other steamers of the new type, which proved so successful that there are now a hundred or more such in commission along the coast. ..." (Source: Wellesley, Walter. "The Wizards of the Water Witches." Success, August 19, 1899, p. 629-630.)

"[Item Transcription:] This is a real March day --- blowing hard from the N.W. (and all yesterday) and first abin[?] & then cloudy & now squalls. The thermo[meter] was 15 this a.m. We were all very glad to hear of your arrival in Plymouth & hope soon to know that you are enjoying yourself in Nice. We all miss you very much but are so glad that you could make this change & we anticipate having you return to us the same old Nat we used to have with us in Boston, strong & well. James is off in Boston we presume where he has been once before since you left, trying engines with Mr Roper and I suppose having a good time generally as he does when he makes one of his solitary trips. Johnny's [JBH's] house is progressing finely & will be really a good looking & convenient house for them. The two bow windows improve the appearance greatly & add very much to the size of the rooms. I suppose he has written you that they are building a steam boat [#13p WILLIAM SPICER] 78ft long for a Fish Company near New Haven & on quite satisfactory terms, I believe.
Since you left a party of gentlemen here in Bristol have pledged themselves for a year not to take any liquor --- shaken hands with each other as a pledge. Mr Rose, John Turner, J. Williams, James Miller, C. A. Green & your bro Charlie, besides several others. They have had two suppers, one at Mr Roses & another at Charlies to celebrate his birthday. They had a fine time over there, played cards, danced in the kitchen & Alice gave them a very nice supper. The best of it was Charlie did not know they were going over there & was taken entirely by surprise. Alice had made all her preparations without his knowing it. Pa is an honorary member, and they all say one of the jolliest there, played 7 games of whist and danced and sang at Charlies until after 2 o'clock.
The next night Pa went with Sally to call on Mrs Locke and stayed the whole evening, playing and singing with her. Pa is quite coming out, is he not? We are all delighted with Mrs Locke and find her very sociable & agreeable. She has been down here twice, once to read to Stanton [Chesebrough]. Her mother, Mrs Judson[?] is with them & she too is very charming.
Gen & Mrs Richmond are down to say & we see a good deal of them. Julian is there every day & Gen[era]l R[ichmond] reads to him.
They are quite well at the Rogers' --- but much annoyed by the law suit between Daul[?] Rogers & Saraphine Noyes, which is going on just now. Lewis I suppose knows the particulars. As I understand it when Mr R. Rogers made his will some 12 years ago he forgave the Noyes the mortgage on their Estate. So far very well. During Mr R. sickness & some 6 mo[nths] before his death Miss Noyes wished to borrow several thousand & went to Mrs Rogers for it, she having power of att[orne]y to sign Mr R's name. Mrs R fearing she had not power to transact anything of that kind consulted Horatio Rogers who said she had. So she lent them, the Noyeses, the amount.
Now, since they have very much increased their property by this loan, they refuse to return it and Mr Daul R brings a suit. Saraphine Noyes claims that this was included in what Mr Rogers foregave in his will (made years before) and I am told she is going to try & prove Mrs R had not power to lend the money. I will write you the result if the case is finished. We see Dr. Brownell almost every day --- he comes n to talk over his 'Metre'[?] with Stanton. He & his mother are quite well I believe.
In a letter from Josephine she mentioned having seen you in Boston. She is back in N.Y. now. Tell Lewis Anna Norris has twins, born some two weeks ago in Cal[ifornia].
Bertie [Chesebrough] wishes me to send his love to you & his Uncle Lewis & all. Julia too is here and desires the same. Bertie & I went with Sally, Francis to a Poultry show in Prov[idence] last week. It was a very fine exhibition, but such a noise, at least 200 roosters crowing at once, hens cackling, ducks, geese, birds, and all the visitors all trying to be heard above the others. i have not seen Ma to day, but Julian says she is busy about house. She will no doubt write to you soon. Hoping to hear soon from some of you & with much love ..." (Source: Chesebro, Caroline L.H. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07870. Correspondence, Folder 25, formerly 212. 1874-03-10.)
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"[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 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:] My dear Sons,
I wrote you a few days since The Franklin & Cranston Banks saw by Boston papers last night are likely to do well. The Franklin able to pay all liabilities in July & the Cranston a dividend of twenty-five per cent in June.
Letter from Mrs Brownell, Liverpool & we hear the steamer she was to sail in arrived in New York yesterday. I feel very uncomfortable about your proposed cruise and hope you will do nothing risky. I have written you my views about it last week. Nat requiring regular meals, water brigands, your imperfect sight, dear Lewis, and many other reasons. 'Il Pensiero di Nizza' arrived yesterday. Will have it translated.
May 27th. I was disappointed yesterday in getting off the draft, but it will be done today. Chas. Brownell was in Bristol from Fall River yesterday to see his mother, his family going on to Prov[idence]. I was in Prov. & did not see him.
He will translate the last acc[oun]t of the HELEN's achievements.
The Steamer [#13p WILLIAM SPICER] was launched yesterday, 3 1/2 p.m., your cousins Francis happening to be at Carrie's and I brought down Grace & her father, Mr. Lake[?] & his wife, Mr & Mrs L. Richmond, the Ushers, Perrys, G. Phillips & his wife and a crowd of others staying at John's [JBH]. The launch was a success. I write in haste this morn[in]g. I think of getting the draft for $250. How is dear Lewis situated with regard to friends.
May 27. 3 p.m. I have just returned from Prov[idence] & I send the draft for $170 because I think it may be needed.
The Brownells got the Musical Box through free. Your aunt Sarah has not been as well as usual of late, but we hope for an improvement as she can now be in the open air. It was very warm in Prov. this morning. Amasa [Eaton] gone to Newport this election week. My health is much improved. With love to Nellie & Charlie [Eaton] & for yourselves.
My dear boys, I am sorry I can't write more. A letter just read from Francis. He is in health & will remain with Habershaw probably doing better than to make a change at present as business generally is dull. [Vertical text in left margin:] In hurry for mail. [Vertical text in right margin:] I was committee boat." (Source: Herreshoff, Julia A. Letter to Herreshoff, Lewis and Herreshoff, N.G. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_07660. 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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"N/A"

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #13p William Spicer even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• William Spicer (HMCo-made index card)
• William Spicer (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: 1874
E/P/S: P
No.: 013
Name: Wm. Spicer
OA: 78'

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.