HMCo #41p Kittatinny

"We made a brief visit to the Works of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, of this town, a few days since and were surprised at the recent great increase in the business of that establishment. At present more than seventy skilled mechanics and workmen are employed there. Through the politeness of Charles F. Herreshoff, Esq, father of the famous boat builder, we were conducted through the various departments in the yards and buildings. ...
In the second story of the main building small steamers and other craft, from sixty feet in length and under, are built. In the large work shop on this floor there is now building a side-wheel shoal water steamer [#41p Kittatinny], sixty feet in length by seven feet in width, of 11 inches draft, intended speed 15 miles per hour, designed to run on some Western river and to be used for the U.S. mail service. ..." (Source: Anon. "The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company's Works." Bristol Phoenix, April 13, 1878, p. 2.)

"No. 41 [Kittatinny], steamer, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., 1878.
6.50 tons; 60.5 ft. x 6.1 ft. x 2.8 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No deck, no mast, plain head, sharp stem.
Surveyed and measured, May 1, 1878 [measured a second time on June 14, 1878]." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. No. 41.)

"[License issued to vessel under 20 tons. Pos. 197:]
No. 41 [Kittatinny], steamer, of Bristol.
Built at [blank] [HMCo].
6.50 tons; 60.5 ft. x 6.1 ft. x 2.8 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Previous documentation not shown.
Lic[ensed] ([for] F[ishing]) June 25, 1878. Owner: Darwin Almy of Bristol. Master: Darwin Almy. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Lic[ensed] ([for] C[oastal] T[rade]) May 1, 1879 (vessel altered - 7.81 tons). Owner: J. D. Broadhead of Delaware Water Gap, Pa. Master: Joseph Gifford, Bristol. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Bristol. Ship Registers and Enrollments of the Port of Bristol - Warren Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. No. 41.)

"Bristol sent quite a delegation to the great cat-boat race at Newport on Thursday [July 25, 1878] of this week. Among the boats hailing from this place were the Hartford, Julia [#187004es Julia IV], Gleam [#187702es], Witch [#187807es], Spring Green, Grade and the new Custom House boat. A party also accompanied Mr. Herreshoff in his fine new steamer '41' [#41p Kittatinny] --- the one which acted as Judges' boat at the Yale-Harvard race at New London this summer. All the boats, however, might as well have stayed at home for any satisfaction they got by going. None of them were allowed to enter the race. This ruling was founded upon one of the regulations governing the race, namely, that the entries should be made before 12 o'clock, M., of the day previous, but what the Bristol folks complain of is that no notice was given them that such was the regulation. ..." (Source: Anon. "Are Newporters Afraid Of Bristol Boats?" Providence Evening Press, July 26, 1878. Reprinted in: Bristol Phoenix, August 3, 1878, p. 2.)

"Since [1860] no attempt has been made to navigate the Delaware above tide-water, although the feasibility of navigating its waters has long been the subject of discussion. Another attempt will be made about the 1st of May next to run a steamer from the Delaware Water Gap to Port Jervia, N. Y., a distance of 40 miles, by John D. and Horatio Brodhead. These gentlemen have made a contract with Mr. Herreshoff, of Bristol, R, I., who has agreed to deliver the steamer at the mouth of the Delaware on or before May 1 [1879]. The boat under construction is 60 feet in length, 6 feet 6 inches wide in the centre, with very flat bottom, sharp at both ends, and propelled by side wheels to a guaranteed speed of 14 miles an hour. Notwithstanding her extreme narrowness, she will draw only 11 inches of water; therefore, it is believed she will be able to pass up and down such a stream as the Delaware without much difficulty. The boat will have a comfortable capacity for about 100 passengers, and is intended to transport visitors up and down the river during the Summer season." (Source: Anon. "Navigation of the Delaware. A Plan to Run a Steam-Boat Above Tide-Water." New York Times, April 23, 1879, p. 5.)

"An effort will be made this season to navigate the Delaware river. The following is a description of the boat to be used: She is sixty feet in length, six feet six inches width in the center, with very flat bottom, sharp at both ends, and propelled by side wheels to a guaranteed speed of fourteen miles an hour. Not withstanding her extreme narrowness she draws but eleven inches of water; it will thus be seen that her peculiar construction is exactly suited to the work for which she is intended. She has comfortable capacity for sixty passengers and the ability to carry many more. She is fitted with a powerful horizontal engine, and a Herreshoff patent 'safety coil' boiler, one of the advantages of the latter being that it is impossible to explode it. ... [A reference to #41p Kittatinny.] " (Source: Anon. [No Title.] Schoharie [New York] Union, May 15, 1879, p. x.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. of this town, recently completed a side wheel steamer, sixty feet in length, 6 1/2 feet beam, 12 feet over the paddle boxes, drawing when loaded about 11 inches of water, called the 'Kittatinny,' for use on the upper Delaware river. The New York Herald says : 'Steam navigation on the Delaware river from the ocean as far as Water Gap is an accomplished fact, the steamer Kittatinny having performed that feat on May 9th.' She is the first steamer that ever ascended the Delaware as far up as the Water Gap, at which place she arrived on Friday 9th ult, attracting a great deal of attention all along the route, as well as at her place of destination! The Mountain Echo, published at Delaware Water Gap, Monroe county, Penn., says: 'The little steamboat, which has gained for itself the happy record of being the pioneer in steam navigation on the waters of the upper Delaware, deserves more than a brief mention in these columns and wo shall devote as much space as possible to a description of the vessel, list of the crew and its trip from the ocean to the headwaters of the Delaware; the receptions tendered and received and the incidents by the way.' The Echo's account of the trip, description of the steamer, etc., occupies over six columns of that paper, from which we shall make some extracts in our next issue." (Source: Anon. 'Local Notes.' Bristol Phoenix, June 14, 1879, p. 2.)

"We copy from the Mountain Echo the following description of the Kittatinny, and make some extracts from that paper giving on account of the steamer's first trip up the Upper Delaware: 'Messrs. John D. and Horatio Brodhead, born and brought up on the banks of a beautiful stream, that had never been brought under the control of steam navigation, are descendants from a line of ancestors who have been ever noted for their daring, intelligence and skill. From their early childhood they have been accustomed, at the hotels which have been carried on for years at the Gap, to witness the constant attention that has been ever on the alert to forestall the wants of tourists and pleasure seekers. They realized the idea of being able, by the aid of recent improvements in steam navigation, to open up the beauties of the upper Delaware to the patrons of the Gap Hotels. To this end correspondence was opened with different steamboat builders and by the advice of Thos. Manning, Esq., of New York, a recognized authority on steam yachts, a contract was made with the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., of Bristol, R. I., for a boat to be delivered by the 1st of May this year. The boat, which was No. 41 of the manufacture of the company, has been christened the Kittatinny, in honor of the mountains, that, like giants of old, guard their beautiful home.
The boat is 60 feet long and 6 1/2 feet beam, 12 feet over the paddle boxes, and draws when loaded 11 inches of water. Is propelled by two side wheels of a new design, each paddle being made to feather as it enters and leaves the water. Steam is generated by one of Herreshoff's coil boilers, which it is impossible to explode. This is on important feature as not only being safe it is very economical in use. A coil of pipe runs around the fire and forms a drum or cone. Water is pumped in at the top and is generated into steam before it reaches the fire surface. It requires only from 2 to 5 minutes to get up sufficient pressure to propel the boat. The engine is 18 horsepower, is built very light and strong. The boat is prettily painted in red, white and blue, is protected by awnings, has a cosy cabin in which hangs the engineer's certificate; is provided with life preservers (for which there is no need) and is decorated with beautiful flags, the handiwork of the ladies of the Water Gap, who have made and presented them to the steamer. The boat rides easily, and the trial trip proved that though holes might be knocked through the bottom, yet its air-tight bulkheads will prevent it from sinking. Built for speed the boat has stemmed the fiercest rapids, is perfectly controlled by its steering apparatus, and is altogether the most perfect boat that could be constructed, and reflects great credit upon the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. The boat has a speed of 14 miles an hour in the eddies and is a triumph of inventive skill.'
'Messrs. John and Horatio Brodhead went to Bristol, R. I, for the steamer, and leaving there May 1st at 2 p. M., dropped down the bay, anchored over night and rounded Point Judith early in the morning. Passed through Long Island Sound, but while eight miles off New Haven Light, the pumps refused to work, owing to no fault in their construction, however, and the vessel floated at the mercy of wind and waves.' Leaving New Haven the next morning the steamer sped along the Sound, through Hell Gate and dropped anchor at Gowanus Bay. 'From New York to New Brunswick by Rantan Bay and River, to Trenton via Raritan Canal, and thence through the Feeder at Lambertville on Tuesday it plunged into the Delaware river, where it anchored for the night. Arrived at Frenchtown --- left that place at 1.4 0 P. M., passed Milford 2.20, Upper Blacks Eddy 2.25, Reigelsville 4.05, Corpentersville 4.35, and climbing the falls below the bridge at Easton it jumped the dam and dropped its anchor at 5.40 P. M., near the foot of Northampton street. The boat remained over night and was visited by thousands of people, among whom were the representatives of the press.'
'The ill-fated 'Alfred Thomas' was blown up at this place over a score of years ago in attempting to go up the river, Benj. F. Youels, Esq., one of the survivors of the Alfred Thomas, who was crippled for life at the time, came down and presented the steamer with a set of colors for its upward passage, and the steamer left Easton 8.40 A. M., as the morning school bells were ringing out a good bye anthem. There was a hush on the bank as the steamer entered the first rift and passed over the spot where the other steamer was blown up, but as it passed in safety, there arose a cheer, the echo of which did not die away until the steamer was out of sight. Through Wycatt Rift to Sandt's Eddy at 9.40, thence through Indian Rift, passing Martin's Creek to Capoose Rift. Big and little Capoose Rifts are soon conquered and the steamer dashes into (that dread of all raftsmen,) 'Foul Rift'. Nobly the vessel stems the current, and when conquering 'the gallops' a rope by accident is thrown overboard and becomes entangled in the paddle wheels stopping their motion. The current catches the boat and dashes her amongst the rocks, but by a miracle she floats to still water. Reuben Staples and others of the Water Gap come down, the repairs are soon made and next day the vessel is ready for its second attempt, in which it is successful, and Foul Rift is conquered, and the little steamer drops its anchor at Belvidere, amid the cheers of hundreds on the shore, having made the terrible passage of the 3-mile rift in 15 minutes. Left Belvidere at 3.20 p. m., passed Hartzell's Ferry at 3.44, having in the meantime run up big Indian Rift 1 mile long, through Butter Milk Rift and under the railroad bridge at Delaware at 5 p. m., reaching Portland amidst the blowing of whistles and ringing of bells at 5.15. After a short stop the little steamer again headed tip the river, and passing through Sliding Rift, Dancing Rift and Gap Rift, entered Gap Eddy with a three times three, and dropping her anchor abreast of the Kittatinny House, under the shadow of the mountain from which she takes her name, he news was flashed over the wires to all the papers in the land that the enterprise of the Brodheads had conquered the rifts of the Delaware. We have not space to chronicle the reception that the crew and passengers met with on their return. The 'uncles and cousins and aunts' of the captain and engineer were there and cannon were fired and everybody cheered themselves hoarse.' 'To knock a hole in a schooner, to bang recklessly among canal boats, ground herself in the mud, knock off her smoke stack, and to flirt defiance in the face of 'Foul Rift,' were only minor incidents to relieve the monotony of her trip to the Gap. And after a brief rest the owners decided to try the treacherous shoals and dangerous rapids of the upper Delaware. The steamer passed rapidly up the river through Smithfield Rift, rounding Muskrat Island, passing Shawnee Islands, through La Barre Rift, and through many other 'rifts,' passing numerous coves, finally landing at Milford, under the Bluff at 5.45, 'where the captain and crew put up for the night at the Sawkill House, and were serenaded in the evening by the Milford Band and Mitchell Glee Club. The captain in the morning tendered a complimentary ride to residents of Milford.'
'Some of the Jersey people stood on the banks of the river with mouth wide enough open to run the steamer down it. They were taking it in' (Source: Anon. 'The Steamer Kitatinny.' Mountain Echo (Monroe County, Penn.). No date. Reprinted in: Bristol Phoenix, June 21, 1879, p. 2.)

"Milford, Penn., April 27 [1880]. --- The steam-boat Kittatinny, owned by the Brodhead Brothers, of the Delaware Watergap, Penn., which is to run between that place and Port Jervis, N. Y., for the accommodation of their guests during the Summer, when there is sufficient water in the Delaware, made its first trip this season to-day, reaching Port Jervis without a mishap. This is the first boat that ever reached Port Jervis, and the only one that ever attempted the passage since the ill-fated Alfred Thomas was blown up at Easton, Penn., about 20 years ago, killing eight persons." (Source: Anon. "Navigating The Upper Delaware.". New York Times, April 28, 1880, p. 1.)

"1880. --- First Steamboat on the Upper Delaware. --- The steamboat 'Kittatinny,' the first that ever reached Port Jervis, New York, arrived at Delaware Water Gap April 28, 1880, without accident, having run the fifty miles in less than five hours. This steamboat was sixty feet long, fourteen feet wide, and carried seventy persons, the navigation of the Upper Delaware being thus proved feasible by steam. Great excitement prevailed throughout the region traversed, and hundreds of persons flocked to see the boat." (Source: Preble, George Henry. A Chronological History of the Origin and Development of Steam Navigation. Philadelphia, 1895, p. 276.)

"... Sailing on the Dew. May 1, 1879 [sic], the [Herreshoff Manufacturing] company delivered to John D. and Horatio Brodhead steamer 'No. 41,' the 'Kittatinny,' the pioneer vessel on the upper Delaware. She was sixty feet long, six feet six inches wide in the center, sharp at both ends, drawing but eleven inches of water, and having a guaranteed speed of fourteen miles an hour. She had feathering paddles, and would go up rapids before considered impassable. Indeed, as an observer remarked, 'she would go almost anywhere, after a heavy dew.' ..." (Source: Wellesley, Walter. "The Wizards of the Water Witches." Success, August 19, 1899, p. 629-630.)

"The family trade of catering to vacationers was followed by the seventh generation of Brodheads. William's sons, John Davis and Edward Livingston, took over the Kittatinny Hotel when their father died in 1880. Edward Livingston Brodhead died in 1900, and his brother retired. In 1901, the Kittatinny [Hotel] was sold.
As for the other Brodheads of the seventh generation, Horatio and Harry (along with John Davis of the Kittatinny Hotel) went into the boat tour business. In 1879, John Davis and Horatio bought a narrow, sixty-foot steamboat with side-wheels. They named it the Kittatinny, and soon after it arrived, they showed it off in a clever publicity stunt by sailing upriver from Delaware Water Gap to Milford. The following year, a more ambitious trip was taken past Milford to Port Jervis, a distance of over forty miles in all from Delaware Water Gap. The Brodheads did not tempt fate again. The upper Delaware River has shallow waters and is not suited for navigation. The steamer stayed in the Gap area and carried vacationers on moonlit cruises. When a storm destroyed it in 1898, another steamer, the Kittatinny II, replaced it." (Source: Squeri, Lawrence Louis. Better in the Poconos. University Park, Pa., 2002, p. 26.)

"N/A"

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #41p Kittatinny even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

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

Name: Kittatinny
Type: Steam
Length: 60'
Owner: Brodhead, J. D. and H.

Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. "A Partial List of Herreshoff Clients." In: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Herreshoff Yachts. Bristol, Rhode Island, ca. 1931.

• Kittatinny
• Note: The L. Francis Herreshoff index cards comprise a set of some 1200 cards about vessels built by HMCo, with dimensions and / or ownership information. Apparently compiled in the early 1930s, for later HMCo-built boats like the Fishers Island 23s or the Northeast Harbor 30s are not included. Added to in later decades, apparently by L. F. Herreshoff as well as his long-time secretary Muriel Vaughn and others. Also 46 cards of L. F. Herreshoff-designed vessels. The original set of index cards is held by the Herreshoff Marine Museum and permission to display is gratefully acknowledged.

Name: Kittatinny
Type: 60' steam
Owner: J. D. & H. Brodhead
Row No.: 358

Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Partial List of Herreshoff-Built Boats." In: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Capt. Nat Herreshoff. The Wizard of Bristol. New York, 1953, p. 325-343.

Year: 1878
E/P/S: P
No.: 041
Name: Kittatinny
OA: 60'

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.

"Kittatinny was apparently converted from screw steamer to sidewheel steamer in the first year of her existence, for a photo of what is believed to be her taken in 1878 at the wharf of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company shows her as a screw steamer while a photo that was probably taken in 1879 at the same location shows her as a sidewheel steamer. The evidence, however, is conflicting, for the Construction Record and HMCo-made index card describe her a having a 'screw underneath' while a Bristol Phoenix report from 1878 describes her as being under construction with paddle wheels." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 12, 2016.)

"Date this vessel was finished was estimated as May 1, 1878, the date this boat was measured by the U.S. Custom House inspector as per the U.S. Custom House Record Book in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Note, thatthis vessel was apparently measured a second time on June 14, 1878 as per the same U.S. Custom House Record Book." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 8, 2020.)

"Destroyed in a storm in 1898." (Source: Squeri, Lawrence Louis. Better in the Poconos. University Park, Pa., 2002, p. 26.)

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