HMCo #120p Polly

"[1899-04-24] Mon 24: Very fine [with] mod]erate] S [wind] & mild. Launched Polly [#120p?] at AM." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1899. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"April 6, 1906
Trial of Polly at making sale to Mr. Robbins[sic, i.e. Robins of Robins Dry Dock & Repair Co., N.Y.].
Required 14 miles per hour.
Wind N 30 miles, tide low slack.
Run from Ferry L[igh]t to ferry[?] off Mr. Hope. 2 miles, scenet[?].
Time up 8-13 1/2 sec. Down 7-44.
Steam 235lbs, on chest 218, vac[uum] 22[in].
Speed 15 miles rate.
one pair of runs was satisfactory.
Vessel has no vibration and everything ran smoothly." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of April 6, 1906 and May 2, 1906. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Bristol, R. I., are building, for members of prominent yacht clubs, two high-speed steam yachts, one [#118p Stiletto or #122p Lucile] 90 and the other [#120p Polly] 69 ft. long. Also, two steam launches [#119p Surprise and #121p Duck], 35 and 20 ft. respectively." (Source: Anon. "Yachting." Spirit of the Times, December 13, 1884, p. ?)

"Polly, steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., 1885.
13.28 tons; 64 ft. x 9.2 ft. x 4.9 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
Plain head, round stern.
Surveyed and measured, February 6, 1885." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Polly.)

"... No. 120 is a steam yacht 69ft. long, 9ft. beam, and 3ft. 6in. draft. Her engines (of 54 H. P.) are 6 and 10 1/2x10in., driving a 36in. screw. She is building for a yachtsman whose name is not yet made public, and is intended for day use only, and is not fitted for living on board. She has a light upper deck and also a toilet room and saloon. The latter is fitted with lockers which may be made up into berths if required, and an oil stove is also provided, so that a stay on her for one or two nights would be no great discomfort. It is expected that she will make 17 miles. Her name is Polly. ..." (Source: Anon. (W. P. Stephens). "The Herreshoff Works at Bristol." Forest and Stream, April 16, 1885, p. 236, 237.)

"[License issued to vessel under 20 tons. Pos. 218:]
Polly, steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1885.
13.28 tons; 64 ft. x 9.2 ft. x 4.9 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) May 9, 1885. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: [blank]. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) June 30, 1887. Owner: same. Master: [blank].
Surrendered [license] July 12, 1887 at Boston, vessel damaged in collision with the schooner Bonnie Doon of Boston. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 17, 1903. Owner: John B. Herreshoff of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 25, 1904. Owner: same. Master: same. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 25, 1905. Owner: same. Master: same. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) Apr. 6, 1907. Owner: same. Master: same.
Surrendered [license] Apr. 11, 1907 at New York. ([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. Polly.)

"The following is a list of the steam yachts built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol, R.I: ... Polly, duplicate of the above Lucille, [69 feet by 9 feet. Engine, 6 inches and 10 1/2 inches by 10 inches; boiler, Herreshoff patent safety 56 inch square; speed, 19 miles] except speed, which was 17 miles; built 1885 for C. A. Whittier, of Boston, Mass. ..." (Source: Jaffray, Edward S. "American Steam Yachting." Outing, April 1886, p. 23-25.)

"[Polly (Steamyacht) owned by Gen. A. Gardner, Port: Boston; LOA 69ft; LWL 64ft; Beam 9.2ft; Draft 3.6ft; designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by Herreshoff Mfg. Co in 1885.]" (Source: Stebbins 1896 Yachtsmen's Album, p. 20.)

"C. S. Eaton, who recently sold his Burgess steam yacht Melissa to W. H. Crane, the actor, has purchased through Stewart & Binney the fast steam launch Polly from Gen. Charles A. Whittier.
The Polly was built in 1885 by the Herreshoffs, and is 60 feet waterline, 69 feet over all and nine feet beam. She can do 10 miles an hour. She has been laid up in Buzzard's bay for the past two seasons, but will now be thoroughly overhauled.
She has a good cabin and standing room aft and a commodious pilot-house forward, and looks the flyer that she really is.
Mr. Eaton will use her for quick trips between this city [Boston] and his summer home at Marblehead Neck. [In later years, Eaton would become a loyal Herreshoff customer and order the knockabouts #461s Cock Robin (1895) and #483s Cockatoo (1896), the modified Buzzards Bay #559s Little Robin (1901), and the famous sloop #617s Cock Robin II of 1904.]" (Source: Anon. "Polly Changes Hands. Fast Herreshoff Steam Launch Bought By C. S. Eaton." Boston Globe, May 13, 1892, p. 5.)

"THE steam-yacht Polly is one of the older Herreshoff boats, having been launched in 1885. She is 69 feet over all. 9 feet 2 inches beam, and has a draught of 3 feet 6 inches. Her present owner is Chas. S. Eaton, of Boston. " (Source: Anon. "Polly." Rudder, May 1896, p. 163.)

"Steam yacht Polly arrived here Saturday [November 5, 1898] afternoon from a cruise and went out of commission for the season. She is to be laid up at the Herreshoff yards for the winter." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, November 8, 1898, p. 2.)

"No. 8158 --- For Sale --- A very attractive Herreshoff steam launch, 69 feet over all, 64 water line, 9 feet 2 inches beam and 3 feet 6 inches draught; Herreshoff triple expansion engines, almost new, and Almy water tube boiler in splendid condition. This boat is a very economical coal burner. She is an admirable boat for day use, and can be used for cruising if required. By referring to cut it will be seen that she is a very graceful and handsome launch, and she has very good speed. Owner's only reason for selling is that he has a larger boat. Any reasonable offer considered. Anyone desiring this type of boat should not fail to investigate. Apply to Hollis Burgess, 15 Exchange St., Boston, Mass. [Though not expressly identified, the accompanying photo clearly identifies the launch as Polly #120.]" (Source: Rudder, May 1903, p. 318.)

"The auxiliary revenue cutter Guide, Capt. Patterson, while taking Collector Fowler and his deputy, Henry C. Stuart, on a tour of inspection yesterday afternoon assisted in rescuing three of the crew of John N. Robins's Herreshoff launch Natalie, who had jumped overboard after the Natalie [ex #120p Polly] was rammed by Max C. Fleischmann's auxiliary schooner yacht Haida. Col. Fowler complimented Capt. Patterson and his men on their swiftness. The Haida was bound for Erie Basin to be overhauled and fitted out for a winter cruise. The Natalie also was going in the direction of the basin. The launch and the schooner exchanged no signals. Apparently the skipper of the Haida thought he could clear the launch. Instead he hit her amidships on the starboard side, cleaving her clear to her boilers, some of the tubes of which were broken. Capt. Rheinhardt, Engineer Joe Anderson and a sailor of the launch, fearing scalding from the steam that soon enveloped her, leaped overboard. The Guide was within a cables length of the colliding craft and headed for them, while her crew stood by with life preservers. The three men in the water grabbed the life preservers, which were thrown almost within their arms. William A. Todd, the manager of the Robins Dry Dock Company, who was on the Natalie, climbed from her to the bow of the Haida, which was held in the wound she had made in the side of the launch. The Haida lowered a boat and picked the men off the life preservers.
While the boats were together the mighty lighter Ox, which can lift a steam launch of the dimensions of the Natalie much as a big cop might pick up a stray two-year- old, was summoned in a hurry and prevented the launch from going down after the schooner had withdrawn her prow. The men of the Guide were preparing to pick off the three swimmers with boathooks when the boat of the Haida got them. Capt. Patterson said they would have been able to float many hours in the calm water of the bay on the life preservers, so there was really no need of lowering a boat from the Guide.
The engineer of the launch was slightly cut about the face. His shipmates were uninjured. The Natalie was badly damaged and her deckhouse was carried away. (Source: Anon. "Customs Men To The Rescue. Collector Fowler Views With Approval Quick Work With Life Preservers." New York Sun, August 15, 1908, p. 1.)

"[Item Description:] Casting Book # 4, steamers #40p, #54p, #57p, #63p, #67p, #70p, #79p, #89p, #92p, #99p, #100p, #101p, #102p, #103p, #104p, #105p, #106p, #107p, #108p, #109p, #110p, #111p, #112p, #113p, #114p, #115p, #116p, #117p, #118p, #119p, #120p, #121p, #122p, #123p, #124p, #125p, #126p, #127p, #128p, #129p, #130p, #131p, #132p, #133p, #134p, #135p, #136p, #137p, #138p, #139p, #140p, #141p, #142p, #143p, #144p, #145p, #146p, #147p [castings by hull number; front page shows summary size and engine and boiler data for steamers 99 thru 146 as well as repair data for steamers #40p, #54p, #57p, #63p, #67p, #70p, #79p, #89p, #92p, #118p, and #128p]. Undated, vessels mentioned were built between 1878 and 1887. Dates mentioned for repairs range from 1885 to 1887. Note considerable informational overlap with Casting Book # 1, which as in this book also contains data for #99p through #116p, although it appears (!) that Book # 4 lists more patterns per boat than Book # 1. Likewise, considerable overlap with Casting Books # 2 and # 3 which also contain data for boats that are also listed in book # 4. It may well be that information in Book # 4 was copied from books # 1, # 2 and 3." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-07. Castings Book 4. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Vessel Castings Book 4. No date (1878 to 1887).)
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"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Work order notebook [Titled Nathl G. Herreshoff, Esq., Bristol R.I.; 1882-1887, mostly signed by N.G.H., later ones by C.H.K.; material and item orders relating to #400s CONSUELO, #401s ROMP and steamers #89p, #99p, #100p, #101p, #102p, #104p, #105p, #106p, #110p, #111p, #113p, #118p, #119p, #120p, #122p, #123p, #140p, #146p; many orders from the marine store of A. B. Babbitt at Tiverton]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Work Order Notebook. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-04. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Sketch and Order Book 1882-1887 NGH CHK. 1882 to 1887.)
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"[Item Description:] Mounted albumen photograph of what is identified in the Hart Nautical Collections catalog as Steamer #110p or #120p. Note, however, that this is appears to be #101p OSSABAW instead. HMM has two identical copies of this photo, on one of which #101p is identified in period ink on the backside." (Source: Child, Frank H. (creator). Photograph. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.154. Box HAFH.6.7B, Folder Photographs. No date (1883 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Casting Book # 2, steamers #70p; #79p, #117p, #118p, #119p, #120p, #121p, #122p, #123p, #124p, #125p, #126p, #127p, #128p, #129p, #130p, #131p, #132p, #133p, #134p, #135p, #139p, [castings by hull number]. On last page handwritten note 'Commenced Work on Triple Cond[?] Eng. new one Nov 11/85. H com[?] on Nov 13/85 10 A.M. C.H.K.'. Undated, most vessels mentioned were built between 1885 and 1886. Note considerable informational overlap with Casting Book # 4, which also contains data for all of the boats mentioned in this book, although it may be (!) that Book # 4 lists more patterns per boat than Book # 2." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-05. Castings Book 2. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Vessel Castings Book 2. No date (1885 to 1886).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) experiments and trials booklet titled 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Experiments 1884 to 1889. N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§13: #120p POLLY Trial Run (1885-05-05&07)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_03520. Folder [no #]. 1884-05 to 1890-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (mostly in pencil but also in ink) trials booklet titled '1898 - 1909'. Relevant contents:
§46: #120p POLLY Trial Run speed 15mph (1907-04-07)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE09_00060. Folder [no #]. 1898-09 to 1911-04.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #120p Polly even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Polly (HMCo-made index card)
• Natalie ex-Polly (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: Polly
Type: Steam
Length: 68'8"
Owner: Whittier, Gen. C. A.

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

• Polly
• Natalie ex-Polly
• 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: Polly
Type: 69' steam
Owner: Gen. C. A. Whittier
Year: 1885
Row No.: 534

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: 1885
E/P/S: P
No.: 120
Name: Polly (Natalie)
OA: 68' 8"

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.

"... Str. #120 - 69Ft. long. 6+10 1/2x10 Eng[ine]. I Sq[uare] [Boiler]. ... " (Source: Anon. [Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. (N. G. Herreshoff?)] No Title. [Handwritten Notes on Outer Cover of Notebook.] No date [ca. late 1880s.] Notebook in the Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, The Francis Russel Hart Nautical Collections, M.I.T. Museum, Cambridge, Mass., obj. no. HH.6.120.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (19.99) from the 1890-91 Manning's American Yacht List (Net Register Tons were reported as 18.28) and converting to lbs by dividing through 2000 (short tons). Note that this figure can only be a rough estimate because register tons as reported in Yacht Registers correlate only loosely with actual displacement figures." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 17, 2015.)

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