HMCo #151p Ballymena

"[1887-12-31] Sat 31: Order for steel yacht (first steel one built) for Mr. Brown of Baltimore [#151p Ballymena].
[1889-07-26] Fri 26: Went to N. Bedford to put steam engine in Ballymena [#151p].
[1889-07-30] Tue 30: Went to N. Bedford [apparently to work on #151p Ballymena].
[1889-08-02] Fri 2: Went to N. Bedford & awd[?] steam steering gear on Ballymena [#151p]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1887 to 1889. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"... In 1876 Mr. [William] Young first came to Bristol, for a launch built for W[illiam] Graham, Esq. of Baltimore. The launch was named 'Coquina' [#29p] (from which I took the name for my 16' periauge [#404s] in 1888). She was 27 1/2 [ft] long, with 3 1/2in x 7in single engine and 'coil boiler' and was taken to 'Indian River', Fla., for the winter following.
In 1877, Mr. Graham had built by John, under Mr. Young's supervision, the launch 'Kelpie' [#43p] --- 45' x 6' 10'' with double 3 1/2 x 7 engine & coil boiler.
Kelpie was returned in 1878 to H.M.Co. in part-payment for the steam-yacht 'Liela' [sic, #40p], also built for Mr. Wm. Graham and under Mr. Young's supervision. Liela was of composit [sic] construction, double planked topsides, fitted with a compound engine 12 x 21 x 24 and 'coil boiler', and was quite fast. She was 100 1/2' o.a. & 15ft beam --- about 12' in w.l. [beam].
'Liela' was returned to H.M.Co. in spring of 1880, in part payment for a larger steam yacht 'Gleam' [#65p], built that preceding winter. 'Gleam' was about 115' o.a., 105' w.l. & 16' beam, 'composit', compound engine & square boiler --- for Mr. Wm. Graham, and supervised by Mr. Young & [he] was here all winter as 'resident inspector'.
About the beginning of the year of 1888 Mr. Young was again here with commission from Mr. ? [George S. Brown, the father-in-law of William Graham] of Baltimore, to oversee the construction of 'Ballymena' [#151p]. This yacht was steel construction, about 130ft x 18', powered with a 5 cyl[inder] quadruple engine & square type boiler. This yacht was launched in fall of 1888.
Mr. Young was of fine[?] extraction, a refined gentleman in character and apparently thought very highly of by the higher classes in Baltimore, and was a connoisseur in articles, fine character, and was fond of working as a silversmith, and apparently quite an expert, a wonderful fine 'shot' with rifle & trap shooting. A fine yachtsman, and I suppose, other accomplishments. Absolutely upright & honest in all his dealings.
We became very friendly and attached to each other, and he to the Herreshoff family.
Although friendly and I imagine 'engaged', he didn't marry Miss Mary Gilmor until in the early [18]'90s, and when both were well along in years. Mrs. Young was a woman of lovable character.
In 1899, when on a visit at 'Love Rocks' of Mr. & Mrs. Young and Mrs. Young's niece, Miss Alice Gilmor, on occasion of the launching of the 90ft Cup defender 'Columbia' [#499s], Mr. Young was stricken with (?)-hemorrhage and passed away at my house. A lement [sic] to all who knew him.
He was probably over 70 years at that time [sic, i.e. 74]. N.G.H." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. "Notes on Two Fine Portraits - Found by Ann and Brought to me for Identification." August 17, 1937. Copy. In: Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, Series VI, Folder HH.6.126, Box HAFH.6.4B.)

"In February of that year [1888] there was a heavy southerly storm that broke up the ice in Bristol Harbor and when the tide was high, much higher than normal, the piled-up ice broke in the large doors over the launching ways of the south construction shop. The seas and ice then ran up into the shop underneath the 145-foot steel steamer 'Ballymena,' which was then in frame, and threatened to throw her out of line. The night watchmen summoned Captain Nat at about 2:00 a.m. He put on his rubber boots and heavy clothes and went to the south shop, but in superintending the securing of things, with only lantern light, he walked along the main floor that was partly under water and covered with cakes of ice. This floor had some removable sections in it that had floated away. When Captain Nat came to one of these holes in the darkness he fell through and a receding sea pulled him under the floor below water. Fortunately the next sea, as it rushed in, carried him under the hatchway again and, although he had been under the icy water some time, he was able to climb with difficulty between the ice cakes in the darkness and with hip boots full of water. But he was only about forty at that time and must have had a strong heart. He then had to walk home in the winter storm with clothes freezing to him and boots full of water. In a few days he came down with pneumonia which I believe was quite severe. [This account cannot be confirmed. Right now it seems more likely that this is a reference to an incident which had happened on February 8, 1895 when during a severe storm NGH fell into the water in the South shop while trying to secure the new steam yacht #182p Eugenia II. He subsequently came down with a life-threatening pneumonia.]" (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 126.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. have no less than six vessels to build, having recently contracted for two steam yachts, one [#151p Ballymena] of 145 feet in length, and the largest ever built at their Works, and the other [#153p Madge] 48 feet in length. The vessels to be built will necessitate the employment of a greater number of workmen than was ever before employed at that flourishing establishment." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, January 14, 1888, p. 2.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. has contracted to build a steel yacht, 148 feet long, for Mr George S. Brown, of Baltimore, to be completed about the 20th of July." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, April 28, 1888, p. 2.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co has laid the keel of the new steel steam yacht for Mr. Brown of Baltimore, and the work on the vessel is progressing rapidly." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, May 19, 1888, p. 2.)

"Bristol, R. I., May 31 [1888]. --- Steam yacht building at the works of the Herreshoff company has been in a nourishing condition the past winter, and the spring months find more speedy craft completed and in various stages of construction than ever before. Yachts built by the concern have hitherto been confined to wood, but the company is rapidly developing, and is keeping up to if not ahead of the times by securing a plant that will soon place them in the front rank among steel steam yacht builders. The first steel boat ever constructed in this State is now in the skeleton on the blocks in the works, and if the company's expectations are met she will be afloat by the middle of the autumn. Then upon the same blocks the United States government is to have a steel boat for torpedo work constructed, and the new feature of the Herreshoffs' enterprise and skill will surely become well established. Not only are these new boats to be constructed entirely of steel, but the cardinal principles of the Herreshoff company's speed and safety are guaranteed. As to speed, it is a very high rate that is looked for; and in planning the new yachts, 20 miles an hour is considered a common figure.
In the largest building at the Herreshoffs' works the new steel yacht is being set up. When the stem and stern are built on, the boat will fetch outside the water-front doors, the house being just a trifle too short to cover it. This work is considered a great undertaking for the Herreshoffs, the especial plans and machinery being imported, while skilled artisans come from abroad to engage in the building. It is a cruising yacht and the owner is to be George S. Brown of Baltimore, Md. It is 148 feet in length with 18 foot beam; flush deck, especially designed for deep water cruising. The machinery will be of the most modern designs and of the Herreshoffs' build. A quadruple expansion engine, new type boiler of pipes, which, on account of their great economy, are especially desirable for craft or this character, is in process of construction. She will have five watertight bulkheads, and consequently is classed as
A Non-Sinkable Yacht.
Her steel plates will be 9-82 inches in thickness. The contract calls for 17 miles per hour, but it is said that she will easily excel that rate of speed. She will be elegantly finished, and the builder's price is upwards of $100,000. ..." (Source: Anon. "At the Herreshoffs." Boston Globe, June 1, 1888, p. 4.)

"Ballymena, steam yacht, of Baltimore.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., 1888.
72.53 tons; 134.7 ft. x 17.8 ft. x 11.5 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
Plain head, square stern.
Surveyed and measured, September 22, 1888." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Ballymena.)

"On Oct. 6 [1888] the Herreshoff Mfg. Co., of Bristol, R. I., launched the first steel yacht that the firm has yet built; the Ballymena, owned by Mr. George Brown, of Baltimore, Md. She was designed by Mr. Nathaniel Herreshoff, and is 132ft. l.w.l., 18ft. 6in. beam, 7ft. 6in. draft. The engines are triple expansion, also designed and built by the firm." (Source: Anon. "Launch Of A Steel Steam Yacht." Forest and Stream, October 11, 1888, p. 235.)

"The Ballymena, a large and very handsome steel yacht, 148 feet in length, was launched from the boat works of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., about half past 8 o'clock last Saturday morning [October 6, 1888].
This yacht was built for George S. Brown, of the firm of Brown, Shepley & Co., of Baltimore, Md., and is the first steel yacht ever built in this State, and one of the finest ever built in this country. A large gathering of our citizens were present a the launching. The building of a steel torpedo boat [#152p Cushing] for the U. S. Government will be begun immediately by the Herreshoff Mnfg. Co., in the same place where the Ballymena was constructed." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, October 13, 1888, p. 2.)

"On Friday [October 19, 1888] of last week, the new steel steam yacht Ballymena, recently built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., in her trial trip for speed made 18 and 14-100th miles an hour, exceeding what the contract called for, which was 17 1/2 miles an hour. When everything is in complete running order the Ballymena will undoubtedly make 20 miles an hour. Mr. George S. Brown, of Baltimore, Md., is the owner." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, October 27, 1888, p. 2.)

"[License on enrollment issued out of the port of Bristol. Pos. 5:]
Ballymena, steam yacht, of Baltimore.
Built at Bristol, 1888.
72.53 tons; 134.7 ft. x 17.8 ft. x 11.5 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
No specifications shown.
Lic[ensed] (temporary) [as] (yacht) Oct. 26, 1888. Owner: Alexander Brown of Baltimore. Master: Alexander Brown.
Surrendered [license] Nov. 9, 1883 at Baltimore. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
6
BELLEMERE, steam screw yacht, of New York. Built at Bristol, 1888.
72 tons; 134.7 ft. x 17.8 ft. x 11.5 ft. No specifications shown. Previously enrolled Jan. 5, 1901 at New York.
Lic[ensed] (temporary) [as] (yacht) May 17, 1902. Owner: S.T. Shaw of New York. Master: William E. Torrey.
License surrendered May 26, 1902 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. Ballymena.)

"Gen. Geo. S. Brown's new steel steam yacht Ballymena, Capt. David Anthony, which was fully described in The SUN, arrived yesterday from the Herreshoffs' works, Bristol, R. I., and tied up at Brown's wharves, where hundreds went to see her. On her way the Ballymena stopped at New York, Sandy Hook, Cape May, Hampton Roads, Norfolk and Paturent river. Her average speed was 17 1/4 miles per hour under 150 pounds steam pressure. Captain William Young, who superintended the construction of the yacht, Mr. B. Chesebrough, of Bristol, Mr. Robinson, one of the Herreshoff engineers, came around on the Ballymena. Mr. Joseph O. Revell, of Baltimore, is chief engineer, and the other officers are to be appointed. The Edison incandescent light will be placed on board at once. Geo. Brown intends that all the interior fitting shall be furnished by Baltimore firms, and at once will begin to fit her out. The Ballymena flies the flag of the St. Augustine Yacht Club, to which her owner belongs." (Source: Anon. "The Ballymena Arrives. A Magnificent Yacht." Baltimore Sun, November 2, 1888, p. 4.)

"The new Herreshoff yacht Ballymena, owned by Mr. George S. Brown of Baltimore, reached New York on Oct. 27 [1888], in charge of Capt. D. J. Anthony. She is 140ft. over all, 124 l.w.l., 18ft. beam and about 12ft. draft, with a 3 cylinder engine. The interior is very handsomely fitted up." (Source: Anon. "Ballymena." Forest and Stream, December 10, 1888, p. 297.)

"Mr. Alexander Brown yesterday consummated the sale of his steam yacht Ballymena to Mr. J. N. Brown, a banker of Providence, R. I. The price paid was $55.000, the value put upon the vessel by Mr. Alexander Brown. The Ballymena was the first steel vessel built by the Herreshoffs at Bristol, R. I., machinery having been imported from England to do the work. She was built in 1883 for the late Gen. George S. Brown. On Monday next the Ballymena will leave for Newport, R. I., where she will be delivered to her new owner. Captain Kerr, the engineers and crew of the Ballymena have been engaged to man the vessel for the present season. The Ballymena was named after the birthplace in Ireland of Gen. George S. Brown's father, the founder of the banking house of Alexander Brown & Sons. She is a trim, swift yacht with features to recommend her to owners of her type of yachts, and she may be considered an aspirant for first honors wherever she may appear. While Mr. Brown has not expressed himself as to his future plans it is generally thought that he will soon purchase or build a yacht more suitable to his purposes. Yesterday Mr. Brown made a trip in the yacht, accompanied by Mr. Sherlock Swann and Mr. William Pitt. On Friday he will take Governor Brown to Tolchester to attend the Fourth Begiment encampment. It will be his last trip on the Ballymena." (Source: Anon. "News Of The Port. Sale of Yacht Ballymena Consummated." Baltimore Sun, July 18, 1893, p. 8.)

"... Change of Owners. ... Steamers. ... Ballymena, Alex. Brown to John N. Brown. ..." (Source: Oddie, J.V.S. (NYYC Secretary). Leaflet in the Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum titled "Supplementary Leaves to be pasted in Club Book". New York Yacht Club, August 1st, 1893.)

"... The steam yacht Ballymena, belonging to J. N. Brown of Providence, is back in her old quarters for the winter, on the north side of Rubber Works wharf, where Capt. William Torrey, who has commanded her the past season, will take out her furniture and look after her during the winter. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachting." Bristol Phoenix, November 6, 1894, p. 3.)

"Ballymena: Built 1888, at Bristol, R. I.
Hull, of Steel, built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company.
Length of Keel 134 feet; over all 148 feet; breadth of beam 17 feet; depth of hold 11 1/2 feet.
Engine, one quadruple expansion, with five cylinders, built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Company.
Cylinders 11 1/2, 16, 22 1/2, 22 1/2 and 22 1/2 inches in diameter by 15 inches stroke.
Boiler, water-tube, steel pipe, built by the Almy Watertube Boiler Company, Providence, R.I. Width 5 feet 1 5/8 inches; length 100 inches; height 96 inches. Total grate surface 51 square feet; total heating surface 1661 square feet.
Tonnage, 145.55 gross; 72.53 net.
The Ballymena was the first steel steam yacht built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. A handsome vessel, with comfortable and airy apartments, and good speed. In 1893 made 168 miles in 10 hours and 55 minutes with new 'Almy' boilers, natural draft. Built for Alexander Brown of Baltimore, and afterwards sold to John M. Brown." (Source: Stanton, Samuel Ward. American Steam Vessels. New York, 1895, p. 337.)

"[Ballymena (Steamyacht) owned by Nicholas Brown, Port: Providence; LOA 148ft; LWL 125.4ft; Beam 18ft; Draft 7.61ft; designed by N. G. Herreshoff and built by Herreshoff Mfg. Co in 1888.]" (Source: Stebbins 1896 Yachtsmen's Album, p. 9.)

"BRISTOL. R. I., June 2, 1900. ... Mr. Fabyan of Boston, who formerly owned the steam yacht Formosa; and who has a summer residence at Newport, visited here Wednesday to inspect the steam yacht Ballymena, the property of the John Nicholas Brown estate. The inspection was made with the view of purchase. The Ballymena's officers are yet on board, but the greater part of the crew has left. ..." (Source: Anon. "The Virginia's Launching." Boston Herald, June 3, 1900, p. 20.)

"... The steam yacht Ballymena, formerly owned by the estate of J. Nicholas Brown, has been sold through the agency of Frank Bowne Jones to Samuel T. Shaw of the New York Yacht Club. The Ballymena is a steel boat, designed and built by the Herreshoffs at Bristol in 1888. Her principal dimensions are: Length over all, 148 feet; on the water line, 125 feet 4 inches; beam, 18 feet; draught 7 feet 6 inches. The yacht now lies at Bristol, where she will be placed in commission at once." (Source: Anon. "Notes for Yachtsmen." New York Times, July 26, 1900, p. 5.)

"Special to The New York Times. BRISTOL, R.I. Aug. 5 [1900]. --- The steam yacht Ballymena, recently purchased by Samuel T. Shaw of New York, has been cleaned and painted on the dry dock. The boat has returned from the dry dock at East Providence, where she was cleaned and painted. She is now bound to Oyster Bay, her new headquarters. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht News of Bristol." New York Times, August 6, 1900, p. 3.)

"J. J. May & Co. of No. 1 Broadway, have been putting new engines and machinery in the steam yacht Bellemere, owned by Mr. Shaw, of this city. The Bellemere is a Herreshoff yacht of considerable size, and Mr. May is now in Bristol superintending the work." (Source: Anon. "Craft And Those Who Sail Them." New York Tribune, May 26, 1901, p. 9.)

"The steam yacht Bellemere [#151p ex-Ballymena], owned by F K. Shaw of New York, left here Friday [June 7, 1901] to go on the dry dock at East Providence to have her bottom painted." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 11, 1901, p. 2.)

"... The steam yacht Bellemere [#151p ex-Ballymena], owned by Samuel T. Shaw, is to have her paint removed outside and new coats put on. Progress is being made in the construction of the new after deckhouse. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachting News of Bristol." New York Times, April 14, 1902, p. 10.)

"... The workmen from Herreshoffs are still busy on the steam yacht Bellemere, which is moored on the north side of the north pier. The interior arrangements of this yacht have been greatly changed during the winter. The new dining room on deck, which was uncovered yesterday, is located well aft and adds greatly to the appearance of the yacht. New coats of paints, will be applied to the topsides of the Bellemere in a few days. G. B. Shaw of New York, owner of Bellemere, was here Wednesday on a visit to the yacht. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachting Notes." Bristol Phoenix, April 25, 1902, p. 2.)

"The steam yacht Bellmere [#151p ex-Ballymena] arrived here yesterday afternoon to receive new fittings at Herreshoffs. The Bellmere is also to take away a new launch [#221p Electric Launch #151p for Bellemere ex-Ballymena] that was built at Herreshoffs." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, July 29, 1902, p. 2.)

"SPEEDY 150-foot steel Steam Yacht for sale; designed and built by Herreshoff. Address SAMUEL SHAW. Grand Union Hotel. "(Source: Anon. [Classified Ad.] New York Herald, May 31, 1904, p. 14.)

"The steam yacht Bellemere has been sold by Commodore Roy A. Rainey, New York to Mrs M. H. Slater of Boston, through the agencies of B. F. Crowninshield and Frank Bowne Jones. The Bellemere, ex-Ballymena, is a st[?] ocean-going steam yacht built by Herreshoff in 1888 and is 148 feet 7 inches over all, 125 feet 5 inches waterline, [18] feet 10 inches beam and 7 feat 9 inches draft. She is on her way to Boston to fit out, and will be used by Mrs Slater during the summer on the New England coast." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, June 14, 1908, p. 40.)

"The steam yacht Bellemere has been chartered for Mrs. H. N. Slater, of Boston, to a New York yachtsman, who will use her throughout the season as a ferry between his country home on Long Island and his place of business. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts Change Hands." Forest & Stream, March 26, 1910, p. 504.)

"The steam yacht Ballymena, owned by Victor Brown of Baltimore, built 29 years ago by Herreshoff, left Bristol Monday for the South after a general overhauling lasting 10 days." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen. Notes from the Week's log." Boston Daily Globe, July 30, 1916, p. 39.)

"Subseries I. Yachts, ca. 1893-1900
"The Ballymena was a 125-foot steam yacht purchased by John Nicholas Brown in 1893 for $55,000 from Alexander Brown of Baltimore, Maryland. The Ballymena was used as a means of transportation, as well as a place to entertain. He entertained various club members, business associates, churchmen, as well as the commander of the French Atlantic Division Fleet. There is also correspondence regarding Ballymena's commissioning during the Spanish-American War in 1898.
In 1895, John Nicholas Brown explored the idea of purchasing a new yacht, but he decided to refurbish Ballymena instead. Ballymena was known in sailing circles as first-rate vessel, and numerous requests to purchase her came to John Nicholas Brown.
The Ballymena Logs provide a detailed itinerary of the activities of Ballymena during the summer seasons of 1894 through 1896. It provides mileage, weather conditions, days in use, and captain's notations, among other information. It is a useful record to decipher the summertime activities of the Brown family members.
Box 4, Folder 5 ; Ballymena; 1893-1894
Box 4, Folder 14; Ballymena; 1894
Box 4, Folder 17; Purchase new yacht; 1895 Feb
Box 4, Folder 19; Refurbishing Ballymena; 1895 Apr
Box 4, Folder 20; Refurbishing Ballymena; 1895 May-Jun
Box 4, Folder 21; Accident Ballymena and Iroquois; 1895 Jul-Nov
Box 4, Folder 22; Senate Bill #291 regarding Steam Crafts; 1896 Jan-Jul
Box 4, Folder 23; Uniforms; 1896 Mar-Jun
Box 4, Folder 26; Commissioning of Ballymena for war service; 1898
Box 4, Folder 29; Log; 1894
Box 7C, Folder 3; Log; 1895-1896
Box 4, Folder 29; Log (Contents Note: Navigation notes removed from log.); 1895-1896
Box 6, Folder 55; Ballymena Invitations
Box 11C; Ballymena insignia
Box 11C; Ballymena Silver Tiffany calling cardholder
Box 11C; Ballymena Bible." (Source: DeCesare, Catherine Osborne. "John Nicholas Brown (1861-1900) Papers. Finding Aid. " March 1995. John Hay Library, Special Collections, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912.http://library.brown.edu/riamco/render.php?eadid=US-RPB-ms2007.010&view=inventory, retrieved May 6, 2014.)

"Gun Cay. We found six or seven small schooners lying in the harbor and also the old steam yacht 'Ballymena' and a U.S. Coast Guard motor launch. Almost immediately two negroes put off in a dinghy from the schooner nearest to us and on coming alongside asked us if we wanted to buy any whiskey. ... We then enggaed the older man in converse about the way to cross the Bank, which is not very obvious from the large scale chart. ... He said he was in charge of the little schooner and the steam yacht, which, as well as all the other schooners, were loaded with whiskey, waiting to be sold to small rum runners from Florida. [Accompanied by photo of Ballymena at anchor, captioned: 'Old Yacht Ballymena Loaded with Rum Anchored in Gun Cay Harbor' ." (Source: Greenough, William. The Log of the Ventura in the Bahamas. Privately printed (New York Yacht Club copy), 1925.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Photograph showing a steel steam yacht in frame with a group of seven workmen together with their foreman (identified in pencil in margin as Thomas Grant) in the foreground. Titled in print on paper attached to papermount 'Herreshoff MfG. Co. Bristol, Ri.I. Steamer No. 151 [#151p BALLYMENA]. May 21, 1888'. With further penciled notes on papermount 'CUSHING[sic]', 'South Shop' and, in NGH's hand, 'Agnes' canoe INEZITA [#188404es] is shown over roboat. INEZITA was built in 1884, as stock, and N.G.H. took her in about 1889. (N.G.H. Dec 1936)'. Photo is marked on papermount in upper right corner UB53781." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_01840. Photograph. Folder [no #]. 1881-05-21.)
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"[Item Description:] Untitled penciled calculations, apparently about steam machinery, mentioning among others 'H[igh] P[ressure] 8in valve' and 'L[ow] P[ressure] 11 1/4in V[alve]. Filed in folder for item no. HH.6.3 which refers to #150p SAY WHEN, #151p BALLYMENA, and #152p CUSHING. Undated, but other material in this folder dates from January 1, 1888." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.003. Calculations. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull Nos. 150p, 151p, 152p. No date (1888-01 ???).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Penciled sheet of paper titled 'Order for cylinders for st[eame]rs 150, 151, and 152 [#150p SAY WHEN, #151p BALLYMENA, and #152p CUSHING]'
To be cast of fine hard cast iron of best quality, and carefully moulded'." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.003. Memorandum. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull Nos. 150p, 151p, 152p. 1888-01-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled 'Memorandum regarding 15in stroke quadruple Expansion Engine for Steamers Nos. 150, 151 and 152 [#150p SAY WHEN, #151p BALLYMENA, and #152p CUSHING]'." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.003. Memorandum. Box HAFH.6.1B, Folder Hull Nos. 150p, 151p, 152p. 1888-01-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Casting Book # 2 [B (there is another Casting Book # 2)] showing hull castings as per title only for steamers #148p Our Mary and #149p Jersey Lily. Contents, however, also include castings for other boats including #188903es Yawl Boat for #157p Aquila, #405s Alice, #406s Iris, #54p Dolphin, #65p Gleam, #104p Magnolia, #104p Magnolia, #133p Henrietta, #151p Ballymena, #152p Cushing, #155p Augusta [III], #156p Antoinette, #157p Aquila, #158p Launch for Seal Fishing, and #162p Judy. Also listed are many parts for a quadruple engine (probably for #152p Cushing or for #150p Say When or #151p Ballymena). While other casting lists record both castings made at home and at outside foundries, this book appears to list only castings made at outside foundries and none at home. A first part of the booklet from front to about the middle shows casting numbers, descriptions, numbers of castings and foundry where made with dates ranging from Sept 10, [1887] to Dec 14 [1889]. A second, upside down, part of the booklet begins at the end and then goes back to the middle showing for the same date range 'Patterns sent away' with pattern numbers and names of foundries these were sent to. A further section then shows castings required for #152p Cushing and as well as castings required for Lagging, Pumping Engines, Feed Pump and Air Pump, all these possibly also for #152p Cusing. A final section shows 'Patterns ordered home' with pattern numbers, foundry names these were received from and dates ranging from Sept 12 [1887] to Dec 16 [1889]." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-03. Castings Book 2B. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Hull Castings Order Book 2. 1888-09-10 to 1889-12-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Two superimposed penciled midship sections titled 'BALLYMENA #151 & New Yacht for Elwood [#155p AUGUSTA III]. Oct 1888'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_00300. Folder [no #]. 1888-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled diagram of compass deviation titled 'Curves of variation of local attraction of Compass in St[eame]r 'BALLYMENA [#151p]'. With no magnets, and also with two magnets, one below, and one abaft compass, with axes[?] on meridian line when vessel heading ENE as built (N end to south)'. No date, BALLYMENA was trialled on October 19, 1888 and was frequently back in Bristol in the following years." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Diagram. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT08_06480. Folder 45. No date (1888-10-19 or later).)
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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:
§35: #151p BALLYMENA Trial Runs '13.88kn' (1888-10-18 & 1888-10-19)
§36: #151p BALLYMENA Bristol to New York 'Notes of trip by Francis' (1888-10-27)." (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.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸

"[Item Description:] Photograph. [Backside of Trophy Cup shown in HH.6.208:] ANEMONE [#4p] 1870, LIGHTNING [#20p] 1876, STILLETO [#118p] 1885, HENRIETTA [#133p] 1886, NOW THEN [#142p] 1887, BALLYMENA [#151p] 1888, CUSHING [#152p] 1890, VAMOOSE [#168p] 1891, PORTER [#184p] 1896, MORRIS 1897 [#190p]." (Source: Anderström (creator). Photograph. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.209. Box HAFH.6.7B, Folder Photograph. No date (1899 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] A group of at least 12 or 13 midship sections of different steam yachts, overlaid on top of one another, apparently to facilitate comparisons. Untitled. Some sections are labeled ('Deck #151 [BALLYMENA]', 'Deck #155 [AUGUSTA III]', '51 1/2ft yacht Feb[ruary] 1881 [???]', 'Vedette 1880-1 [#74p 149 and #75p 150]', '#59[?] [Open Steam Yacht Sidewheel]', '#57 & 58 Launch [Launches for U.S. Coast Survey]', '#153 [MADGE]', '#151 BALLYMENA', '(31)[?] [FRANCESCA (?)]', '150[?] [SAY WHEN]', 'LEILA [#40p]'. Undated (the latest yacht mentioned was designed in 1889)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_09100. Folder [no #]. No date (1899 or later).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #151p Ballymena even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Ballymena (HMCo-made index card)
• Ballymena (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: Ballymena
Type: Steam
Length: 145'
Owner: Brown, Alex

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

• Ballymena
• Bellemere ex-Ballymena
• 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: Ballymena
Type: 148' steamer
Owner: Alexander Brown
Year: 1888
Row No.: 71

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: 1888
E/P/S: P
No.: 151
Name: Ballymena
OA: 145'

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.

"It appears that Ballymena ended her days as a supplier for rum runners in Gun Cay Harbor (Bahamas). In the earlier 1920s, at least from 1920 to 1923 and reportedly in decrepit condition, she had transported passengers between Miami and Nassau as S.S. Ballymena, apparently under British flag. In 1925 she was described and photographed (painted black) by William Greenough who published a photo captioned 'Old Yacht Ballymena Loaded with Rum Anchored in Gun Cay Harbor' of her in his privately printed book "The Log of the Ventura in the Bahamas", a copy of which is held in the New York Yacht Club's library. During this time or shortly after, a calypso about the Ballymena [also named Bellamena] and other rum-running vessels became well known. It later was recorded by Gordon Bok, Harry Belafonte and others and is still known today in the islands. It describes how the Belamena [sic, i.e. Ballymena], Mystery [sic, i.e. Mystery J., an auxiliary yacht carrying passengers between Nassau and Miami], and Inagua [sic, i.e. Inua] were repainted from white to black to prevent her recognition and how the Inua got in trouble in New York Harbor with the authorities:
Belamena, Belamena
Belamena lies in the harbor.
Belamena, Belamena,
Belamena lies in the harbor.
Put the Belamena on the dock,
and paint the Belamena black, black black.
Paint the Belamena black, black, black
When she come back she was white.
Oh the Mystery, oh the Mystery
She used to carry whiskey.
Oh the Mystery, oh the Mystery,
the boat she is very frisky.
Put the Mystery on the dock,
and paint the Mystery black, black black.
Paint the Mystery black, black black,
When she come back she was white.
Oh Inagua[sp?], oh Inagua
She got stuck in New York harbor.
Oh Inagua, oh Inagua,
Carried a very funny cargo.
Put Inagua on the dock,
and paint the Inagua black, black, black.
Paint the Inagua black, black, black,
When she come back she was white. [Text version as sung by Gordon Bok.]
In 1923, Ballymena was also subject of a lawsuit 'United States v. S.S. Ballymena', probably related to her rum-running." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 26, 2017.)

"Marine Engine of Open Type. 11 1/4 & 16 & 22 1/2 & 2x22.5 x 15, 430[rpm], 1050[hp]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten List of HMCo-Made Steam Engines. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, MRDED1_00220. Undated, between 1903 and 1918.)

"Built in 280 days (contract to launch; equivalent to 1036 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (145.03) from the 1890-91 Manning's American Yacht List (Net Register Tons were reported as 72.53) 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.