HMCo #178p Eugenia I

"[1893-11-25] Sat 25: ... Launched str #178 [Eugenia I] to west end of shop.
[1894-03-15] Thu 15: ... Launched #178 Eugenia. Also the scow after repairing.
[1894-03-17] Sat 17: ... Tried ##178 [Eugenia I].
[1896-11-07] Sat 7: ... Hauled out Marjory [#178p ex-Eugenia I].
[1897-04-28] Wed 28: ... Launched Marjary [sic, i.e. #178p Marjorie ex-Eugenia I] at cove. ...
[1898-05-03] Tue 3: ... Launched Marjorie [#178p ex-Eugenia I] from [Walkers] Cove and Killdee [sic, i.e. #460s Kildee] from Love Rocks." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1893 to 1898. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection.)

"Oct[ober] 31, 1904
Marjorie [ex-Eugenia I] (#178)
Fitted with new machinery.
Boiler same as old vis. 16.5sqft grate, 356sqft heating s[urface].
3 bl[ade] 36in x 45 1/2in screw.
Trial on mile course in harbor, nearly calm. Full equipment, but about 1 ton coal.
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with mean speed being 10.66mph]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of October 31, 1904. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"MARJORIE
by Alice Dewolf Pardee
There's nothing new about inflation. It was around in 1895 among steam yachts.
Nowadays, if a well-to-do Bristol, Rhode Island gentleman should invite a well-to-do friend and his family to come over for Sunday luncheon, he could expect them to arrive driving an energy-saving Toyota. Fifty years ago, the friend and family might have been driven over by a chauffeur in a Cadillac. But in 1895 Dr. Herbert Howe of Bristol sent his eighty-five foot steam yacht POLYANTHUS over to Narragansett to pick up the VanWickle family and bring them to visit the Howe Homestead on Bristol Ferry.
Augustus Stout VanWickle was a coal baron from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, who had married Bessie, the daughter of another coal baron named Ariovistas Pardee. (Small wonder that with names you could get your teeth into, the little boys felt compelled to amount to something).
Mr. VanWickle, accustomed as he was to fine horses and carriages and coming as he did from the mountains of Pennsylvania, was not familiar with yachting. He was immediately captivated. It evidently crossed his mind that his wife was due for a birthday in January, and that a yacht would make a splendid present.
Dr. Howe put him in touch with the boat designing and building Herreshoffs. J. B. Herreshoff at that time owned the EUGENIA, a seventy-two foot steam yacht build in 1893, smaller but comparable in design to the POLYANTHUS. Mr. VanWickle, figuring that it would be impossible for a new yacht to be built in time for his wife's thirty-sixth birthday, offered to buy the EUGENIA.
J. B. Herreshoff was an excellent business man. Not being particularly anxious to part with his yacht and recognizing that Mr. VanWickle was in a hurry, he held out for a large price.
She was duly presented on the birthday and re-named MARJORIE after the VanWickle's thirteen year old daughter.
During the negotiations with the Herreshoffs, Mr. VanWickle fell in love with Bristol. Since one could hardly moor a steam yacht in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, he bought waterfront property next to Dr. Howe's, upon which he built a mansion and developed the grounds into the estate now known as Blithewold. From then on the MARJORIE was moored off his own dock. Unfortunately, he died suddenly in June 1898, having had only two summers to enjoy the yacht.
The MARJORIE remained in possession of Mrs. VanWickle and in 1899 took part in the Admiral Dewey Celebration in New York --- looking very handsome in Dress Ship, as may be seen in the photograph.
In 1900, she cruised around the Carribean. Aboard for that trip were Mrs. VanWickle, her two daughters, her niece, and a Mr. William Leander McKee, a former business associate of Mr. VanWickle's. At the end of the cruise Mrs. VanWickle and Mr. McKee announced that they planned to be married.
Mr. McKee was more fond of sail than steam, and in 1902 the MARJORIE was sold to Mr. Joseph A. Vandergrist of Philadelphia. From 1905 to 1911, she was registered in the name of Henry W. Savage of New York. Diligent research has failed to reveal the subsequent history of MARJORIE, and the Museum would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows what became of her.
A fine half model of MARJORIE made by Sidney Herreshoff and presented to Marjorie VanWickle Lyon on her ninetieth birthday is at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol on loan from the Heritage Foundation of Rhode Island. MARJORIE will not be forgotten. What other yacht can lay claim to having been responsible for the birth of a beautiful estate and a happy marriage." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum Chonicle, Fall 1980, p. 2.)

"The Herreshoffs will start their shops next Monday [October 28, 1893] with a reduced force. They have an order for a 110 foot steam yacht [#179p Neckan], and they will also continue work on the 80 foot steam yacht [#178p Eugenia I] for the president of the company, Mr. John B. Herreshoff." (Source: Anon. "Local Affairs." Bristol Phoenix, October 28, 1893, p. 2.)

"No. 178 Eugenia, name changed to Marjorie, steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.
20.37 tons; 67 ft. x 13.7 ft. x 3 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, two masts, overhanging head, elliptic stern.
Surveyed and measured, February 24, 1894. [With note: Horse Power Est. 60.] [Also measured on February 12, 1895 with note: Horse Power nominal 60.]" (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Eugenia.)

"We reprint from the Providence Journal the following interesting account of the launching of the Eugenia last week:
John B. Herreshoff's new private steam yacht was successfully launched from the north shop of the Herreshoff works, at Bristol, at 2 o'clock Monday [March 12, 1894?] afternoon.
The launch was very successful and was witnessed by John B. Herreshoff, members of his family, and a small party of invited guests,
Louise Young, the 12-year-old daughter of Secrtary Young of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, performed the ceremony of christening and the yacht slid off the ways under the name of 'Eugenia'.
The Eugenia is No. 179 [sic, i.e. 178] on the list of steamers built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. She was built for Mr. John B. Herreshoff, President of the company for a family cruiser, and is designed more especially for comfort and safety as well as economical running, requiring but four men to handle and care for both hull and machinery.
The yacht is 76 feet overall, 60 feet water line, 13 feet 8 inches beam, and 5 feet 3 inches draft of water. The hull is very heavy and is built in the most thorough and substantial manner. The keel and frame are of best white oak and the planking of best quality yellow pine, all fastenings being copper and bronze. The deck is of best white pine laid in narrow strakes, is very roomy and is nicely set off by the low bulwark and netting sail. This bulwark is capped by a mahogany rail, above which is a rail of teak about 17 inches high with netting between it and the lower rail.
The yacht is schooner rigged and carries two boats at davits. The deck house is of solid mahogany, and is very large. It will be used for a dining room, and is fitted with an extension table of mahogany closets, and a large settee at the after end which is arranged to convert into a sleeping berth when necessary. The galley house is also of solid mahogany as are the skylights and hatch combings.
The owners's cabins are forward of the machinery and consist of two state rooms, bath room and toilet room. The bath room is just aft of the collision bulkhead at the forward end of the cabins, and is fitted with bath tub, connected for hot and cold, salt or fresh water, and also has a lavatory. Next aft is a roomy stateroom having a double berth with drawers beneath same on the starboard side, and also a settee berth on the port side of yacht. Next aft of this room is the toilet room on the port side, which is of good size and conveniently fitted up. Opposite is the stairway leading from the deck house, before mentioned, and aft of this is the owner's room occupying the full width of the yacht and is over nine feet in length. This is fitted up with a cabinet bed at the centre aft, which folds apart and corresponds to the after bulkhead. There are also two settee berths, lavatory, and dressing case, and ample drawer room and wardrobe. All of the finish is or panelled butternut. The ceiling is painted in soft color and the upholstery is terra cotta plush. Brussels carpets cover the floors.
Aft of the machinery space is the galley which is a departure from those stuffy and smoky places seen on most steam yachts of this seize. It is raised up from the bottom so that its house, which is about three feet high above the main deck, with windows on four sides, is a very light and airy compartment . This is very neatly fitted up with ic e box, closets, &c, and thoroughly furnished with cooking utensils. Under the floor is a cold storage room for provisions, having a capacity for about a half ton of ice. The finish of the galley below the house is in white pine varnished.
Aft of the galley are the crew' s quarters, mess room, and sailing master's stateroom. These are all finished in butternut, and are very convenient and comfortable, well furnished and well ventilated.
The machinery consists of a Herreshoff water tube boiler and triple expansion engine of about 60-horse power. The main shaft is of steel, covered with copper to prevent corrosion. Screw and rudder are of best bronze.
The yacht is fitted with copper water tanks, tin lined, of sufficient capacity for an ample supply for a number of days. The coal bunkers are large and will carry coal sufficient to run the yacht 2000 miles with economical running. The yacht has five tons of lead bolted to the keel. This is carried low down and adds to the stability and sea qualities.
The Eugenia presents a very fine appearance, the top sides being painted white, with gold band, and all bright work varnished. The yacht is named for Mrs. Herreshoff, wife of the owner." (Source: Anon. "The Eugenia." Bristol Phoenix, March 24, 1894, p. 2.)

"John B. Herreshoff's new private steam yacht Eugenia, was given a trial trip on the measured mile course last Saturday [March 17, 1894] morning. She developed a speed of ten and one-half miles an hour, which considering the size of her engines, is a very good showing." (Source: Anon. "Home News." Bristol Phoenix, March 24, 1894, p. 2.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 296:]
Eugenia (Marjorie), steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1894.
20.37 tons; 67 ft. x 13.7 ft. x 3 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, two masts, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) Mar. 26, 1894. Owner: John B. Herreshoff of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff.
Surrendered [license] Sept. 21, 1894 (enrolled) at Bristol. Name changed to Marjorie. ([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. Eugenia (Marjorie).)

"NEW-LONDON, Conn., April 18 [1894]. --- The new Herreshoff steam yacht Eugenia, launched a fortnight ago, made her first run yesterday, coming to New-London with the little steamer Daphne and the new ten-rater [Dacotah #440s] for Glasgow in tow. J. B. Herreshoff and wife were on board the Eugenia. The yacht made the run from Bristol to this port in six hours and three-quarters, with Capt. Torrey at the wheel and James Robinson in charge of the engines. The Eugenia made a splendid run, and the machinery worked admirably. The ten-rater proceeded from here to New-York, in tow of the Daphne, where she is to be shipped by the steamer Norwegian Thursday. The Eugenia is 75 feet over all, 60 feet water line, and 13 feet 8 inches beam. She has a Herreshoff water tube boiler and a triple expansion engine of 60 horse power, with cylinders 4 1/2 by 7 and 11 1/4 by 7. She is painted white, with a gold band, and is a gem of naval architecture. As soon as the fine keel boat left, the Eugenia sped out of the harbor with the Herreshoff party aboard, on her return to Bristol." (Source: Anon. "Trip of the Steam Yacht Eugenia." New York Times, April 19, 1894, p. 3.)

"BRISTOL, R.I., May 23 [1894] The Herreshoff shops have started up, after quite a shutdown, and a good force of men is busy in finishing the three twenty-one-footers so far ordered for the Larchmont's new class. ... President John B. Herreshoff of the company will have the steam yacht Eugenia, built last Winter. She is a comfortable cruising boat, with triple-expansion engine, ten-knot speed, and great coal capacity. Owner's quarters are forward, and the galley and crew s quarters aft." (Source: Anon. "The Twenty-One-Footers. Herreshoff Shops Opened to Complete the New Yachts for Larchmont." New York Times, May 24, 1894, p. 3.)

"The steam yacht Eugenia, which was built at the Herreshoff works, at Bristol, last winter, for the private use of John B. Herreshoff, and was launched last March [1894], has been sold to Augustus Van Wickle of New York, and delivered to him at Narragansett Pier." (Source: Anon. "Mr. Van Wickle Buys A Yacht ." New York Tribune, August 25, 1894, p. 7.)

"Mr. Augustus Van Wickle who lately purchased the steam yacht Eugenia, from Mr. J. B. Herreshoff, has purchased a large tract of land lying between the estate of Messrs James and Joseph E. Simmons and Isaiah Simmons estate, Ferry road." (Source: Anon. "Home News." Bristol Phoenix, September 1, 1894, p. 2.)

"Local Yachting News. ... Steam yacht Marjorie, owned by Augustus Van Wickle, arrived in Bristol early Friday morning with the catboat Dorothy in tow from Boothbay, Me. ..." (Source: Anon. "News and Notes of Local Interest." Bristol Phoenix, June 4, 1895, p. 2.)

"The steam yacht Marjorie, owned by Augustus S. Van Wickle, which has had a new boiler and repairs to her machinery made at Herreshoffs', is to be taken to Saunders shops this week, where she is to be painted, her decks re-caulked and filled with marine glue." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, May 24, 1898, p. 2.)

"No. 136 --- For Sale --- Herreshoff flush deck steam yacht, 75.5 ft. o. a., 59.3 ft. w. 1., 13.9 ft. beam, 5.5 ft. draught. Speed 10 knots; triple-expansion engine and water-tube boiler (new 1905). Electric lights; steam heat. Accommodations include two double and one single stateroom, dining saloon, etc. This yacht is economical to operate and in first-class condition, having always been well kept up. Available at bargain figure as owner has had constructed larger yacht from our designs. Cox & Stevens, 15 William Street, New York City. [Though not explicitly identified, Marjorie is the only yacht whose description and size matches any yacht on the HMCo's Construction List.]" (Source: Anon. "For Sale." Rudder, March 1911, p. 170.)

"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) trials booklet 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Experiments & Trial Trips. 1890. N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§30: #178p EUGENIA I Trial Run (1894-03-17)
§33: #178p EUGENIA I Trial Run (1895-10-28)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_02260. Folder [no #]. 1890-01 to 1898-08.)
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 ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
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"[Item Description:] Results of tensile material tests relating to steam boilers for #178p MARJORIE ex-EUGENIA I, #267p ENAJ, 2 unknown yachts, #193p IRENE ex-NINA, HMCo stock, #161p REPOSO, #261 WAVE, HMCo stock." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.110. Boiler Tests. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Boilers - Tensile Tests and Affidavits. 1904-09 to 1911-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Four handwritten (in ink) pages with tabulated data listing 'Shop No', 'Name', '[Tons] Gross' and '[Tons] Net' for a total of 100 HMCo-built boats and classes. Tonnage data is usually precise to two digits behind the decimal. Random comparisons suggest source of tonnage data to be official Custom House data. Boats mentioned are: #664s, #663s, #625s, #665s, #634s, #658s, #657s, #646s, #641s, #617s, #626s Class, #624s, #621s, #616s, #619s, #590s, #591s, #586s, #592 Class, #618s, #605s, #578s, #560s Class, #580s, #553s, #551s, #552s, #546s, #541s, #545s, #538s, #534s, #533s, #532s, #529s, #534s, #530s, #531s, #435s, #437s, #452s, #499s, #429s, #426s, #424s, #481s, #422s, #417s, #414s, #451s, #215p, #213p, #222p, #235p, #230p, #229p, #236p, #224p, #244p, #247p, #249p, #231p, #232p, #228p, #252p, #250p, #251p, #248p, #168p, #164p, #118p, #142p, #174p, #173p, #194p, #189p, #193p, #183p, #178p, #179p, #181p, #182p, #175p, #163p, #148p, #149p, #172p, #155p, #170p, #186p, #188p, #206p, #207p, #205p, #208p, #209p, #210p, #211p, #212p, #216p. Undated (the latest boat listed, WINSOME, was launched in 1907)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Handwritten List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00220. Folder [no #]. No date (1907 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (mostly in pencil but also in ink) trials booklet titled '1898 - 1909'. Relevant contents:
§40: #178p EUGENIA I Trial Run mean speed 10.66mph (1904-10-31)." (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.)
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 ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks and radials titled 'For making model of MARJORIE No 178 [#178p ex-EUGENIA], scale 1/4in=1ft, from model of No. 175 [#175p LOUISE], scale 1/2in=1ft'." (Source: Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_02370. Folder [no #]. 1973-08-28.)
①

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #178p Eugenia I even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Eugenia I (HMCo-made index card)
• Marjorie ex-Eugenia I (HMCo-made index card)
• Marjorie ex-Eugenia I (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: Eugenia
Type: Steam
Length: 78'6"
Owner: Herreshoff, J. B.

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

• Eugenia I possibly
• Marjorie ex-Eugenia I
• 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: Eugenia
Type: 78' 6" steam
Owner: J. B. Herreshoff
Row No.: 208

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: 1893
E/P/S: P
No.: 178
Name: Eugenia
OA: 72' 6"
LW: 59' 6"

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.

"#178p Eugenia's boiler was used in 1905 for #247p Sea Urchin." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 2, 2008.)

"#169p Kid was used as a tender for Eugenia in 1894 as per New York Sun, August 7, 1894, p. 5." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 21, 2010.)

"Steam engine rating 115hp from undated (1903 or later) diagram by N. G. Herreshoff titled 'Marine Engine. Weights and Prices' in the Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 24, 2019.)

"Marine Engine of Open Type. 4 1/2 & 7 & 11 1/4 x 7, 700[rpm], 120[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.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (40.74) from the 1896 Manning's American Yacht List (Net Register Tons were reported as 20.37) 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.