HMCo #215p Roamer

"[1901-10-22] Tue 22: Fine & warm. Strong SW [wind in] AM ch[anging] to WSW [in] PM. Set up keel of #215 [Roamer]. ...
[1901-10-28] Mon 28: Very fine & clear [with] NE [wind]. ... Set up 1st frames on #215 [Roamer].
[1901-11-13] Wed 13: Very heavy WNW gale. (?) (?) No 215 [Roamer] timbered up and partly faired.
[1901-11-16] Sat 16: Fine & clear [with] strong SW to W [wind]. ... Began planking #215 [Roamer].
[1901-12-19] Thu 19: Cold [with] N [wind &] l[igh]t snow (?). Deck beams all in #215 [Roamer] and about 2 feet yet to plank.
[1901-12-28] Sat 28: Very fine [in] AM. Threatening[?] [in] PM. ... #215 [Roamer] planked up but [sic, i.e. except for] shutters. ...
[1902-01-04] Sat 4: NW, clear & cold. ... Put engine aboard #215 [Roamer].
[1902-02-18] Tue 18: Strong NW gale. Moved #215 Roamer over onto ways for launching, with machinery all in and part of inside work up. Deckhouse on.
[1902-02-20] Thu 20: Fine [with] l[igh]t NW [wind] in AM. Mod[erate] SW [wind] in PM. Launched #215 Roamer at 6PM.
[1902-02-21] Fri 21: Fine at sunrise. Cloudy forenoon [with] l[igh]t snow [in] afternoon & evening. ... Moved Roamer [#215p] at wharf at Love Rocks. Snowing hard in evening.
[1902-05-13] Tue 13: Begin work in finishing Roamer [#215p]. ...
[1902-05-14] Wed 14: ... Jifon[?] Ochiai[?] steward for Roamer[?] [#215p] arrived.
[1902-06-21] Sat 21: ... Hauled out Roamer [#215p] for painting & putting on varn[ish?].
[1902-07-10] Thu 10: Off in Roamer [#215p] for first time to see race off Newport.
[1902-07-13] Sun 13: Started on cruise in Roamer [#215p].
[1902-08-31] Sun 31: Ended summer cruise in Roamer [#215p].
[1902-10-27] Mon 27: Roamer [#215p] out of commission.
[1902-10-31] Fri 31: Paid off crew of Roamer [#215p].
[1902-11-25] Tue 25: Roamer [#215p] hauled out for winter at head of cove.
[1903-03-16] Mon 16: Overcast [with] mod[erate] E [wind]. ... Launched Roamer [#215p] from head of cove.
[1903-03-23] Mon 23: Rain. NE in forenoon. Heavy gale from SSW in afternoon. No damage here. Roamer [#215p] laying at mooring in cove.
[1903-03-24] Tue 24: Fog most of day [with] light air. Moved Roamer [#215p] at wharf.
[1903-05-10] Sun 10: Very fine & cool. Fresh S [wind]. Off in Roamer [#215p] for the day with family. ...
[1903-05-17] Sun 17: Very fine. Fresh SSW [wind]. Off in Roamer [#215p] for the day.
[1905-03-06] Mon 6: 25deg. in AM. Cleared ice away from Roamer [#215p] and scow. ...
[1905-05-30] Tue 30: Ran surry for a while in morning and then off in Roamer [#215p] to Fall River to see race in which the boys took part in '240' [#240p, now in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum], ...
[1905-06-04] Sun 4: Off in Roamer [#215p]r with children to Newport & Dumplings. ...
[1905-06-07] Wed 7: Miss Anne Roebuck nurse arrived in afternoon to take care of Caddie on trip in Roamer [#215p].
[1905-06-09] Fri 9: Fine. Started off in Roamer [#215p] for trip up Sound to give Caddie a change. Caddie, Agnes, Miss Roebuck & myself. Ran to New London.
[1905-06-17] Sat 17: Fair with some fog. Arrived home in Roamer [#215p] in afternoon. Caddie not much improved by trip. Signal[?] Ho[use?] to home in 4 h[ours] 52 m[inutes].
[1905-06-22] Thu 22: Some rain. Hauled out Roamer [#215p] to clean and find thump in shaft.
[1905-06-23] Fri 23: Fair. Launched Roamer [#215p]. ...
[1905-06-28] Wed 28: Fine [with] NW [wind]. Started on trip in Roamer [#215p] to New London with the young people to see [the Harvard-Yale] rowing races. 240 [#240p] in company.
[1905-08-08] Tue 8: Started for Newport [in] Roamer [#215p] to join NYYC fleet.
[1905-09-13] Wed 13: Went in Roamer [#215p] to see Astor Cup race.
[1905-09-17] Sun 17: Decide to lay Roamer [#215p] up for season. ...
[1906-06-17] Sun 17: H[eav]y rain last night. ... Put [#215p] Roamer in commission.
[1906-06-23] Sat 23: Off in Roamer [#215p] for first time [this year]. Went to Pawtucket to see racing. ...
[1906-06-24] Sun 24: Off in Roamer [#215p] to E[ast] Greenwich & Newport.
[1906-06-27] Wed 27: Off in Roamer [#215p] for N[ew] London in PM [to see the next day's Harvard-Yale boat races.]
[1906-07-14] Sat 14: Started at 1PM in Roamer [#215p] for Woods Hole. Fresh NE [wind &] heavy swell outside.
[1908-06-13] Sat 13: Roamer [#215p] in commission in afternoon. Short trip in Bay.
[1908-06-14] Sun 14: Went to Westport in Roamer [#215p] & returned via Newport.
[1908-06-20] Sat 20: Off in Roamer [#215p] in PM to see races at Pawtuxet.
[1908-06-21] Sun 21: Off in Roamer [#215p] to Pt. Judith Har[bor] & return. ...
[1908-06-24] Wed 24: Started for New London in Roamer [#215p] to see races of Harvard & Yale.
[1908-07-05] Sun 5: Off in Roamer [#215p] ...
[1908-10-08] Thu 8: Started in Roamer [#215p] in forenoon for trip up the Hudson & run to Port Jefferson. ... Very fine weather.
[1908-10-12] Mon 12: Ran from Thimble Is[lands] to home & put Roamer [#215p] out of commission [for season].
[1909-06-26] Sat 26: Coaled up Roamer [#215p].
[1909-06-27] Sun 27: Put Roamer [#215p] in commission and made trip to Westport --- back via Newport Har[bor].
[1909-06-30] Wed 30: Started on Roamer [#215p] in PM for N[ew] London.
[1909-10-10] Sun 10: Last trip of the season in Roamer [#215p]. To Narragansett Pier & return.
[1909-10-16] Sat 16: Roamer [#215p] laid up and crew discharged.
[1910-06-11] Sat 11: Coaled Roamer [#215p] in forenoon. Afternoon went to Hope Is[land] ... Towed Coquina [#404s].
[1910-06-13] Mon 13: ... Roamer [#215p] inspected today.
[1910-06-23] Thu 23: Started at noon in Roamer [#215p] for cruise ... Ran to Woods Hole.
[1910-06-29] Wed 29: Started in Roamer [#215p] at 11:30 for New London to see Yale-Harvard races. ...
[1910-07-03] Sun 3: To Westport in Roamer [#215p] ...
[1910-07-07] Thu 7: Off in Roamer [#215p] to see NYYC races off Newport.
[1910-07-09] Sat 9: Off in Roamer [#215p] to see races off Newport.
[1910-07-10] Sun 10: Off in Roamer [#215p] with party for the day.
[1910-07-16] Sat 16: Started on cruise in Roamer [#215p] to Larchmont.
[1910-07-25] Mon 25: Started for short cruise on Roamer [#215p] in PM. ... To Newport.
[1910-08-03] Wed 3: Start in Roamer [#215p] to (?) NYYC squadron (?) for at Huntington Bay. ...
[1910-08-07] Sun 7: (?) (?) to Newport in Roamer [#215p] to see yachts.
[1910-08-13] Sat 13: Start on cruise to Marblehead in Roamer [#215p] about 11:30 & ran to Hyannisport ...
[1910-09-18] Sun 18: Off in Roamer [#215p] ... To Newport, Wickford, Rocky P[oin]t &c. Very fine & warm.
[1910-10-02] Sun 2: Off in Roamer [#215p] in afternoon, up Prov[idence] R[iver] & to Pt. Pleasant. Strong NW [wind] & clear.
[1910-10-09] Sun 9: Off in Roamer [#215p] for the day ... Around Prudence [Island] & [to] E[ast] Greenwich [and] Prov[idence] & left Clarence. Home [at] 4:45. ...
[1910-10-10] Mon 10: Started at noon in Roamer [#215p] for short trip & ran to N[ew] London in strong NW [wind].
[1910-10-12] Wed 12: From Cromwell[?] home. Very fine but strong NW to N [wind]. Fine trip. Roamer [#215p] out of commission at 5:15 PM.
[1910-12-05] Mon 5: Roamer [#215p] launched & brought to her berth after being out 4 or 5 weeks. ...
[1911-06-17] Sat 17: Coaled up Roamer [#215p] in forenoon & hoisted flags at 12:00. Had dinner onboard & ran to Silver Spring & E[ast] Greenwich. ...
[1911-06-21] Wed 21: ... Cruised in Roamer [#215p] & ran to Westport.
[1911-07-16] Sun 16: Off in Roamer [#215p] to Westport.
[1911-07-18] Tue 18: Used Roamer [#215p] in forenoon in clearing out berth at her dock.
[1911-07-19] Wed 19: Off in Roamer [#215p] to Newport on short cruise. Went down [the] bay in company of Westward [#692s].
[1911-07-21] Fri 21: Ran to Pautuxet and took the Raymond family for a day's trip to Newport & return. Later went home in Roamer [#215p].
[1911-07-23] Sun 23: Off in Roamer [#215p] for the day. ...
[1911-07-28] Fri 28: Started away in Roamer [#215p] at 3:45 in h[eav]y N rain storm. Too rough to go into Westport so [we] anchored in Sakonnet R[iver].
[1911-08-03] Thu 3: Started in forenoon in Roamer [#215p] to join the NYYC cruise & run to Duck Is[land] Har[bor].
[1911-08-13] Sun 13: ... Run to Newport in Roamer [#215p] & return in afternoon.
[1911-08-26] Sat 26: Went to Newport in Roamer [#215p] with Oleander [#710s] in PM.
[1911-09-16] Sat 16: Started early for Buzzards Bay in Roamer [#215p]. ... Beverly Y[acht] C[lub] races. ... ran to Mattapoisett for the night.
[1911-09-23] Sat 23: Started at noon in Roamer [#215p] for Woods Hole. ...
[1912-01-22] Mon 22: L[igh]t E [wind in] AM. ... Had letter that Roamer [#215p] is sold to Judge L. E. Warren ...
[1913-08-23] Sat 23: Fresh SSW [wind]. Start at 11 for cruise to eastward. Go down Bay in company of Roamer [#215p] & Dianthus [#289p]. See start of race of 50 footers, then outside. Rough sea. Make good run to Woods Hole. ...
[1914-05-11] Mon 11: Fine & warm. Max 70deg. W [wind] ch[anging] to NE & rain in evening. ... Roamer [#215p] launched from cove.
[1930-12-02] Tue 2: ... Have news that my old Roamer [#215p] was burned at Mr. Strachan's home." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1901 to 1914, 1930. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"July 7, 1902.
Roamer #215
On 1/2 mile course in harbor about 2 1/2 tons coal, tanks nearly full and no furnishing, but anchor & cable.
Old 36in x 42in - 4 blade screw from Eugenia [#205p], Wind S - 8 miles. Full tide.
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with mean speed being 10.8mph = 9.4kn] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of July 7, 1902. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"June 12, 1904
Roamer (#215)
Trial over 1/2 mile course in harbor to determine rev[olutions] of propeller &c. Bunkers nearly full. Tanks full & fully equipped. Bottom foul (been afloat 2 1/2 mo[nths]). Nat[ural] draft st[eam] at usual cruising pressure. Wind NE, 15 miles. Av[erage] guage pressures ...
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with mean speed being 10.17mph = 8.86kn]
Note, in calm probable speed w[ou]ld have been 10.55[mph].
[Tabulated data]
Screw used was one designed for boat, 40in dia[meter], 43[in] mean pitch, at propeller, 33in initial pitch, 52 final, 4 blades. Downwind boat advanced 32 1/in per rev.
Ratio of counter to shaft 88 to 100. ...
June 18, 1904
Roamer (#215)
On upper mile course in harbor with 3 bladed 36in screw, 49 1/2 pattern pitch with ends rounded away (screw used on Scout [#203p] class). Bottom clean, nearly same w[ei]g[h]ts as on 12th [of June 1904].
Wind W about 4 miles.
Average guage pressures ...
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with mean speed being 10.62mph = 9.23kn]
Vessel running very smoothly excepting rudder vibrates, causing steering gear to rattle.
(Sabine Pt. Lt. to Pop. Ri. 9 miles in 49 1/2m = 10.9m[ph] = 9.5k[n]. Last of ebb, wind 10 WNW)." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of June 12, 1904 and June 18, 1904. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"June 26, 1909
Roamer.
Trial on 1/2 mile in harbor, just painted & coaled. Has superheater of twice the capacity of last year, and new low pressure valve. Wnd NW, light.
[Followed by tabulated trial run data]
Speed 10.8m[ph] = 9.36k[n]. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of June 26, 1909. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"My Own Boats. Except a few that will be mentioned as half-owner. ...
20
1902 ROAMER #215 - Launched February 20, 1902, length o.a. 93'10," length w.l. 82,' beam 17,' extreme [beam] 17'6," draft 4'10," Engine 5 5/8" x 8" x 12" x 7" enclosed boiler normal [bent tube] type 4'3" long by 5'10" wide, 394 square feet heating surface, 17 1/2 square foot grate, Propeller 40" x 40" (?) pitch. Had accommodations for seven forward five in boys quarters, under dining room and four in crews quarters, besides three settees that could be used for sleeping and we often cruised with twelve guests besides myself and crew of four. ROAMER was used from July 10, 1902 to fall of 1911. She was sold to Judge [John K. Robinson, Jr.]
...
ROAMER was sold while I was in Bermuda (1911-12) ..." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "My Own Boats. Except a few that Will be Mentioned as Half-Owner." Bristol, (originally compiled 1892 with additions in) 1929. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 117, 118.)

"About this time, perhaps 1898, Captain Nat chartered for a few months the one-hundred-and-nine-foot steam yacht 'Neckan' that he had designed for Mr. H. C. Baxter and took his whole family for a cruise down the Maine coast. While I remember going on this cruise, I do not remember the exact year. On this cruise Captain Nat's family all had such a good time that he decided to build a roomy yacht for himself, so 'Roamer,' building No. 215 was built. She was ninety-three feet ten inches O.A., seventeen feet beam, and four feet ten inches draft. She was an extremely roomy craft principally because her machinery was very compact. Her boiler was only four feet three inches fore and aft, five feet ten inches wide though it had 394 square feet of heating surface, and grate area of seventeen and one half square feet. She had a triple expansion engine with bores of five and five eighths inches, eight inches, and twelve and one half inches, and seven inches stroke. The engine was of a type he was designing at that time and called a triple expansion steeple engine, having the low pressure cylinder above the high and intermediate cylinders so the engine was very short fore and aft, also remarkably free from vibration. The crankcase was enclosed, and the moving parts lubricated by the splash system as later internal combustion engines were to be. This engine turned a propeller of forty inches diameter and forty inches pitch and enabled the 'Roamer' to cruise at ten miles an hour very quietly and economically. Captain Nat cruised many thousand miles in 'Roamer' and at one time or another she visited most every harbor from Bar Harbor to Sandy Hook; that is most every harbor that had over a fathom of water. He owned 'Roamer' between 1902 and 1911 and often took twelve guests (mostly his family), himself, and a crew of four, totaling seventeen. They all had a separate berth and were well fed and made perfectly comfortable in all weather, barring some seasickness." (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. 119.)

"Nat Herreshoff's new houseboat has had her boilers installed in the south shop. The craft is to be launched inside of two weeks, to make room for setting up in frame a good-sized steam yacht [?] and two steam launches [#214p Isis and possibly, but somewhat unlikely, #220p Atala], the latter twenty-six feet in length." (Source: Anon. "Yachts in Bristol Yards." New York Times, January 10, 1902, p. 10.)

"The new house boat which is nearing completion at the Herreshoff shops for Capt. N. G. Herreshoff, will be launched from the shop on Thursday, Feb. 20. This yacht was built after the designer's own ideas of a comfortable cruising boat for himself and family, and, according to all that Is heard of it, he has certainly accomplished his object. The yacht or house boat is about 98 feet in length and has on each side a bilge keeL The deck house is about 65 feet in length and gives the boat an appearance of being top heavy. The yacht will be schooner rigged and is equipped with a seven stroke Herreshoff engine. Speed is not desired and the designer and his family are anticipating much pleasure in the new boat this summer.
The boat is to be put overboard at this time to make room for a new 80 foot steamer [#216p Zinganee] that is to be set up immediately after Capt. Nat's boat is launched." (Source: Anon. "To Be Launched Feb. 20. New Cruising Yacht or House Boat for Capt. N. G. Herreshoff and His Family." Bristol Phoenix, February 11, 1902, p. 4.)

"... The houseboat of Designer N. G. Herreshoff, now about completed, will be the first to take the water, either Wednesday or Thursday next. The craft is 100 feet in length, with an overhanging stern, but minus that feature forward. She has a high deckhouse extending two-thirds of the total length, with many windows. There is a good freeboard and light draft, and the bulwarks are 3 feet deep. She will carry a foremast and a mainmast, with the smokepipe between. The boat will have moderate speed, something like seven miles an hour. ... " (Source: Anon. "Yachts in Bristol Yards." New York Times, February 17, 1902, p. 10.)

"The steam yacht or house boat, which was built at the Herreshoff shops for Capt. N. G. Herreshoff, was launched last evening just before six o'clock. The new boat is named Roamer and was christened by Mrs. N. G. Herreshoff, who broke a bottle containing water on her bow as she started down the ways. After the boat was well out in the stream and the blocking and cradles cleared away, the Roamer was towed down to Walker's Cove, where it will remain until warm weather.
The boat was built solely for the purpose of enjoyment for the designer and his family in cruising about the bay. It is about 98 feet in length over and has a breadth of beam of 16 feet. It has a deck house about 65 feet in length and is equipped with a small engine. The boat will make six or seven miles an hour. The design is not handsome compared with Capt. Nat's productions where speed was the desired object.
A new 80-foot steamer [#216p Zinganee], similar to the tenders to the 70-footers, is to be set up in the space made vacant by the launching of Roamer." (Source: Anon. "Roamer Launched." Bristol Phoenix, February 21, 1902, p. 3.)

"Yachting Notes from Bristol. ... The new house-boat built for Designer N. G. Herreshoff and launched Thursday [February 20, 1902] afternoon from the south boat shop will be schooner rigged, and is fitted with an engine for moderate speed, with a water-tube boiler. The craft is named Roamer, and has a draught of five feet, enabling her to navigate in safety in shallow rivers and bays. It is the intention of Capt. Herreshoff to take his family on the Roamer on an extensive cruise next Summer, which may be as far to the eastward as the Gulf of St. Lawrence and then up the river of that name and in the great lakes. The Roamer is a trifle under 100 feet in length, with an overhanging stern. The deckhouse is of good height and is 63 feet in length. That she is designed for cruising in open waters is attested by the fact that she has bilge keels to minimize the roll of the craft in a seaway. There is a good height of freeboard on the Roamer, with open spaces in the extreme ends above the main deck. She is painted white. Engine and boiler are on board, but there is still a deal of finishing to be done." (Source: Anon. "Yachting Notes from Bristol." New York Times, February 25, 1902, p. 10.)

"Roamer, steam screw yacht mo. 215, of [blank].
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.
89.97 gross tons, 61.18 net tons; 82.7 ft. x 17.2 ft. x 8.1 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, two masts, overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, February 25, 1902. [With note: Official Number 111395. KRMW. Indicated Horse Power 100.]" (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Roamer.)

"... Capt. Nat Herreshoff is having his new steam houseboat fitted up for a cruise up the St. Lawrence River next July. ..." (Source: Anon. "Herreshoff Builds Three Crack Yachts. Bristol Expert Devises a Speedy Looking Knockabout for Harold Vanderbilt, and Arethusa and Catspaw for Other Inside Sailors." New York Sunday Telegraph, June 1, 1902, p. B1.)

"Bristol Yachting Notes. ... The Roamer, Nat Herreshoff's new house yacht, is nearly fitted for a trial spin. Steam is up on the craft every day. She has a beam of 17 feet and consequently much room below decks. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Yachting Notes." New York Times, June 23, 1902, p. 6.)

"N. G. Herreshoff's house boat, Roamer, has been given finishing touches of paint the past few days, and on Wednesday [June 25, 1902] was taken out for her initial trial." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 27, 1902, p. 2.)

"Bristol, R. I., June 28, 1902. ... Capt. Nat Herreshoff's new pleasure craft, the Roamer, built as a combination house boat and ocean going craft --- was given her initial trial spin the first of the week, and made nearly nine knots. She is now ready for a long cruise. ..." (Source: Anon. "Harold Vanderbilt's Boat. Fine Sloop Under Way at Herreshoff's. Other Boats in the Yard." Boston Herald, June 29, 1902, p. 21.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 806:]
Roamer, steam screw yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1902.
89.97 gross tons, 61.18 net tons; 82.7 ft. x 17.2 ft. x 8.1 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, two masts, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 11, 1902. Owner: Nathaniel G. Herreshoff of Bristol. Master: N. G. Herreshoff.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 14, 1903. Master: same.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 13, 1904. Master: same.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 14, 1905. Master: same.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) July 13, 1907. Master: same.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) June 11, 1908. Master: same.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) June 14, 1910. Master: same.
Lic[ensed] ([as] yacht) June 14, 1911. Master: same. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] (consolidated) ([as] yacht) July 14, 1911. Owner: same. Master: Nathaniel G. Herreshoff. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence]).
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] (consolidated) ([as] yacht) Apr. 30, 1912. Owner: Lyman E. Warren of New York, N.Y. Master: Lyman E. Warren.
Surrendered [license] Oct. 15, 1912 at New York, N.Y. ([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. Roamer.)

"Nathaniel G. Herreshoff and family left here yesterday on their houseboat, Roamer, for a cruise along the Massachusetts and Maine coasts." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, August 5, 1902, p. 2.)

"Capt N. G Herreshoff and family arrived home Friday [August 29, 1902] from a cruise to the eastward on the steamer Roamer." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, September 2, 1902, p. 2.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., May 10 [1903]. --- ... Nat Herreshoffs new steam yacht Roamer [#215p] was placed in commission last Monday [May 4, 1903] morning. ..." (Anon. "The Reliance at Bristol." New York Times, May 11, 1903, p. 7.)

"Capt. N.G . Herreshoff's steam yacht Roamer is being fitted out for the season and will go into commission soon." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, May 25, 1906, p. 2.)

"Capt. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, with his family, returned yesterday morning from a three weeks' cruise [apparently in #215p Roamer], which included a trip up the Hudson river." (Source: Anon. "Notes and News of Local Interest." Bristol Phoenix, August 7, 1906, p. 2.)

"Capt. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff and family who have been cruising along the coast of New England as far east as Bar Harbor, Me., returned Saturday." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, August 28, 1906, p. 2.)

"Capt. Nat G. Herreshoff with a few friends left yesterday on his steam yacht Roamer for a week's cruise and will witness the Larchmont Yacht Club races." (Source: Anon. "Notes and News of Local Interest." Bristol Phoenix, May 21, 1907, p. 2.)

"BRISTOL, R. I., June 12 [1909] --- ... Nat Herreshoff, for the purpose of making his usual summer cruise to Gloucester, Mt Desert, Southwest Harbor and Grand Manan, is having his steam yacht Roamer fitted out. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, June 13, 1909, p. 41.)

"Yacht Transfers.
THE following winter yacht sales are reported by the office of Stanley M. Seaman, New York city:
Steam yacht Roamer sold for Mr. N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R. I., to Mr. Lyman E. Warren, N. Y. Y. C. Roamer was built for this well known designer's personal use and has always been conspicuous in all large yacht gatherings. ..." (Source: Anon. "Ticks From the Ship's Clock." Forest & Stream, January 27, 1912, p. 118.)

"BRISTOL, R I, May 3 [1912] --- ... The Roamer, the steam yacht purchased from Nat Herreshoff by Dr Lyman E. Warren of New York, was inspected the first of the week and the craft has had a new steam boiler installed. The Roamer left here Thursday for New York. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, May 5, 1912, p. 53.)

"FOR SALE OR CHARTER FOR FLORIDA (Now in the South, immediate possession) --- Single-screw steam yacht 93 ft. 9 in. by 82 ft by 17 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 10 in. Designed and built by Herreshoff. Seven staterooms. Dining saloon in deckhouse. Wireless outfit. Herreshoff triple-expansion engine; coal consumption remarkably small. Completely equipped in every particular. G. W. Ford Yacht Agency, 30 East 42d Street, New York City. [Though not identified by name, the accompanying photo clearly identies her as #215p Roamer.]" (Source: Anon. "The Burdensome Yacht Tax." Rudder, December 1919, p. 21.)

"No. 34 --- For Sale or Charter --- Steam yacht, 94x83x17x5 ft. Designed and built by Herreshoff. Available for immediate delivery in Florida in commission. Six staterooms, three toilets, bath, steam heat, hot water and complete Marconi wireless outfit. Deck house 45 ft. long. Large dining saloon in deck house. Finished in white enamel, awnings for entire main deck, hull steel strapped, four steel watertight bulkheads. Very economical to run as fuel consumption is only 1,200 tb for twelve hours. Boiler retubed in 1918, and as it has had little use since that time is practically new. For further information apply to the G. W. Ford Yacht Agency, 30 East 42d Street, New York City. [Though not identified by name, her dimensions clearly identify her as #293p Roamer.]" (Source: Anon. "For Sale." Rudder, March 1920, p. 54.)

"Shown above is an 89-foot over all Herreshoff Steam Yacht of 17 ft. 8 in. beam and 5 ft. draft. This yacht has unusually large and comfortable cabin accommodations and is extremely economical to run. Her steam plant will drive her at a speed of 10 miles per hour for 10 hours at a cost of about $15.00 for fuel. The boiler and the engine are compact and there is very little vibration. Pumping, heating, and generation of electricity are possible without the well known complications so bothersome on motor yachts. Machinery and hull have been perfectly kept up and are today in a condition as good as new and should last many years without repairs. Materials and workmanship throughout the boat are the best obtainable. The model is rather unusual and combines shallow draft with good sea-going qualities. She is on the market because her owner has built a larger steam yacht. BURGESS, SWASEY & PAINE. 585 BOYLSTON ST., BOSTON, MASS. [Dimensions and accompanying photo identify her clearly as #215p Roamer.]" (Source: Anon (Burgess, Swasey & Paine). [Classified Ad.] Rudder, April 1924, p. 101.)

"Herreshoff's sheds are so full of boats that they would be hard put to find room to set up one of the 12 1/2-foot knockabouts. The 150-foot steel cruising craft [#385p Vara] for Ex-Commodore Harold S. Vanderbilt on the north railway fills the shop from end to end, but there is a practically completed 'S' knockabout under her port quarter, and another 'S' ready for decking under the flare of her port bow, while under the starboard bow a 43-foot powerboat is in frame, and further aft, flanking- the Vanderbilt boat's midship section, is still a third 'S,' decked and ready to put the house on. The Hand designed V-bottomed cruiser is timbered out and partly planked in the small boat shop at the west end of the building. While on the south railway George M. Pynchon's 'M' sloop [#1131s Istalena], from the designs of L. Francis Herreshoff, is completely planked and has some of her carlines in. Astern of the Pynchon boat, the railway is occupied by the cruising houseboat Roamer with a crew of men busy making changes in her deck houses. [Note: The reference to the 43-foot powerboat is unclear. The only 43-foot powerboat under construction during this time period was the William Hand-designed #389p Little Gull II which is referenced in the next sentence. Another powerboat built at the same time was #388p Stroller but she was slightly larger at 46ft 9in LOA. It is possible that the writer mixed up the two boats.]" (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, February 24, 1929, p. B13.)

"Built in 1902 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, RI; Acquired by the Navy, 29 June 1917; Commissioned USS Roamer (SP 1047), 20 July 1917; Decommissioned, 28 January 1919; Struck from the Naval Register, 17 June 1919; Sold, 19 July 1919. Fate unknown.
Specifications: Displacement unknown; Length 93'; Beam 17' 2"; Draft 5"; Speed 10 kts.; Complement 16; Armament two 1-pounders and two machine guns; Propulsion unknown.
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: The first Roamer (SP-I047) was built in 1902 by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, R.I.; acquired by the Navy from the State of Florida at Tallahassee on 29 June 1917; and commissioned 20 July 1917, Ens. T. R. Hodges, USNR, in command. A slow scout patrol launch, she operated in the 8th Naval District throughout her 18-month Naval career. Roamer decommissioned on 28 January 1919, was struck from the Navy list on 17 June 1919, and sold to Frank A. Egan, New Rochelle, N.Y., on 19 July 1919." (Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/171047.htm, retrieved March 17, 2007)

"The steam yacht Roamer was built for NGH's family in 1902 while NGH's first wife, Clara, was still alive, and while the children were still at an age when cruising together was fun. (Clara died three years later in 1905.) According to L. Francis, one of the five sons, the summertime cruising was extensive, and during the eight or nine years Roamer was owned by NGH, she was apt to be anywhere between New York City and Bar Harbor, Maine.
That the family enjoyed themselves is well documented in the snapshot albums compiled by Agnes M. Herreshoff, NGH's only daughter. Roamer would accommodate seventeen, so besides the eight NGH family members, their cook (who was always brought along from home), and Roamer's crew of four, there were several berths available for friends.
Roamer was kept year round alongside the breakwater/pier directly in front of Love Rocks, as the photo shows. When laid up for winter, she was protected by [a] beautifully fitted canvas cover... A specially designed, space-saving, steeple-type steam engine and a compact boiler, both designed by NGH and built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co., originally powered Roamer, and in their day comprised an extremely compact unit. In 1922, after Roamer had changed hands and after two decades of internal-combustion-engine development, her original steam power plant was considered obsolete and Roamer was repowered with gasoline." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 125.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and displacement curve titled 'N.G.H. 82ft w.l. Sept[ember] 7, 1901. #215. Scale 1/2in. (Before sandpapering.) ROAMER'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 1570.0cuft [= 104480lbs] = 50.3tons." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04260. Folder [no #]. 1901-09-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with pinpricks titled 'Bulkheads & partitions. No 215 [#215p ROAMER]'. Marked in upper right corner '1901', probably made in preparation for HMCo Plan HH.5.00444 (001-030) (ROAMER's construction plan) of October 1901." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04270. Folder [no #]. 1901-09-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled notes booklet for #215p ROAMER titled 'No. 215 Roamer. 1901-1902'. Containing detailed dimensions, construction and fitting out notes as well as a complete log of cruises for the year 1902 (taking with them ROAMER's electric launch #190202ep and #404s COQUINA), including a voyage to New York City and Larchmont Race week in July 1902, the cruise of the New York Yacht Club in August 1902, a summer cruise to Bar Harbor, ME (with meetings and discussions preliminary to the design of the Bar Harbor 31 class), and an October 17, 1902 trip from Newport to Bristol during which the contract for #605s RELIANCE was signed. Also containing scrap paper notes about coal consumption, flags carried on board, a sketch for an electric capstan, a list of dishes and kitchenware carried on ROAMER." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Notes Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_00030. Folder [no #]. 1901-10 to 1903-03-16.)
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"[Item Description:] glad to hear you are building your own cruising yacht [#215p ROAMER], this year's close America's Cup races, 'COLUMBIA [#499s] sadly needs the presence of an effect named Mr. N. G. Herreshoff', trying to change existing girth rule, need for new measurement formula on the Lakes to encourage building of longer-lasting boats, please give advice" (Source: Owen, George, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23300. Correspondence, Folder 68. 1901-10-03.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled 'Anchors. Nov[ember 22, 1901' with tabulated data for 'Straight stock [anchors]' and [not named, but presumably folding anchors] showing unit data for 'Class. W[ei]g[h]t' (from 10 to 260lbs) on the x-axis and 'On hand', 'Required' and 'To make' on the Y-axis. With note 'This does not include anchors of 30ft class [Buzzards Bay 30s], 2 21 footers [#573s TERRAPIN and ??], Nos 213 [#213p QUICKSTEP], 214 [#214p Launch for St. Y. Isis], 215 [#215p ROAMER], which are already ordered." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03100. Folder [no #]. 1901-11-22.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.08029 (096-074). Blueprint sailplan and outboard profile titled '#215 [ROAMER]. Scale 4in = 1ft. Jan[uary] 5, 1902'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0094. WRDT08, Folder 10, formerly MRDE02. 1902-01-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] I am glad to tell you that your name was favorably acted on at last night's meeting for honorary membership in the N.Y.Y.C. It has to be ratified at the next meeting which will be the end of March, & then I hope to send you the Club Burgee to hoist on that large yacht you are building? [#215p ROAMER]
I have just come from Archie Rogers' & have had the finest ice boating there has been in years, a fine sport but awful cold. We are going to try to do something in the N.Y.Y.C., with measurement rules so get your thinking cap on." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28340. Subject Files, Folder 16. 1902-02-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) note titled 'ROAMER [#215p]. Lower Compass. For N steer true' with tabulated compass deviation data. On verso of printed card from the law offices of Roberts & Mitchell dated March 1, 1902." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Compass Deviation Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_03280. Folder [no #]. No date (1902-03 or later).)
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"[Item Transcription:] I must apologize for not answering your very kind letter of June 15th, criticising the proposed formula for measurement that I sent you. My impression is, from reading your letter, that you would be satisfied with this formula, providing, of course, that we made the amendments which you suggested. If I am in error, please correct me, for we certainly want your advice in this matter.
Please do not hesitate to express any criticism that you may feel is warranted, and if you would prefer another formula, I hope that you will submit it.
We now have a sub-committee at work, consisting of Mr. W. Butler Duncan Jr., Commodore E. D. Morgan, Mr. Archibald Rogers, Mr. Newberry D. Lawton and myself, and we hope to make a report at the October meeting or before.
I suppose that we must take up a new time allowance table and classification, as the present one does not seem to be at all adequate or complete.
The work progresses slowly, for the reason that it has to be submitted to so many, but we all are with you and willing to accept your ideas and are very thankful for the assistance that you have given us.
Trusting that you are quite well and that you will have a successful season in your new House boat [#215p ROAMER], and hoping that I may have the opportunity of seeing you very soon, I am, ..." (Source: Cormack, George A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_71570. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F07, formerly MRDE15. 1902-07-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled compass deviation diagrams titled 'ROAMER's [#215p] Compasses. Sept[ember 28, 1902' showing separate diagrams for 'Upper Compass' and 'Lower Compass'. With notes 'As in red May 18, 1903' and 'New Bliss compass in black lines. June 1, 1903'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Diagram. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02890. Folder [no #]. 1902-09-28.)
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"[Item Description:] Six circular diagrams (to register vibrations or eccentricities ?). One diagram marked in pencil 'third [unreadable]'. The second diagram marked in pencil 'Diagram from shaft end of #215 [ROAMER] engine when suspended in shop. Dec[ember] 16 1901' and 'about 400 rev[olutions]'. The third diagram marked in pencil '# 2. #213 [QUICKSTEP] engine. [unreadable]'. The fourth diagram marked in pencil '3rd Balance wheel end. Lead w[ei]g[h]t added to counter balance oppposite eccentric. 3 x 3 engine. Jan[uary] 31, 1902'. The fifth diagram marked in pencil '#213 [QUICKSTEP] engine forward end of side shaft'. The sixth diagram marked in in pencil 'Eccen[ shaft' and 'Feb[ruary] 1, 1904[?]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. ?) (creator). Circular Diagram. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_00380. Folder [no #]. 1902-12-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Thank you for letting me know about Mr Havemeyer.
I will write to him as you suggest.
Our committee has been asked to see the Cup races from CORSAIR so I hope to have a good chance to see RELIANCE [#605s] polish[?] off SHAMROCK.
What a fine race it was between the three [#499s COLUMBIA, #551s CONSTITUTION and #605s RELIANCE] in the trial race & what magnificent boats they are.
I wish I could alter COLUMBIA over & have her only draw ten feet, but you said it would be impossible. I like her to look at better than either of the new ones.
After the races are over, I hope you will drop into Hadley with your steamer [#215p ROAMER]." (Source: Forbes, J. Malcolm. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_13030. Correspondence, Folder 37, formerly 197. 1903-08-11.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical detail sketch titled 'Catch for Chart room door. ROAMER [#215p]. July 1904'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00070. Folder [no #]. 1904-07.)
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"[Item Description:] Photograph, framed, of #215p ROAMER, underway in a seaway, with what appears to be the Herreshoff family and guests on board." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item WRDT01_00050. Photograph. Folder [no #]. No date (1902 to 1911 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table with steam engine data ('Boiler [pressure], 'SS', '1st Int', '2 Int', 'Vac[uum]', 'R[evolutions]') for FLORENCE [#208p], EUGENIA [#205p] (in 1902 and 1904), ROAMER [#215p] (in 1902, 1904 and 1905), SUNBEAM [#229p], MIST [#235p], and PARTHENIA [#222p]." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01400. Folder [no #]. No date (1905 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Re new class of racing sloop (NY57 class of three consisting of #663s ISTALENA for Pynchon, #664s WINSOME for Lippit, #667s AURORA for C. Vanderbilt), like the profile you sent, is there enough sail area for racing at the head of Long Island Sound, is it possible to slightly increase headroom, interior arrangement can be improved somewhat, I liked the arrangement in IROLITA [#591s or #658s?] better, need nine berths in forecastle, crew of eleven, talked with Lippitt on the phone and can safely say you will get a contract provided the price is satisfactory, suggest if you will be down with #215p ROAMER that we all meet" (Source: Pynchon, George M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23860. Correspondence, Folder 70. 1906-09-04.)
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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).)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] Penciled technical drawing titled 'Oil Pump for ROAMER [#215p]. Main Engine. Full size. Jan[uary] 10, 1908'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01110. Folder [no #]. 1908-01-10.)
① ②

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned sketch titled '4 Hinges for Auto Shed for N.G.H. Order # [blank]. 1/2 size. Ap[ril] 21 [19]08'. On verso of envelope from Treasury Department, Office of Collector of Customs, Bristol, R.I. to NGH in Bristol, 'St[eame]r ROAMER [#215p]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_02810. Folder [no #]. 1908-04-21.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) note titled 'ROAMER [#215p]. 6th cruise [from October 9 to 12] 1908' with tabulated data showing time underway, distance run, Rate [of consumption], total coal, coal underway, coal at anchor underway for each of 5 days. With calculations to determine average coal per hour running, per mile, for banked fire and per horsepower assuming a horsepower of 60hp. On verso of trade card by Albert P. Miller, Jr., Industrial Trust Building, Providence." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01360. Folder [no #]. No date (1908-10-12 or later).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH titled 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Orders from N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§18: Work Order [For] #215p. [When wanted] Soon. Steel banding (1901-09-27)
§19: Work Order [For] #213p, #215p, #216p, #560s, #561s, #562s, #563s, #564s, #565s, #566s, #567s -- #569s, #570s, #571s, #572s. [When wanted] As made. Chain cables (1901-09-30)
§21: Work Order [For] #215p. [When wanted] Soon. Bolts (1901-11-12)
§22: Work Order [For] #213p, #215p. [When wanted] Soon. Hardware from Detroit Shipbuilding Co. (1901-12-02)
§91: Work Order [For] #215p. Ammonia fittings (1908-01-09)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_03460. Folder [no #]. 1900-02 to 1909-10.)
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 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 ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕

"[Item Transcription:] I am desirous of having my Pilot's License expanded to include all the waters from [Eastport crossed out and replaced with] Cutting[? Cutler?], Maine to the Cape Charles and also the waters of the Chesapeak[sic] Bay. My present License includes the inland waters from Rockland, Maine to Sandy Hook and therefore the extension would be the Bangor district to the east and the Philadelphia district to the south of the present range, also the district of [blank].
I would say my object in seeking these extensions is to be able to pilot my own steam yacht 'ROAMER' [#215p] which is of 61 tons and 4ft 9in draft. I own the vessel entirely and carry my own insurance and this coupled with the fact that I have commanded and piloted yachts on our coast for 45 years without a single accident due to navigation prompted me in asking this extension without appearing before the Local Inspector of the district.
It is not my desire to pilot any vessel but my own yacht and this only for pleasure cruises in the summer." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Local U.S. Steam Boat Inspector. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_52280. Subject Files, Folder 43. 1910-06-16.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (mostly in pencil but also in ink) trials booklet titled '1898 - 1909'. Relevant contents:
§25: #215p ROAMER Trial Run mean speed 10.8mph = 9.4kn (1902-07-07)
§30: #190202ep [ELECTRIC LAUNCH FOR #215p ROAMER] Trial Run best speed 5.77mph [5.01kn] (1903-05-30)
§35: #215p ROAMER Trial Run best mean speed 10.62mph = 9.23kn (1904-06-12 & 1904-06-18)
§55: #215p ROAMER Trial Run speed 10.8mph = 9.36kn (1909-06-26)." (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:] A letter from the company states that you expect to be at Buzzards Bay tomorrow afternoon or Sunday [NGH did indeed go there with #215p ROAMER]. I am going to my father's, at Falmouth, tomorrow, for Saturday night. I expect to get up to my place Sunday morning. If you will communicate with Mr. Parkinson on Saturday, if you arrive there, he will know just where I am, and when to expect me. I should like very much to see you on certain matters." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_39210. Correspondence, Folder 79, formerly 71. 1911-09-15.)
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"[Item Description:] agreement between HMCo and Lyman E. Warren re sale of #215p ROAMER accompanying JBH to NGH letter dated Jan 16, 1912, incl. inventory list, blueprint of 'Proposed changes in ROAMER's cabin', and envelope" (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_53100. Letter. Subject Files, Folder 47, formerly 51. 1912-01-15.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Description:] we sold #215p ROAMER for you to L.E. Warren last Saturday, enclose copy of agreement between HMCo and the purchaser and extract from Seaman's letter regarding changes Warren might like to have us make, all about the works in well, Sidney is taking great interest in the work and is working out new type of valve for gasoline motors [apparently for the 4x5 gasoline engine for #285p BUBBLE] which I thing is far ahead of anything yet been used, Nat has not found anything to do and we haven taken him in the drafting room temporarily" (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_53080. Subject Files, Folder 47, formerly 51. 1912-01-16.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Thank for your lines of 26th.
I felt sure you would not only be interested, but pleased --- and that's why I wired you.
The [New York] Forties ARE good boats --- the best built I know of for their inches and Bob [Bavier? Robert N. Bavier won both the 1923 and the 1924 Bermuda Races with #778s MEMORY ex-BLACK DUCK], with last year's experience, had her in far better shape than before. He, however, would get everything out of her, or almost any other boat, being of the best.
I feel sure he will appreciate your letter, and am sending it to his home to await him on his --- D.V. --- safe return.
Sorry to have missed you when South last Winter. Mighty glad to hear you are keeping so well.
Hoping that I shall have the pleasure of seeing you before the Summer is out,
Yours sincerely, ... [Strachan was the owner of #215p ROAMER, formerly owned by NGH. In 1920 Strachan had been the owner of #773s MONSOON ex-MAISIE.]" (Source: Strachan, F.D.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05760. Correspondence, Folder 20, formerly 136. 1924-06-28.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink) trials booklet titled '1911. Trial Trips and Experiments'. Relevant contents:
§18: #293p [POWER LAUNCH FOR #215p ROAMER] Trial Run best mean speed 10.95mph (1913-0-28)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator) and Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_04280. Folder [no #]. 1911-06 to 1926-05.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Refering to your interesting visit here yesterday in which you left an order with our Company to build you a sailing dinghy [#192602es Garryowen] from my design and what I thought would give you best pleasure in sailing at Essex.
I would like some information from you.
I think you mentioned the length not to exceed 16 feet, is that a positive limitation?
I find [#404s] Coquina is 16ft 7in extreme length and 15ft 9in in waterline - a little longer than I had in mind. She is 5ft 1in beam with 22in depth and 14in free board at mid section and as you probably noticed has rather a lean builge and very easy lines both fore & aft. When new she weighed 275lbs and as I used to sail her had the following weight: Centerboard, rudder, oars, rowlocks & c 58lbs, sails & rigging 43 lbs, sandbags 140lbs, self with winter suit 170lbs, total 686 lbs.
We have moulds for another boat designed 12 or 14 years after Coquina which I think would make a better boat for you and probably as fast under ordinary conditions. I am enclosing profile and half breadth of deck of each for comparison which will show better by holding paper up to light. This later design has an over hang forward which gives very graceful lines
Is 17ft 2in extreme length, 14ft 8in waterline, 5ft 5in beam, 24in deep and 16 1/2in freeboard at midsection. The plan[?] is a little flatter than Coquina, giving a much fuller builge[sic] and of course much more natural stability and capable of carrying larger sails. Boats built from this model have usually been rigged with mainsail & jib and the last two [apparently #192204es Sailing Cutter for #215p Roamer and #192501es Sailing Cutter for Katoura II] had jib headed mainsails set on short masts with yard having jaws in sails. If the extreme length of 17ft 2in is used the two masted rig could be used, but if the boat is made much shorter probably the jib & mainsail rig would be desirable to get sufficient sail area.
The hull of this model 17ft 2in long would probably weigh 300lbs and will all gear on board except ballast nearly 400lbs.
Is this too much for hauling out as you propose or would a smaller size boat of less weight be preferable? Do you want all spars & rig to store in board or would you prefer tall mast, or masts that you would stow away elsewhere?
Kindly advise me on these various points." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Goodwin, Charles A. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_270. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1926-06-24.)
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"[Item Description:] Hulls, anchors and pipe berth cut-out models and diagrams. Among others deckline cut-outs for BETTY ANN, #300p SHADOW III, NOMAD, Fishers Island 31-footer, Fishers Island 23-footer, Sub Chaser 110ft x 18ft, 11ft-6in Boat [built from Plan] 76-17 [now named Plan 28-21] (76-33 [now named Plan 28-23]) for Mr Tiffany's #934 [HARLEQUIN] [this may be a reference to #191901es], 18ft-9in Launch [#191002ep] used on #692 [WESTWARD], 14ft Rowboat [#190912es] [built from Plan] 76-14 698 [#698s WESTWARD], 19ft-4 1/2in x 5ft-4in Launch [#191304ep] for #719 [VAGRANT II], 14ft-8in Gasoline Launch [#190307ep] for 590 [#590s INGOMAR], 10ft-3in Boat [# ?] for 376 [#376p ESLOMA], 18ft Dories [#191729es] for #323 [SP-2840], #293 [Power Launch for #215p ROAMER], Vosper [Torpedo Boats built from 1943 - 1944), AMC Minesweeper [#411p, #412p, #413p, #414p], 16ft-10in x 5ft-1in [#191307es Colonia Sailing Cutter] for #719 [VAGRANT II], 711 Class [New York 50s], [dinghies #191308es and #191309es] for #722 [KATOURA], 12ft [dinghy #191106es ?] for 698 [#698s WESTWARD], 25ft-10in x 6ft-1in [built from Plan] 2-83 [#191301ep Owner Launch for #722s Katoura], 11ft-0in Rowboat [# ?] between davits on #251 [LANG SYNE] Feb [19]06, 23ft-4in x 6ft-4in [#287p Stock launch later Crew Launch for #722s KATOURA]. Generally undated, the last vessels referred to appear to date from 1944." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.130. Cut-out Models and Diagrams. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Models and Diagrams. No date (1944 and earlier).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled technical drawing of an unidentified subject. Untitled, undated. Annotations read 'Water tank 28in [unreadable] 30in dia. 5ft 8in high. 300 or 300 gal[lons]', 'flywheel 16in' and '5x3 Engine'. Filed with other plans, some of which related to #215p ROAMER< #299p HELIANTHUS II, and #308p HELIANTHUS III." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01170. Folder [no #]. No date.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled and ink on paper technical drawing of an unidentified subject. Untitled, undated. One annotations reads '14[?] for 1/2in pipe coupling'. Filed with other plans, some of which related to #215p ROAMER< #299p HELIANTHUS II, and #308p HELIANTHUS III." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Inked Technical Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_01190. Folder [no #]. No date.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #215p Roamer even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Roamer (HMCo-made index card)
• Roamer (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: Roamer
Type: Steam
Length: 94'
Owner: Herreshoff, N. G.

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

• Roamer
• 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: Roamer
Type: 93' 7" steamer
Owner: N. G. Herreshoff
Year: 1902
Row No.: 573

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: 1901
E/P/S: P
No.: 215
Name: Roamer
OA: 94'
LW: 82'

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.

"A 'Herreshoff triple expansion steam engine, steeple type, cylinders 5 5/8 --- 8 --- 12 1/2, 7 in. stroke' was listed in the 1924 auction catalog when HMCo was auctioned off. It is possible that this engine was Roamer's old engine for she had been rebuilt in 1922 and received a new 110hp Winton engine." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 18, 2015.)

"Steam engine rating 140hp 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 Inclosed Type. 5 5/8 & 8 & 12 1/2 x 7, 615[rpm], 140[hp]. [Note:] 142 [hp in pencil]." (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 121 days (setup to launch; equivalent to 1487 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 (89.97) from construction plan 001-030 and the 1903 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (Net Register Tons were reported as 61.18) 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.)

"Burned Dec. 1930 at the Brunswick, Ga. home of owner F. D. M. Strachan as per NGH diary." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 4, 2016.)

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