HMCo #236p Express II

"[Note in offset booklet:] #236 - 16 1/2" frame spaces.
Same stem as #203 but new overhang." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.029.] Undated, ca. June 1903. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"This same year Captain Nat designed a quite remarkable small steam yacht for August Belmont to act as a tender to the 'Mineola.' She was named 'Scout,' and eventually the Herreshoff Company built seven [sic, i.e. 10?] of these fast steamers which were generally referred to as the Scout Class. They were all built on the same molds and had the same power plants but varied in length some fourteen feet, and, as I recall it, varied in speed from about twenty to twenty-one and a half miles per hour.
These were extremely smooth running yachts that were fine sea boats and economical in fuel consumption. Some of them lasted quite a long time and they were the forerunners in construction and general arrangement of many gasoline launches built by several builders." (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.)

"1902; 'Express'; 89 feet 3 inches; M. F. Plant; afterward named 'Mermaid' and owned for several years by J. P. Morgan, Jr." (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. 218.)

"... Mr. Plant's fleet at the end of this season will number six vessels, and he may be obliged to appoint a fleet Captain. Those already in commission are the new Parthenia [#222p], two big launches, and a thirty-four-foot cruising sloop [#586s Nellie]. The Ingomar [#590s] will go into commission this week, and the sixth craft that Mr. Plant will have in commission this season will be a new steam tender [#236p Express], which is to have a speed of 22 miles an hour, and is to be completed and ready to be delivered to Mr. Plant on Aug. 1 [1903]. The order for this craft, which is to be of a type the same as the Scout [#203p], owned by August Belmont, was placed with the Herreshoffs the first of this month. She is to be 81 feet in length. The frames are now set up in the Herreshoff shops, and it is likely that the carpenter force will have to work night and day for a while to have the craft ready for delivery by Aug. 1." (Source: Anon. "New Yacht In The Cruise. Schooner Ingomar, Just Finished, Makes Fleet of Six Yachts for Morton F. Plant." New York Times, July 14, 1903, p. 9.)

"Express, steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, RI, by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., 1903.
34.45 gross tons, 23.43 net tons; 82.7 ft. x 10.6 ft. x 7.6 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head, overhanging stern.
Surveyed and measured, August 15, 1903." (Source: U.S. Customs Department, Bristol, R.I. Custom House Record Book, 1870s to 1904 (Collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum), s.v. Express.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 312:]
Express, steam yacht, of Bristol.
Built at Bristol, 1903.
34.45 gross tons, 23.43 net tons; 82.7 ft. x 10.6 ft. x 7.6 ft. [Register length x breadth x depth.]
One deck, one mast, overhanging head [bow].
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed]([as] yacht) Aug. 20, 1903. Owner: Herreshoff Manufacturing Company of Bristol. Master: John B. Herreshoff, Bristol.
Surrendered [license] Aug. 28, 1903 at New London. ([Record at:] N[ational] A[rchives, Washington]).
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed] (temporary) ([as] yacht) Apr. 19, 1905 (change of hailing port - New York, N.Y.). Owner: William R. Proctor of New York, N.Y. Master: J. C. Greenlaw, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Surrendered [license] Apr. 29, 1905 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. Express.)

"At the Herreshoff's shops, Tuesday [August 25, 1903], a new 90 footer steam yacht, named Express, was launched. Her owner is M. T. Plant of New York, who has had a number of boats built at Herreshoff's the past season. Work on this yacht was begun about the first of July and it was intended to complete the boat in thirty days but there was a hindrance to the progress of the work. The new yacht is very similar in model to the 80 footers [Scout #203p] built for tenders to the seventy foot class of sloops a few years ago, but is ten feet longer. It was built as a tender to Mr. Plant's steel schooner yacht Ingomar [#590s] and also for making trips where speed is desired. This is the second boat named Express that Mr. Plant has had built at Herreshoff's this season. The other [#228p] was a launch which was used for a short time and then taken in trade for the 90 foot steamer just launched.
A trial was given the new steamer Wednesday [August 26, 1903] and she developed a speed of about 21 miles an hour, which was very satisfactory to her owner and builders. The Express left here' yesterday for a trip down the Sound." (Source: Anon. "Express Launched. New and Swift Ninety Footer Steamer Launched at Herreshoff's for M. T. Plant of New York." Bristol Phoenix, August 28, 1903, p. 3.)

"The steam yacht Express II, tender to the seventy-footer Mineola [#529s], will be renamed the Mermaid." (Source: Anon. Yachting Notes." New York Herald, March 17, 1905, p. ?.)

"Express II Sold to W. R. Proctor. --- Mr. Morton F. Plant has sold his steam yacht Express II to Mr. William Ross Proctor through the agency of Mr. Frank Bowne Jones. Express II. is 90ft over all, 10ft. 6 in. breadth, and 3ft. 6in. draft. She is similar in appearance to Scout [#203p], Mirage [#207p] and Tramp [#211p], and can do better than 20 miles. The boat is now at Bristol, but will soon come to the westward. She will be overhauled at the Jacob yard, City Island. Express II will be used as a tender to Mr. Ross' 70-footer Mineola, and her name will be changed." (Source: Anon. "Yachting News Notes." Forest and Stream, March 18, 1905, p. 220.)

"The steam yachts Little Sovereign [#244p], built for M. C. D. Borden, the condensed milk manufacturer of New York, and the Express [#236p] built for Morton T. Plant of the New York Yacht Club, have been launched from Walker' s Cove where they have been stored all winter and towed to the piers of the Herreshoff shops, where they are being fitted out for the yachting season." (Source: Anon. "News and Notes of Local Interest." Bristol Phoenix, April 14, 1905, p. 2.)

"Mr. and Mrs. J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr., have bought the steam yacht Mermaid. They will spend some time in cruising along the coast this Summer. They have taken a place at Glen Cove for the Summer." (Source: Anon. [No title?]. New York Times, April 10, 1906, p. 9.)

"Designer Nat Herreshoff has purchased the steam yacht Mermaid, chiefly for the purpose of following the Resolute in races against the Vanitie and later to watch the America Cup match. Mermaid was built at Herreshoff's 18 years ago for the late Commodore Morton F. Plant as the Express. She is 89 feet over all, 79 feet waterline, 10 feet 6 inches beam, and 3 feet 6 inches draft. Recently the property of Commodore J. P. Morgan, the Mermaid, equipped with triple expansion, three-cylinder engines, is considered quite speedy. [Note: While NGH had considered acquiring Mermaid, this transaction never took place.]" (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Daily Globe, April 11, 1920, p. E5.)

"Speaking of the cup race and boat, it is said that Designer Nat Herreshoff has recently purchased the steam yacht Mermaid, chiefly for the purpose of following the Resolute [#725s] in her trial races with Vanitie, and later of watching the America's Cup match. Mermaid is well known in New York waters. She originally was built by the Herreshoffs for the late Morton F. Plant, some 18 years ago. In those days she was called the Empress[sic]. More recently she was used by Commodore J. P. Morgan as a 'ferryboat' between his Glen Cove home and the city. Mermaid is a very fast boat, about 90 feet long, equipped with triple-expansion, three-cylinder engines. [Note: While NGH had considered acquiring Mermaid, this transaction never took place.]" (Source: Anon. [No title?]. Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 18, 1920, p. 59.)

"John G. Alden reports the ... 98-foot Herreshoff steam yacht Mermaid has been purchased ... by Sumner B. Merritt and the yacht has left Greenwich, Conn. for British Honduras." (Source: Anon. [No title?] Boston Globe, February 12, 1922, p. 52.)

"After lying in port several days, during which time she underwent considerable repairs, the handsome steam yacht 'Mermaid' sailed yesterday for Belzie[sic, i.e. Belize], British Honduras, where her owner, Joseph Merrick, of New York, will develop a tremendous tract of mahogany timber which he owns. The New York financier is accompanied on the trip by his wife.
Before the 'Mermaid' sailed from the port two Wilmington boys were signed as members of her crew for the voyage to the South American country, and return. Joseph Williamson was signed as chief engineer, and Earl Mizelle as assistant.
En route to Honduras the 'Mermaid' will put in at Charleston, Jacksonville, Key West and Havana, Cuba.
The 'Mermaid' was formerly owned by J. Pierpont Morgan, and is capable of making 18 knots an hour." (Source: Anon. "Mermaid En Route To British Honduras Now. Owner of Vessel to Develop Mahogany Timberland There." Wilmington Morning Star, March 7, 1922, p. ?.)

"... We were all in a hurry to begin the next leg of the trip --- a run to Ascension Bay in order to see General May, Chief of the Independent Indians of Quintana Roo. But luck fell upon us in the shape of the arrival of the yacht Mermaid, powered with diesels. She belongs to the three Melhado brothers of Belize, who are known throughout Central America for their success in business and their love of gentlemanly sport. Yates had a business connection with them and as soon as the Mermaid's captain heard of our plight he offered us the use of the yacht, saying she was now returning to British Honduras anyway, and would not mind stopping over at Virginia on Ascension Bay, while we went inland to see the Chief of the Indians.
And so in a long, narrow, luxuriously appointed yacht we began rolling down to Ascension Bay. ..." (Source: Mason, Gregory. "Carribean Blue." Motor Boating, October 1929, p. 108.)

"... a photograph of the steam yacht 'Mermaid' in the Haulover Creek in downtown Belize City, Belize, presumably taken in the mid 1920's. ...
There was a very good shipwright in Belize City named Clifford Betson. Everyone knew his yard as Betson's yard. However, whether initially or ultimately, I don't know, the yard was owned by the Melhados'. When Mr. Betson came to the end of his working years, sometime in the early to mid 1950's, a young shipwright named Denys Bradley took the yard over, it still belonging to Melhado. Fortunately, I recorded a number of interviews with Denys before he passed away a couple of years ago. He said that at the yard, lying out in the bushes, there was a triple expansion Herreshoff steam engine, complete with all its piping, and he said that it had come out of a yacht that the Melhado boys had bought from the states. Moreover, he said that it had belonged to a millionaire who used it to commute across Long Island sound, which seems to be what J.P. Morgan did with it! ...
[The] 'Handbook of British Honduras', Metzgen and Cain, 1925 ... shows that the steamer 'Mermaid', 22 tons, was registered to Henry Melhado and others in 1923.
... the Melhados' lived in a large raised house at the upstream foot of the swing bridge, south side of the river, downtown. Judging by the buildings across the stream, the 'Mermaid' is lying at their dock in the photo. (Source: Currie, James M. Excerpts from an Email to Evelyn Ansel, Curator of the Herreshoff Marine Museum. September 22, 2022.)

"N/A"

"[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 Description:] not enough large stock for ten stave [#725s] RESOLUTE mast, want to use twelve staves, topsail yard is practically completed, one of the little S boats [S-Class] was weighed the other day, and including weight of slings, weight was 5300, slings estimated something over 100 pounds would bring it down to 5175, Charlie [Adams] and I hope to get a trial in one next week, have still no tender for RESOLUTE, may be able to use [#657s] QUEEN, aluminum alloys for RESOLUTE gaff, now that George [Nichols] won't materially alter VANITIE's spars see no need to lengthen RESOLUTE's mast, RESOLUTE topsail to be cut as per NGH instructions by Hathaway, think [#236p] MERMAID [ex-EXPRESS] would you a good boat for use during trials and Cup races, cannot come to Bermuda until we have tender for RESOLUTE" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26760. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-02-19.)
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"[Item Description:] have read your letter to Charlie [Adams], and I must confess, we are both of us extremely sorry if you have gained the impression that we are doing anything, either against your best judgment or wishes, or making any alterations in the plans as laid out by you before you left, Charlie is writing you him self as well, we had not the slightest intention of altering [#725s] RESOLUTE's rig in any way whatsoever, as we have previously written you, but when at the last moment, George Nichols sprang upon us his new and enlarged sail plan [for VANITIE], after as we thought he had definitely decided not to do so, as a matter of insurance we both agreed that we thought it would be doing no harm to have our new mast made 2 to 3 ft longer, in the event that you after seeing his rig might wish that you could have added a little longer spar for us, there is not as you have gathered the impression any delay caused by this additional length, as the stock, was only at the time in process of being cut out, and I stock, was only at the time in process of being cut out, and I believe if Swan's statements are correct that but two sticks had to be laid aside, the mast is being identical as you laid it out, with the exception of the extra length with longer plug added, provided in your original lay-out, I am really glad no attempt was made to build the spar before, as the shop in which it is being could not have been kept warm until the present time, Hataway has the sail all drawn out, canvas has now been hung up in the sail loft 10 days, Sidney furnished Hathway with working drawing for new club topsail, our inquire about putting lead now inside outside was merely a query seeking your best opinion and advice, George Nichols and I spent yesterday at Bristol, and you may be pleased to know we were able to have a trial in the first S boat, although it was blowing strong southwest, too much so to sail for any length or time with comfort, we had a very successful short trial, the mast stood stiff as a ramrod, and the boat appeared extremely able, carrying full sail in what I expected was really a reefing breeze, Chase and Hathaway went with us, and while the sail appeared tight on the leach, he was of the opinion that when properly hauled out this would disappear, so far as we could tell in the rough water the boat trimmed very nicely, the jib club was about 1 1/2 in too long on this boat, making the jib catch to winward against the mast when tacking ship, as I said before, to both George and myself the boat appeared very able and very dry in the rough weather, as for steering, at first we thought they steered a little hard, but both of us came to the conclusion this was entirely due to hard wind and the time leach, regarding the construction of this boat I can only say that the seventh boat is now in frame and deliveries of these boats are not expected by those who have last ordered them until July 1st at earliest, work on the big boats seems to be going on well, and as Mr. Vendervort has written he will not be able to furnish his engines until a month after he agreed to, he will not expect his boat [#376p ESLOMA] so soon, payroll last week numbered 220, had some talk with George regarding [#236p] MERMAID [ex-EXPRESS] and he seems to think she might be purchased for $5,000 or even less, incl. NGH reply: I assure you I am perplexed as you and Charlie [Adams] are to know what is safest to do with RESOLUTE, suggestions re longer new mast, VANITIE will become a little faster after hull changes, have written [James] Swan to send me RESOLUTE's sail plan, RESOLUTE club topsail, was pleased to hear of the satisfactory first trial of S boat, hope to hear by next mail that exact tests of immersion[?] have been made in smooth water, Tom Brightmn has sent me some photos and the sail appears too flat without significant draft in the forward part" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26930. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-17.)
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"[Item Description:] Mr. [J.P.] Morgan says he has no men available for the work of putting [#236p] MERMAID [ex-EXPRESS] in commission and would prefer to sell her to you as she is for $4500, a very low price, prefers not to charter" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27040. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-18.)
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"[Item Description:] have chartered a tender [for #725s RESOLUTE], the steamer MONTAUK, I do not blame you for thinking there are getting to be too many ideas and cooks in our broth, can easily saw 3ft off mast, topsail yard, won't cut new mainsail until April 10, will make it identical with last one made in 1915, will give up all thought about the lead until you return, have not have a good chance to the sails for the little S boats, ice only just breaking up now, boat will not be able to be launched and tested for her trim until latter part of next week, there are now 15 [S boats] in all, George Nichols canvas [for VANITY] has arrived in Bristol, am afraid Dr. Reynolds and his brother have got a good deal of advice from you gratis, as I doubt very much whether they would be prepared to build boats such as you suggest, as I gather they are talking with some ship builder down east for a pretty rough sort of craft, however, I will talk with him the first time I see him and write you again, at the time he told me something about his boat, I told him if he rally wanted a good type of boat I suggested he had better write you at Bristol and get you to tell him what the proper style of craft should be, are all beginning to get more anxious and there are many little things in connection with getting RESOLUTE ready to go over board which I am getting sceptical as to their being done to your satisfaction without you are personally in attendance, suggests NGH come home 10 days earlier, as you suggested have ordered an especially made main manila sheet from Plymouth Cordage Co, tapered at ends in similar proportion to #605s RELIANCE's, HMCo to receive first check for war tax on from Mr. Herrick [for #371p GYPSY] tomorrow, noting so far has been heard from Lippett [#368p MARY ANN], Crozier [#369p SUNFLOWER] or Pierce [#370p TYARA], work at the shop seems to be going on very well, I hope you succeeded in getting Morgan's boat [#236p MERMAID ex-EXPRESS] as a yacht for yourself for the season, but I assure you if not there will be plenty of room for you on our tender the MONTAUK" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27110. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-20.)
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"[Item Description:] in relation to #236p MERMAID ex-EXPRESS I am quite undecided what is best to do, if the boiler is good enough to pass inspection by the U.S. Steamboat inspectors and with prospect of lasting over another year and the equipment is sufficient to get a license I would be willing to pay $5000 for her, but if it was found necessary to replace the boiler it would cost $1600 to $1800 and with what other changes and repairs I would have to make I would probably have to lay out $3500 or more and in that case would not want to give over $3500 for a vessel as old as she is, changes I would be..., another scheme would be to take out steam machinery and put in gasoline motor, then build glass house right over engine room, ..., what do you think?, with the uncertainties at my age, I don't feel like doing anything at present, but if Mr. Morgan does not sell MERMAID before spring, and I am in 'proper condition', my present feeling is I would like to take the MERMAID over, and if Mr. Morgan will have his engineer & sailing master attend to the U.S. inspector and she is all right for me I will give $5000 for her, but if this is not done I would not want to take her at that price" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Nichols, George. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_420. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. No date (1920-03-ca20).)
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"[Item Description:] new tender [MONTAUK] for #725s RESOLUTE, I did not mean to imply that I thought you were opposing us at every turn regarding alterations to RESOLUTE, and I further wish to state that I have all along agreed with you entirely that it is best for us to leave well enough alone, new alloy gaff, reconditioning RESOLUTE, bringing your little boat [#718s ALERION III] from N.Y. to Bristol, George [Nichols] has written that Jack Morgan will offer you the MERMAID for sale and you should take her, Swan is figuring on a large steamer for Mr. Winton [this will be #377p ARA], total amount of the shop includes 16 S-boats and 8 12-1/2 footers, begin to think that we are now going to show some profits, VANITIE should be sailing by May 1st, glad you have stopped bothering with Dr. Reynolds, reply from NGH: expected letter from James Swan but nothing came, materials for alloy gaff, awaiting address in N.Y. for ALERION III to ship to, if I do not take her home, could you not select one or two of your crew, do not want to have her towed by large steamer, too much danger of swamping in rough water or through c.b. casing, am rather in favor of taking #236p MERMAID, as towboat it would be best to overhaul #234p FRIDAY and put new motor in her, the one [port engine] I took out of #299p HELIANTHUS III would be the thing for her" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27260. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-24.)
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"[Item Description:] two feet longer for #725s RESOLUTE, awaiting new sail plan and new plan for gaff, planning with Hathaway schedule of making new sails, orders for rigging in consultation with Sidney, 9th S-boat [#837s DODAH???] set up today, first watertight cockpit S-boat is all completed, 8th and last 12-1/2 [#848s DOODLE BUG] to be finished this week, negotiations going well for 160ft steel steamer [#377p ARA], hope you get the #236p MERMAID, incl. NGH reply: material for RESOLUTE gaff, sail plan dimensions, sailplan for original mast with lower sails and larger topmast and very long topsail yard, have decided to take MERMAID, hope you can arrange for me to sail #718s ALERION [from N.Y. to Bristol]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27380. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-31.)
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"[Item Description:] four letter drafts on an envelope, to Nat [Herreshoff, Jr.]: have about decided to buy #236p MERMAID, please forward letter to 'him', want him as engineer, wireless experiments, to Armand deConning[sp?]: job offer to run MERMAID's machinery, to George Nichols: James Swan's estimate of building for me has scared me blue, if I am to have a power boat at all it looks I better take MERMAID, possible new boiler, MERMAID could tow ALERION III [#718s] on her way from N.Y. to Bristol, MERMAID inventory lacking items, to James [Swan]: your letter was delayed to insufficient postage, estimate of building a new boat is too high and I will give up on the idea, decided to buy MERMAID, provided the purchase goes through please send men to put engine together and bring her to Bristol, Armand de Conning who was on HELIANTHUS will hopefully run her, alternatively MONTAUK might tow her when she comes to Bristol, Winton steel yacht [#377p ARA] order" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Herreshoff, N.G. Jr, Armand de Cnning[sp?], George Nichols, James Swan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27480. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-06.)
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"[Item Description:] #725s RESOLUTE gaff alloys, arrangements for trip home for Bermuda, VANITIE sailing by May 1, tender MONTAUK coming along well, plus separate note from Cormack: Bob Emmons is anxiously awaiting your sailplan, incl. NGH reply: won't make new RESOLUTE for want of data, hope 'Bol' will spare a man or two to sail #718s ALERION III to Bristol and be at the steamer when she arrives in N.Y., informed George Nichols that I had decided on buying #236p MERMAID and that MONTAUK could tow her to Bristol" (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27500. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-06.)
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"[Item Description:] #725s RESOLUTE gaff material, will put canavas on RESOLUTE's deck the end of week, inspected check valves for centerboard, new mast is all glued, have ordered spare wire, new club topsail, 'You have no idea how much of a help Sidney is, and how quickly he takes hold of everything, and in his quiet way thinks and soIves a lot of troubles which no one else but yourself could do, he certainly is your logical successor, and I feel confident some day his ability will be known and appreciated on the outside, masts of the new schooner [#827s Ohonkara] will be stepped before the 19th, can arrange somebody to sail your little boat [#718s ALERION III] back if you decide to bring her home, trust you have made some satisfactory trade with Morgan regarding #236p MERMAID" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27530. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-07.)
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"[Item Description:] will get hold of Mr. Morgan [to negotiate purchase of #236p MERMAID], Mr. Morgan has loaned the RESOLUTE syndicate the old launch which you built for CORSAIR, if all goes well she will meet your ship [from Bermuda] and tow #718s ALERION III to City Island, would like to invite you for the night if you wish" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27590. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-09.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #236p Express II even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Express (HMCo-made index card)
• Mermaid ex-Express (HMCo-made index card)
• Mermaid ex-Express (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: Express
Type: Steam
Length: 89' 3"
Owner: Plant, M. F.

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

• Express
• Mermaid ex-Express
• 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: Express
Type: 51' gas launch
Owner: Morton F. Plant
Year: 1903
Row No.: 213

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: 1903
E/P/S: P
No.: 236
Name: Mermaid Express
OA: 89' 3"
LW: 80'

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.

"Letters in the collection of the Herreshoff Marine Museum (Subject Folders 7 and 8) show that in April 1920 and without a boat to cruise to Florida the coming fall NGH had negotiated with Jack Morgan to acquire #236p Mermaid ex-Express, but the deal did not materialize. NGH subsequently decided to build #378p Helianthus." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. Novermber 22, 2016.)

"Steam engine rating 285hp 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. 6 1/4 & 10 & 16 x 9, 610[rpm], 285[hp]. [Note:] 2100lbs [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.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (24) from the 1905 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (Net Register Tons were reported as 23) 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.