HMCo #245p X.P.D.N.C.

"No. 245. Aug[ust] 25, 1904.
Gasoline Speed Launch.
45' o.a.
(Frame spaces are measured at 10" but are to be increased to 11" requiring for fore and aft measurement rule 13 2/10 long divided into 12 parts.)
Frame spaces 11".
Planking double 5/32" + 5/32".
Frames moulded 5/8".
Deduct for frames & planking 15/16".
Keel ?." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.036.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"Bristol, R.I.
Oct. 12th 1904
Dear Butler
... Yours sincerely
Nath'l G. Herreshoff
P.S. We are just completing a motor boat for Frank Croker of N.Y. which is fitted with a 90 HP 'Mercedes' motor. I believe she will make a fast one. N." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. [Letter to Butler Duncan.] New York Yacht Club Archive. October 12, 1904.)

"Oct[ober] 14, 1904 XPDNC
Trial of speed launch just built for Frank Croker of N.Y.
Size 45ft x 5ft 6in with 90hp Mercedes motor. W[ei]g[h]t complete dry 2550lbs. Probable trial disp[lacement] 3050lbs. Screw 20in dia[meter], 40in mean pitch, 3 bl[ade].
On 1/2 mile course with fresh N [wind] several runs were made securing[?] between 1m 6s and 1m 11s. Av[erage] about 1m 8s.
Rev[olutions] were taken with counter, but reading of counter seemed to be a little uncertain. 980 per 1/2 mile is probably correct.
Av. speed = 26.5 miles = 23k[n]. ...
Boat ran very steadily and satisfactory. A new screw 21in x 44in is to be made for trial." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of October 14, 1904. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"One of the most interesting of the smaller gasoline launches was the 'X P D N C.' She was built for Frank H. Croker in 1904 and might have had a great racing career had Mr. Croker not been killed that winter in a racing automobile at Ormond Beach. However, in 1905, when owned by Siegel and Gilligs, she won the National Trophy in a series of races on the Hudson on September 14 and 16, which consisted of three thirty-knot heats in which she made the average speed of about twenty-eight knots; and, if I remember right, she made a record between New York City and Poughkeepsie which stood for several years. Although 'X P D N C' proved to be one of the fastest launches of her time it is very interesting that her model had been made in about 1878[sic, i.e. 1888] for a steam torpedo boat which was not built. But what is even more remarkable is the fact that some of the latest torpedo boat destroyers --- those now in use --- are very similar in underwater shape, and when the destroyer finally gets to this exact model, it will be nearing perfection.
The Herreshoff Company built three launches in all from this model, and the writer had occasion to run one of them quite a little in comparatively rough water and can say that this model goes very smoothly and evenly in a choppy sea and is not slowed down by waves of a size that make the more modern shapes jump and pound seriously. To the writer, at least, it seems remarkable that Captain Nat developed this shape over seventy-five years ago.
However, in the next few years after 1905, Clinton Crane and his brother, who developed the engines, made an unbeatable combination and, although Mr. Crane's 'Dixies' and 'Challengers' were the fastest launches of their time, they were not of a model that was as comfortable if caught in rough weather, or perhaps as easily driven. For the 'X P D N C' went surprisingly well for her horsepower which was then rated at seventy-five while most of the later and faster racing launches had double this horsepower." (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. 248, 250.)

"Providence, R. I., June 11 [1904]. --- ... The Herreshoffs have begun the construction of another new steam yacht, to be about 50ft. long and 7ft. beam. The keel has been laid and the planking commenced. [Note: The other new steam yacht is possibyly a reference to #245p X.P.D.N.C.]" (Source: Young, F. H. "Rhode Island Notes." Forest and Stream, June 18, 1904, p. 488.)

"A new auto boat is now under construction at the Herreshoff shops for Frank Croker, son of Richard Croker, the well known political leader of New York City. The boat will have a speed of 24 or 25 miles an hour, and, although it is not as large as Nat Herreshoft's Swiftsure, it is expected to surpass tbe latter in speed. Mr. Croker's boat is to be 45 feet in length, with a light draught, and fitted with an auto engine of the Mercedes pattern, having 90-horse power. The new boat will have a seating capacity for four persons. It is expected that it will be ready for racing before winter. Mr. Croker was present Wednesday [September 7, 1904] when the frames for his new craft were being set up." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, September 9, 1904, p. 2.)

"Providence, R. I., Sept. 17 [1904]. --- Mr. Frank Croker, of New York city, is having a fast automobile boat built by the Herreshoffs at Bristol. It is the first attempt of this firm to construct an out-and-out auto boat. Their Swiftsure [#243p], though shaped on these lines, is operated by steam. The Croker boat is now all planked in and is a flush-seamed craft, differing from Swiftsure in this respect. She is now being equipped with a Mercedes engine of 90 horsepower, and a speed of 24 miles an hour is expected. She is more like Standard than Swiftsure in lines, having ends on something of a similar model, with an extremely flat underbody and a very light draft. She is planked with mahogany, finished bright." (Source: Young, F. H. "Rhode Island Letter." Forest and Stream, September 24, 1904, p. 256.)

"It is said that the new automobile boat, which is being built at the Herreshoff shops for Frank H. Croker of New York, is soon to participate in a 300 mile race on the Hudson river from New York to Albany and return. The craft is now being placed in a cradle on the Herreshoft pier to be shipped to New York." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, October 18, 1904, p. 2.)

"... Providence, R. I., Oct. 15 [1904]. --- A new automobile boat, built at the Herreshoff shops at Bristol for Mr. Frank Croker, of New York, was launched yesterday, and was given a highly satisfactory speed test in Bristol harbor in the afternoon, developing a gait of 27 1/2 miles an hour. In this preliminary trial there was much to induce the designer and the owner to believe that under more favorable conditions the boat may be brought up to a speed of 30 miles an hour. This is the first genuine auto boat built by the Herreshoffs. The new craft, which has not yet been named, is of handsome model, 45ft. long, a trifle over 5ft. beam, and of very shallow draft. The bow has a slight overhang, and the stern outline is broad and somewhat like the stem of the latest 15ft. racing sloops. The 90 horse-power Mercedes engine is set slightly forward of the midship section, and is protected forward by a turtle-back structure extending to the stem. She has a smooth, double planking of mahogany, finished bright. Mr. Croker is to take the boat to Florida this winter. ..." (Source: Young, F. H. "Rhode Island Letter." Forest and Stream, October 22, 1904, p. 351.)

"Frank H. Croker's new automobile boat, which has been building at the Herreshoff shops, left here Tuesday for Providence, on the way to New York city, where it is said she will take part in the Hudson River races. The boat, which was covered from stem to stern with canvas, was lifted by a derrick from the end of the Herreshoff pier to the top of a load of cotton bales on the deck of the Dyer Transportation company's freight steamer, the Ruth B. Luth, which conveyed her to Providence, from which point she was taken to New York on one of the freight steamers. Friday of last week the Croker boat was given a speed trial in Bristol harbor, when she attained a speed of 27 1/2 miles an hour, and it is thought that she can easily exceed this speed under more favorable conditions." (Source: Anon. "Croker's Boat Has Gone to New York." Bristol Phoenix, October 21, 1904, p. 3.)

"Frank H. Croker's new automobile boat, which has been building at the Herreshoff shops, left here Tuesday [October 18, 1904] for Providence, on the way to New York city, where it is said she will take part in the Hudson River races. The boat, which was covered from stem to stern with canvas, was lifted by a derrick from the end of the Herreshoff pier to the top of a load of cotton bales on the deck of the Dyer Transportation company's freight steamer, the Ruth B. Luth, which conveyed her to Providence, from which point she was taken to New York on one of the freight steamers. Friday of last week the Croker boat was given a speed trial in Bristol harbor, when she attained a speed of 27 1/2 miles an hour, and it is thought that she can easily exceed this speed under more favorable conditions." (Source: Anon. "Croker's Boat Has Gone to New York." Bristol Phoenix, October 21, 1904, p. 3.)

"Frank H. Croker's new speed launch, designed and built for him by the Herreshoffs, arrived from Bristol yesterday, and was taken to Astoria, where she was inspected by her owner at the Smith & Mabley boat shops. The new boat, which is named the X. P. D. N. C. measures 45 feet over all, and is very strongly constructed, to withstand the strain of being driven by a 90-horse-power engine of the Mercedes type. She is fitted with a turtle back forward to throw off the spray when travelling in rough water. ..." (Source: Anon. "Croker's Fast Launch Here." New York Tribune, October 20, 1904, p. 8.)

"The match race between the motor boats XPDNC, Vingt-et-Un and Challenger, took place on Saturday, October 29 [1904]. The course was from the Columbia Y. C., foot of West Eighty-sixth street, New York city, to Poughkeepsie and return, 136.6 statute miles, the longest course ever raced over by motor boats in this country.
The race was for a $1,000 cup, and XPDNC, Mr. Frank Croker's new boat, won. Vingt-et-Un II was the only other one of the trio to finish, as Challenger was disabled. Challenger was sure to have given XPDNC a hard go, and it was very unfortunate that she broke down.
Mr. Frank Croker steered XPDNC, Mr. Clinton H. Crane had Vingt-et-Un II.'s wheel, and Mr. Proctor Smith had the helm on Challenger. ...
The tide was running flood, and with this aid the boats moved very fast. Challenger, although some distance behind XPDNC from the start, closed up a little on her. A close race between these two boats was assured until Challenger hit a piece of sunken timber off Haverstraw, breaking her propeller, and then she withdrew. ...
XPDNC was designed and built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. for Mr. Frank Croker. She is fitted with a Mercedes motor. A full description of this boat has appeared in these columns. XPDNC rates 79.7. XPDNC is a contraction of Expediency.
Both Challenger and Vingt-et-Un II. were designed by Messrs. Tams, Lemoine & Crane, and both are fitted with Smith & Mabley engines. Challenger rates 88.35, and Vingt-et-Un II. 79.35." (Source: Anon. "Match Race for Motor Boats." Forest and Stream, November 5, 1904, p. 392.)

"Bristol, R. I., Nov. 5. 1904. The recent performance of the auto boat X. P. D. N. C, built at the Herreshoff shops, proved very satisfactory to Mr. Croker.
It is stated here, from a trustworthy source, that the Croker racer had speed in reserve on the home stretch, down the river from Poughkeepsie, and that she can make 30 miles an hour as easily almost as she made a fraction over 26. The great feature of the Mercedes engine with which the X.P.D.N.C. is equipped is that it is capable of being operated over a long course without the feed tanks being replenished. This is something that is bound to tell in the boat's favor when she is pitted against the speediest of competitors. ..." (Source: Anon. "X.P.D.N.C. Is A Flyer." Boston Herald, November 6, 1904, p. ?.)

"... The work of the motor boat XPDNC in a race of 136.6 statute miles, the longest in which motor boats have taken part, was truly remarkable, and has yet to be equalled under any circumstances. She went the first 68.3 statute miles at an average of 23.62 knots or 27.17 statute miles an hour. On the return trip she averaged 22.12 knots, or 25,45 statute miles per hour. Over the whole course her average was 22.86 knots, or 26.20 statute miles per hour. She was designed and built by Herreshoff, and is owned by Frank Croker." (Source: Anon. "Knots, Bends and Splices." Boston Globe, November 13, 1904, p. ?.)

"George J. Gillig, of Red Bank, who bought the fast motor boat, the X. P. D. N. C., from the estate of the late Frank Croker, has entered the speed craft for the motor boat carnival to be held on the Hudson River on Sept. 14, 15 and 16. It is now in use on the Shrewsbury River. ..." (Source: Anon. "Motor Boat Carnival On The Hudson River. " Brooklyn Standard Union, August 30, 1905, p. 3.)

"The 'XPDNC,' the same boat with which the late Frank Croker made records a year ago, is now propelled by a 75-horse-power four-cylinder Mercedes engine of 6 1/2-inch bore and 5 1/2-inch stroke, and which develops its power at 1,100 R. P. M. She won all three heats for the National trophy, her best time for the 30-nautical-mile course being 1:24:01, which is equivalent to 21.41 knots, or 24.68 statute miles an hour. ..." (Source: Anon. "High-Speed Steam Yacht And Power-Boat Races." Scientific American, September 30, 1905, p. 257.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan with half-sections, displacement curves, plan view and outboard profile. Compare with Model 425 from 1888 which was used in 1904/1905 for #245p X.P.D.N.C. and provides an almost perfect match, suggesting that this drawing is a preliminary version of this model from 1888." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0579. WRDT08, Folder 44. No date (1888 ?).)
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"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '60. Torpedo boat model with turtle back deck, measured at light line for 40ft w.l. speed launch. Aug 24, 1904'. Weight calculations show a total of 60.96cuft or 3850lbs. On verso another set of penciled pantograph hull sections and calculations titled #245 speed launch. 45ft o.a. 5ft 3in beam using of model made for Torpedo boat some 15 years ago. At scale of 3/4in per ft. and length 1/10. Aug 29 1904. XPDNC'. Weight calculations show a total of 49.76cuft or 3180lbs." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00480. Folder [no #]. 1904-08-24.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Signed typewritten letter on 'H.P. Whitney, 32 Nassau Street, New York' stationery:] It is quite awhile now since you and I have had much communication on the subject of boats. I have always had it in mind to build sometime a large schooner, say 130 feet waterline, with an auxiliary engine --- alcohol preferred, the boat not to draw more than fifteen feet, three masted, if you consider best.
I presume that it is too late to start on such a boat this year, and do not want to involve you in plans and specifications for something that I may not build for twelve months, but should be obliged to you if you would give me a rough estimate of what the probable cost of such a boat would be, and the probable length of time it would take to build; also whether you could build a boat of that size, and, if not, with whom you could arrange for having it done, as I suppose you know I would never be content in the boat line with anything that was not designed and built by you.
[p. 2] Also, I am contemplating building a motor launch to be ready in April or May [1905]. I understand that you have built for Mr. Iselin [#232p HELVETIA II], which is about what I want, except in the matter of speed.
I would like a boat about fifty feet long, able enough to navigate the Sound, with a speed of about twenty miles an hour; in fact forty feet might be long enough for my purposes.
Would you be kind enough to send me some rough idea of such a boat, to hold about half a dozen people, stating the price, motor, horsepower, length, etc? I have a 60 HP Mercedes engine which, perhaps, might be utilized.
Yours very truly, ... [With handwritten P.S.:] P.S. In the launch matter. in any question between speed & comfort I would prefer more speed & less comfort. [Incl penciled draft reply by NGH on verso:] We would be pleased to build you an aux schooner of the size you mention, which is about as large our building shed will take.
It is rather late now to build for the coming season, and as it takes a good deal of time to make up the plans for such a yacht it would be well to start in 10 or 12 months before you want the craft completed.
Do you prefer a yacht of type of INTREPID or more like ATLANTIC? Both good yachts, the first probably better for seagoing purposes. As to auxiliary power I never could recommend one using an inflammable substance for fuel in a decked vessel. I think it far better for you to use steam, with coal fuel.
I am not quite prepared to make estimates of cost and would like to find out a little more thoroughly what your requirements are.
We can build you a motor launch of between 40ft and 50ft length that will have a speed of 20 miles per hour, but I am of opinion that a craft of less maximum speed would be pleasanter to go in on Long Is[land] Sound unless it is calm weather. The Mercedes motor you speak of, if it can be adapted for marine use would make a good power. We have a 30ft launch [#240p 240] built late last fall with a 25-30 HP motor of our own make which made 16 1/2 miles on the measured mile and have also a new launch with steam power [# ???p], which has not yet been afloat, which is 45ft long and has an engine our latest design of about 75 HP. This craft is expected to make over 18 miles. This launch is a little smaller but of same class as Mr. E.D. Morgan's VANISH [#177p]. I think a steam launch of this type is more reliable than the gasoline motor launch but we can make you either kind you prefer.
In a P.S. you mention that you prefer speed to comfort. Perhaps a racing craft more like XPDNC [#245p] would appeal to you. Please let me know.
Yours very truly, ..." (Source: Whitney, Harry Payne (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_23060. Correspondence, Folder 68. 1905-01-10.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (mostly in pencil but also in ink) trials booklet titled '1898 - 1909'. Relevant contents:
§40: #245p X.P.D.N.C. Trial Run mean speed 26.5mph = 23kn (1904-10-14)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE09_00060. Folder [no #]. 1898-09 to 1911-04.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #245p X.P.D.N.C. even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Morabito, Michael G. "Design and Construction of Nat Herreshoff’s X.P.D.N.C." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The 2nd Classic Yacht Symposium. March 31 - April 2, 2006. Bristol, RI, 2006, p. 207-233. (2,388 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: Michael G. Morabito / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Vessel history and race results. Detailed description and discussion of the boat's construction details and engine. List of plans and casting numbers. Estimated costs and requirements to build a replica.

• XPDNC (HMCo-made index card)
• XPDNC (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: XPDNC
Type: Gasoline
Length: 45'
Owner: Croker, Frank H.

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

• XPDNC
• 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: XPDNC
Type: 43' gasoline launch
Owner: Frank H. Croker
Year: 1904
Row No.: 768

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: 1904
E/P/S: P
No.: 245
Name: X.P.D.N.C.
OA: 45'

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.

"Built in 37 days (setup to launch; equivalent to 69 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Displ. 3400lbs from Morabito, Michael G. 'Design and Construction of Nat Herreshoff’s X.P.D.N.C.' In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The 2nd Classic Yacht Symposium. March 31 - April 2, 2006. Bristol, RI, 2006, p. 213." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 24, 2015.)

'W[ei]g[h]t complete dry 2550lbs. Probable trial disp[lacement] 3050lbs." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Handwritten note in Trials Booklet '1898 - 1909' under date of October 14, 1904. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

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