HMCo #309p SP-1218 [Herreshoff #309]

"[1917-02-28] Wed 28: Have order from Mr. Aldrich for a 80 f[oo]t steam yacht of patrol type, #309 [SP-1218].
[1917-03-17] Sat 17: SE with rain in PM. Clear in evening. Mr. Tod here, and Mr. Aldrich [owner of #309 SP-1218] in afternoon. ...
[1917-09-30] Sun 30: ... Trial of #309 [SP-1218] in forenoon." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1917. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Sept[ember] 30, 1917
Trial of #309. 80ft Patrol boat for Aldrich & Gould with Sidney's new oil burning boiler and 1 7in - 11 1/4 & 12 x 10 engine. Propeller 36 [diameter] x 51in designed pitch.
Made preliminary run ... Everything working very well and boat quite free from vibrations.
Pressures noted by Sydney ...
Oct[ober 17 [1917]. Out for trial but hot piston rod stopped it. Was running well ... Mean speed 15.47k[n] = 17.8 miles. ... ." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Experiments Booklet '1911 Trial Trips and Experiments' under date of September 30, 1917 and October 17, 1917. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

"Nathanael G. Herreshoff, wizard of the yacht designers of this country when it comes to speed, is now devoting his attention to the construction at the plant of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Inc., at Bristol, R. I., of three of the most powerful patrol boats that have ever been built in this country.
One of the three is for Richard S. Russel of the Eastern Yacht Club, who is in charge in Massachusetts of the enrolment of men for the coast defence reserve. The two others are for Alfred I. du Pont of Wilmington, Del., and Winthrop Aldrich, son of the late United States Senator Nelson W. Aldrich of Rhode Island.
All three of these boats are to be of steel construction and will be powered with steam, using crude oil for fuel.
They are supposed to b able to make at least twenty-five knots. They will mount three pound guns fore and aft and an anti-aircraf t gun and will carry a crew of eight or ten men. The Russell and Aldrich boats will be about eighty feet in length and the du Pont boat will be 110 feet long.
Capt Herreshoff, with A. Loring Swasey of the same company, has been working out the plans for these boats along the latest lines laid down and approved by the Navy Department. All three boats have been offered to the Government for service as soon as they are completed.
The boats embody the lines of a craft that can go to sea and remain there in any kind of weather and at the same time be able to take care of herself in an attack." (Source: Anon. "Wizard Building Big Patrol Boats. Nat Herreshoff is Devoting His Attention to Craft for Coast Defence." New York Sun, March 18, 1917, p. 4.)

"... Portions of the Herreshoff shops are being operated on extra time to speed up the work of construction on several boats. It will be a month before there is another launching, when the power patrol craft for Richard Aldrich will be put overboard.
'Nat' Herreshoff, the designer, is not very active this Summer about the Herreshoff shops. He visits the construction sheds occasionally, but remains only a short time. It is stated that he is engaged at his home with problems that have to do with the war on the Atlantic. Capt Herreshoff's power cruiser Dianthus is being fitted out for use in the latter part of the season. ..." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, July 15, 1917, p. 46.)

"The Duponte [sic, i.e. #306p SP-1841] and the Aldrich [#309p SP-1218] oil burning coast patrol boats built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, had a trial of their boilers and engines yesterday, while tied up in the slips north of the shops. They will have speed trials in a few days." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, September 25, 1917, p. 2.)

"The new power yacht built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company for Winthrop Aldrich, having had successful trials in the bay exceeding her speed contract has left for a station on the coast." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, October 9, 1917, p. 2.)

"Three 80-foot scout patrols are being built at Herreshoffs which are to make 18 knots. Two of these, which are to be driven by Herreshoff steam engines, are for Lieutenant Richard Russell, of Boston [#312p Stinger], and Lieutenant Winthrop Aldrich, Jr. [#309p SP-1218], a son of the late U. S. Senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island. The third of these boats is for Hallowell Morgan [#322p SP-2373], of Philadelphia, and will be driven by two Duesenberg engines of 400 h.p. each." (Source: Anon. "Spokes from the Rudder Wheel." Rudder, December 1917, p. 776.)

"... Herreshoff 309 [Name of vessel], Patrol [Type], Nov. 15, 1917 [Date of first commissioning or purchase], --- [Cost (hull and machinery)], 3,632.89 [Repairs, changes, and alterations to June 30, 1919.] ... " (Source: Anon. "Table 21. Ships On The Navy List June 30, 1919." Navy Yearbook, Washington 1921, p. 776.)

"David Goodrich, a New York yachtsman, has purchased the 90-foot oil burning cruiser [#309p SP-1218] built for Winthrop Aldrich at Herreshoff's nearly two years ago, but which Mr. Aldrich did not use, as the craft was taken into Government service for submarine patrol. The boat, which was never named and has always been known by a patrol fleet number, is propelled by steam driving twin screws. The craft left Bristol yesterday for New York.
Although Winthrop Aldrich did not buy back his steam yacht from the Government, he will not be without a yacht as he has purchased from Ex-Senator Henry F. Lippitt of Providence the 60-foot power cruiser Mary Ann [#368p], built last Spring by Herreshoff's. Mr Lippitt will have a new power boat, about 20 feet longer than the Mary Ann. The new craft is building at Lawley's, Neponset, and will be ready for use early in the season." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, December 7, 1919, p. 47.)

"[Abstract of register or enrollment. Pos. 1940:]
Kooyong, steam yacht, of Philadelphia, Pa. Built at Bristol, 1916.
28 tons; 76 ft. x 11.8 ft. x 7.1 ft. One deck, one mast, plain-head.
Previously enrolled Aug. 23, 1920 at New York, N.Y.
Enr[olled] and Lic[ensed], (temporary) (consolidated) ([as] (yacht) Mar. 22, 1924. Owner: W. E. S. Dyer of Philadelphia, Pa. Master: William P. Quillen. Surrendered May 3, 1924 at Philadelphia, PA. ([Record at:] C[ustom] H[ouse, Providence])." (Source: Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration. Ships Documents of Rhode Island. Providence. Ship Registers and Enrollments of Providence Rhode Island, 1773-1939. Providence Rhode Island, 1941, s.v. Kooyong.)

"Herreshoff #309 (SP 1218)
Herreshoff #309, a motor patrol boat, was designed and built for the government use by Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, RI in 1917; Leased by the Navy, 26 October 1917; Commissioned USS Herreshoff #309
(SP 1218), 15 November 1917; Decommissioned, (date unknown). Returned to her owner, 31 December 1918. Fate unknown.
Specifications: Displacement 25 t.; Length 80'; Beam 12' 6"; Draft 3' 6"; Speed 17 kts.; Complement unknown; Armament one 3-pounder, one 1-pounder; Propulsion, unknown." (Source: http://navsource.org/archives/12/171218.htm, retrieved March 17, 2007.)

"Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Herreshoff #309
Named for the builder.
(SP - 1218: dp. 25; l. 80'; b. 12'6"; dr. 3'6"; s. 17 k.; a.1 3-pdr., 1 1-pdr.)
Herreshoff #309, a motor patrol boat, was designed and built for government use by Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, R.I., in 1917, and leased by the Navy from her owner, Winthrop W. Aldrich of Newport, R.I. Taken over 26 October 1917, she commissioned 15 November, Chief Boatswain's Mate J. Fitzpatrick commanding.
The motor boat was assigned to 2d Naval District, based at Newport, and was assigned section patrol duties off Block Island, and in Narragansett Bay. She was returned to her owner 31 December 1918." (Source: http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/sp-id/sp1218.htm, retrieved March 17, 2007.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary sketch with profile and half-sections of a WWI steam patrol boat. Untitled, but overlaying profile of Model 607 shows sufficient similarity to this profile to show this to be a preliminary sketch for #309p SP-1218 and / or #312p SP-1252 which were both equipped with the same 7in & 11 1/4in & 18in bore x 10in stroke triple expansion steam engines that is also mentioned on this plan. Calculations on this plan show a displacement of 24 tons = 754cuft [= 48256lbs]. With scantlings. On verso of printed letter from Sir Gilbert Parker [of the British War Propaganda Bureau] advising of his 'sailing for America on Saturday, January 13th [1917 ?]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_03300. Folder [no #]. No date (1917-01 or later ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Two sets of penciled pantograph hull sections on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled '80ft o.a. 76[ft] w.l. Patrol type steam yacht. No 309 [#309p SP-1218]. 1917'. One set is marked '1st trial' and with calculations arriving at a displacement of 838cuft [53632lbs] = 26.8tons. The other set is marked '2nd trial' and with calculations arriving at a displacement of 754cuft = 48250lbs = 24 1/2tons." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06860. Folder [no #]. 1917-(01 ?).)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections with tracing marks titled '#309 [SP-1218]. Sections for drawing. 1917'. With no further notes or calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06870. Folder [no #]. 1917-(01 ?).)
①

"[Item Description:] Two sets of penciled pantograph hull sections (one set crossed out) with tracing marks on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, R.I.' stationery. Titled 'No 309 [#309p SP-1218]. Sections at bulkheads & Partitions. 1917'. With no further notes or calculations." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_06880. Folder [no #]. 1917-(01 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] everything here appears to be going nicely, Sidney has made a good layout of the proposed steam machinery of the LADY MARY, I expect to put #308 [SP-1841] over the latter part of the week, and haul out #306 [SP-1841] to have the skeg put on, #312 [STINGER] will be ready to run the latter part of next week, the Aldrich boat [#309p SP-1218] left Saturday" (Source: Swan, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50830. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1917-11-05.)
①

"[Item Description:] am working for U.S. Shipping Board, cutting Lake ships apart to get them through locks and ready for ocean service, was married, your jap was finally released by immigration authorities bill for legal services to be sent to me, anxious to hear how things are going in Bristol, have the steel boats [#306p, #308p, #309p, #321p, #312p?] been accepted by the Navy?" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18440. Correspondence, Folder 51, formerly 54. 1917-12-06.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] had successful trial of #306p [SP-1841], #309p [SP-1218 ] came in with damage from grounding and crew managed to inflict further damage, [C.F.] Adams was here last week, none of the other directors has been here except Swasey, the latter is still after the Richards [#329p CAROLA] and Stone [#374p ALERT] contracts, technical specifications for French patrol boats, are setting up the 'sample' 25ft destroyer launches [#330p], also have an order for a 12 1/2 footer [#824s], first 40ft launch [#324p C365] is in the water and has had a successful trial, first boiler was put into #321 [SP-2235] today, #323p [SP-2840] to be set up on Dec 17, machine shop problems, Bob Emmons apparently in Europe, #312p is now in Boston" (Source: Swan, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50900. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1917-12-11.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] shed for seaplane barges is complete, machine shop consultant, 4 steel boats [apparently #306p SP-1841, #308p SP-2232, #309p SP-1218, #321p SP-2235] have been ordered taken away by gov't but can't move due to ice, shall launch #322p [SP-2373] on Monday and then set up Richards boat [#329p Carola], #323p SP-2840 is about all plated" (Source: Swan, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50970. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1918-01-26.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'Model of 309 [#309p SP-1218]. Changed for G. M. Pynchon's [#372p VASANTA]. May 1919. Scale 1/2in'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 896cuft = 57300lbs = 28.65 tons." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04910. Folder [no #]. 1919-05.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink) trials booklet titled '1911. Trial Trips and Experiments'. Relevant contents:
§26: #309p SP-1218 [HERRESHOFF #309] Trial Run Mean speed 15.47kn (1917-09-30 & 1917-10-17)
§28: #309p SP-1218 [HERRESHOFF #309] Trial Run Data (1917-10-17 & 1917-10-18)." (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.)
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

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #309p SP-1218 [Herreshoff #309] even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• SP1218 (HMCo-made index card)
• SP1218 (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: S. P. 1218
Type: Steam
Length: 83'2"
Owner: Aldrich, W. W.

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

• SP1218
• Kooyong ex-SP1218
• 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: SP118
Type: 83' 2" steam; Scout Patrol given to U.S. Navy
Owner: W. W. Aldrich
Year: 1917
Row No.: 641

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: 1917
E/P/S: P
No.: 309
Name: SP1218
OA: 83' 2"
LW: aft 76'

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.

"Steam engine rating 365hp 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. 7 & 11 1/4 & 18 x 10, 560[rpm], 365[hp]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten List of HMCo-Made Steam Engines. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, MRDED1_00220. Undated, between 1903 and 1918.)

"Built in 225 days (contract to trial; equivalent to 222 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Displacement 25 [long or short?] t." (Source: http://navsource.org/archives/12/171218.htm, last visit March 17, 2007.) [Displacement figure is almost certainly too low and in error. Compare with 47 ton displacement of sistership #312p Stinger.]

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