HMCo #310p Snark

P00310_Snark_Levick_48173.jpg

Particulars

Construction_Record_Title.jpgName: Snark
Later Name(s): Snark SP-1291 (1917-1919), Safety First (1920-); White Lyne (1950s)
Type: Power Patrol Boat Apache Class
Designed by: Swasey, A. Loring
Contract: 1917-2-27
Launch: 1917-5-17
Construction: Wood
LOA: 62' 4" (19.00m)
LWL: 61' 0" (18.59m)
Beam: 10' 11.5" (3.34m)
Draft: 3' 6" (1.07m)
Displ.: 28.0 short tons (25.4 metric tons)
Propulsion: Gasoline, Sterling, 2 engines; 8 cyl. 5 1/2" x 6 3/4"; 2 [engines] F. -S.
Propeller: Diameter 24", Pitch 28", 3 bl. Columbian, 77 1.R.H. 1.L.H.
Built for: Tucker, Carll [for U.S. Navy]
Note(s) in HMCo Construction Record: Carl Tucker
Last reported: 1960 (aged 43)

See also:
#191712es [Dinghy for #310p Snark] (1917)

Note: Particulars are primarily but not exclusively from the HMCo Construction Record. Supplementary information not from the Construction Record appears elsewhere in this record with a complete citation.

Model

Model number: 3012
Model location: N/A (Missing, nonexistant or unidentified model)

Vessels from this model:
9 built, modeled by Swasey, A. Loring
#310p Snark (1917)
#311p Apache (1917)
#314p Inca (1917)
#315p Ellen (1917)
#316p Kangaroo (1917)
#317p Daiquiri (1917)
#318p Commodore (1917)
#319p Sea Hawk (1917)
#320p War Bug [Warbug] (1917)

Note: This model is missing, is nonexistant or has not been identified. The number of vessels built from it is only an estimate based on similar features, such as dimensions, rig, machinery, etc.

Drawings

Main drawing Dwg 119-051 (HH.5.09773) Explore all drawings relating to this boat.

List of drawings:
   Drawings believed to have been first drawn for, or being first referenced to
   HMCo #310p Snark are listed in bold.
   Click on Dwg number for preview, on HH number to see at M.I.T. Museum.
  1. Dwg 068-030 (HH.5.04834): Steering Arrangement, Rack and Gear Box, No. 203, 206, 207 (1899-11-16)
  2. Dwg 093-062 (HH.5.07667): Table for Officers # 692 (1910-03-25 ?)
  3. Dwg 011-059 (HH.5.00986): Shaft Stuffing Box and Shaft Bearing (1912-03-07)
  4. Dwg 068-086 (HH.5.04892): Details Forward Steering Gear # 289 (1912-09-05)
  5. Dwg 025-000 (HH.5.01857): Keel Bolts for # 310, 311 (ca. 1917)
  6. Dwg 114-096 (HH.5.09596): Anchor Davits (1917-02-22)
  7. Dwg 119-051 (HH.5.09773): General Arrangement > Patrol Boats 62'-4" L.O.A. x 10'-11" Beam (1917-03 ?)
  8. Dwg 058-058 (HH.5.04129): Propeller Strut # 307, 310, 311 (1917-03-03)
  9. Dwg 058-061 (HH.5.04132): Intermediate Shaft Strut # 307, 310, 311 (1917-03-13)
  10. Dwg 008-060 (HH.5.00759): Propeller Shaft for 307. 310. 311 (1917-03-30 ?)
  11. Dwg 129-006 (HH.5.10280): Construction Dwg > Main Deck and House Framing Plan (1917-04-02 ?)
  12. Dwg 010-067 (HH.5.00911): Shaft Stuffing Box (1917-04-04 ?)
  13. Dwg 082-069 (N/A): Awning Over Cockpit (1917-04-04 ?)
  14. Dwg 085-076 (HH.5.06661): Rail Stanchions (1917-04-04 ?)
  15. Dwg 129-007 (HH.5.10281): Offsets for 62'-4" Patrol Boat (1917-04-05 ?)
  16. Dwg 095-090 (HH.5.07892): Companionway Slide (1917-04-06 ?)
  17. Dwg 129-008 (HH.5.10282): 1 Pdr. Gun Foundation (1917-04-06 ?)
  18. Dwg 129-009 (HH.5.10283): Deck House (1917-04-10 ?)
  19. Dwg 129-010 (HH.5.10284): Steering Shelter (1917-04-17)
  20. Dwg 129-011 (N/A): Masts and Spars (1917-04-17 ?)
  21. Dwg 114-098 (HH.5.09598): Boat Davit for 307, 310, 311, 314, etc., Anchor for 309 and 312 (1917-04-18 ?)
  22. Dwg 062-088 A [062-088] (HH.5.04453): Rudder, Post, Emergency Tiller (1917-04-19)
  23. Dwg 081-123 (HH.5.06215): Spars for 307-310-311-314 (1917-04-19)
  24. Dwg 129-012 (HH.5.10285): Stack (1917-04-24 ?)
  25. Dwg 129-013 (N/A): Break Water (1917-04-26 ?)
  26. Dwg 093-084 (HH.5.07687): Forecastle Table (1917-05-02)
  27. Dwg 129-016 (HH.5.10288): Deck Chest (1917-05-02)
  28. Dwg 092-095 (HH.5.07563): General Arrangement > Side Steps (1917-05-04)
  29. Dwg 129-014 (HH.5.10286): Awning Arrangement (1917-05-05)
  30. Dwg 134-088 (HH.5.10926): Automatic Throttle Control for Sterling Engine (1917-05-05)
  31. Dwg 129-017 (HH.5.10289): Locker in Forecastle (1917-05-07)
  32. Dwg 129-015 (HH.5.10287): Lookout Platform, Grab Rail Stanchion (1917-05-08)
  33. Dwg 049-083 (HH.5.03759): Shower Bath (1917-05-11)
  34. Dwg 134-090 (HH.5.10928): Clutch and Throttle Control Detail (1917-05-14)
  35. Dwg 134-090 (HH.5.10929): Clutch and Throttle Control Detail (1917-05-14)
  36. Dwg 134-091 (HH.5.10930): Clutch and Throttle Control Assembly (1917-05-17)
  37. Dwg 008-061 (HH.5.00760): Propeller Shaft for 314 (1917-05-21)
  38. Dwg 011-065 (HH.5.00992): Shaft Bearing for 1 3/4" Dia. Shaft (1917-05-21 ?)
  39. Dwg 129-019 (HH.5.10291): Lookout Platform (1917-07-02)
  40. Dwg 025-110 (HH.5.01862): List of Castings for # 307, 310, 311, 314 (1917-07-03 ?)
  41. Dwg 068-111 (HH.5.04921): Sheaves for Steering Rope for # 309 (1917-08-14 ?)
  42. Dwg 024-053 (N/A): Proposed Steering Shelter for Snark (1919-04-26 ?)
  43. Dwg 095-110 (HH.5.07912): Steering Shelter for "Snark" (1919-05-14)
Source: Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Together with: Hasselbalch, Kurt with Frances Overcash and Angela Reddin. Guide to The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., 1997. Together with: Numerous additions and corrections by Claas van der Linde.
Note: The Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection is copyrighted by the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Mass. Permission to incorporate information from it in the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné is gratefully acknowledged. The use of this information is permitted solely for research purposes. No part of it is to be published in any form whatsoever.

Documents

Nathanael G. Herreshoff

"[1917-03-03] Sat 3: Have order for 62' gasoline powered patrol boat from Mr. Tucker, #310 [Snark].
[1917-03-14] Wed 14: Begin planking #3 [the 3rd] 62' patrol boat for Mr. Tucker [#310p Snark].
[1917-05-17] Thu 17: No. 310 [Snark] launched." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1917. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

Other Contemporary Text Source(s)

"Members of the Eastern Y. C. some time ago placed orders with the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company for eight 62-footers [#310p, #311p, #314p - #319p] for use as submarine chasers. The designs of these boats were approved by the Navy Department and four have been delivered and are on patrol duty. The commander of this unit is Richard S. Russell and his flagship will be an 80-footer [#312p Stinger] which is now nearing completion.
The first of the 62-footers is named Apache and is commanded by Robert F. Herrick, the Harvard rowing coach. All of these boats are named and hold their names until they have satisfied the Government inspectors that they are able to do the work to which they are assigned, and then the names give way to numbers with the letters S. P. --- scout patrol --- in front of the numerals.
The power of these boats consists of Model F, eight-cylinder Sterling engines of 200 h.p. The contract speed was 24 1/2 miles per hour, and the actual speed over a measured mile course was in excess of 25 miles. This is the sustained speed and it will probably be somewhat increased as the engines see more service, making more of a success of the type than was expected even by the most optimistic.
With the exception of a small rear cockpit, the entire boat is cabined. The forward deck is high and but slightly crowned. It is accessible both from the conning tower and from the runways on each side of the main cabin. A novel departure is the entrance to the engine room and forward quarters through the stack, while the design of the tower is both original and quite militaire. Boats of this design are apparently setting the style in submarine chasers and their increasing sturdiness of build is becoming more noticeable as they demonstrate their usefulness. These boats will meet incoming steamers, examine their papers, search if necessary, do patrol duty, tend nets, act as messengers, and perform the various services, necessary in war time, the omission of which might allow incendiary damage to harbors and cargo steamers." (Source: Anon. "Eastern Y. C. Patrol Boats." Rudder, September 1917, p. 594.)

"Daiquiri [#317p], Ellen [#315p], Apacha [sic, i.e. Apache #311p], Inca [#314p], Kangaroo [#316p], Commodore [#318p], Snark [#310p] and Sea Hawk [#319p] are the names of the eight patrol boats built by Herreshoff for members of the Eastern Yacht Club which have been turned over to the Navy Department. These 62-foot boats are equipped with two Sterling eight-cylinder 400-horsepower engines and are capable of 27 miles an hour." (Source: Anon. "Notes From the Week's Log." Boston Globe, December 23, 1917, p. 25.)

"The yachting season of 1920 will undoubtedly be one of the most active in years, as is best indicated by the large number of craft being sold and chartered. The following transactions were recently effected through the firm of Cox & Steven's of New York: ... 60-foot high-speed twin-screw power boat Snark, sold for Carll Tucker, N. Y. Y. C, to H. M. Hanna Jr., N. Y. Y C, for service on the Great Lakes. Has been re-named Safety First. ..." (Source: Anon. "Sales and Charters." Rudder, July 1920, p. 61.)

"[Advertised for sale as yacht "Safety First" in Power Boating in 1921 accompanied by Edwin Levick photo (U.S. Navy photo NH 100224).] Yacht 'Safety First' For Sale. ... The boat is now being made ready to lay up for the winter and will be sold at a sacrifice to quick buyer. ... W.E. Thomas, 1300 Leader-News Building, Cleveland, Ohio.")] (Source: Anon. "For Sale." Power Boating, 1921.)

Other Modern Text Source(s)

"If details are few on the role of the [Eastern Yacht] clubhouse as a naval training station, they are no more than clues that a part may have been played by some members at sea --- as tossed out by John Parkinson in his History of the New York Yacht Club: 'A group of Boston yachtsmen, which included some NYYC members, built a one-design division of fast patrol boats at their own expense before their country entered the war. They were about 50 feet long and proved useful.'
The 1917 EYC Yearbook lists eight powerboats, all 62 feet overall, 61 feet waterline, and 11 feet beam, except one 58 feet overall, 57 feet waterline and 11 feet beam. All were under construction for single and multiple owners, including Maximilian Agassiz, John S. Lawrence, Herbert M. Sears, Oliver Ames, Charles F. Ayer, Francis S. Eaton, Charles P. Curtis, and Charles A. and Henry A. Morss. Nathaniel F. Ayer was building the 58-footer. There is no further reference to them. Philip Bolger heard that Ralph Winslow claimed to have designed them while working as Loring Swazey's draftsman. On the other hand, one wonders whether these or the fast patrol boats mentioned by Parkinson --- considerably elongated --- are the same as those alluded to by Devereux Barker in The Eastern Yacht Club Story many years later:
'Shortly after the Declaration of War, the Government asked yachtsmen to subscribe for power boats to be used for submarine patrol. They were to be built by Herreshoff, be about 40 feet long, and cost $ 18,000. The added inducement was that the owner would be commissioned as an ensign and command his own vessel. This inducement was shortly annulled, but in any event, the delays in the yard were so great that few, if any, of the craft were delivered in time to be of any use.' " (Source: Garland, Joseph. The Eastern Yacht Club: A History from 1870-1985. Camden, Maine, 1989, p. 143.)

"Snark (SP 1291)
Motorboat: Built in 1917 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, CT; Acquired by the Navy and commissioned 30 August 1917; Struck from the Naval list and returned to her owner, 29 March 1919. Fate unknown.
Specifications: Displacement unknown; Length 62' 4"; Beam 11'; Draft 1'; Speed 20 kts.; Complement nine; Armament one 1-pounder; Propulsion gasoline engine, one shaft.
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Snark (SP-1291) was built in 1917 by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol, R.I. The motor boat was acquired by the Navy from its owner, Mr. Carl Tucker of New York City, on a free lease basis and comissioned on 30 August 1917.
Snark was assigned to the 5th Naval District and performed patrol duty until 29 March 1919. On that date, she was struck from the Navy list and returned to her owner." (Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/171291.htm, retrieved March 17, 2007.)

Maynard Bray

"Nine of these 62-foot patrol boats were built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. for the training of World War I Naval Reserve volunteers, having been ordered and paid for as a patriotic gesture by members of the Eastern Yacht Club of Marblehead, Massachusetts. (The EYC clubhouse, having been converted early in the war as a barracks, served as an operational base for these patrol boats.) Their cost was $19,000 each. They were twin-screw vessels, powered by two eight-cylinder Sterling engines. These craft ... each carried a standard, Herreshoff-built Columbia-model tender --- a somewhat delicate lifeboat for wartime use." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 152.)

Archival Documents

"[Item Description:] Enclosing a revised purchase and sale agreement, 'what I want is to ensure your and Sidney's services', Swasey has signed similar agreement, Eastern YC member navy boats [#310p, #311p, #314p, #315p, #316p, #317p, #318p, #319p]." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_59180. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder [no #], formerly 253?. 1917-02-09.)
①

"[Item Description:] Lease of storage property, please work out plans for new shop construction, Eastern YC member are negotiating with William Swan about navy boats [#310p, #311p, #314p, #315p, #316p, #317p, #318p, #319p]." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_59170. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder [no #], formerly 253?. 1917-03-16.)
①

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #310p Snark even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

Further Reading

Images

Registers

1920 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#2600)
Name; Former Name(s): Safety First; Snark
Owner: H. M. Hanna, Jr.; Port: New York
Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], ScwStr [Screw Steamer], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-0; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 St. 8 Cyl. 5 1/2 x 6 3/4; Maker Sterling
Note: [As per Lloyds Supplement, Alterations and Additions to July 6, 1920:] O.N. 220021. Reg Tons, Net, 23; Gross, 28. Breadth, 11-3. Depth, 5-10. Port of Registry: Cleveland, Ohio.

1923 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#3410)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark
Owner: Charles E. Potts; Port: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 8 Cyl. 5 1/2 x 6 3/4; Maker Sterling

1925 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#4767)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: Charles E. Potts; Port: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1928 List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. (#828.47)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: John H. Gregory; Port: New York, N.Y.; Port of Registry: Red Bank, N.J.
Official no. 220021; Type & Rig Ga.s. [Gasoline engine, screw]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; Reg. Length 60.0; Extr. Beam 11.2; Depth 5.8
Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine Horsepower: 400
Note: Crew: 1

1930 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#4767)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: John H. Gregory; Port: Red Bank; Port of Registry: Perth Amboy, N.J.
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1935 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#5324)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: John H. Gregory; Port: Red Bank, N.J.
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1940 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#6893)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: John H. Gregory; Port: Red Bank, N.J.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1941 List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S.
Name: White Lyne
Owner: W. J. Townsend; Port of Registry: New York, N.Y.
Official no. 220021; Type & Rig Ga.s. [Gasoline engine, screw]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; Reg. Length 60.0; Extr. Beam 11.2; Depth 5.8
Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine Horsepower: 400
Note: Crew: 1

1947 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#6697)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: W. J. Townsend; Port: Red Bank, N.J.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1950 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#7389)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: W. J. Townsend; Port: Bayonne, N.J.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 28; Tons Net 23; LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1955 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#8056)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: W. J. Townsend; Port: Bayonne, N.J.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

1960 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#8912)
Name; Former Name(s): White Lyne; Safety First, Snark II
Owner: Woodford J. Townsend; Port: Bayonne, N.J.; Port of Registry: New York
Official no. 220021; Building Material Wood; Type & Rig K[eel], TC [Trunk Cabin], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
LOA 62-4; LWL 61-4; Extr. Beam 11-3; Depth 5-10; Draught 3-0
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer A. L. Swasey; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1917
Engine 2 Gas Eng. 4 Cyc. 6 Cyl. 5 3/4 x 7. 1923; Maker Speedway

Source: Various Yacht Lists and Registers. For complete biographical information see the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné under Data Sources. Note that this section shows only snapshots in time and should not be considered a provenance, although it can help creating one.

Supplement

From the 1920 and earlier HMCo Index Cards at the MIT Museum
  • 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.
From the 1931 HMCo-published Owner's List

Name: Snark
Type: Steam [sic, i.e. gasoline]
Length: 62'4"
Owner: Tucker, Carll

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

From the 1930s L. Francis Herreshoff Index Cards at the Herreshoff Marine Museum
  • 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.
From the 2000 (ca.) Transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Vermilya/Bray

Year: 1917
E/P/S: P
No.: 310
Name: Snark
OA: 62' 4"
LW: 61' 0"

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.

Research Note(s)

"One of a group of eight identical vessels built for members of the Eastern Yacht Club for use by the U.S. Navy. A ninth vessel, War Bug, was independently sponsored by Max Warburg of New York." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 9, 2009.)

"Designed by A. Loring Swasey or A. S. deW Herreshoff? A note on a photo by Levick of Snark seems to suggest she was designed by A. S. deW H." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. February 11, 2009.)

"Designed by A. Loring Swasey or N. G. Herreshoff? The December 1919 article about Snark in Motor Boating maintains that she was designed by both." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 2, 2013.)

"Built in 79 days (contract to launch; equivalent to 709 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 (28) from the 1920 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.

Note

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Citation: HMCo #310p Snark. Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné. https://herreshoff.info/Docs/P00310_Snark.htm.