HMCo #312p Stinger

"[1917-03-04] Sun 4: Snowing all day. Messrs. Ayre, Emmons and Russell here at noon. Mr. R wants 80' patrol st[eame]r like 309 [i.e. SP-1218 Herreshoff #309, this will be #312p Stinger]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1917. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Dec[ember] 3, 1917
Trial of #312. 80ft Patrol boat for Mr. Russel; boat and machinery exactly like #309, except that the oil pump is a plunger driven pump driven from the end of the crank shaft of the air & feed pump, instead of a duplex steam pump, and the strainers and heaters are of our own make instead of Schutte & Koerting, which makes a saveing of about 500lbs in weight.
Trial in a.m., course in Harbor, high tide, wind light N.W., ...
mean 14.51 mi[les] per h[ou]r ...
Trial in p.m., course in Harbor, low tide, wind nearly calm, ...
mean 15.0 mi. per hr. ...
Note: the water was too shoal and the boat made a very large wave.
Dec[ember 4] 1917
#312 made a run down the Bay and back with Mr. Russel's representative on board. It was getting dark so the ranges could not be seen. ... speed 12.5 knots ... One of the safety valves leaked badly and blew too low, so they didn't keep the steam pressure up. ...
The wind was light NW and the tide the latter part of ebb." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Experiments Booklet '1911 Trial Trips and Experiments' under date of December 3, 1917 and December 4, 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 be 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.)

"A new wooden patrol boat, 88 feet in length, is being set up at Herreshoff's shops for a Boston yachtsman. This craft will be equipped with a steam enpine." [Note: While not expressly identified by name, this is apparently a reference to Stinger #312p for R. S. Russell of Boston, Mass. because Stinger's two sisterships were contracted for by Winthrop W. Aldrich of Newport, R.I. and H. V. Morgan of Philadelphia, Pa.] (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Globe, September 16, 1917, p. 54.)

"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.)

"The last week of November Herreshoff launched an 80-foot patrol cruiser for Government service on the Atlantic Coast. The craft when put overboard, although not named, was practically ready for use, except for her speed and endurance tests. She is of wood construction of the same type and size as the patrol cruiser recently built for Winthrop Aldrich. The boat has watertight compartments and is fitted with oil burning engines." [Note: Though not referred to by name, this is apparently a reference to Stinger #312p.] (Source: Anon. "Notes From the Week's Log." Boston Globe, December 9, 1917, p. 47.)

"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.)

"The patrol cruiser built by Herreshoff for C. R. Russell of Boston, launched about two weeks ago, is almost ready for her trials. She is built of wood, 81 feet in length." (Source: Anon. "Notes From the Week's Log." Boston Globe, December 23, 1917, p. 25.)

"IN the lists printed on pages 36, 38, and 40, will be found a complete record of all motor boats and motor yachts which went into the service of our Navy Department during the war period. This is the first time that such a list has been published and is given to Motor Boating at the special request of the Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The data which is printed is divided into four parts. Motor boats purchased outright by the Government; Motor boats loaned by their owners to the Government on a free lease basis; Motor boats chartered, and Motor boats lost.
The lists include boats propelled by internal combustion motors only—they do not include steam yachts or steamers of any description.
A large majority of the boats purchased by the Government are to be offered for sale at once. Those which are to be sold are marked with a *. ...
*Stinger [Name of Boat]; 1252 [S.P. No.]; 80-5 [Length]; 40,000 [Purchase Price]; Lieut. R. S. Russell, Boston, Mass. [Former Owner]. ..." (Source: Anon. "Privately Owned Motor Boats Purchased by the Government. First List to Be Published Containing Names of Motor Boats Taken Into the Navy." Motor Boating, February 1919, p. 36-40.)

"Stinger (SP 1252)
Stinger served both the U. S. Navy and Army.
Yacht: Built in 1917 as Herreshoff No. 312 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, RI; Acquired by the Navy 11 November 1917 and commissioned USS Stinger (SP 1252) the same day; Struck from the Navy list 14 May 1919; Transferred to the War Department 20 November 1919. Fate unknown.
Specifications: Displacement 47 t.; Length 80' 6"; Beam 12' 5"; Draft 3' 5"; Speed 15 kts.; Complement 17; Armament one 1-pounder and one machine gun." (Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/171252.htm, retrieved March 17, 2007.)

"Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Stinger (SP-1252: t. 47; l. 80'6"; b. 12'5"; dr. 3'5"; s. 15 k.; cpl. 17; a. 1 1-pdr., 1 mg.)
Stinger (SP-1252), ex-Herreshoff No. 312, was built in 1917 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Bristol, R.I. The yacht, owned by R. S. Russell of Boston, Mass., was acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 11 December 1917.
Stinger was assigned section patrol duty in the 1st Naval District and served there until May 1919. She was struck from the Navy list on 14 May 1919 and transferred to the War Department on 20 November 1919." (Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s18/stinger.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 ?).)
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"[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.)
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"[Item Description:] I hope to have #306 [SP-1841] ready to run again early next week, she is now hauled out, one cylinder is rebored and the other partly done, #312 [STINGER] is in the water and nearly ready to leave, #308 [SP-1841] should be ready in about ten days, #303p NAVETTE's superheater, French gov't has asked us to bid on large patrol boat, Sid and Winslow are working out a design, Richards is ready to sign up if we give him 19kn speed [this will be #329p CAROLA], store house is half finished and cottage is now on Brownell's place" (Source: Swan, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50840. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1917-11-19.)
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"[Item Description:] machine shop is improving, #321 engines are now erected, Brechin has #323 nearly ready to frame, #321, had #312 [STINGER] running at the dock, the first 40ft launch [#324p] is practically completed, three others [#325p, #326p, #327p] are planked, and the 5th [#328p] and last will be in frame next week, the completed boat makes a very good appearance and will go overboard in a day or two, #306 [SP-1841] will hopefully be complete next week, design for the French [patrol] boat is as follows [150ft LOA, 18ft beam, other dimensions], will also bid on smaller 18kn boat, Swasey still seems confident to close up the Richards boat [this will be #329p CAROLA], have not yet received a cent on the 40 footers, bank account is getting pretty short, [financial summary by building no], risk of not completing the steel boats promptly, your young friend from Bermuda McCallan is here and working in Mr. Brechin's gang" (Source: Swan, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50860. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1917-12-01.)
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"[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.)
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"[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.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink) trials booklet titled '1911. Trial Trips and Experiments'. Relevant contents:
§29: #312p STINGER Trial Run Data (1917-12-03)
§30: #312p STINGER Trial Run 12.5 knots (1917-12-03 & 1917-12-04)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator) and Herreshoff, A. Sidney deW. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_04280. Folder [no #]. 1911-06 to 1926-05.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #312p Stinger even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Stinger (HMCo-made index card)
• Stinger (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.
Type: Steam
Length: 83'2"
Owner: Russell, R. S.

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

• Stinger
• 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: S P
Type: 83' 2" steam; Scout Patrol given to U.S. Navy
Owner: R. S. Russell
Year: 1917
Row No.: 640

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.: 312
Name: S.P.
OA: 83' 2"
LW: aft 78'

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.)

"Date of delivery is date of acquisition by Navy and commisioning, which is given as either November 11, 1917 or December 11, 1917. Contemporary newspaper reports suggest it was the latter date." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 21, 2011.)

"Built in 280 days (contract to delivered; equivalent to 336 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Displacement 47 [long or short?] t." (Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/171252.htm, last visit March 17, 2007.)

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