HMCo #374p Alert

P00374_Alert_Trial_3.jpg

Particulars

Construction_Record_Title.jpgName: Alert
Later Name(s): Ajax, Crescent III
Type: Steam Yacht
Designed by: ASdeWH dir. by NGH
Contract: 1919-9
Launch: 1920-7-25
Construction: Steel
LOA: 140' 3" (42.75m)
LWL: 138' 8" (42.27m)
Beam: 17' 0.75" (5.20m)
Draft: 4' 8" (1.42m)
Displ.: 152.0 short tons (137.9 metric tons)
Propulsion: Steam, Herreshoff, 2 engines, 820 / 810 h.p. Triple exp., 3 cyl. (10" & 16" & 25" bore x 13 1/2" stroke); 2 [engines]
Boiler: [Plan]43-77
Propeller: Diameter 56", Pitch 76", R.H.& L. H. [2 propellers]
Built for: Stone, Charles A.
Amount: $139,000.00
Last reported: 1940 (aged 20)

See also:
#192001ep [Power Launch for #374p Alert] (1920)
#192003es [Dinghy for #374p Alert] (1920)

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 #606Model number: 606
Model location: H.M.M. Model Room North Wall Left

Vessels from this model:
1 built, modeled by ASdeWH dir. by NGH
#374p Alert (1920)

Original text on model:
"ALERT" (Source: Original handwritten annotation on model. Undated.)

Model Description:
"140' loa Alert, twin screw steam yacht of 1920." (Source: Bray, Maynard. 2004.)

Note: Vessels that appear in the records as not built, a cancelled contract, a study model, or as a model sailboat are listed but not counted in the list of vessels built from a model.

Offsets

Offset booklet number(s): HH.4.054

Offset booklet contents:
#374 [140' 3" steam yacht Alert] .

Offset Booklet(s) in Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection. Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass. (Restricted access --- see curator.)

Drawings

Main drawing Dwg 001-066 (HH.5.00491) Explore all drawings relating to this boat.

List of drawings:
   Drawings believed to have been first drawn for, or being first referenced to
   HMCo #374p Alert are listed in bold.
   Click on Dwg number for preview, on HH number to see at M.I.T. Museum.
  1. Dwg 009-039 (HH.5.00822): 10" & 16" & 25 x 13 1/2" Engine, Coupling for 4 1/2" Shaft (1888-11-30)
  2. Dwg 061-026 (HH.5.04345): Skeg and Stern Bearing Str. 163 (1890-04-04)
  3. Dwg 103-022 (HH.5.08420): Side Pipes for 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Stroke Engine (1890-06-26)
  4. Dwg 085-037 (HH.5.06623): Sockets and Stanchions for No. 184 and 185 (1896-05-29)
  5. Dwg 056-039 (HH.5.04051): Hull Connections for Torpedo Boats No. 15 and 16 Usn (191 and 192) (1897-09-27)
  6. Dwg 040-027 (HH.5.03101): Rudder Quadrant Str. # 190, Torpedo Boat # 14 (1897-10-28)
  7. Dwg 040-024 (HH.5.03098): Rudder for Str. 190, Torpedo Boat # 14 (1897-10-30)
  8. Dwg 056-045 (HH.5.04057): Inlet and Outlet Pipes for Circulating Water, Str. 190, Torpedo Boat 14 (1897-11-19)
  9. Dwg 040-071 (HH.5.03145): Tiller for Torpedo Boat No. 14 (190) (1898-04-07)
  10. Dwg 112-071 (HH.5.09366); Capstan [L] for 9/16" and 5/8" Chain (1906-11-27)
  11. Dwg 112-071 (HH.5.09366.1): Capstan [L] for 9/16" and 5/8" Chain (1906-11-27)
  12. Dwg 093-057 [141-040] (HH.5.07662): Folding Writing Desk (1906-12-29)
  13. Dwg 083-060 (HH.5.06416): Booby Hatch Used on 663-664 (1907-01-15)
  14. Dwg 093-062 (HH.5.07667): Table for Officers # 692 (1910-03-25 ?)
  15. Dwg 093-068 (HH.5.07671): Bucket Rack for # 280 (1911-10-10)
  16. Dwg 072-029 (HH.5.05211): Water Tight Door in Bh # 16 with Details of Hinge and Latch (1913-03-18)
  17. Dwg 114-092 (HH.5.09592): Davit for Side Ladder (1913-04-09)
  18. Dwg 069-041 (HH.5.04997): Assistant Steerer for # 306 and Class - 31 1/2" Travel, 250# St. Pressure (1917-05-21)
  19. Dwg 085-083 (HH.5.06668): Rail and Awning Stanchions (1918-04-23)
  20. Dwg 001-062 (HH.5.00485): Construction Dwg > Steam Yacht 114'-10" x 112'-1" x 15'-4" x 6'-2" (1918-07-02)
  21. Dwg 131-019 (HH.5.10566): Storage Battery Box (Mahogany) 2 R and L Hand (1918-08-01)
  22. Dwg 095-111 (HH.5.07913): Wind-Shield Lift (1919-05-21)
  23. Dwg 093-094 (HH.5.07697): Medicine Chest (1919-06-11)
  24. Dwg 084-094 (HH.5.06545); Hatch Raiser & Hinge Standard (1919-09-12)
  25. Dwg 025-126 (HH.5.01879): Plating List 374 (1919-09-16)
  26. Dwg 139-062 (HH.5.11402): Construction Dwg > Shell Plating Plan (1919-09-19)
  27. Dwg 025-126 (HH.5.01878): Plating List (1919-09-26)
  28. Dwg 103-034 (HH.5.08432): Frame Works of 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine with Oil Caseing [sic] (1919-09-26)
  29. Dwg 000-000 (HH.5.05102): 8' Diameter Deck Bit (1919-10)
  30. Dwg 103-035 (HH.5.08433): Cylinder Heads and Pistons for 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine (1919-10-01)
  31. Dwg 139-053 (HH.5.11394): Construction Dwg > Bulkheads and Web Frames (1919-10-01)
  32. Dwg 139-054 (HH.5.11395): Construction Dwg > Construction Sections (1919-10-06)
  33. Dwg 103-036 (HH.5.08434): Reverse Gear 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine with Oil Caseing [sic] (1919-10-22)
  34. Dwg 139-055 (HH.5.11396): Engine Beds (1919-10-25)
  35. Dwg 139-056 (N/A): Engine Beds (1919-10-25 ?)
  36. Dwg 139-058 (HH.5.11398): Stern Tubes for Propeller Shaft (1919-10-30)
  37. Dwg 043-077 (HH.5.03429): Boiler for # 374 (1919-11-04)
  38. Dwg 043-077 (HH.5.03429.1): Boiler for # 374 (1919-11-04)
  39. Dwg 056-056 (HH.5.04068): Condenser for # 374 (1919-11-11)
  40. Dwg 056-057 (HH.5.04069): 9" Circulating Pump Driven by 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" Enclosed Engine (1919-11-14)
  41. Dwg 103-037 (HH.5.08435): Main and Valve Guide Rods for 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine with Oil Casing (1919-11-20)
  42. Dwg 022-066 (HH.5.01650): Feed Pump for 500-700 H.P. Air and Feed Pump (22-67) (1919-12-12)
  43. Dwg 008-066 (HH.5.00765): Propeller Shaft 376 (1919-12-17)
  44. Dwg 058-072 (HH.5.04143): Shaft Strut (1919-12-20)
  45. Dwg 058-073 (HH.5.04144): Intermediate Shaft Strut (1919-12-24)
  46. Dwg 050-066 (HH.5.03874): Throttle Valve for 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine (1919-12-30)
  47. Dwg 022-000 (HH.5.01654): Hydraulic Governor for Air and Feed Pump Engine on "Alert" (ca. 1920)
  48. Dwg 103-039 (HH.5.08437): Steel List for 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Marine Engine (ca. 1920)
  49. Dwg 114-000 (HH.5.09620): Davits # 374 (ca. 1920)
  50. Dwg 103-038 (HH.5.08436): Oil Casing of 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine. (1920-01-13)
  51. Dwg 049-100 (HH.5.03778): Water Tanks (1920-01-14)
  52. Dwg 023-040 (HH.5.01695): Blower for # 374 (1920-01-21)
  53. Dwg 084-098 (HH.5.06549): Monitor Skylight over Galley (1920-01-21)
  54. Dwg 139-000 (HH.5.11411): Rudder Stock and Spider (1920-01-27)
  55. Dwg 095-120 (HH.5.07922): Details of Forward Deck House Construction (1920-01-29 ?)
  56. Dwg 095-121 (HH.5.07923): General Arrangement > Plan and Profile of For'd Deck House (1920-01-29)
  57. Dwg 139-061 (HH.5.11401): Officers and Crew's Quarters - Sections (1920-02-03)
  58. Dwg 084-101 (HH.5.06552): Engine Room Skylights (1920-02-12)
  59. Dwg 084-102 (HH.5.06553): Lift Fixtures Fir Skylights (1920-02-16)
  60. Dwg 139-059 (HH.5.11399): Construction Dwg > Bulkheads in Owner's Quarters (1920-02-16)
  61. Dwg 139-060 (HH.5.11400): General Arrangement > Plan of Forecastle (1920-02-19)
  62. Dwg 085-090 (HH.5.06675): Rail Stanchions and Rail and Awning Stanchion Sockets (1920-02-20)
  63. Dwg 139-063 (HH.5.11403): General Arrangement > Owner's Quarters Plan and for 'n Aft Elevations (1920-02-24)
  64. Dwg 073-036 (HH.5.05269): Mushroom Ventilator for Engine Room (1920-02-25)
  65. Dwg 095-122 (HH.5.07924): Steel Fidley [Deck House Detail] (1920-02-26)
  66. Dwg 139-064 (HH.5.11404): Details for Owner's Quarters (1920-02-26)
  67. Dwg 095-123 (HH.5.07925): Aft End of Forward Deck House and Bridge Stanchion and Sockets (1920-03-03)
  68. Dwg 112-120 (HH.5.09419): Worm Drive for 9/16" and 5/8" Capstan [L] (1920-03-04)
  69. Dwg 093-099 (HH.5.07702): Deck Seats (1920-03-10)
  70. Dwg 070-073 (HH.5.05072): Bollard with Color Pole Socket (1920-03-17)
  71. Dwg 071-074 (HH.5.05176): Hawser Pipe (1920-03-22)
  72. Dwg 095-124 (HH.5.07926): Elevation Forward and Aft Ends, Aft Deck House (1920-03-26)
  73. Dwg 112-121 (HH.5.09420): Chain Stopper for 5/8" Chain (1920-03-26)
  74. Dwg 112-121 (HH.5.09420.1): Chain Stopper for 5/8" Chain (1920-03-26)
  75. Dwg 095-125 (HH.5.07927): After Deck House Plan (1920-03-30)
  76. Dwg 112-122 (HH.5.09421): Capstan [L] Bed for 5/8" Chain (1920-03-30)
  77. Dwg 084-104 (HH.5.06555): Skylight Over Owners Staterooms (1920-04-01)
  78. Dwg 095-126 (HH.5.07928): Details of After House Outside and Interior Mahogany (1920-04-01)
  79. Dwg 114-117 (HH.5.09617): Boat Davits for 12'-3" Tender (1920-04-02)
  80. Dwg 085-093 (HH.5.06679): Gangway Stanchions (1920-04-03)
  81. Dwg 114-118 (HH.5.09618): Launch and Lifeboat Davit (1920-04-06)
  82. Dwg 114-119 (HH.5.09619): Anchor Davit 1 3/4" Dia (1920-04-08)
  83. Dwg 139-065 (HH.5.11405): Arrangement of Galley and Officer's Mess (1920-04-12)
  84. Dwg 139-066 (HH.5.11406): End Views of Galley and Officer's Mess (1920-04-12)
  85. Dwg 092-103 (HH.5.07571): General Arrangement > Gangway Steps (1920-04-16)
  86. Dwg 139-069 (HH.5.11407): General Arrangement > Piping Arrangement Plan (1920-04-19)
  87. Dwg 139-070 (HH.5.11408): Engine Room (1920-04-21)
  88. Dwg 050-067 (HH.5.03875): Flanged Tee for Main Steam Pipe (1920-04-24)
  89. Dwg 081-136 (HH.5.06227): Spars (1920-04-27)
  90. Dwg 073-038 (HH.5.05271): Cowl Ring for Cowl Ventilator to Fit Deck Plate (1920-04-28)
  91. Dwg 095-127 (HH.5.07929): Interior of After Deck House (1920-04-30)
  92. Dwg 095-128 (HH.5.07930): General Arrangement > Forward and Aft Ends of Dining Room (1920-04-30)
  93. Dwg 092-104 (HH.5.07572): Rail Ends Hinged (1920-05-04)
  94. Dwg 093-101 (HH.5.07704): Stern Seat (1920-05-05)
  95. Dwg 085-094 (HH.5.06680): Awning for 374 (1920-05-11)
  96. Dwg 095-129 (HH.5.07931): General Arrangement > Chart Room and Pantry (1920-05-18)
  97. Dwg 092-105 (HH.5.07573): Rail Socket for Wood and 1 1/8 Brass Tube (1920-05-29)
  98. Dwg 025-129 (HH.5.01884): Casting List # 374 (1920-06-08 ?)
  99. Dwg 139-071 (HH.5.11409): Construction Dwg > Construction Plan (1920-06-08 ?)
  100. Dwg 139-072 (HH.5.11410): Curve of Stew[sic] (1920-06-08 ?)
  101. Dwg 095-130 (HH.5.07932): Bridge Arrangement (1920-06-16)
  102. Dwg 093-102 (HH.5.07705): Chart Table (1920-06-22)
  103. Dwg 001-062 A (HH.5.00486): Outboard Profile, 140'-3" L.O.A. x 17'-0 3/4" Beam x 4'-8" Draft (1920-06-25)
  104. Dwg 025-129 (HH.5.01884.1): # 2 for 374 [Page 2 of Casting List Drawing 025-129] (ca. 1920-07)
  105. Dwg 032-016 (HH.5.02346): Dumb Waiter 374 (1920-07-06)
  106. Dwg 049-102 (HH.5.03780): Capacity Curves Fuel Oil and Boiler Water [Graph] (1920-07-06)
  107. Dwg 093-103 (HH.5.07706): Saloon Table for 374 (1920-07-08)
  108. Dwg 068-121 (HH.5.04931): Speaking Tube Fittings (1920-07-12)
  109. Dwg 068-120 (HH.5.04930): Steering Arrangement and Details (1920-07-16)
  110. Dwg 103-039 (HH.5.08438); Casting List of 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine with Oil Casing (1920-07-17 ?)
  111. Dwg 103-040 (N/A): List of Steel for Forging 10" & 16" & 25" x 13 1/2" Engine (1920-07-17 ?)
  112. Dwg 066-052 (HH.5.04724): Telegraph Sheave Boxes (1920-07-26)
  113. Dwg 143-063 (HH.5.11928): Docking Plan 374 "Alert" (1920-07-30)
  114. Dwg 114-121 (HH.5.09622): Life Boat Skids for 374 (1920-07-31)
  115. Dwg 074-074 (HH.5.05363): Anchor Chain Bolster for # 374 (1920-08-02)
  116. Dwg 067-067 (HH.5.04796): Rudder Indicator (1920-08-26)
  117. Dwg 001-066 (HH.5.00491): Construction Dwg > Main Drawing 140'-3" L.O.A. x 17'-0 3/4" Beam x 4'-8" Draft (1920-08-27)
  118. Dwg 034-117 (HH.5.02528): Boat Storage 1921-1922 (1921-12-05)
  119. Dwg 152-000 (HH.5.12587): Proposed Arrangement of Steam Machinery From "Alert" in Engine Room of "Vara" (1939-09-09)
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

"[1920-08-14] Sat 14: Preliminary trial of Alert #374. Very satisfactory.
[1920-08-17] Tue 17: Final trial [of] Alert [#374p]. Made 21.8 k[nots]. Very satisfactory.
[1920-08-28] Sat 28: St[eamer] Alert [#374p] left for NY.
[1920-09-14] Tue 14: ... Alert [#374p] arrived.
[1921-06-17] Fri 17: ... Hauled out Alert [#374p] at the cove for storage. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1920 to 1921. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"No 374. Aug[ust] 14, 1920
140ft x 17ft Steel Express St[eam] Yacht. Twin screw 2 oil-burning boilers, 2 condensers. 2 - 10in x 16in x 25in x 13 1/2in engines, 3 bl[ade] 56in x 78in propellers.
Preliminary trial Aug[ust] 14 [1920], vessel nearly completed, but furniture not on boat and only small amount of fuel & water in tanks.
Made four runs over Sandy Pt. - Half Way Rk (2.815 miles) course besides some running with about 120lbs [steam pressure] and a few miles with 200+ in st[eam] chest, all of which were very satisfactory --- machinery all working very well and the boat handled exceptionally well.
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with best speed being 20.50kn]
Aug[ust] 17 [1920]
Condition of yacht practically as on 14th. Ran trial for acceptance, Capt. [blank] representing owner. Many workmen and a few guests on board. Wind light SW, tide 1/2 ebb. Ran over Sandy Pt. Halfway Rk. course of 2.815 sea miles, minimum depth 72ft. Average depth nearly 100ft.
First run lost on acc[oun]t of fuel stoppage.
[Followed by tabulated trial run data with best mean speed being 21.82kn]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. Handwritten note in Experiments Booklet '1911 Trial Trips and Experiments' under date of August 14 & 17, 1920. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.)

Other Contemporary Text Source(s)

"Charles J. Stone of New York has ordered from Herreshoff a 160-foot steel steam yacht. The craft, of the ocean going type, is to be fitted and furnished with all the modern improvements and will have cabin furnishings as fine as any craft on the Atlantic Coast." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Daily Globe, September 21, 1919, p. 61.)

"The Herreshoff Mfg. Company has concluded a contract with a New-York yachtsman for a twin-screw steel steam yacht about 140 feet in length. The boat will be handsomely fitted out and is to be completed next spring. [This is apparently a reference to #374p Alert]." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, September 23, 1919, p. 2.)

"Chief Engineer James T. Plains of Leonard Richards' oil burning steam yacht Carola V has left that yacht to be chief of the new 150-foot steel steam yacht to be built by Herreshoffs for Charles F. Stone of Boston." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, November 16, 1919, p. 55.)

... After the launching of the Tucker schooner [#827s Ohonkara] at Bristol last Thursday [January 29, 1920], work was started at Herreshoff's on the laying of the keel of the 150-foot steam yacht [#374p Alert] for Charles P. Stone of New York and Boston. For weeks the plates have been shaped and the frames bent, and from now on work will be hurried on this craft." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, February 1, 1920, p. 47.)

"Herreshoff's will soon be ready to launch the steel steam yacht [#374p Alert] building for Charles P. Stone of New York and Boston, and the big power cruiser [#376p Esloma] under construction for Mr. W. H. Vandorvoort of Moline, Ill." (Source: Anon. "Notes From The Week's Log." Boston Globe, April 25, 1920, p. 56.)

"... The hull of the new steel steam yacht under construction for Charles P. Stone of New York is practically finished at Herreshoffs'. She is to be named Alert when the christening takes place, some weeks hence. Master and chief engineer are standing by at Bristol until the Alert is launched. A boiler is being manufactured for the yacht outside of Bristol. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachtsmen." Boston Globe, May 23, 1920, p. 53.)

"... This year the [Herreshoff] plant is very busy. Not only has the Resolute been overhauled, fitted with new spars and commissioned there, which in itself is a big task, but many other power and sailing craft have been built. It is a long time since Herreshoflf's was so busy and much of this success must be credited to A. Loring Swasey, who is the vice-president of the company. Mr. Swasey is not only a designer of repute but he is a practical constructor of considerable experience and a very capable business manager. This Spring Captain Nat. Herreshoff has been far from well. He contracted a heavy cold on his return from Bermuda and at one time pneumonia was feared. James Swan is the Superintendent of the plant. He is one of the most capable steel constructors in the country and the work now in progress in the shops shows his skill. ...
A steel steamer [#374p Alert] is building for Charles A Stone. This yacht is 140 feet long and 16 feet breadth. The plating is all finished and is a wonderfully fine piece of work of which all at Herreshoff's are very proud. This yacht is to be fitted with Herreshoff engines of 1,700 h.p. and Herreshoff boilers and is to make 20 knots. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Building Yards Very Busy. Many New Vessels at Herreshoffs." Rudder, June 1920, p. 14)

"The new 140-foot yacht Alert, built for Charles A. Stone of Stone & Webster Company, Boston and New York, was launched without ceremony from the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company's yard at Bristol at about 5.30 Sunday [July 25, 1920] morning. It had been planned to launch her Saturday evening, but on account of the heavy wind and choppy sea at the time the launching was postponed.
The new yacht is 140 feet overall, with 17 feet beam and 7 feet draft. The hull is all steel and her engine room plant consists of two oil-burning boilers and two triple-expansion engines of approximately 1600 horsepower, designed to give her a speed of 20 to 22 knots an hour.
She will have all the modern improvements, including wireless, electric lights, refrigerating plant and steam heat, and as soon as the fittings are installed the craft will go to New York." (Source: Anon. "New Power Boat Launched." Bristol Phoenix, July 27, 1920, p. 3.)

"The twin-screw oil-burning yacht 'Alert,' constructed at the boat shops at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company for W. S. Stone, of New York, was given a trial spin in the bay yesterday afternoon and the owner, who was aboard, expressed satisfaction with the craft's speed which registered 22 knots per hour. The craft, which is equipped with oil-burning engines of high power is of a very pleasing design and handsomely furnished." (Source: Anon. "New Yacht Has Trial Spin." Bristol Phoenix, August 20, 1920, p. 4.)

Other Modern Text Source(s)

"Among the recent sales and charters made by Messrs. Tams & King are the following: ...
The well-known 140-ft. steel steam oil-burning yacht Alert has been chartered for Mr. C. A. Stone to Mr. T. L. Chadbourne of the New York Yacht Club. Mr. Chadbourne is using her between Greenwich, Conn., and New York, with week-end trips to Southampton. ..." (Source: Anon. "Tams & King Busy." Rudder, August 1924, p. 58.)

Maynard Bray

"... Built from a design by the talented A. Loring Swasey, who had been connected with the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. as a designer and administrator during the war years, Alert reflects the style of recent naval craft. She has a steel hull, and each of her two propellers is powered by a Herreshoff triple-expansion steam engine. Alert was the Herreshoff Mfg. Co.'s last steam-powered vessel. She was built for Charles A. Stone (of the Boston-based engineering firm Stone and Webster) and sold for $139,000. Alert was a big job for the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. in the lean years following the war. Her building coincided with the Herreshoff Mfg. Co.'s other big job that season, Resolute's [#725s] recommissioning for the 1920 America's Cup races. ...
Alert's boiler is of the three-drum type where the steam rises (as it is produced in the tubes) to the upper drum, while sediment and other impurities settle to one of the so-called 'mud drums' at the bottom. A coal fire located in the space between the tube banks furnishes the heat. ..." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 156.)

Archival Documents

"[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:] Steam engine calculations apparently regarding #374p ALERT and #306p SP-1841." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.098. Calculations. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Administrative - Notes. No date (1919 - 1920 ???).)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled '#374p [ALERT]. Ordered Sept[ember] 1919. Express ferry yacht. Twin screw for Mr. Stone. Scale 3/8. 138 1/2ft w.l.'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 3815cuft = 244000lbs = 122 short tons and a prismatic coefficient of .60." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (?) (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_04970. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1919-09).)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph sections titled '1st. trial' and showing #374p ALERT. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 4340cuft = 278100lbs = 139.0 short tons. On verso another set of penciled pantograph sections titled '2nd. trial'. Undated, probably September 1919 after ALERT had been contracted for." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0386. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. No date (ca 1919-0 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph sections titled '3rd. trial, #374 [ALERT]. C.A. Stone'. With calculations arriving at a total displacement of 4015cuft = 257000lbs = 128.5 short tons. Undated (probably September 1919 after ALERT had been contracted for)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0387. WRDT04, Folder 34, formerly MRDE08. No date (ca 1919-9 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensions 'L = 140[ft]. 1/2 B[eam] 8.5[ft]. D = 10.5. N = 10.4. 1/2G = 15.4' followed by detailed list of scantlings with some sketches beginning with 'Spacing 20in. Frames 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 5/20 …'. With note 'Transverse no = 8.5 * 105 + 15.4 + 20.8 = 55.2. Ling[?] no. 140 * 55.2 = 7020. Equiv. no. 702- + 150 + 420 = 7590'. [The dimensions suggest this to relate to #374p ALERT but note that ALERT was built with 16 1/2in frame spaces.] On verso of envelope from 'Carles E. Lauriat Company, Boston, Mass' without postmarked. Undated (probably September 1919 after ALERT had been contracted for)." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Dimensions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0613. WRDT08, Folder 46. No date (1919-09 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled annotated construction section of a large metal motor or steam yacht. Untitled, marked in upper right corner frame spaces '16 1/2'. Annotations include '[Deck] 1 7/8in x 1 7/8 white pine or 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 teak?', '6/40 [plate thickness ?] for 2/3 length from stem, aft 1/3 length 5/40 except 7/40 at aft propeller struts', and 'Keel 8/40 -27in wide'. With detailed weight study arriving at a hull weight of 65000lbs and a total weight of 103000lbs. (The design is not identified but may be #374p ALERT, designed in the fall of 1919, which also had 16 1/2in frame spaces and two engines and whose final pantograph hull sections provide an exact match for this construction section. But note that the pantograph hull sections are accompanied by calculations arriving at a displacement of 257000lbs which is more than twice of what is estimated on this plan)." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Construction Section. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0623. WRDT08, Folder 46. No date (1919-09 ??).)
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"[Item Description:] reports from the [HMCo] works, schooner [#827s OHONKARA] is well along with the inside finished, Stone boat [#374p ALERT] has been set up and second payment received, four of the S boats in different stages, there now being 13 in all, and the construction time taking about 13 days per boat, four of the 12-footers in different stages, have not yet begun on [#725s] Resolute's mast, as they have been delayed in getting out the stock on account of the very heavy snow, working on the club topsail yard, almost all the masts for the 20-footers [S-class] done, inventory looking up, they having found a good deal more lumber than they at first thought they had [thus improving the disastrous balance sheet], have just succeeded in getting the government to put up the boat for sale that we wanted for a tender [for RESOLUTE], are rapidly getting back our crew for RESOLUTE, many of the old men are turning up, I agree with you regarding the expense of running the plant, and the overhead, which I think Jim Swan has under estimated, and we must make up our mind to charge more on all our contract work, drafting room, store room, depreciation and expenditures for repairs of plant have been running pretty high, canvas [for RESOLUTE] not arrived yet, influenza afflicts workers, hard winter slowing down work, George Nichols was in Boston yesterday, costly VANITIE alterations, [#301p] MAGISTRATE to be readied, if we wish to get contract work out on time the bulk of the workmen must not be diverted, Sydney has made no complaint as to the machine shop, and I understand the main sheet gear [designed by him for RESOLUTE] is coming along all right, friends of mine plan to come down on the 25th of this month, Robert Saltonstall who has two of your 12-footers [#744s ROBIN and #750s JUNCO] is one of them" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26690. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-02-12.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled trial run note titled 'ALERT [#374p] Trial Run[?]' showing speeds of 21.82kn and 17.85kn. On envelope to 'Mr. Nat Herreshoff, Bristol' postmarked Boston August 16, 1920. With sheet of paper in envelope with further trial run data. Undated, ALERT's final trial took place August 17, 1920." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trial Run Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02210. Folder [no #]. No date (1920-08-17).)
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"[Item Description:] Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Inc. Tentative Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 1920. Tentative Comparative Balance sheet as at December 31, 1920 and 1919. Tentative Condensed Statement of Profit and Loss for Year Ended December 31, 1920. Including detailed profitabilty statements for several contracts including #367p Launch for St. Y. CORSAIR III for J.P. Morgan [loss of $20.71], #372p VASANTA for G. M. Pynchon [loss of $2,362.72], #373p ADOLAR for August Heckscher [loss of $1,277.95], #374p ALERT for Charles A. Stone [loss of $17,652.54], #375p PETUNIA for Henry L. Tiffany [loss of $2,122.67], #376p ESLOMA for William H. Vandervoort [loss of $5,244.00], #827s OHONKARA for Carll Tucker [profit of $3,257.44], 16 S-Boats [#850s ELLEN, #828s GOB, #851s MONSOON, #830s SPINSTER, #831s PAPOOSE, #832s WOODCHUCK, #833s CHEERIO, #834s WIDGEON, #835s KAJEE, #836s DAPHNIA, #837s DOODAH, #838s TEATICKET, #844s VANT, #845s SWALLOW, #846s FANO, #849s CIMA: loss of $7,548.16 (i.e. $471.76 per boat on a sales price of $2,450)], 8 Buzzards Bay Boats 12 1/2s [#829s FALCON, #839s SHELDRAKE, #840s OPITSAH, #841s MISTRAL II, #842s JABBERWOCK, #843s BULLRUSH, #847s PENGUIN, #848s DOODLE BUG: loss of $819.48], 4 small boats for yacht Edgar Palmer [GUINEVERE #192005es, #192003ep, #192004ep, #192004es: loss of $3,839.25]. [These documents found / filed with 'Tentative Financial Statements for the Period from January 1, 1923 to June 27, 1923.']" (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50660. Financial Statement. Subject Files, Folder [no #], formerly 124?. No date (after 1920-12-31).)
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"[Item Description:] am enclosing [HMCo] profit and loss statement for 1920, will analyse Palmer contract [#192003ep, #192004ep, #192004es], 'The showing certainly is discouraging, and the heavy loss on the Stone boat [#374p ALERT] shows what dawdling and not completing a contract on time will do. Also, I am surprised to see what a heavy loss we made on the S boats [#828s, #830s, #831s, #832s, #833s, #834s, #835s, #836s, #837s, #838s, #844s, #845s, #846s, #849s, #850s, #851s]'. [Incl envelope.]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_59030. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder [no #], formerly 254?. 1921-01-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink) trials booklet titled '1911. Trial Trips and Experiments'. Relevant contents:
§47: #374p ALERT Trial Run Data
§48: #374p ALERT Trial Run best speed 20.5kn (1920-08-14 & 1920-08-17)." (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 #374p Alert even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.


Images

Registers

1920 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#97)
Name: Alert
Owner: Charles A. Stone; Port: Boston
Building Material Steel; Type & Rig K[eel], RD [Raised Deck], ScwStm [Screw Steamer], Twn [Twin Screws]
LOA 140-0; LWL 138-7; Extr. Beam 17-0; Draught 6-4
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine 2 Tri[ple expansion] 3 Cyl. 10, 16 & 25 x 13 1/2. 2 B[oilers] W[ater] T[ube]; Maker Herreshoff Mfg. Co.

1923 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#87)
Name: Alert
Owner: Charles A. Stone; Port: Boston
Building Material Steel; Type & Rig K[eel], RD [Raised Deck], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
LOA 140-0; LWL 138-7; Extr. Beam 17-0; Draught 6-4
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine 2 Tri[ple expansion] 3 Cyl. 10, 16 & 25 x 13 1/2. 2 B[oilers] W[ater] T[ube]

1925 List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. (#012.41)
Name: Alert
Owner: Argosy Transportation Co.; Port: Boston, Mass.
Official no. 220464; Type & Rig S. s. [Steam engine, screw]
Tons Gross 152; Tons Net 103; Reg. Length 136.6; Extr. Beam 17.2; Depth 10.0
Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine Horsepower: 1500
Note: Service: Msc [Miscellaneous]; Crew: 14

1925 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#95)
Name: Alert
Owner: Argosy Transportation Co.; Port: Boston
Building Material Steel; Type & Rig K[eel], RD [Raised Deck], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 152; Tons Net 103; LOA 140-0; LWL 138-8; Extr. Beam 17-3; Depth 10-0; Draught 6-4
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine 2 Tri[ple expansion] 3 Cyl. 10, 16 & 25 x 13 1/2. 2 B[oilers] W[ater] T[ube]; Maker Herreshoff Mfg. Co.

1930 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#994)
Name; Former Name(s): Crescent; Alert
Owner: George Rose; Port: Glen Cove, L.I.
Official no. 220464; Building Material Steel; Type & Rig K[eel], RD [Raised Deck], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 152; Tons Net 103; LOA 140-0; LWL 138-7; Extr. Beam 17-5; Depth 10-4; Draught 6-4
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine 2 Tri[ple expansion] 3 Cyl. 10, 16 & 25 x 13 1/2. 2 B[oilers] W[ater] T[ube]

1935 List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. (#832.13)
Name; Former Name(s): Crescent III; st. s. Ajax, Alert
Owner: George Rose (342 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y.); Port: New York
Official no. 220464; Type & Rig S. s. [Steam engine, screw]
Tons Gross 152; Tons Net 103; Reg. Length 136.6; Extr. Beam 17.2; Depth 10.0
Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine Horsepower: 1500
Note: Crew: 14

1935 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#1124)
Name; Former Name(s): Crescent; Alert
Owner: George Rose; Port: Glen Cove, L.I.
Official no. 220464; Building Material Steel; Type & Rig K[eel], RD [Raised Deck], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 152; Tons Net 103; LOA 140-0; LWL 138-7; Extr. Beam 17-5; Depth 10-4; Draught 6-4
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine 2 Tri[ple expansion] 3 Cyl. 10, 16 & 25 x 13 1/2. 2 B[oilers] W[ater] T[ube]

1940 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (#1365)
Name; Former Name(s): Crescent; Alert
Owner: George Rose; Port: New York
Official no. 220464; Building Material Steel; Type & Rig K[eel], RD [Raised Deck], Pwr [Power], Twn [Twin Screws]
Tons Gross 152; Tons Net 103; LOA 140-0; LWL 138-8; Extr. Beam 17-6; Depth 10-4; Draught 6-5
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Designer Herreshoff Mfg. Co.; Built where Bristol, R.I.; Built when 1920
Engine 2 Tri[ple expansion] 3 Cyl. 10, 16 & 25 x 13 1/2. 2 B[oilers] W[ater] T[ube]; Maker Herreshoff Mfg. Co.

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: Alert
Type: Steam
Length: 140'3"
Owner: Stone, C. A.

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 1953 HMCo Owner's List by L. Francis Herreshoff

Name: Alert
Type: 140' steam
Owner: Chas. A. Stone
Year: 1920
Row No.: 16

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.

From the 2000 (ca.) Transcription of the HMCo Construction Record by Vermilya/Bray

Year: 1920
E/P/S: P
No.: 374
Name: Alert
OA: 140' 3"

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)

"Note that the back of a photo of Alert by Rosenfeld at the Herreshoff Marine Museum notes Alert's model to have been made by A. S. deW. Herreshoff." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 12, 2008.)

"Laid down by L.F.H. Des. by Sidney under N.G.H." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "Alert." Vessel index card in the collection of the Herreshoff Museum, Bristol, R.I. No place, no date.)

"Steam engine rating 820hp 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. 10 & 16 & 25 x 13 1/2, 460[rpm], 810[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.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (152) from the 1925 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (Net Register Tons were reported as 103) 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 #374p Alert. Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonné. https://herreshoff.info/Docs/P00374_Alert.htm.