HMCo #376p Esloma

"[1921-05-11] Wed 11: ... Moved #378 Helianthus from East to lower shop. A much longer job than expected due to getting by #376 [Esloma]. There being just room. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1921. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"W. H. Vandervoort of Moline, Ill., has placed an order with Herreshoff's for a speedy power cruiser. This craft will be 90 feet in length, driven by twin screws and is expected to be as fast as any of her size." (Anon. "Yachts And Yachtsmen." Boston Daily Globe, October 26, 1919, p. 61.)

"Herreshoff's will soon be ready to launch the steel steam yacht [Alert HMCo #374], building for Charles P. Stone, of New York and Boston, and the big power cruiser [Esloma HMCo #376] under construction for W. H. Vandervoort of Moline, III. (Anon. "Yachts And Yachtsmen." Boston Daily Globe, April 25, 1920, p. 56.)

"... 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 97-foot power cruiser [#376p Esloma] for W. H. Vandervolt [sic] of Moline, Ill., is nearing completion and will be finished in July. This yacht is 15 feet breadth and 6 feet draught. It is to be driven by two Moline-Knight automobile engines of 150 h.p. each. These have been adapted to marine work. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Building Yards Very Busy. Many New Vessels at Herreshoffs." Rudder, June 1920, p. 14)

"FOR SALE 99 Foot Motor Yacht 'ESLOMA'. Designed and built in 1920 by Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Cruising Radius 1200 Miles, Cruising Speed 12 M.P.H., Max 15. Three double staterooms, 2 baths for Owner and Guests. Wood construction. Now complete at Bristol. Never in the Water. Write or Wire for Full Details from Your Broker, or J. C. BRENNAN, State Bank Building, EAST MOLINE, ILL." (Source: Anon. [Classified advertisement.] Motor Boating, May 1921, p. 51.)

"The 98-foot power cruiser Sylvia III built two years ago for the late Mr. Vandervoor and later purchased by L W Thompson of Hamilton, Ohio was launched yesterday at the Herreshoff boat yards. The craft which is of the new type twin-screw equipped with oil-burning engines will be given a tryout today and next week will go under her own power to Lake Superior. Mr. Thompson arrived from New York yesterday and was present at the launching." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, June 2, 1922, p. 2.)

"SYLVIA III FOR SALE --- 99' O.A., 15' 9'' Beam, 4' 9'' Draft
An exceptional opportunity to purchase a Herreshoff designed and built cruiser, built at Bristol, R. I., in 1922, of selected material. Planking of 2-inch yellow pine, extra heavy framing, with steel straps and girders.
Large deckhouse, panelled outside with fine grade mahogany, containing galley and dining saloon --- the dining saloon being panelled in black walnut. The owner's and guests' quarters are below, consisting of three large double staterooms with bath rooms adjoining. These staterooms are finished in white enamel and walnut. There is also a large saloon below decks which is panelled in black walnut.
This craft is powered with two eight cylinder 6in x 9in Silent Loew-Knight Gas Engines, which are free from vibration and noise, guaranteed in perfect working order, and give the boat a cruising speed of 13 1/2 miles per hour and a reserve speed of 15 miles per hour.
A 5 K.W. lighting plant furnishes illumination for the entire boat. An automatic water pressure system supplies running water --- both hot and cold --- to all baths and lavatories. There are electric heaters in each room, electric anchor windlass, refrigerating plant -- in fact everything to add to the convenience in operating and the comfort of the owner.
The 'SYLVIA III' has always been kept in the owner's private boat house and has received the care and attention of experienced men. We are now designing a new and larger yacht for the owner and for this reason she has been placed on the market. Only a personal inspection of the boat by a prospective purchaser can do justice to the wonderful condition and appointments of the craft. Any further particulars that may be desired can be had by applying to JOHN H. WELLS, Inc., 347 Madison Avenue, New York City." (Source: John H. Wells, Inc. [Classified Ad.] Motorboating Magazine, June 1925, p. 57.)

"[Recent Sales and Charters.] ... Power Cruiser Skylark III chartered for Charles Parker Boyd, Philadelphia, to John Hays Hammond, Jr., Gloucester." (Source: Anon. [Title?] Yachting Magazine, 1933, Vol 54, p. 24?)

"... In South Carolina the 94-foot diesel yacht Skylark III has gone to James G. Crowley of Spartanburg. ..." (Source: Anon. "Southward Ho!" Motor Boating, June 1945, p. 60.)

"... The second group of yachts put up for sale by the War Shipping Administration is being bid in by buyers from widely scattered parts of the country. The new owners have thirty days from the time at which the bids are accepted to take possession. ... Charles Parker Boyd's Skylark III, a 99-footer built by Herreshoff, has been bought by James G. Crowley of Spartanburg, South Carolina. ... In the case of all these former yachts, it is reported that priorities are being granted to obtain the materials for neccessary reconversion. This does not mean anything fancy but does include whatever is needed to put them in usable shape." (Source: Anon. "Southward Ho!" Motor Boating, March 1945, p. 58.)

"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned and annotated construction section with deck / hull joint. Titled #376 [ESLOMA]. 98ft o.a. Vandervoort'. On verso penciled hull sections, probably also for ESLOMA, on sans-serif 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Bristol, R.I.' stationery. With list of scantlings and displacement calculations concluding with '1920[cuft] * 64 = 123000lbs = 61.5 tons'. Undated (ESLOMA was designed in November 1919)." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Construction Section and Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0607. WRDT08, Folder 46. No date (1919-11 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned and annotated construction section titled 'No 367. 98ft o.a. x 15. Vandervoort [sic, i.e. #376p ESLOMA for W.H. VanDerVoort]'. Undated (ESLOMA was designed in November 1919)." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Construction Section. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0612. WRDT08, Folder 46. No date (1919-11 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections and displacement curve titled 'Van Dervoort. No. 376 [#376p ESLOMA]. From finished model. Nov[ember] 6, [19]19. Scale 1/2ft. 93ft 4in w.l. to load draft'. With calculations arriving at a displacement of 1942cuft [= 124288lbs] = 60.8 tons. On verso another set of penciled pantograph hull sections and displacement curve titled 'Van Dervoort. 3rd trial. Run changed. Scale 3/8. Oct[ober] 22, [19]19' with calculations arriving at a displacement of 1912cuft [= 122368lbs] = 63.2 tons." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_05140. Folder [no #]. 1919-11-06.)
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"[Item Description:] have read your letter to Charlie [Adams], and I must confess, we are both of us extremely sorry if you have gained the impression that we are doing anything, either against your best judgment or wishes, or making any alterations in the plans as laid out by you before you left, Charlie is writing you him self as well, we had not the slightest intention of altering [#725s] RESOLUTE's rig in any way whatsoever, as we have previously written you, but when at the last moment, George Nichols sprang upon us his new and enlarged sail plan [for VANITIE], after as we thought he had definitely decided not to do so, as a matter of insurance we both agreed that we thought it would be doing no harm to have our new mast made 2 to 3 ft longer, in the event that you after seeing his rig might wish that you could have added a little longer spar for us, there is not as you have gathered the impression any delay caused by this additional length, as the stock, was only at the time in process of being cut out, and I stock, was only at the time in process of being cut out, and I believe if Swan's statements are correct that but two sticks had to be laid aside, the mast is being identical as you laid it out, with the exception of the extra length with longer plug added, provided in your original lay-out, I am really glad no attempt was made to build the spar before, as the shop in which it is being could not have been kept warm until the present time, Hataway has the sail all drawn out, canvas has now been hung up in the sail loft 10 days, Sidney furnished Hathway with working drawing for new club topsail, our inquire about putting lead now inside outside was merely a query seeking your best opinion and advice, George Nichols and I spent yesterday at Bristol, and you may be pleased to know we were able to have a trial in the first S boat, although it was blowing strong southwest, too much so to sail for any length or time with comfort, we had a very successful short trial, the mast stood stiff as a ramrod, and the boat appeared extremely able, carrying full sail in what I expected was really a reefing breeze, Chase and Hathaway went with us, and while the sail appeared tight on the leach, he was of the opinion that when properly hauled out this would disappear, so far as we could tell in the rough water the boat trimmed very nicely, the jib club was about 1 1/2 in too long on this boat, making the jib catch to winward against the mast when tacking ship, as I said before, to both George and myself the boat appeared very able and very dry in the rough weather, as for steering, at first we thought they steered a little hard, but both of us came to the conclusion this was entirely due to hard wind and the time leach, regarding the construction of this boat I can only say that the seventh boat is now in frame and deliveries of these boats are not expected by those who have last ordered them until July 1st at earliest, work on the big boats seems to be going on well, and as Mr. Vendervort has written he will not be able to furnish his engines until a month after he agreed to, he will not expect his boat [#376p ESLOMA] so soon, payroll last week numbered 220, had some talk with George regarding [#236p] MERMAID [ex-EXPRESS] and he seems to think she might be purchased for $5,000 or even less, incl. NGH reply: I assure you I am perplexed as you and Charlie [Adams] are to know what is safest to do with RESOLUTE, suggestions re longer new mast, VANITIE will become a little faster after hull changes, have written [James] Swan to send me RESOLUTE's sail plan, RESOLUTE club topsail, was pleased to hear of the satisfactory first trial of S boat, hope to hear by next mail that exact tests of immersion[?] have been made in smooth water, Tom Brightmn has sent me some photos and the sail appears too flat without significant draft in the forward part" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_26930. Subject Files, Folder 7, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-17.)
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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:] Letter from C. W. Young to NGH with HMCo status report, launched #377p ARA, men are improving, Baker boat [#867s VENTURA], #376p ESLOMA, four payrolls enclosed, own health is improving, happy that NGH enjoys HELIANTHUS III, August Hecksher letter congratulating on small loss in these trying times, dated Feb 16, 1922; HMCo Pay Roll 248 for week ending Dec 3, 1921; HMCo Pay Roll 255 for week ending Jan 21, 1922; HMCo Pay Roll 256 for week ending Jan 28, 1922; HMCo Pay Roll 258 for week ending Feb 15, 1922" (Source: Young, Charles Wesley (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Secr.). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_51520. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1922-02-16.)
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"[Item Description:] Memo of prospective receipts and expenditures between April 1st and June 1st 1922, provided no other contracts, or work is taken on'. Mentioning #867s VENTURA, #376p ESLOMA, #377p ARA, three 12 1/2 footers (#875s, #877s and #878s), five S-Class (#870s SURINAM, #871s PERNEB, #872s (Cancelled), #873s PANDORA and #876s), and #874s CYGNET." (Source: [Young, Charles Wesley (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Secr.)]. Correspondence (memorandum) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50300. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1922-04-01.)
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"[Item Description:] have received your note, HMCo is in condition as bad as other boat builders but prospects are quite good, HMCo status report, received order for 12 1/2 today making 4 in all, good prospects for 89ft house boat [#379p MARIETTE] and for 125ft wl power yacht [unclear], enclosing my weekly report to Mr. Emmons as of April 1st and memo of prospective receipts and expenditures to June 1st, 1922, 'I am progressing towards normal slowly, its now one year since I was stricken down, and am thankful that I now am able to do my work again though its difficult on some damp or stormy days: Next Monday completes the thirty sixth year of my connection .vith the office, coming to work on the 10 th day of April, 1886', Dane boat [#377p ARA] seems to be closing well and it will be nearly completed by 1st. of May the contract date, Vandervoort boat [#376p ESLOMA] was sold to Thompson, estate has settled up contract" (Source: Young, Charles Wesley (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Secr.). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_50310. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1922-04-04.)
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"[Item Description:] am surprised at what you say about HMCo building without contracts, Paul Hammond [#861s SHEILA] situation okay, Brown [#379p MARIETTE] started with unsatisfactory contract, due to change from wooden to steel frames ordered by Mr. Brown project is delayed by several weeks, 'Methods of operation to which you are accustomed, as I tried to explain to you in New York, are only possible where you are personally present. Under this condition, they are the best in the world; but under them, the moment you leave the works, everything stops', incl. NGH reply: yesterday sailed Roosevelt S-boat [#870s SURINAM] against SHEILA which appeared a great success and all Sidney's new gear stood perfectly, was not worried about Paul Hammond having not signed contract, with Brown it is different, he is an older man not in sound condition similar to Vandervoort [#376p ESLOMA] but while the latter declared he would pay Gorvernment Tax Brown will not sign agreement to that extent, tax is levied on the builder and not the purchaser and Brown's attitude puts us in a very doubtful position" (Source: Nichols, George (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_18660. Correspondence, Folder 51, formerly 54. 1922-05-19.)
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"[Item Description:] Hulls, anchors and pipe berth cut-out models and diagrams. Among others deckline cut-outs for BETTY ANN, #300p SHADOW III, NOMAD, Fishers Island 31-footer, Fishers Island 23-footer, Sub Chaser 110ft x 18ft, 11ft-6in Boat [built from Plan] 76-17 [now named Plan 28-21] (76-33 [now named Plan 28-23]) for Mr Tiffany's #934 [HARLEQUIN] [this may be a reference to #191901es], 18ft-9in Launch [#191002ep] used on #692 [WESTWARD], 14ft Rowboat [#190912es] [built from Plan] 76-14 698 [#698s WESTWARD], 19ft-4 1/2in x 5ft-4in Launch [#191304ep] for #719 [VAGRANT II], 14ft-8in Gasoline Launch [#190307ep] for 590 [#590s INGOMAR], 10ft-3in Boat [# ?] for 376 [#376p ESLOMA], 18ft Dories [#191729es] for #323 [SP-2840], #293 [Power Launch for #215p ROAMER], Vosper [Torpedo Boats built from 1943 - 1944), AMC Minesweeper [#411p, #412p, #413p, #414p], 16ft-10in x 5ft-1in [#191307es Colonia Sailing Cutter] for #719 [VAGRANT II], 711 Class [New York 50s], [dinghies #191308es and #191309es] for #722 [KATOURA], 12ft [dinghy #191106es ?] for 698 [#698s WESTWARD], 25ft-10in x 6ft-1in [built from Plan] 2-83 [#191301ep Owner Launch for #722s Katoura], 11ft-0in Rowboat [# ?] between davits on #251 [LANG SYNE] Feb [19]06, 23ft-4in x 6ft-4in [#287p Stock launch later Crew Launch for #722s KATOURA]. Generally undated, the last vessels referred to appear to date from 1944." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.130. Cut-out Models and Diagrams. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Models and Diagrams. No date (1944 and earlier).)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #376p Esloma even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Esloma (MIT Museum-made index card)
• Esloma (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: Esloma
Type: Gasoline
Length: 99'
Owner: Van Dervoort, W. H.

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

• Esloma
• Skylark III ex-Esloma
• Sylvia III ex-Esloma
• 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: Esloma
Type: 99' gasoline
Owner: W. H. Van Dervoort
Year: 1932
Row No.: 204

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: 1921c
E/P/S: P
No.: 376
Name: Gsloma ?
OA: 99' 0"
LW: 92' 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.

"Esloma's first owner William H. VanDerVoort was co-owner of Root and Vandervoort Engineering Co. in East Moline, Illinois, the maker of R. & V. Knight automobiles. He died February 26, 1921 after a pro-longed illness of more than one year and apparently never took delivery of the vessel which had been finished since July 1920. After VanDerVoort's death, Esloma was advertised for sale and bought by L W Thompson of Hamilton, Ohio. She was finally launched on June 1, 1922." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 30, 2014.)

"In the absence of better available data displacement was estimated by using the figure for Gross Register Tons (85) from the 1923 Lloyd's Register of American Yachts (Net Register Tons were reported as 58) 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.