HMCo #405s Alice

"[1889-04-01] Mon 1: Set up new boat [#405s Alice] for [brother] Charles on [#401s] Romp] moulds. ...
[1889-07-16] Tue 16: Launched Alice [#405s] yawl.
[1889-07-18] Thu 18: Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] in 16 miles and also in 10 m[iles] to windward.
[1889-07-21] Sun 21: Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] to Newport & back. Light[?] wind[?] NW & S.
[1889-07-22] Mon 22: ... Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] twice. Fresh breeze.
[1889-08-04] Sun 4: Went to Newport. Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] both ways.
[1889-08-25] Sun 25: Went to Greensdale & Newport. Alice [#405s] beat Clara [#402s] to windward. ...
[1889-09-05] Thu 5: Clara [#402s] beat Alice [#405s] a little, to windward.
[1889-11-08] Fri 8: Hauled out Dolphin & Alice [#405s] at P[oin]t [Pleasant?]. ...
[1890-05-28] Wed 28: Charles launched Alice [#405s]. ...
[1890-06-22] Sun 22: Had trial of old [#188004es] and new [#405s] Alice.
[1890-07-04] Fri 4: Race at [??] Alice [#405s] beat Clara [#402s] a little over allowance.
[1891-10-11] Sun 11: Went to Newport in Dilemma [#412s] in company of Alice [#405s].
[1891-10-14] Wed 14: Dilemma [#412s] beat Alice [#405s] 3 min, 55 sec in 6 miles. Fresh breeze etc, etc.
[1891-10-16] Fri 16: Dilemma [#412s] beat Alice [#405s] twice; 3 min, 50 sec in 6 miles in strong breeze.
[1892-05-30] Mon 30 Light S showers Race at Bristol. Alice [apparently #405s] won. ...
[1899-05-25] Thu 25: Very fine [with] strong SSW [wind] & cool. ... Launching Alice[? possibly catyawl #405s Alice from 1889] & Quakeress #501.
[1900-06-16] Sat 16: Very fine. Fresh SW [wind] in PM. Race in harbor by B[ristol] Y[acht] C[lub]. Alice [#405s, built in 1889], Kildee [#460s] & Opossum [#484s] won. ...
[1901-05-16] Thu 16: Very fine & warm. L[igh]t N [wind] early, [then] mod[erate] SSW [wind] in PM. ... Alice [probably #405s] & Alerion [#446s] launched." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1889 to 1892. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection. Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1899 to 1901. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"Coconut Grove, Fla - March 26 1931 {1931/03/26} Dear Francis ... Do you remember the anchor winch on Alice, Uncle Charles yawl, later Tom Brightmans'. That was a snug one of little weight that I designed in the 90s - Your affect - Father." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 7: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"We built, for my brother Charles, Alice II [Alice II is on exhibit at the Herreshoff Marine Museum] in 1889, being on [the] molds of GLEAM of 1876, but with stem carried out and given a cat-yawl rig. This proved a very fast craft, like her original, and could beat any boat in the bay, although ruled out from racing by her rig." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "Some of the Boats I Have Sailed In." Written 1934. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 55.)

"Yachts Built or Building Since October, 1889. ...
N G Herreshoff [Designer], Herreshoff Mfg. Co. [Builder], Cat [Rig], C. B. [Centerboard], Wood [Material], 26.00 [L.W.L], Bristol [Yard]. ..." (Source: Anon. "The New Yachts of 1890." Forest and Stream, May 8, 1890, p. 318.)

"YACHT BUILDING AT BRISTOL. ... The well-known cat yawl Alice, which is acknowledged to be one of the fastest boats on Narragansett Bay, has been very much changed this winter. She is owned by Charles F. Herreshoff, a brother of the designer, and was formerly a centerboard boat. Mr. Herreshoff, has made her a keel boat, and it is the opinion that it will greatly add to her speed. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yacht Building at Bristol." Forest and Stream, February 16, 1895, p. 132.)

"Charles H. Herreshoff, Jr., is converting his yawl, Alice from a centreboard to a keel boat near his residence on Pappoosesquaw. She has been considered a fast boat heretofore, has been in a number of races and won prizes. It is thought that she will do much better work with a keel." (Source: Anon. "What Is Going On Along Shore Outside The Guarded Works of the Herreshoffs." Bristol Phoenix, February 22, 1895, p. 2.)

"... George H. Saunders of Bristol, R. I., has challenged Charles F. Herreshoff, Jr., for a race between the new yacht Ellida, lately built by him for Commodore W. W. Hollingsworth of the Atlantic City Corinthian Yacht Club, and the yawl Alice, owned by Mr. Herreshoff, for the Tilden and Thurber Challenge Cup. This cup was won by C. F. Herreshoff in a regatta nearly three years ago in Bristol Harbor. The regatta committee which arranged for the cup race three years ago has been notified and will meet at once and arrange for the race, which, if the challenged party accepts, will be sailed in less than a month in Bristol Harbor. All differences are to be settled by the rules of the New England Yacht Racing Association. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bits of Yachting News." New York Times, May 12, 1895, p. 6.)

"The fin-keeler Alerion [#446s], owned by Nathaniel G Herreshoff and the catyawl Alice [#405s], owned by Charles F. Herreshoff, Jr, were hauled out at Walker's cove Tuesday [November 1, 1898]." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, November 4, 1898, p. 2.)

"The fast catyawl Alice, owned by Charles F. Herreshoff, has been overhauled for the season and was launched from the Walker's Cove yards Saturday." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, May 21, 1901, p. 2.)

"A large number of boats have been overhauled at Herreshoff marine yards, Walker's Cove, and Malcolm McNaught's boat yards, preparatory to being put in commission for the summer season.
Among the boats overhauled are the Steam Yacht Florence [#208p], owned by A. W. Aiken [sic, i.e. A. H. Alker] of New York; Steam Yacht Tramp [#211p], owned bv William O. Gay of Boston; Steam Yacht Augusta [#146p], owned by J. B. Herreshoff; the 30-footer Alera [#626s], owned by A. W. Aiken; the 40-footer Cock Robin [#617s], owned by Mr. Eaton of Long Island; Capt . Benjamin T. Monro's gasoline launch; the knockabout boat Jane, owned by Lucien Sharp of Providence; the yawl Alice [#405s], formerly owned by Charles F. Herreshoff, but now by E. W. Ely of Providence." (Source: Anon. "Boats Overhauled for the Season." Bristol Phoenix, April 13, 1906, p. 1.)

"BRISTOL, R I. July 9 [1910] --- ... The old cat yawl Alice, so well known in this section as a cruiser and racer in any kind of weather, is out this year as a sloop yawl, and was launched and fitted out from Sanford & Goddard's yard a few days ago. She is owned by Rear Commodore C. C. Ely of the Bristol yacht club. The Alice sails better and has an easier poise when under way than when she had no head sail." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, July 10, 1910, p. 52.)

"Thomas P. Brightman and Raymond A. Brightman of Boston and Bristol, R I, respectively, who purchased the well-known 30-foot yawl Alice, formerly owned and sailed by the late Charles F. Herreshoff, had the craft launched from Wardwell's yard, Bristol, R I, last week. The hull of the Alice has been strengthened and a new canvas deck has been laid." (Source: Anon. "Notes from the Week's Log." Boston Daily Globe, June 22, 1919, p. 61.)

"1923. ... The Narragansett Bay Racing Fleet's long distance race (which had become an annual affair) was sailed on Oct. 1 from the Rhode Island Yacht Club. Two New York 30s, Harold Hoffman's Minx [#648s] and Charlie Trowbridge's Adios [#647s], sailed from the club around Brenton Reef Lightship, 44 miles, and finished only three minutes apart, Minx leading. Three other classes, 13 boats, sailed around Prudence. In class B Ernest Arnold's Iseulo finished first, but as Tom Brightman's Alice [#405s], the second boat, had not been measured, it was not known for nearly a month which had won for it was known that Alice had some allowance coming to her. When corrected times were figured after Alice had been measured, Iseulo had it by 13 seconds. ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 19.)

"The 75 year old catyawl Alice, built at the Herreshoff yards in Bristol in 1889, will sail again. James Kleinschmidt, assistant curator of the Mystic Marine Museum, recently acquired the boat from Samuel C Wardwell, Bristol harbormaster. The Alice had been out of service for some 20 years and was beginning to show her age.
Built for Charles F Herreshoff, the Alice was first sailed as a shallow draft catyawl, with the mainmast in the extreme bow of the boat. The rig was found to be tender in rough water, and the mast was brought back about eight feet. The keel was lowered several feet. Despite the ravages of 75 seasons, the boat's ribs and planks are in good condition. The boards will be replaced but the cedar planks and oak ribs are sound.
The boat was sold by its original owner to the late Edward Ely, of Providence. Mr Ely sailed her several years, then sold to Thomas P and Raymond S Brightman. T P Brightman reports that the boat was used for day sailing around the bay for a number of years, then later given to Mr Wardwell.
The hull has been lying in Frank 'Sheik' Sousa's backyard in Bristol and the rigging at Mr Wardwell's home. Mr. Brightman had the boat's steering wheel. All this equipment left Bristol the other day for Mystic, where the 28-foot boat will undergo a major face lifting and once more be sailed.
Owner of the oldest Herreshoff boat is uncertain, but this one must come close to the title." (Source: Anon. "75 Year Old Alice to Sail Again." Bristol Phoenix Waterfront Review, March 13, 1964, p. 10.)

"ALICE. Cat Yawl - HMC #405 - 1889. LOA 29ft 6in. LWL 26ft 6in. Beam: 11ft 0in. Draft: 2ft 8in.
Alice's History.
Originally ALICE sailed as an outside ballasted shallow draft centerboard cat-yawl. Later she became a pure keel boat with the mast moved aft and fit with a bowsprit, jib and smaller mainsail. With these changes she proved both stiffer and less lively in a seaway.
Unused for many years, ALICE was discovered in 1984 as she was about to be scrapped at East Norwalk, CT by Frank A. Posluszny, who later donated her to the Herreshoff Marine Museum in 1989.
Restoration vs. Conservation.
While the Museum restores many of the boats in the Collection to like-new appearance, ALICE is purposely displayed stripped bare with original framing and planking details visible. Showing the original boot unrestored allows today's wooden boat builders to view details of boat construction as practiced by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. before 1900.
Yacht Design Evolution of the Cat-Yawl.
NGH favored the cat-yawl rig for his designs of the late 1880s. In later years, after gaining experience with all kinds of rigs and hull shapes, he concluded that cat-yawls like ALICE had their drawbacks. The combination of the plumb stem and heavy mast forward made the boat 'hobbyhorse' at times, which is why he gave her succesors PELICAN [#408s] and GANNET [#409s] some forward overhang. As he noted, 'these were the first I designed with an overhanging bow. I was so impressed with its advantages, I used the principle in the extreme in designing GLORIANA [#411s] (1891, New York Forty-Six Class.) His subsequent designs had masts farther aft, as well as overhanging bows, a familiar configuration today." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum. [Plaque on display at the museum.] Bristol, RI, no date [ca. 2005].)

"NGH favored the cat-yawl rig for his designs of the late 1880s, possibly because he'd sailed so much in catboats as a youth and appreciated the value of a mizzen for cruising. In his later years, however, after a lifetime of experience with all kinds of rigs and hull shapes, NGH concluded that cat-yawls like Alice and Clara had their drawbacks. The combination of the plumb stem and a heavy mast way forward made the boats pitch unmercifully at times, which is why he gave their successors Pelican and Gannet some forward overhang. His subsequent designs, for the most part, had masts that were farther aft, as well as overhanging bows, a now-familiar configuration, which proved to be the best cure for this hobby-horsing.
Alice was built for brother Charles on the molds of the 1876 catboat Gleam, but with some alterations. NGH records that Alice proved to be a very fast craft that could beat any boat on Narragansett Bay. Although she was an outside-ballasted centerboarder when built, Alice later became a pure keelboat. He rig was also changed so that she carried a bowsprit and jib, along with a smaller mainsail. Her mast was moved aft some as well, and with these changes, she proved both stiffer and less lively in a seaway. Alice, much weathered from age and neglect, is now at the Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 52.)

"[Item Description:] Newspaper clipping from the [Providence?] Evening Bulletin titled 'The Bristol Regatta' about the July 25, 1881 regatta, among other participants were C. R. Herreshoff with JULIA [#187004es] and C. F. Herreshoff with ALICE [#405s] and Albert S. Almy with the 15ft 11in NORA [#187105es, #187802es, #188001es or other?]." (Source: Providence Evening Bulletin (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28640. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. 1881-07-26.)
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"[Item Description:] Newspaper clipping from unknown newspaper [Bristol Phoenix?] titled 'The Sailing Regatta' about the 4th of July [1882] regatta [in what Bristol], among other participants were C. Herreshoff with JULIA [#187004es] and C. F. Herreshoff with ALICE [#405s] and Albert S. Almy with the 18ft long NORA [#188210es], 'The NORA, which took the first prize in the fourth class was launched the day before the Fourth, and is said to have been built by the Herreshoff's in a week's time, she is a trim little craft, carrying a leg-o'-mutton sail'." (Source: Bristol Phoenix (?) (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28610. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. 1882-07-04.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled construction plan with half-breadth plan, midship section and inboard profile titled 'ROMP [#401s]. 29ft Sail Boat for Geo. A. Thayer. Scale 1/12 size. Jan 1883'. At the stem is a note 'ALICE [#405s ?] 26ft 4in 1890'. (This plan was most likely also used for ALICE.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Construction Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_07560. Folder [no #]. 1883-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled spar plan titled 'Spars for Mr. Thayers 29[??]ft[??] Boat. Feb. 1883' and marked in upper left corner in thick red chalk 'ROMP' [#401s]. A detail for the mizzen mast carries an inked reference to ALICE [apparently #405s]." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. (creator). Penciled Spar Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0632. WRDT08, Folder 47. 1883-02.)
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"[Item Description:] Casting Book # 2 [B (there is another Casting Book # 2)] showing hull castings as per title only for steamers #148p Our Mary and #149p Jersey Lily. Contents, however, also include castings for other boats including #188903es Yawl Boat for #157p Aquila, #405s Alice, #406s Iris, #54p Dolphin, #65p Gleam, #104p Magnolia, #104p Magnolia, #133p Henrietta, #151p Ballymena, #152p Cushing, #155p Augusta [III], #156p Antoinette, #157p Aquila, #158p Launch for Seal Fishing, and #162p Judy. Also listed are many parts for a quadruple engine (probably for #152p Cushing or for #150p Say When or #151p Ballymena). While other casting lists record both castings made at home and at outside foundries, this book appears to list only castings made at outside foundries and none at home. A first part of the booklet from front to about the middle shows casting numbers, descriptions, numbers of castings and foundry where made with dates ranging from Sept 10, [1887] to Dec 14 [1889]. A second, upside down, part of the booklet begins at the end and then goes back to the middle showing for the same date range 'Patterns sent away' with pattern numbers and names of foundries these were sent to. A further section then shows castings required for #152p Cushing and as well as castings required for Lagging, Pumping Engines, Feed Pump and Air Pump, all these possibly also for #152p Cusing. A final section shows 'Patterns ordered home' with pattern numbers, foundry names these were received from and dates ranging from Sept 12 [1887] to Dec 16 [1889]." (Source: MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.120-03. Castings Book 2B. Box HAFH.6.4B, Folder Casting Record Books Hull Castings Order Book 2. 1888-09-10 to 1889-12-14.)
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"[Item Description:] Ink on paper sail plan with sections and manufacturing instructions for #401s ROMP and #405s ALICE. Signed 'Chas. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I.' and initialed by NGH." (Source: Herreshoff, Charles F. (creator). Penciled Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0272. Model Room, Folder 25, formerly MRDE09. 1889-05-04.)

"[Item Description:] Envelope addressed to Julia A. Herreshoff, labeled in pencil 'Cutttings about ALICE [#405s] catyawl'." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28590. Envelope. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. No date (1890s ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Newspaper clipping from unknown newspaper titled 'Fall River. Aquatic Sports', coming season gives promise of being the liveliest ever known here in yachting, #405s ALICE took first prize in her class Memorial Day last season, and also beat the fastest boats in the regatta July 25th in Narragansett Bay, Capt. Simmons hopes to prevent carrying off all the honors this season, Charles W. Almy's NARRAGANSETT, WIZARD to be launched to-day, was sent here from Bristol and is going to the West Indies." (Source: Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28600. Newspaper Clipping. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. No date (1890s ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) notes booklet titled in ink '33ft LWL Cutter [#188702es Unbuilt Centerboard Cutter for N. G. Herreshoff]. 1887. Mr. Nat'l Herreshoff. R.M.[?] Dunbars[?] Ast. [this name crossed out]'. Relevant contents:
§18: #405s ALICE List of Blocks (1889-04)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Notes Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_03290. Folder [no #]. 1887-05 to 1891-09.)
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"[Item Description:] Typewritten and penciled table with data for 'Date of Order', '[Hull] No.', 'Name', 'Length on W.L.', 'Beam', 'Draft', 'Rig', 'Keel or Centerboard Keel', 'Ballast' for #400s CONSUELO, #401s ROMP, #402s CLARA, #403s CALYPSO, #404s COQUINA, #405s ALICE, #406s IRIS, #407s BIRD, #408s PELLICAN[sic], #409s GANNET, #410s MAB, #411s GLORIANA, #412s DILEMMA, #413s SAYONARA, #414s WASP, #415s WENONAH, #416s ALPHA, #417s DRUSILLA, #418s EL CHICO, #419s COQUINA 2ND, #420s REAPER and #421s BEE. Undated (data until 1891 is typewritten, thereafter penciled, suggesting that the table was prepared in January 1892 before EL CHICO, the first boat with a penciled year, was contracted for)." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Construction Record Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDW02_04530. Folder [no #]. No date (1892-01 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Untitled, penciled table providing data for L (WLW), D (Displacement in Tons net), T (measurement tens[? or tons?], S (Sail area), L * sq-rt(S) / 15* cube-rt(D), L * sq-rt(S) / 18* cube-rt(D), and (sq-rt(S) + L) / 2 on the X-axis for the following boats: DILEMMA [#412s], 2 1/2 rater [apparently #415s WENONAH], 35ft E.D. Morgan [#417s DRUSILLA], GANNET [#409s], PELICAN [#408s], ALICE [#405s], CLARA [#402s], CONSUELO [#400s], COQUINA [#404s], BIRD [#407s], 21' [#???s], GLORIANA [#411s], 46 Rodgers [#414s WASP], GRACIE, KATRINA, SHAMROCK, and HURON. Two penciled tables on verso: One showing max speed in miles and kots and wind required for lengths ranging from 35 to 80ft, the other appearing to show required wind speeds for max hull speeds for boats ranging from 30 to 80ft. On envelope labeled 'Immediate. United States Weather Report.' Undated, but postmarked 'Jan 19, 1892.'" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_72740. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F04, formerly MRDE15. No date (1892-01-19 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Clipping from an unknown newspaper [Providence Journal?] with several newspaper articles, the first one titled 'Herreshoff's Victory. The Latest Production, HANDSEL, PROVES to be a Flyer. Burgess Keel Boat, Fancy, Beaten 21m 38s' and reporting about HANDSEL's [#422s] famous win in Marblehead with NGH at the helm, the second article titled 'Bristol Regatta, Tilden Thurber Cup Taken by Catyawl [#405s] ALICE', 'ALICE, the winner in the first class, and of the sliver cup, by reason of beating all other boats between 18 and 35 feet, was built by the Herreshoffs, and is used to thest the speed of the new craft sent out by the Herreshoffs', undated, but believed to be from May 30 or May 31, 1892." (Source: Providence Journal (?) (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28720. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. No date (1892-05-30 ?).)
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"[Item Description:] Ink on linen sail cutting plan, untitled, ink stamped 'Saunders & West Co. Designers and Builders of Steam - Sail Yachts. Bristol, R.I.' and marked in pencil with sail area calculations for mainsail, mizzen and jib (total of 838sqft) and 'Spar dimensions allow for stretch'. Undated. (Is Saunders the boatbuilder George H. Saunders and owner of the catyawl ELLIDE which in September 1894 raced against the catyawl #405s ALICE amidst much controversy? [ALICE had 700sqft.])" (Source: Saunders & West (?) (creators). Sail Cutting Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_01300. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1894-09 ???).)
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"[Item Description:] Clipping from an unknown and undated newspaper [Bristol Phoenix?, Providence Journal?] titled 'Scrub Race. Catyawls ELLIDE and ALICE [#405s] Had a Brush Yesterday', undated but believed to be from 1894 and 1895 when the Saunders-Herreshoff controversy was widely published about." (Source: Bristol Phoenix or Providence Journal (?) (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28690. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. No date (1894 ?-09 ???).)
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"[Item Description:] Letter to the editor by C. F. Herreshoff of the Bristol Phoenix about the challenge of #405s ALICE by Mr. Saunders' ELLIDE for the Tilden-Thurber cup, undated but referenced by Saunders in his reply published in the Phoenix of June 7, 1895 and therein dated as June 4, 1895." (Source: Herreshoff, C.F. Correspondence (newspaper clipping) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28660. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. No date (1895-06-04).)
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"[Item Description:] Clipping from the Bristol Phoenix, titled 'Mr. Saunders Replies', with a letter to the editor by Geo. H. Saunders about the challenge of #405s ALICE by Mr. Saunders' ELLIDE for the Tilden-Thurber cup, labeled in pencil 'June 7 30, 1895'." (Source: Bristol Phoenix (creator). Newspaper Clipping. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28850. Subject Files, Folder 18, formerly 126. 1895-06-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) trials booklet 'Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Experiments & Trial Trips. 1890. N.G. Herreshoff'. Relevant contents:
§13: Trial Race between Alice Cat [#188004es] and Alice Yawl [#405s] (1890-06-22)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Trials Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_02260. Folder [no #]. 1890-01 to 1898-08.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Typed letter marked 'Copy' with 'Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, Rhode Island' letterhead:] Referring to mine of yesterday. I have been to the shop and showed your letter and enclosed sketch to Sidney and Tom Brightman, which they highly approved. [Charles] Nystrom was away.
I questioned Tom about authority for building the boat [#193007es TERN (Aux. Weekend Cruiser)] and he said Mr. Haffenreffer said, 'So soon as plans were approved by you, Sid and me, to go ahead and get her out this fall'.
I didnot have the "GEE WHIZ's' [#1002s] plans by me in making this sketch and it covers quite satisfactorily what I consider a good cruiser should be and to cover your desires as well as I understand them, and for shallow water use, as in L. St. Clair on the South.
To carry out the conditions required and not feel cramped, I have taken a little more size than 'GEE WHIZ'. The w. l. length is 30ft, and extreme nearly 37ft and extreme breadth of planking 10ft, Draft 3ft. With the intention that the boat be hauled out Winters, and also that she will be several times duplicated, I would by all means, have lead casting include middle section of keel --- the C. b.logs and lugs for floor timbers --- so there would be no seam to shrink open below the cabin floor. You will see I have carried the raised side way to the quarter and the back rest of cockpit side seats are against the clamps, so getting a much wider cockpit. The cockpit floor to be about 9in above L. w. l. The quarter deck on which the helmsman would sit to be about 6in higher, than seats so he can look over his guests heads. Steering gear to be 'CONSUELO [#400s] type' --- that was also used on CLARA [#402s]- ALICE [#405s] and several catyawls of the old days and proved most satisfactory. The motor to be as already approved. I would advise having two openings and slides to cabin as shown, as it is often desirable to have one over galley for ventilation, and also for quick passage from cockpit. There will be, however, walking space aft of centerboard, as well as forward. Will be 3 1/2ft space for galley, with refrigerator and oilskin hanger apposite. Then settee berths 6 1/2ft with toilet room 4ft next forward to port and liberal hanging space to Starboard. To be a builtin berth, port and aft, in forecastle with a swing berth, Starboard and well forward. A high water tank over head to port of mast and probably a large reserve tank under settee Starboard side.
[p. 2] I should have rectangular windows to open, as shown on each side, fitted with removable screens. They will be quite water tight against storms and there is little danger of getting much water thru in a knock-down, if closed. To be a hatch over forecastle, a skylight over cabin, with one corner (1/4) over toilet room.
The head-room, as laid out to be 5ft 6in but could be more if topsides were made higher. Have just seen Mr. Nustrom [sic, i.e. Charles Nystrom] and he proposed having a copy of sketch made, so if you approve, please wire, so work on Model and plans can be started at once.
Your affectionate father, ... [Compare with HH.5.12760 (155-000) Day Sailing Boat] (1930-09-03).]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Herreshoff, Alexander Griswold. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.091. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder Weekend Auxiliary Cruiser. 1930-09-02.)
① ②

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #405s Alice even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Alice (HMCo-made index card)
• Alice and #405p Surfboat (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: Alice
Type: Cat Yawl
Length: 26'6"
Owner: Herreshoff, C. F.

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

• Alice
• 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: Alice
Type: 28' 6" catyawl
Owner: C. F. Herreshoff
Row No.: 21

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: 1889
E/P/S: S
No.: 0405
Name: Alice
LW: 26 1/2'
B: 11' 0"
D: 2' 8"
Rig: Cat Yawl
CB: y
Ballast: Lead
Built for: C. F. Herreshoff
Notes Constr. Record: afterwords changed to keel
Last Name: Herreshoff
First Name: C. F.

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.

"Changed to keel from centerboard in winter of 1894/1895." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 18, 2008.)

"Built in 106 days (setup to launch)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"[Sail area 700sqft.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 2), Folder B2F04, formerly MRDE15. No date (1892-01-19 or later).)

"Donated in 1989 by Frank A. Posluszny to the Herreshoff Marine Museum." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 8, 2012.)

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