HMCo #446s Alerion II

"[1894-08-04] Sat 4: Turned over #446, new Alerion.
[1894-08-07] Tue 7: Deck laid on #446 [Alerion II].
[1894-08-18] Sat 18: Launched new Alerion, #446. Went to see 21' race in PM.
[1894-08-20] Mon 20: Went to Newport on Alerion [#446s] to see 21' race.
[1894-08-21] Tue 21: Went to Newport on Alerion [#446s] to see 21' race.
[1894-08-22] Wed 22: Went to see race of RIYC [Rhode Island Yacht Club] in Alerion [#446s].
[1894-09-02] Sun 2: Sailed around R.I. in Alerion [#446s] with Sidney & Nat.
[1894-09-03] Mon 3: ... Alerion [#446s] out for painting.
[1894-09-07] Fri 7: Went to Newport in Alerion [#446s] with children and Flossie.
[1894-09-23] Sun 23: Went to Providence in Alerion [#446s] with Sidney.
[1894-09-30] Sun 30: Off in Alerion [#446s] with Mr Willard.
[1894-10-13] Sat 13: ... Cleaned Alerion [#446s].
[1894-10-21] Sun 21: Went to [?] in Alerion [#446s] to see Mr. Iselin.
[1894-10-28] Sun 28: Went to Newport in Alerion [#446s] with children.
[1894-11-04] Sun 4: Went to Providence in Alerion [#446s] with children. ...
[1894-11-12] Mon 12: Unrigged Alerion [#446s].
[1894-11-14] Wed 14: Hauled Alerion [#446s], also Papoose at Popasquash.
[1896-05-24] Sun 24: ... Launched Alerion [#446s].
[1896-05-27] Wed 27: Rigged Alerion [#446s].
[1896-05-30] Sat 30: Went to see race at Fall River in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-06-21] Sun 21: Off in Alerion [#446s] with boys. Went to Wickford, Fox Is. & around Beavertail.
[1896-07-05] Sun 5: Went to Newport in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-07-12] Sun 12: Went to Newport in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-07-14] Tue 14: Changed rig of Alerion [#446s]. Put on large sails.
[1896-07-18] Sat 18: ... Went to see race of 30-footers in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-07-19] Sun 19: Went to torpedo station in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-07-23] Thu 23: Hauled Alerion [#446s] out on dock to clean.
[1896-07-26] Sun 26: Went to Newport in Alerion [#446s] with boys & Mr. Young.
[1896-08-02] Sun 2: Sailed up Prov[idence] River in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-09-06] Sun 6: Took short sail in Alerion [#446s].
[1896-10-07] Wed 7: ... Alerion [#446s] hauled out. Very full tide.
[1897-05-14] Fri 14: Launched Alerion [#446s].
[1897-05-15] Sat 15: ... Rigged Alerion [#446s].
[1897-05-31] Mon 31: Went to Fall River in Alerion [#446s] to see yacht race.
[1897-07-14] Wed 14: Very heavy SE to S gale, beginning [in] early a.m. 40 to 50 miles, 9[?] to SO[?] eve[?]. Alerion [#446s] went ashore. [Torpedo boat] Dupont [#185p] parted lines at dock and other damage by gale.
[1897-07-25] Sun 25: Went to Newport with boys in Alerion [#446s].
[1897-08-01] Sun 1: Went to Newport with boys in Alerion [#446s].
[1897-08-12] Thu 12: Began fitting Alerion [#446s] for family cruise. ...
[1897-09-08] Wed 8: Cleaned Alerion [#446s]. ...
[1897-09-26] Sun 26: Went around Beaver Tail in Alerion [#446s].
[1898-06-06] Mon 6: ... Launched Alerion [#446s].
[1898-06-07] Tue 7: ... Took Alerion [#446s] on dock to paint. ...
[1898-06-18] Sat 18: Strong SSW [wind]. ... Launched & rigged Alerion [#446s].
[1898-06-26] Sun 26: ... Off in Alerion [#446s] with boys to Newport & c.[1900-06-27] Wed 27: Fine fresh SSW [wind]. ... Alerion [#446s Alerion II, formerly owned by N. G. H. and now owned by James Alker] and Florence [#208p, owned by father A. H. Alker] here. Lifted Alerion to rerig. [See plans 80-86, 80-87, and 127-107 at M.I.T. for a new hollow mast and new sails.]
[1900-06-28] Thu 28: Fine [with] mod[erate] S [wind] in AM. ... Alerion rerigged [#446s] & [was] towed away in PM. T[hunder] & L[ightning] squall at 2 PM and another in [the] evening.
[1901-05-16] Thu 16: Very fine & warm. L[igh]t N [wind] early, [then] mod[erate] SSW [wind] in PM. ... Alerion [#446s] launched.
[1901-05-26] Sun 26: Fair [with] mod[ertate] NE & SE [wind]. Off in Alerion [#446s] for trial [in] AM ...
[1902-01-20] Mon 20: Very fine & calm. Launched Alerion to go to NY. [A reference to #446 Alerion II, which had been sold to James Alker of New York in 1899 and usually wintered or was laid up at HMCo.] ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1894 to 1902. Manuscript (excerpts). Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection [1894-1898]. Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff [1900-1902].)

"No. 446. May 1894. Use 15" scale for frames and 15 3/4" scale for spacing. Frame spaces 10 1/2" common scale." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. [Penciled note in Offset Booklet HH.4.090.] Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection, MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA.)

"My Own Boats. Except a few that will be mentioned as half-owner. ...
15
1894 About midsummer, I had built ALERION 2nd #446 that was 30' w.l. fin and bulb keel, jib and mainsail, and with the cloth running perpendicular to leech. This was the second suit I made, and immediately saw the advantage of it. At the present, practically all yacht sails are so made, and in every part of the world. I used her in 1894-95-96 and laid her up in 1897, as I was troubled with rheumatism and was very busy with torpedo boat design and with steam yachts. In 1898, or 1899, I sold ALERION 2nd to Mr. Alker of New York." (Source: Herreshoff, N. G. "My Own Boats. Except a few that Will be Mentioned as Half-Owner." Bristol, (originally compiled 1892 with additions in) 1929. In: Pinheiro, Carlton J. (ed.). Recollections and Other Writings by Nathanael G. Herreshoff. Bristol, 1998, p. 115-116.)

"I then designed and had built a smaller fin keel yacht that was also named ALERION. This boat twenty-seven and one-half feet waterline, about thirty-five feet on deck, and seven feet four inches wide, [with a] jib and mainsail rig, had a very satisfactory, but small, cabin. She proved a very satisfactory craft and I had her several years before selling her to Jim Alker. Under his sailing, she won many races. She was the craft from which the famous Thirty Foot Newport Class sprang and I only sold her because I was troubled with rheumatism that made it hard to handle small craft. She was about the best of the fin-keel type.
...
In this spring (1894), we built the twenty-one foot Larchmont Class of fin keel, jib and mainsail craft, and Wilson and Silsby of Boston were making our sails and had for about all craft since the advent of GLORIANA. It appeared very uncertain about obtaining good setting sails. Asa Hathaway [noted sailmaker and foreman of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company's sail loft] came to us the year before to make the awnings and other canvas work for our steamers. I got interested, the previous winter, in trying to find out how to make good setting sails and made many experiments on sail cloth. I soon discovered that due to the principle of weaving, the 'take up' on the warp was much more on the filling or weft, and that, quite naturally, sailcloth would stretch much more lengthwise than crosswise. As a sail is stretched much the hardest in [the] direction of the unsupported side, the leach, it appeared the filling should be done in that direction. I talked it well over with John and we decided to try it on some sails. The first one was made for one of the Larchmont Class [HOURI] by consent of her owner, W. Butler Duncan. I had not an opportunity of trying it, as I was leaving for the VIGILANT trip abroad. I, having sold ALERION # 1, was having ALERION # 2 built while away, and I decided to try our own made 'cross-cut' sails on her. I could see, at once, the wonderful advantage in yacht sails by having them cut that way." (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. 60-62; 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. 62.)

"Oct 29 1935 {1935/10/29} N. G. HERRESHOFF 6 WALLEY STREET BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND Dear Francis, ... I was quite surprised as well as pleased at your long letter to Uffa - and of what you had said of my active life and perhaps more than I deserve. ... [p2] 2 I will offer a few comments - On p.2 My outstanding achievements, ... # 5 cross cut sails This I consider one of the most important, and revolutionized the making of yachts the world over - insuring very much better 'set' of sails, Our first made, as experiment was in spring of 1894, and one of the Larchmont Class of 21 fin keelers - going to Butler Duncan. The next experiment was on my own 29' fin keel 'Alerion' in same summer over which I became very enthusiastic. ... Your affect - Father - " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 11: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"In the fall of 1894 he had built 'Alerion II,' thirty feet W.L. fin keel, jib and mainsail. This 'Alerion' had the second suit of crosscut sails that had ever been made. The crosscut sail had been invented by Captain Nat about 1893 and, I believe, the first one used was on one of the Larchmont one-design fin keelers built by the Herreshoffs for Mr. W. B. Duncan. Captain Nat liked this Alerion' very much and used her between 1894 and 1897 when he was so busy designing steam torpedo boats for the Spanish-American War that he was unable to take time off even for sailing, so she was stored in his boathouse until 1899 when she was sold to Mr. A. H. Alker and went to Long Island Sound. This 'Alerion' by the way, was the prototype of the Newport thirty foot one-design class only differing very slightly from it." (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Wizard of Bristol. The Life and Achievements of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, together with An Account of Some of the Yachts he Designed. New York, 1953, p. 117-118.)

"The new fin keeler being built for N. G. Herreshoff is nearly completed and will soon be in the water." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachting." Bristol Phoenix, August 4, 1894, p. 2.)

"The Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. will not close their works as reported until later in the month, owing to numerous repairs on yachting craft and the finishing of the yacht [#446s Alerion II] now in process of construction for N. G. Herreshoff." (Source: Anon. "Home News." Bristol Phoenix, August 4, 1894, p. 2.)

"PROVIDENCE, Aug. 6 [1894]. --- Work is still brisk at the Herreshoff shops. A large force is working on the fin keel sloop now on the stocks. Her outside planks were all put in position last Friday and she was smoothed down. On Saturday [August 4, 1894] morning she was turned over to have her deck beams put in place, and her deck is now being laid. Her fin is finished and her spars are almost ready. Her sails are being made by Hathaway at the works. ...[Note: Though not identified by name, this is certainly a reference to #446s Alerion II, the only fin keel sloop under construction at HMCo during the time in question.]" (Source: Anon. "At The Herreshoffs' Works. Many New Boats in Hand, Some of Them Ready for Use." New York Sun, August 7, 1894, p. 5.)

"Nat Herreshoff took a spin in his fine [sic] keeler, the Alerion, on Sunday [November 4, 1894], and with the light breeze, she seemed to shoot like an arrow. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachts and Yachting." Bristol Phoenix, November 6, 1894, p. 3.)

"Nat Herreshoff's fin keeler Alerion was hauled out last Tuesday [November 13, 1894], and housed for the winter in his boat bouse near Walker's Cove." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, November 16, 1894, p. 2.)

"... Last year [1894] Nat Herreshoff built two boats by way of experiment. The first was the Memory [#439s ex-Alerion I], a thirty-footer. This boat could sail like a witch. When Mr. Herreshoff went to Europe to help get the Vigilant in trim he sold the Memory to Commodore Murray of the Jamestown Yacht Club, and he raced her very successfully during the Summer. Later in the Summer, on his return from England, M. Herreshoff built the Alerion [#446s], another thirty-footer, which he sailed himself during August and September, and every one who saw the yacht declared that she was the fastest they had ever seen. These two boats were of the fin type, and were simply racing machines. ...
... Hathaway, who formerly worked for Gifford of Fall River, is making the sails for the small boats in a small room over the joiner shop. The seams are diagonal, à la the patent of Ratsey of Cowes. As the latter has a patent on sails made in this way, there may be some bother about Howard Gould's new twenty-rater [#451s Niagara] being allowed to wear them on the other side. Ratsey is a stickler for anything he gets up." (Source: Anon. "May Be A Big Fin Keel." New York Times, February 3, 1895, p. 15.)

"BRISTOL. R. I., March 23 [1895]. --- ... Nat Herreshoff is still improving [from Typhoid fever], and is daily consulted about the work on the boat. Tuesday he took the air for the first time on the veranda of his residence, and next week he may visit the shops.
The Herreshoffs will make one full suit of sails for the cup defender, and the syndicate will have one made by outside parties. This is according to the contract. The Herreshoffs have hired a room 200 feet long in the Bristol Rubber Works' new building in which to make the big mainsail. The cloths of this sail will run across the sail at right angles to the leach, instead of from boom to gaff, parallel to the leach, as is usual. The innovation is the result of Capt. Nat's experiments with a similar sail on his thirty-three-footer Alerion [#446s] last Summer. The sail will be made of ramie cloth woven from the India grass fibre from which it takes its name. It is claimed that it has extra strength and lightness over duck from Sea Island cotton. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bending The Frames." New York Times, March 24, 1895, p. 6.)

"... Just before the Colonia [#435s] sailed [on May 12, 1895], Capt. Nat Herreshoff hoisted the sail of his fin keel sloop Alerion [#446s] and showed her mettle, and his own skill, by many adroit manoeuvres in the vicinity of the big yacht. ..." (Source: Anon. "News and Notes of Local Interest." Bristol Phoenix, May 14, 1895, p. 2.)

"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 fin keeler Alerion has been purchased by A. H. Alker of New York, owner of the steam yacht Florence [#208p], new this year." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity." Bristol Phoenix, December 1, 1900, p. 2.)

"Oiseau [#512s], a Herreshoff boat, built last year [1899] for the twenty-five foot knockabout class, had her ballast lowered and her rig increased to the limit of the 30-foot class; and Alerion, an older Herreshoff boat, also had her rig increased after sailing a few races. ..." (Source: Mower, C. D. "The Racing on Long Island Sound." Rudder, November 1900, p. 400.)

"A yacht new to a majority of those who now race on Long Island Sound but older than any others that do any active racing is to make her appearance this summer. She is the Alerian [sic, i.e. #446s Alerion], owned by Mr. James W. Alker, who has sold his N. Y. Y. C. 30 Alera [#626s] to Mr. John L. Cutler, N. Y. Y. C. The Alerian was built by the Herreshoffs twenty-one years ago, as a model for a cup defender, and despite her age will give other yachts in the handicap class a good tussle. ..." (Source: Anon. "Yachting Notes, New York Herald, May 29, 1913, p. 12.)

"BRISTOL, R I, June 21 [1913] ... The old fin keel sloop Alerion, built for Nat Herreshoff in 1894, and now owned by the estate of A. H. Alker of New York, was launched from the Walkers Cove yard last Monday [June 16, 1913] and rigged for the first time in many years." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, June 22, 1913, p. 47.)

"BRISTOL, R I. July 5 [1913] --- ... The fin-keel racer Alerion, 30 feet in water line, owned by J. H. Alker, which was put overboard at Walkers Cove a week ago for the first time in 15 years, was taken to Newport last Monday to be used for cruising. ... [Note: Alerion was now owned by James Ward Alker whose father and previous owner of Alerion had died in January 1913.]" (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, July 6, 1913, p. 47.)

"... Championship records of the handicap yacht racing class of Long Island Sound for the season of 1913 have been completed by the officers of the class. ... The best record of the class, in so far as individual races are concerned, was made by Alerion, owned by J. W. Alker. In twelve races she won six first prizes and secured second place twice, but she failed to qualify by one race. Alerion is the oldest yacht racing regularly on the Sound. She was built by Nat Herreshoff to try out the idea he finally embodied in Defender, the successful America's Cup boat of 1895, and is Defender in miniature. She never has been owned by anybody except the Alker family since she passed out of the builder's possession. ..." (Source: Anon. "Amada First in Handicap Racing." New York Times, October 27, 1913, p. 7.)

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled list titled 'Running rigging. #446 [ALERION II]. Charge time & stock' and specifying lengths and types of running rigging. On verso a sketch of boom lifts (lazyjacks)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled List. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE06_00170. Folder [no #]. 1894-06.)
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"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan HH.5.05427 (075-037.5). Blueprint construction plan of #446s ALERION II with inboard profile, plan view and sections. Untitled, undated, an earlier version than the final original at MIT." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0163. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 2, formerly MRDE02. No date (1894-08).)
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"[Item Description:] Yachting editor The World and editor of new yachting weekly 'Burgee & Pennant': has excellent photo of #446s ALERION II by Child; will publish in 'Burgee & Pennant; please send a description of her and of her excellect suit of [crosscut] sails; story of [Larchmont] 21-footers and fine picture of #444s VAQUERO & #442s HOURI in the paper; could someone please write #437s VIGILANT in England article; is it true you have order from [James Gordon] Bennett for a 85-ft sloop [#189401es]; #168p VAMOOSE race challenge; #142p NOW THEN" (Source: Summers, James. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01320. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-07.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Drop me a line as I can not yet yet away for a short vacation East as I hoped to do.
Is Bennett building? [See #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for James Gordon Bennett.] What are arrangements? What do you hear about Challenge since. Have you finished a New boat [#446s ALERION II] for yourself?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01400. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 237. 1894-09-14.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Friday. Many thanks for your kind invitation for Sunday & I shall accept it the first time that I can, if it is then convenient to you, for I could not come last week I now find that I cannot this week or next.
I will see Sandeson[?] soon & hear him about building ALERION [#446s].
Our[?] meal[?] came[?] wet[?] last night. I will write you about the proposition & ask your opinion as to her means[?] of allying[?] it. We shall want boats 28/30 LWL & sail area limited perhaps 1300/1500 or 1400/1500. Lovejoy[?] to Secy[?] &[?] will write you.
Iselin has not been in town yet but I have a note from him today & expect[?] to see him soon. He[?] does not think Gould[?] manages[?] well. If a challenge[?] comes, as I expect, Gould told me in confidence that he would go in to a small Syndicate with Iselin & others 3 or 4 in all to build. I may ask Balun[?] & another to join them. Gould asked me to go over [to England] in Sprint & take VIGILANT [#437s] to Mediterranean to beat the fellows there. Is[?] might be done[?] I think.
Why I keep so busy it is hard to tell with dull trade but I do.
With kind regards to all ... [Undated, but appearing to be from a time after the season of 1894 when VIGILANT was still in England and before Dunraven formal began negotiating for a challenge for the 1895 America's Cup on October 24, 1894. Note that in response to Willards September 25, 1894 letter NGH invited Willard to the farm and that on Sunday, September 30, 1894 NGH sailed with E.A. Willard on his new #446s ALERION II, so this letter was apparently written on the preceding Friday, September 28, 1894.]" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01030. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. No date (1894-09-28 ?).)
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"[Item Transcription:] We have very pleasant memories of our visit to Bristol & hope to see you at out home in N.Y. before long. Let me know when you propose coming in for any special reason & come to us.
Thank Mrs. H[erreshoff] for her kindness & hospitality. I sent some candy for the children. Ask Miss Devory[?] to let me see the pirate[?] engine[?] when determined.
Bennett has done nothing yet [about #189401es Unbuilt Sloop for James Gordon Bennett]. Told Iselin that he would write to me when he did.
Our measurement committee of L.Y.C. [Larchmont Yacht Club] will meet on 18th inst.
There is a feeling against fin keels that I don't share in & would like to get Sanderson to see[?] PIXIE & try one to race in L.I. Sound. [PYXIE was a 25-rater designed by William Gardner and built by Wood & Sons for Oswald Sanderson of New York. Except in light winds she was slower than her rival, the Herreshoff-built #418s EL CHICO. LOA 36-5ft. LWL 23-5ft. Beam 7-7ft.] He is one of the best racing men & has a strong influence in moulding[?] Larchmont opinion. I propose adding him to the Comm. in place of his brother you[?] to[?] cuope[?].
Would you sell him ALERION [#446s] at a moderate price delivered later when you are through with her or take PIXIE in part pay[men]t? What are ALERION's dimensions & how much head room & how wide house & deck outside & how long evred[?] house be?
Have not seen Geo. Gould yet.
May come down some Sat. night for a sail returning Sunday night. Does race[?] Rim[?] Bristol was run in Sunday morning?" (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00930. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. 1894-10-10.)
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"[Item Description:] Measurements; #446s ALERION II; what is lowest price you can build 90ft tobin bronze centerboard schooner? I may be able to get you an order." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_01000. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly 239. 1894-10-25.)
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"[Item Transcription:] Not having heard further from you I presume that you are busy enough.
Iselin [of the syndicate for #452s DEFENDER whose contract to build will be signed in two days] telegraphed me asking if I cared to race with him this season & I answered by telegraph that I could not spare the time.
Gould [owner of #437s VIGILANT] has as you know offered VIGILANT to the cup committee & they have accepted her, so I presume will race her as they wish & whether they get most out of her or not I think that it was just the best thing that Gould could do & showed his spirit. There is no chance that I can learn[?] of any other cup defender & so yo must beat the Britisher with the new one. I sincerely hope that you will.
Please tell me if you care to sell ALERION [#446s] & if so what price you would make quietly to count[?] Sanderson, also does she in to the 30 rating class L.Y.C. [Larchmont YC]?
The MEMORY [#439s ex-ALERION I] as I understand is 32 W.L. & undoubtedly over that class --- is she not? I trust that you are all well & happy & that Miss Florence reached home safely." (Source: Willard, Edward Augustus. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_22150. Correspondence, Folder 66. 1895-01-21.)
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"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Table titled 'Examples of the Application of Proposed Measurement Rule for the the New York Yacht Club' providing data for Rig, Type under Water, Load waterline, Draft, Displacement, Sail area, Racing length and others for #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, JUBILEE, QUEEN MAB, HURON, #414s WASP, #451s NIAGARA, UVIRA, #422s HANDSEL, #449s ANOATOK, #409s GANNET, #408s PELICAN, #446s ALERION, #416s ALPHA, #406s IRIS, and #461s COCK ROBIN. With note 'Blueprint 2. Sept 20, 1895.'" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70900. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. 1895-09-20.)
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"[Item Description:] Untitled table providing data for Rig, Kind of c.b. or keel, Waterline, Draft, Displacement, Sail area, Racing length and others for #435s COLONIA, #437s VIGILANT, #452s DEFENDER, JUBILEE, QUEEN MAB, HURON, #414s WASP, #451s NIAGARA, UVIRA, #422s HANDSEL, #449s ANOATOK, #409s GANNET, #408s PELICAN, #446s ALERION, #416s ALPHA, and #406s IRIS. Much appears to be the same data as that provided in the table titled 'Examples of the Application of Proposed Measurement Rule for the the New York Yacht Club' and dated September 20, 1895, suggesting this to be the draft also dated similar. With envelope labeled in pencil 'Original N.G.H.'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_70920. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F06, formerly MRDE15. No date (ca1895-09-20).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled table listing w.l., Displacement in lbs and cuft, cube-root of displacement in cuft, w.l. divided by cube-root of displacement in cuft, % of displacement in keel & rudder and sqrt(SA) / cube-root(Disp in cuft) for #463s [Newport 30] class, #412s DILEMMA, #440s DAKOTAH, #446s ALERION, #450s NIAGARA and #453s VAQUERO II. On verso rating and design-related notes and calculations titled '[Newport] 30ft class'. Undated; the Newport 30 class was designed in December 1895 and January 1896." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04230. Folder [no #]. No date (1895 or later).)
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"[Item Description:] Would like to buy #446s ALERION II; NGH reply with offer, price and conditions" (Source: Kane, Grenville (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00080. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly (84). 1898-11-28.)
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"N/A"

"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled instructions:] Short spreaders & truss forward side
Smooth up lead
Refit tiller
New rigging where required
Cast in piece in lead and rivet lead this[?] plate
Bobstay fitting[?]
Hollow mast
Chart in cockpit floor
Main sheet double ended
Jib sheet lead iler[?]
Many[?] will cleat inards[?]
Pipeinch[?] ok for halyards
# 2 jib new for double reef
mainif[?] hook to stay
Snap hook on all jib
New stiffer gaff 4in longer
Jaws on spin boom longer
[On envelope addressed to Mr. Nathaniel Herreshoff. Kindness of Mac Lelland. Mention of Mac Lelland who managed #446s ALERION II for her owner James Alker suggests this to relate to ALERION, probably in October 1900 when HMCo made a new hollow mast for the boat.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Instructions. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_00350. Folder [no #]. No date (1900-10).)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned sketched sail cutting plan titled 'ALERION [II] (#446). No. 2 jib --- ordered October 1st. 1900'. On verso penciled scantlings for an unidentified, apparently large, yacht." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0458. WRDT08, Folder 37, formerly MRDE09. 1900-10-01.)
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"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned sketched sail cutting plan titled 'Balloon jib & bag[?]. ALERION [II]. #446 [#446s]'. Undated (clipped to job cutting plan for ALERION II dated October 1, 1900'." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0459. WRDT08, Folder 37, formerly MRDE09. 1900-10-01.)
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"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten (in ink) letter:]
My dear Mr. Herreshoff,
I referred your letter to Mr Mac Lelland, the Alkers not having yet returned. Will enclose what he sends in reply. Will you kindly do to the ALERION [#446s] [p. 2] what else[?] you think will increase her speed.
Yours very sincerely,
Florence A. Alker
Great Neck, L.I.
Oct. 9th 1900 [Florence Alker was the namesake of #208p FLORENCE]." (Source: Alker, Florence A. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_04180. Folder [no #]. 1900-10-09.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] The Executive Committee of the Y.R.A. of Long Island Sound [YRALIS] is now considering the adoption of the Measurement rule which will be voted upon at the meeting of the New York Yacht Club, on the 23rd. inst.
I take the liberty of asking, not only as a member of the Executive Committee, but also as the probable helmsman of the 'BOGEY' [#581s] in the races for our [Manhasset] Challenge Cup, whether you consider it advisable to apply the new rule to boats as small as the thirty foot class and if not asking too much, would like very much to get the measurements of the 'ALERION' [#446s] and 'BOGEY' under the proposed rule, as the question of recommending its application to this class will be taken up at a meeting of the Committee to be held early next week and we are endeavoring to obtain as much data as possible, bearing on this point.
The proposed rule as recommended to the New York Yacht Club, by the Committee on Measurement, only goes as low as 40 R.M.
Thanking you in advance, for any assistance you may be kind enough to give me, I am ..." (Source: MacLellan, Edward M. (Manhasset Bay YC). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_71840. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F07, formerly MRDE15. 1902-10-15.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Typewritten signed letter on 'Manhasset Yacht Club' stationery:] ] A meeting of Yacht Racing Assn. of Long Island Sound [YRALIS] will be held on Monday, Feby. 8th., when it is intended to propose for adoption, the New York Yacht club measurement rule, amended by using the Atlantic Y.C. length and 5.5 as the factor.
In order to carry the rule through, it is essential that we should have the length under the rule of some of the smaller boats and thus demonstrate how it works out. I therefore beg to ask if you will not furnish me with the racing measurement of the following boats under the rule, also any others that you may consider will be helpful.
ALERT [#581s ex-BOGEY].
ALERION [#446s].
LEDA [#541s ex-EFFORT].
SANDPIPER [#540s]. (18 [corrected by NGH to 15] foot)[?]
I send you herewith, copy of the A.Y.C. [Atlantic Yacht Club] rule and will be grateful for your assistance in this matter. [Incl. NGH penciled figures for ALERT (30.5), ALERION (28.7), LEDA (35.7) and SANDPIPER (16.9).]." (Source: MacLellan, Edw. M. (Secr. Manhasset YC). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_69670. Measuring and Measurement Rules (Box 1), Folder B1F03, formerly MRDE15. 1904-02-05.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§25: Work Order '[For] ALERION #446 New rig. [When wanted] June 28th. Charge time & stock. Shrouds …' (1900-06-22)
§26: Work Order '[For] ALERION #446 New rig. [When wanted] June 28th. Charge time & stock. Will use old blocks. Peak halyards …' (1900-06-22)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE07_01320. Folder [no #]. 1897-01 to 1905.)
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

"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter on 'New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Company. Ward Line. James E. Ward & Co., Inc, Agents' stationery:] I should like to know the 'l' of ALERION [#446s ALERION II, then owned by the Alkers], also her displacement in order that I can figure out what sail she could carry and remain in the 27ft class. The present 27 foot class consists mostly of old raceabouts and if ALERION could get in she would unsubtly win out and I would like very much to see the old boat in the game again with a chance of winning.
Thanking you for your trouble I am, Sincerely yours ... [Incl. penciled NGH draft reply note on verso:] Roughly about 750 sqft with is intirmechal[?] between two original rigs.
Would do well in a breeze but dull in light airs. [Note that the Ward Line's house flag depicted on the stationery, a blue 'W' in a blue circle on a white background, is visually identical with the private signal carried by #626s ALERA when owned by the Alker family, indicating that ALERA's private signal was modelled on the Ward Line's house flag. The Ward Line of steamships was owned by the Alker and Ward families.]" (Source: Alker, James W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_00570. Correspondence, Folder 1_14, formerly (84). 1906-03-08.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Handwritten notebook. This booklet had two lives: In 1907-1908, 1908-1909 and 1909-1910 it was used for winter storage records, listing name of boat, owner, storage location, billed amount, and dates of storage. Listed were for the winter of 1907/1908: #235p MIST, ORIANA, #571s LARIKIN, EAGLET, #453s VAQUERO II, #580s TRIVIA, #663s ISTALENA, COSSACK, #666s AVENGER, #220p ATALA (for sale), #207p MIRAGE, #224p EUGENIA, #146p AUGUSTA, #247p SEA URCHIN, #105p COSETTE, ARLINE, #213p FLORENCE, #208p FLORETTE, #249p SISILINA, #591s IROLITA, #481s SPALPEEN, DUCHESS, #669s ELEANOR, #460s KILDEE, #647s CAPRICE, #408s PELICAN, #243p SWIFTSURE, #617s COCK ROBIN, #177p VANISH, #446s ALERION, and #591s IROLITA I, for the winter of 1908/1909: #666s AVENGER, #663s ISTALENA, #481s SPALPEEN, #580s TRIVIA, #617s COCK ROBIN, COSSACK, #177p VANISH, #242p #242, #243p SWIFTSURE, SKIP, #446s ALERION, CHEWINK II, DUCHESS, #571s LARIKIN, #460s KILDEE, #679s PEPITA, EAGLET, #408s PELICAN, #453s VAQUERO, #146p AUGUSTA, #224p EUGENIA, COYOTE, #264p SARAH WEBB, #207p MIRAGE, ARLINE, #213p FLORENCE, #208p FLORETTE, #249p SISILINA, #591s IROLITA I, CASSANDRA 27ft Launch, and #263p CASSANDRA 34ft Launch, and for the winter of 1909/1910: #252p WANECHE (no further boats were listed). At some later time, the same book was turned upside down and inscribed with a new title in ink '200Ft Submarine Destroyer [#191802ep Unbuilt 200ft Submarine Chaser]. Data + Calculation Book. Herreshoff Mfg Co.' on its now-new front cover (formerly its back cover), followed by weight data estimates and calculations for this submarine destroyer." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Notebook. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.087. Box HAFH.6.2B, Folder Submarine Destroyer 200-Footer. 1907-1908, 1908-1909, 1909-1910, 1918-06.)
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

"[Item Transcription:] [Handwritten signed letter on 'James W. Alker, 29 Broadway, New York' stationery:] I believe my father is going to have the 'ALERION' [#446s] put in commission. Can you tell me what she will rate under the present rule, with the rig he intends to use. I think if she rates in class Q she could win in a good north wester. It would be very interesting to have a boat 20 years old beat the new ones and might demonstrate that excessive displacement is not necessary.
Thanking you for your trouble,
I am sincerely yours ...
P.S. I suppose you read that 'ALERT' [#581s ex-BOGEY] won nearly everything last year in the handicap class. She was scratch boat and had to give very big time allowance.
Her owner intends to race her in class P this year and think he should win in light airs." (Source: Alker, James W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_43740. Correspondence, Folder 95, formerly 83. 1912-05-02.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink) rating rule-related table on two pages with dimensions LOA, LWL, overhang fore & aft, mean length, freeboard fore & center & aft, breadth deck & w.l., draft, cube-root (displacement), 1st mast mean length, 1st to 2nd mast, J, P1, H1, B1, G1, V1, T1, P2, P2a, H2, B2, Q2, Y2,T2, sail area, sqrt(SA), sqrt(SA - NYYC Rule) for #605s RELIANCE, #499s COLUMBIA, #725s RESOLUTE, #529s MINEOLA, #663s ISTALENA, #666s AVENGER, New York 50s (#711s, #712s, #713s, #714s, #715s, #716s, #717s, #720s, #721s), #411s GLORIANA, #685s ADVENTURESS, #617s COCK ROBIN II, #586s NELLIE, #709s JOYANT, #708s CORINTHIAN, #670s SENECA, Bar Harbor 31s (#592s, #593s, #594s, #595s, #596s, #597s, #598s, #599s, #600s, #601s, #602s, #603s, #604s), New York 30s (#626s, #627s, #628s, #629s, #630s, #631s, #632s, #633s, #635s, #636s, #637s, #638s, #639s, #640s, #642s, #643s, #647s, #648s), Newport 29s (#727s, #728s, #737s), #691s MORE JOY, #446s ALERION II, Buzzards Bay 550s (#733s, #734s, #736s, #738s, #741s), #617s COCK ROBIN II, #493s JILT, #732s SADIE, #460s KILDEE, Buzzards Bay 15s (#503s Class), Buzzards Bay 12 1/2s (#744s Class), #703s FLYING CLOUD, #669s ELEANOR, #722s KATOURA, #692s WESTWARD, #657s QUEEN, #719s VAGRANT II, #698s VAGRANT, #663s ISTALENA, and #743s HASWELL. With penciled note 'Measurements in ft & inches. Results in ft & decimals'. Undated (the youngest boat on this list is from 1914/1915 and this was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE15_00100. Folder [no #]. No date (1914 / 1915 ?).)
① ②

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #446s Alerion II even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Alerion II (HMCo-made index card)
• Alerion II (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: Alerion
Type: J & M
Length: 28'
Owner: Herreshoff, N. G.

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

• Alerion II
• 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: Alerion II
Type: 27' 3" fin keeler; 1894-5
Owner: N. G. Herreshoff
Year: 1894
Row No.: 14

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.

Month: June
Day: 17
Year: 1894
E/P/S: S
No.: 0446
Name: Alerion
LW: 28'
B: 7' 8"
D: 6' 0"
Rig: J & M
K: FK
Ballast: Lead
Last Name: H.
First Name: N. G.

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.

"LOA 40ft and LWL 27.6ft from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

"Built in 62 days (contract to launch; equivalent to 137 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 670sqft from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

"N/A"

"Displacement 133 cu.ft. [= 8,512 lbs] from untitled two-page rating-rule-related table handwritten (in ink) by N. G. Herreshoff with multiple dimensions for the most important Herreshoff-designed yachts. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum. MRDE15, Folder [no #]. Undated (the most recent boat dates 1914/1915 and the table was probably prepared in preparation for NGH's sail area rating rule of 1914/1915)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. September 16, 2020.)

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