HMCo #718s Alerion III

"[1912-10-19] Sat 19: Began work in laying down #718, knockabout for self [Alerion III]. ...
[1912-11-04] Mon 4: Began laying down #719 [Vagrant II] schooner. Work began making mould for #718 [Alerion III] for self. Cast lead for #711 [Ventura].
[1912-11-18] Mon 18: Began planking #712 [Spartan], also #718 [Alerion III] for self.
[1912-11-25] Mon 25: #718 [Alerion III] planked.
[1912-12-02] Mon 2: Turned over #718 [Alerion III].
[1912-12-05] Thu 5: #712 [Spartan] planking all on. ... Cast lead for #718 [Alerion III] (2450 lbs.)
[1912-12-11] Wed 11: ... Deck laid on #718 [Alerion III].
[1913-01-23] Thu 23: Launched #718, Alerion, at 8AM and took out on N[orth] wharf to pack for shipment to Bermuda. W[ei]g[h]t [of] hull complete with c[enter] b[oard] & rudder 4665 lbs.
[1913-02-05] Wed 5: Fair & cold. Strong WNW [wind] 23deg. Put all equipment onboard 'Alerion' (718) and she is all ready to go to Bermuda. ...
[1913-02-09] Sun 9: Fine & cool. Fresh WNW [wind]. Got into Alerion [#718s] and packed last things before shipping. ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1912 to 1913. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. July 4th, 1928. {1928/07/04} Dear Francis. ... Since getting home I have found many little things to take up my time and have just got "Alerion" rigged this morning, and took a little sail but found the wind too strong for comfort. ... With best wishes from all Your affect - Father- [Vertical note in left margin] P. S. I feel it is quite time I gave up sailing and shall try to sell "Alerion" this summer. If you can find a customer please let me know. " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 4: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Bristol, R. I. Sept 7, 1928. {1928/09/07} Dear Francis, ... I have sold Alerion to Carl Rockwell. Your affect. Father - " (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 4: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"N. G. Herreshoff Coconut Grove Miami, Florida April 14, 1929. {1929/04/14} Dear Francis - ... I quite agree with you my ruling is imperfect that it does not allow hollow lines in case of a somewhat vertical stem, or very short over hang, and looking at it again, I believe it best to eliminate the words in 4th line of p.17, "and they shall not show hollow lines". When I wrote it I had in view the far superiorty of my boat 'Pleasure' over 'Alerion' when going into a sea - Alerion as you may remember had quite a full deck line and somewhat hollow water line. She was a very good sea-boat and almost never [p3] took water over her bow in the steepest kind of sea - by the sea w'ld stop her very much and if laying over in a breeze she w'ld want to come up into the wind. 'Pleasure' has a much sharper deck line and not outside a circle-arc- her timbers forward are more rounding and waterline about straight and her ease and dryness in a seaway is quite remarkable. Certainly if there is a decided fore-foot there should be hollow water lines." (Source: Mystic Seaport Museum, L. Francis Herreshoff Collection, Box 17, Folder 5: Letter from N. G. Herreshoff to L. F. Herreshoff.)

"My Own Boats. Except a few that will be mentioned as half-owner. ...
24
1912 ALERION 3rd #718 - After passing a winter in Bermuda [in 1911 -12], I decided it was the best place to avoid cold weather and to go winters. So I designed another sailing boat specially for those waters and ALERION was to be 26' o.a. 21'9" w.l., 7'7" beam, 28" draft with a c.b., with snug knockabout rig. She was used in Bermuda and kept at St. George's in winters of 1913-14-15, and also in 1920. Then she was brought home and used [by me] here in the summers of 1920, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29, when she was sold to Carl Rockwell. She was a very satisfactory boat." (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. 119.)

"In the summer [of 1912], I designed for myself the centerboard knockabout ALERION III, twenty-six feet overall, twenty-one feet nine inches waterline, and early in the following February, I took her to Bermuda for a short stay there only, as we were busy with new work at home. While in Bermuda, I hired a small storehouse and fitted it with a railway and cradle for ALERION.
There was another challenge from Lipton, the following fall (1913), for the America's Cup and the design and building was again given to us. We had already taken an order from Mr. R. E. Tod for the large schooner KATOURA that was one hundred and sixty-two feet overall, one hundred and sixteen feet waterline, and this work kept me busy till into February, when I again went to Bermuda for a short season of sailing in ALERION.
1914 was a busy one for me. Between sailing in KATOURA, and many times in RESOLUTE, there were about one and a half dozen smaller boats under thirty feet waterline to be tried out. Due to the World War coming on, the "Cup Races" did not come off, but I did much sailing in RESOLUTE and trying others. The following winter, I again went to Bermuda and did a good deal of sailing in ALERION and she became quite the 'ideal' to the native pilots and boatmen.
...
After a period in hospital in New York [elective hospitalization for removal of teeth as a treatment of chronic rheumatism], I again went to Bermuda in [the] last of January, 1915, to build up, and did more sailing in ALERION, and home in April to a trying summer in the sickness [Angina Pectoris] and death of my brother John.
...
At this time [August 1924, after the auction of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company], I became entirely free of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, and with enough laid aside to live on, continued an idle life. Besides ALERION for home sailing in the summer, I had a cruising motor boat (HELIANTHUS III) and fitted up a large size sailing dinghy to tow in trips to Florida in the winter and sail there. This boat, LANTANA, proved very useful as a tender to go ashore in during our cruising and also as a sailing tender.
...
In 1929, I sold ALERION to Carl Rockwell and gave up sailing in home waters, and the following winter was the last of my sailing days, for at eighty-two, it was becoming a dangerous recreation with increasing awkwardness in all faculties." (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. 72-76.)

"In 1912 he built 'Alerion III,' building No. 718. She was a fine, able little boat, twenty-six feet O.A., twenty-one feet nine inches W.L., seven feet seven inches beam, and twenty-eight inches draft with centerboard and outside lead keel. He used 'Alerion' at Bermuda in the winters of 1913, '14, and '15. After the war she was shipped back to Bristol where he used her between 1920 and 1929." (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. 122.)

"Things were a little slack at the Herreshoff Company in the winter of 1911-12 and Captain Nat had the little centerboard sloop 'Alerion' built for his own use at Bermuda where he was for the next few years to spend part of his winters. 'Alerion' has lasted a long time and her owner in 1950 was Isaac B. Merriman of Warren, Bhode Island. In a letter to me he said, 'I think she is one of the finest boats that was ever built,' and he ought to know for he has had some of the best of them." (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. 282.)

"In his later years, between 1910 and 1915, Captain Nat went south nearly every winter to Bermuda where he had the two sailboats 'Oleander' and 'Alerion' which he had designed especially for sailing at Bermuda..." (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. 314.)

"I believe he did sail a little after [having decided to give up using boats and selling 'Water Lily'] in his twenty-six foot sloop 'Alerion' which he kept at Bristol for sailing in the summer. 'Alerion' was kept in a sheltered spot beside a stone dock in front of his home at Bristol, and he had moored her and arranged her rig so that she could be gotten under way with little exertion, but one day when sailing alone he had a fainting spell so never went singlehanded again. I think he was about eighty-one then, but he went on the water with others perhaps until he was about eighty-six." (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. 318.)

[See also: Herreshoff, L. Francis. "A Sail in the Alerion." In: An. L. Francis Herreshoff Reader. Camden, Maine, 1978.]

"... After Capt. Nat first sailed ALERION III in the windy water domains of Bermuda, upon his return home, my father asked his father how he liked the new boat. My Dad told me the reply was 'Fine, but she is awful damn wet, but I’ll fix that.' He did not actually change ALERION III, but when asked to produce a near sistership, which is the SADIE [#732s], now a property of the Museum on display here, he did make significant changes. The underbody of SADIE is nearly identical to that of ALERION, but the bow is drawn out longer by 6in., there is more wave shedding flair forward and the on-deck beam of SADIE was made 4in. more – all these changes to produce the same fine sailing small yacht but making her less wet for the crew sailing in a chop --- 'I’ll fix that.' ..." (Source: Herreshoff, Halsey C. "The 2014 CYS Commemorates the Great Herreshoff year of 1914." In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The 6th Classic Yacht Symposium. May 2- 3, 2014. Bristol, RI, 2014, p. 5.)

"BRISTOL, R I, Nov 30 [1912] --- ... If designer Nat. Herreshoff goes to Bermuda this Winter for his health he will take two small sailing racers with him, the Oleander [#710s], which he had at Bermuda last Winter, and a new craft [#718s Alerion III] of the same size and type which is now nearly completed. ..." (Source: Anon. "Bristol Notes." Boston Globe, December 1, 1912, p. 51.)

"Capt. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff and son Francis left a week ago yesterday for Bermuda. Francis will remain for a week or two but his father will make an extended visit. The new racer recently built at the boat shops, was taken on board the steamer from New York. Capt. 'Nat' will use the craft for sailing in Southern waters." (Source: Anon. "Bristol and Vicinity" Bristol Phoenix, February 13, 1913, p. 2.)

"Charles B. Rockwell, Jr., has purchased from Capt. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff the 21 footer, centerboard knockabout Alerion, which was built at the Herreshoff plant in 1923 [sic, i.e. 1912/1913] for Capt. Herreshoff. The Alerion is 26 feet over all, seven feet breadth of beam, and draws two feet and five inches without the centerboard. Alerion was the third boat of that name that was built, used and sold by Capt. Herreshoff." (Source: Anon. "Sloop Alerion Has New Owner. Charles B. Rockwell, Jr., Has Purchased Yacht From Capt. N. L. Herreshoff." Bristol Phoenix, September 18, 1928, p. 4.)

"1944. ... George Green bought the sloop Alerion from Amory S. Skerry; ..." (Source: Davis, Jeff. Yachting in Narragansett Bay. Providence, 1946, p. 122.)

"... The Herreshoff sloop 'Alerion', formerly owned by George Green of Bristol, has been sold to Isaac B. Merriman and is being reconditioned in his barn up in Warren. From all accounts she has had a masterly job done on her and should be a pretty sight in the bay waters this summer. ..." (Source: Anon ("See Weed"). "Ship Shape 'n Bristol Fashion." Bristol Phoenix, June 16, 1950, p. 3.)

"To the Editor: In reference, to your article (Oct 16, 1964) about the sloop Alerion becoming part of the collection at the Mystic Seaport, some of your readers may remember that the Alerion was owned by my father, Charles Rockwell, after N. G. Herreshoff gave up sailing in 1929. Thus she stayed in Walker's Cove for several years after that date, and could be seen by Capt. Herreshoff from the windows of his house, almost until the year he died.
The Alerion later became the property of my father's cousin, Mr Amory Skerry of Barrington, and was sailed by his family for several more years before being owned by Mr. Merriman, who has given her to the Seaport.
Eleanor R. Edelstein
New York City 12, N.Y. " (Source: Anon. "More Alerion." Bristol Phoenix, October 23, 1964, p. 28.)

"SADIE and ALERION III
by Michael J. Pesare
... In the winter of 1910/11, N.G. Herreshoff travelled to Bermuda for a brief respite from the New England winter and a busy boatbuilding yard. He shipped along OLEANDER, a small keel/centerboard sloop. After experiencing the notoriously strong and gusty Bermuda winter winds, he determined that OLEANDER was too small and tender. The following July, NGH made the half model of ALERION III. She too was a keel/centerboarder but possessed a distinctly different hull shape. NGH gave ALERION generous beam on deck, but much less beam at the waterline. He also utilized a gentle sweeping sheerline. Perhaps her most distinguishing feature, her hollow bow, gave ALERION a subtle beauty and refinement. ALERION's dimensions were: LOA: 26", LWL: 21'9", BEAM: 7'6 1/2". DRAFT: 2'5".
ALERION (HMCo. #718) was constructed in about three months by a highly skilled crew in the small boat shop of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. The small boat shop was situated between the large North and South Construction Shops on the waterfront. ALERION was designed to be an easily handled day-sailer and she proved to be quite seaworthy and fast. NGH circumnavigated Bermuda in her and his son, L. Francis Herreshoff once wrote, 'She is one of the fastest boats of her size ever produced; not only is she a very fine seaboat, but she is extremely fast for such a shallow draft boat, is always easy to handle and comfortable to be on.' NGH kept ALERION in Tuckers Town on Castle Harbor in Bermuda and stored her, when not there, in a rented storehouse which he fitted with a railway and cradle. ALERION was sailed by NGH in Bermuda for part of each winter until about 1916,
In 1920, ALERION was shipped back to Bristol and NGH continued to sail her each summer. In 1924, he replaced her original gaff rig with a sliding gunter rig, influenced by the simple and efficient Bermudian rigs which he had observed in Bermuda. NGH enjoyed leisurely daysails in ALERION, often reaching over to Greenwich Cove on the west side of Narragansett Bay. A fainting spell while sailing on board ALERION in 1928, caused him to give up sailing alone and she was sold to fellow Bristolian Charles B. Rockwell. ALERION remained in Narragansett Bay for 34 years under various owners. Isaac B. Merriman, Jr., her last private owner, donated her to Mystic Seaport Museum in 1964. She was subsequently restored and put on display.
Reflecting many years later, NGH wrote that his ALERION 'became quite the ideal to native (Bermudian) pilots and boatmen.' She also, no doubt, much pleased her designer as he utilized her general shape for many later designs. ...
L. Francis Herreshoff said of ALERION, 'she was as well built and fitted out a small yacht as it has been my lot to see.' Combining seaworthiness, speed, and exquisite beauty, ALERION and SADIE will remain an inspiration to sailors for many years to come." (Source: Herreshoff Marine Museum Chronicle, 1992, p. 2.)

"Like the steam yacht Stiletto [#118p] and the revolutionary racing yacht Gloriana [#411s], this boat, the third of NGH's Alerions, was a signal design. Although she was not built for racing and left behind no records of outstanding performance, as did Stiletto and Gloriana, she was very fast. What made her so admired was her beautiful shape --- especially that of her hollow bow, which NGH continued to utilize in her Herreshoff-built successors, the Buzzards Bay 12 1/2-footers, the Newport 29s, and the Buzzards Bay 25s. These boats ... all had short but graceful overhangs, high bows and low sterns with a beautiful sheerline connecting them, and generous beam at the deck. Waterline beam was considerably less. Alerion (the name means 'young eagle') has been preserved and can be seen at Mystic Seaport...
Alerion was built especially for Bermuda, a place that gave NGH a much-needed winter respite. Having a boat was, for him, mandatory, no matter where he was. His 1911 boat Oleander [#710s] proved to be too small and wet for Bermuda waters, so he had Alerion built for the following season, possibly shaping her after an especially attractive Bermuda sailing dinghy named Contest. NGH stayed at Tuckers Town on Castle Harbour, near the east end of the island, where the sailing photo (above right) was taken.
Alerion was kept in Bermuda for nearly a decade, stored summers in a rented boat-house, and sailed winters by NGH until he shipped her to New York in 1920. L. Francis sailed the boat from New York to Bristol, and his account of this wild trip home has been published on several occasions, most recently in the book An L. Francis Herreshoff Reader. For sailing in Bristol, NGH converted Alerion's gaff rig to a sliding gunter; he continued to use the boat each summer until he sold her to family friend and neighbor Carl Rockwell, about 1928. ..." (Source: Bray, Maynard and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine, 1989, p. 130-131.)

"Alerion III
HERRESHOFF CABIN DAYSAILER HULL #718 26' 0" x 7' 7" 1913
The beautiful Alerion! She is the favorite of many, and a number of people return to the Museum just to see her again. Indeed, she is one of Herreshoffs most exquisite creations. 'Mr. Nat' or 'Capt. Nat' as N. G. Herreshoff was called, was 64 years old when he designed this boat (the third of that name) for himself. His career was perhaps at its zenith, and Alerion's beauty and simplicity reflect his genius every bit as much as one of his America's Cup defenders did. After being built by the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. in Bristol, Rhode Island, she was shipped to Bermuda where 'Capt. Nat' spent part of each winter. Just what inspired her shape is not known for certain, but she was a rather distinct departure from his previous designs, most of which had the longer overhangs and full keels typical of the Universal Rule racers. Alerion became an inspiration for her designer, and within the next year or two he came out with the 12 1/2-footers, Newport 29-footers, Fish class, and Buzzards Bay 25s --- all with somewhat similar hull shapes. One other boat, Sadie, was built in 1914 using Alerion's offsets but with some minor changes. She is now in the collection of The Herreshoff Marine Museum, in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Captain Nat discarded Alerion's original gaff rig after a few years and put a sliding gunter mainsail on her, which had a sprit equal in length to the boom and which, when raised, became almost an extension of the mast itself. It is with this rig that she is exhibited.
STATUS: Refastened and refinished in 1972, otherwise mostly original, excellent condition.
DONOR: Isaac B. Merriman, Jr.
FURTHER READING:
Barker, Warren. 'Curlew.' WoodenBoat, 138, Sept/Oct, 1997.
Bray, Maynard, and Carlton Pinheiro. Herreshoff of Bristol. Brooklin, Maine: WoodenBoat Publications, Inc., 1989.
Bray, Maynard. 'Reversing Curves.' WoodenBoat, 138, Sept/Oct, 1997.
Davis, Arthur W. Jeff Davis's Log. Providence: Providence Journal Publishing Co., 1937. Chapter 14 contains a sketch and anecdote about "Capt. Nat." and Alerion.
Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Writings of L. Francis Herreshoff. New York: The Rudder Publishing Co., 1943. Contains an account of an exciting sail from New York to Bristol in Alerion. (Republished in The L. Francis Herreshoff Reader. Camden, Maine: International Marine Publishing Co., 1978.)
Pesare, Michael J. 'Sadie and Alerion III.' Herreshoff Marine Museum Chronicle, 1992.
Skerry, Amory S. 'Alerion.' The Log of Mystic Seaport, September, 1969. A good write-up by one of her former owners.
Taylor, Roger C. Still More Good Boats. Camden, Maine: International Marine Publishing Co., 1981.
See also applicable portions of list for 1963.595, Nettle.
ACCESSION NO. 1964.631." (Source: Bray, Maynard with Benjamin A. G. Fuller and Peter T. Vermilya. Mystic Seaport Watercraft. Mystic, Connecticut, 2001, p. 69.)

"When NGH first had Alerion in Bermuda, I'm pretty sure she was white and probably had a green bottom --- in other words, she arrived with the standard HMCo paint job. Photos taken there, although in black and white, tend to corroborate this. Later, and I think after she came back to Bristol, NGH changed her topsides to green, a color that, since then, has been called 'Nathanael Green.' That same green was used on the yawl Belisarius [#1266s] when she was built in 1935, along with a white bottom and black boot top.
Alerion came to the Seaport with a white hull, no boot top and a red bottom, as I recall... Even the sheer strakes had been painted out white. I stripped the sheer strakes and varnished them after giving them a light stain to even things out, and changed the colors to what I'd heard she had been, being guided by Belisarius and by talking with L. Francis Herreshoff who was still alive back then. The colors passed muster with Sidney, Clarence, and Halsey Herreshoff when they visited later on, and with former owner Amory Skerry, so I felt they weren't far off. Later, after Skerry donated a little bottle of authentic green paint, we refined the topside color for a better match." (Source: Bray, Maynard. Private Email to Kathy Bray. August 22, 2009.)

"N/A"

"N/A"

"[Item Description:] Penciled undimensioned half-breadth plan and profile titled 'Sketch of proposed'. Probably the original sketch of #718s ALERION III, superimposed for comparison over what appears to be a sketch of #710s OLEANDER. On the same side, rotated by 180deg, another penciled sketch, dimensioned, with half-breadth plan and profile titled 'OLEANDER [#710s] measurements'. With dimensions for 'Cuddy doors', 'boom', 'gaff', 'end of tiller 12in above seats', etc. On inside of unfolded envelope from 'Herreshoff M'F'G' Co., Bristol, R.I.' to 'Mr. N.G. Herreshoff, Bermuda Sanatorium, St. George's, W, Bermuda', postmarked Feb[ruary] 13, 1912. With calculations for scantlings, displacement (75.0cuft = 4800lbs) and wetted surface. " (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02300. Folder [no #]. No date (ca second half of 1912-02).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled table titled 'St. George [Bermuda]. Yachts sailing for N.G.H. cup' and listing 'B, H, G, Dia, P, I, Mg, [delta], sq-rt(S), Time allowance' for 'HAWK, MOBILE, ISIS, ORIOLE'. Also a mid-section sketch with calculations for what appears to be a sketch of #718s ALERION III. On verso an unidentified sketch. Undated, NGH had donated his cup to the St. Georges Yacht Club in late February 1912 (see Palmieri, John. The Alerion Revolution. What Nat Herreshoff Started in 1912. Presentation held at the 5th Classic Yacht Symposium. April 28, 2012, p. 5), NGH raced #710s OLEANDER against MOBILE, ORIOLE and ISIS in January and March 1912, the second race for his cup was raced on March 14, 1912 and ALERION III was designed in BERMUDA at about that time." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_02000. Folder [no #]. No date (late 1912-02 ??).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled half-hull sections comparing #710s OLEANDER with what appears to be a preliminary of #718s ALERION III. On verso another half-hull section with calculations arriving at a displacement of 73.5cuft or 4720lbs. Undated, ALERION III was designed in Bermuda in March 1912 and possibly earlier." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_01980. Folder [no #]. No date (ca 1912-03- ??).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled preliminary plan with hull sections, inboard profile, midship section, plan view, scantlings and calculations (4800lbs est. weight) titled 'Scale 3/4in per ft. M[ar]ch 1st, 1912'. Though not named, this is clearly for #718s ALERION III." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Preliminary Plan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06340. Folder [no #]. 1912-03-01.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled untitled preliminary sailplan for #718s ALERION III. With calculations showing a total sail area of 384sqft. Marked 'Scale 3/8. M[ar]ch 1912'. Also inboard profile, plan view and sections titled 'Small Bermuda boat I borrowed, built of native cedar and quite old. Length 7ft 8in. Breadth 3ft 2in. Stem 2ft 10in. Depth [center] 1ft 8in. Seat[?] 8in between gunwales. 8 timbers. 1ft x 1 1/4. Planking sq[?] sawn[?]'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0445. WRDT08, Folder 36, formerly MRDE09. 1912-03-04.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Penciled midship sections with pinpricks of an unidentified centerboard boat with cuddy cabin. With two notes '7.f[sqft]' and '7.6[sqft] and arrows pointing to two of the sections. On verso a set of penciled pantograph hull sections showing the same model. Overlaying these sections with pantograph hull sections for #718s ALERION from April 28, 1912 suggests that the pinpricked section may have been used for making the model itself, while the set of sections shows the first trial (the April 28, 1912 show the second and third trials). Found with #718s ALERION papers. Undated, the above discussion suggests a date of April 28, 1912 or earlier." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00950. Folder [no #]. No date (1912-04-27 or earlier?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Two sets of penciled pantograph hull sections marked '2nd' and '3rd' titled '3rd. April 28, 1912. 21ft w.l. cruising boat for light rig. Model nearly finished'. Weight calculations for the 2nd set of hull sections show a total of 79cuft or 5000lbs. Weight calculations for the 3rd set of hull sections show a total of 75.5cuft or 4830lbs. (These sections are for what will become #718s ALERION III.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01020. Folder [no #]. 1912-04-28.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled sailplan and rig plan (both gaff and sliding gunter) with numerous calculations and notes added over at least 12 years. Titled 'ALERION No 718 [#718s]. SADIE No 732 [#732s]. 26ft 1in o.a. 21ft 9in w.l. 7ft 7in beam. 2ft 5 1/2in draft. Scale 1/2. July - 6d[??] [or: July - Oct 1912] [Unclear if date was written by NGH.]'. With detailed dimensions. With note 'New sails #718 1924. M[ain]s[ail] ... 283sqft. Jib ... 80.5sqft. [Total sail area] 363.5sqft. ...' and 'New suit of sails with Lug yard. July 1924, to be of 1.2[?] oz Wamsutta'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sailplan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0328. WRDT04, Folder 30, formerly MRDE09. 1912-07-06? (or July - Oct 1912?).)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'Aug 2, 1912. From finished model. NGH. #718. Model made for self and completed in July. Scale 1in per ft. OA 25ft 10on. W.L. 21ft 8in. Draft 2in 5 1/2in. Breadth 7ft 7in. do w.l. 6ft 10in. Q.b.l. 19ft 3 3/4in. ALERION'. With table of scantlings titled 'By NGH's rule [Rule for Wooden Yachts]'. With displacement curves comparing # 719 [sic, i.e. #718s ALERION III and not # 719 VAGRANT] and '25ft w.l. 1914[??] #732 class [This is difficult to read / interpret: Apparently a reference to 25ft Buzzards Bay 25 class (#734s VITESSA) but possibly also to #732 SADIE?]'. With calculations for displacement, stability, wetted surface and prismatic coefficient." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00920. Folder [no #]. 1912-08-02.)
①

"[Item Description:] Inked and penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'ALERION [#718s] ? 1912' with inked aft sections. No other annotations or calculations. On verso another set of pantograph hull sections of the same boat with with inked forward sections. Comparison with other pantograph hull sections of ALERION III suggest these might indeed be these ALERION's sections, but with the model measured at an inclined (fore-and-aft) waterline and thus providing only a very limited match. Even though marked '1912' this may refer only to the that ALERION, the boat thought to be shown here, was designed. The sections, atypical in comparison to other pantograph sections reflecting NGH's design process, may have been drawn at some later time." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00930. Folder [no #]. 1912 or later ???.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph lead sections titled '#718 [ALERION III] C[enter] B[oard] Cruising Knockabout design for N.G.H. Scale 1 1/2in & 3in per ft. Sep[ember] 2, 1912'. With calculations arriving at 2240lbs outside lead with center of gravity at .5575 of w.l." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Lead Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_08270. Folder [no #]. 1912-09-02.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 76-107. Blueprint construction plan with inboard profile, plan view, and sections titled '#718. 26ft x 21ft-9in x 7ft-7in x 2ft-5 1/2in' and a penciled note 'ALERION [III]'. Compare with 2004.0001.0091 which appears to be a later version with items added in scantling list on right side." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0092. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 1, formerly MRDE02. 1912-10-21.)
①

"[Item Description:] HMCo Plan 76-107. Blueprint construction plan with inboard profile, plan view, and sections titled '#718. 26ft x 21ft-9in x 7ft-7in x 2ft-5 1/2in' and a penciled note 'ALERION [III]'. Compare with 2004.0001.0092 which appears to be an earlier version with fewer items in scantling list on right side." (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (creator). Blueprint. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0118. WRDT04, Folder O.S. 2, formerly MRDE02. 1912-10-21.)
①

"[Item Description:] Four sets of penciled pantograph hull sections with calculations and diagrams. The various sets are annotated 'From finished model of 8ft boat for self [#191305es Dinghy for #718s ALERION III]. Oct 19, 1912 (Not used)' (calculations show a weight of 870lbs), '8ft 5in row boat, Oct 23, 1912' (calculations show a weight of 890lbs), ''8 1/2 5in[??] long. .8 spaces' (calculations show a weight of 1030lbs), and 'Final, after changing 8ft 5in boat. Oct 25, 1912'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_01030. Folder [no #]. 1912-10-25.)
①

"[Item Description:] Photograph, uncaptioned, showing the HMCo small boat Shop, 1912-13 with #718s ALERION and her 8 1/2ft tender #191305es with, from left to right Ernest Alder, Charley Sylvester, Henry Vincent, James Clarkson, Willard Kenny [as inscribed on verso on another copy of this photo at HMM]." (Source: Herreshoff Jr., Nathanael G. (creator). Photograph. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE14_01790. Folder [no #]. No date (1913-01 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled architectural drawing on brown wrapping paper titled 'Elevation of track for hauling out ALERION [#718s] in store hourse of R. S. McCallan, St. Georges [Bermuda]. March 1913'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Architectural Drawing. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_07090. Folder [no #]. 1913-03.)
①

"[Item Description:] Letter from JBH to NGH in Bermuda, birthday congratulations, glad you are over your illness, Sidney will have your cradle ready [for #718s ALERION III] by next Saturday, steel for #722s KATOURA and technical question, 5 BH31s will be raced in Marblehead this coming season, incl penciled NGH reply: re steel and frame spacing of KATOURA" (Source: Herreshoff, J.B. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_51590. Subject Files, Folder [no #]. 1913-03-18.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Description:] new class for Buzzard's Bay to cost not more than $2000, old 21-footers being too extreme and expensive and noisy; incl. reply by NGH being interested in building a one-design class and willing to dispose his own boat (#718s ALERION III) and building a sample boat for himself instead" (Source: Emmons, H. Nelson (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_05420. Correspondence, Folder 19, formerly 135. 1913-10-29.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[Item Transcription:] I was at Bristol again yesterday, and found the work had been progressing satisfactorily, in fact that on the hull of the boat [#725s RESOLUTE] has gone ahead very fast. The bronze plating is now all on with the exception of the top streak, and of this about half of it is riveted. The gunwale bars were all ready, and also the steel covering board, at the stern had been taken out, and were to be shipped to New York or Providence for galvanizing. The wooden boom has been shaped up and given a coat of varnish. One of the gaffs was partly shaped up, and the other one is down in the lower shop, alongside of it.
Hathaway has cut out and is starting sewing up the No. 1 and also cut out the No. 2 jib, also the gaff topsail was partly completed, all for the double rig. He has received all the hopsack canvas under your order for the double rig, with the exception of 500 yards of the No. 1. Also almost all of the canvas made for us, which is not to be mercerized, has been received.
In the machine shop I saw all the bronze wheels for the winches. Also the vanadian steel turned buckles and chain plates. They claimed to be about all done, waiting to be heat treated. Sidney informed me that the capstan I wrote about in my last had to be made over, as there was a mistake, I believe, in the sprocket. They were also overhauling the machine that came with the RELIANCE [#605s], that was used for the main sheet, which I believe we are to use on our mainsheet. The only department which has nothing to do, as I wrote you, is Chase and the rigging. He has received no wire now for ten days, and I have taken the matter up with the Roeblings in New York, to find out the reason why. Mr. John has heard nothing from the people in England, either, regarding the hemp, and if you could send me a list of the pieces that could he replaced by manilla, that would be used below deck (where I think manilla would be just as good) I think it would be just as well for us to give up the idea of the other rope for those parts.
I have sent in the order for sails (list of which I enclose to you) subject to any alterations you may think advisable for me to make.
Nothing has been done on the steel mast as yet, but Mr. John informed me that he thought it would be better for the shop work to continue on the hull of the boat until practically done, before starting on the mast. He approached me again on the subject of the second mast, and I told him I preferred to do nothing, and would await your orders.
The more I see of our hopsack canvass the more convinced I am that it is going to be a success. Yesterday we took out a roll of the No. 1, made under the contract, and made a stretch test, pulling a piece by hand as hard as possible, when laid out the whole length of the sail loft. The most it could be pulled out, under this method was five inches, whereas our No. 0, which I spoke to you about in my last letter, could be pulled out at the same tension eight inches. We also compared the two weaves in the No. 5, and found that the same difference in stretch existed there as well.
The cold spell here has at last turned, and we have had two beautiful days. I hope you are now having good weather in Bermuda. When are you planning to return? I hope you will stay as long as you possibly can, and get yourself in the very best of shape, as you know that we are counting on your sailing with us as much as you possibly can this summer, as we certainly need all the advice and suggestions you can give us.
As far as the other two boats are concerned, I do not see but that they are going ahead very slowly, and I am afraid will not be ready to give us any races as early as planned. At Lawley's [VANITIE], they have done nothing so far but mould the keel, and I am informed by Bassett, in Taunton, that they have only just begun to ship the bronze plates to Lawley. Down at Bath [DEFIANCE], the other boat's frames were begun to be set up yesterday. While both of these boats have ordered canvas from Lowell I am happy to say that neither of them has ordered any of our hopsack weave.
Charlie Adams and I are going down again to Bristol tomorrow, and George Cormack is coming on from New York to meet us.
We have our tender alterations well underway, and all arrangements connected with the boat on the outside are going along very satisfactorily. I have already engaged 20 of of[sic] the 24 sailors that we shall need. If I can only stir up some results on the wire. I believe also the cast steel thimbles that you ordered from a certain place in Providence, have not shown up as yet, and they are to be followed up. When these things are started along, I do not see but that all departments will be running on schedule.
Mr. John is getting over his grippe, and was sitting up yesterday. Sidney seems to be around and keeping an eye on everything.
Some of the castings for the steering gear are completed. I note that the rope called for for the peak and throw halyards is 3 inches in circumference. Could we not reduce that to 2 1/2 or 2 3/4? I have not put in an order for extra wire rigging as yet, but will do so as soon as I hear from you as to what you think would be advisable to order. Would it not be well to have this a little longer than actually required? The bronze casting to be bolted on to the keel into the shieve of the centre-board penant I saw completed in the machine shop.
Also numerous other fittings,
I wrote the members of the syndicate the other day, giving them a general idea of how far the boat construction had progressed, and I have received letters from them all, expressing much satisfaction. They are, I believe, trying to get together next week, and see if they cannot settle on a name. I think it is about time.
Cameron Forbes called me up, as he is leaving for Panama to be gone until the middle of April, requesting that I ask you to place a wheel in the 'ADVENTURESS' [#685s] for him, and also design him, without altering the step of the mast, a single jib, to replace the double head jib, as he wishes to make her as easy to handle as possible. I spoke to Sidney about the steering gear, and perhaps you can write him telling him how much to cut down the bowsprit, etc, or if there will be time after you get back to make the alterations, and have the boat ready for him by the 15th of May, it will be satisfactory.
I wish I could see my way to run down with Mrs. Emmons for a week to Bermuda, and get a sail with you in your boat [#718s ALERION III]. It is a place I have never been and would like to make the trip very much, but am afraid that I cannot induce her to go, and I doubt if I can get away myself.
I hope you will pardon this typewritten letter, but as there is so much to put on paper, and my handwriting is so poor, I think you will find it more satisfactory to receive it as it is.
With kindest regards, I am, ...
P.S. Basset further stated he is sending bronze frames also for the Gardner boat [VANITIE], and he estimated the total weight of the bronze plates to be used for the Gardner boat would weight considerably more than ours, although there wasn't any great difference in the thickness." (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_25860. Subject Files, Folder 5, formerly 96-100. 1914-02-27.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] I am sorry to say my brother’s price in duplicating ALERION [#718s] is more than I guessed, and is to my mind a little high, and if you think the same, there is no reason why you need feel bounded by the order [for #732s SADIE].
He says $2,000. I guessed 15 or 16 hundred, not knowing at the time the shop costs in the job. I am convinced I was a little low.
I would like to see a boat like ALERION on Long Is. Sound and if you still think you want her, if you will kindly write the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. what you will pay, I will see the job properly started before I withdraw from my present position which will probably be before the boat will be finished.
I am writing this in a confidential way. I feel you have been very kind and friendly to me, and since our meeting last summer [I] have taken a great liking to you and will do for you as a friend should do, so don’t consider this a business letter but destroy it. My brother John is at the head of the business. He started it and holds 1/2 the stock, and my son and myself the other half. It is unfortunate we don’t always agree. I am getting tired of it and will give up my position as superintendent and designer as soon as the cup defender is completed. [Marked 'copy']" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter (copy) to Commodore Benedict. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_12360. Correspondence, Folder 36, formerly 191. 1914-03-25.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled pantograph hull sections titled 'Nos. 727 & 728 [#727s DOLPHIN & #728s MISCHIEF]. June 25, 1914. Scale 3/4. ALERION's (719 [sic, i.e. #718s] model changed & 1in deeper in water. Q.b.l. 26ft 3in. Length w.l. 29ft 5in'. Weight calculations show a total of 249.5cuft or 15910lbs. (These sections were drawn 10 days after DOLPHIN & MISCHIEF had been delivered.)" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Pantograph Hull Sections. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE04_00710. Folder [no #]. 1914-06-25.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Order book with carbon copy duplicates of instructions given by NGH. Relevant contents:
§52: Work Order [For] #718s. [When wanted] By Christmas. Rigging (1912-11-15)
§54: Work Order [For] #718s. [When wanted] By Christmas. Blocks (1912-11-21)
§56: Work Order [For] #718s. [When wanted] By Christmas. Rigging (1912-11-21)
§57: Work Order [For] #718s. [When wanted] By Christmas. Fittings (1912-11-21)." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Order Book. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE08_04730. Folder [no #]. 1909-10 to 1914-11.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶ ㊷ ㊸ ㊹ ㊺ ㊻ ㊼ ㊽ ㊾ ㊿
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ ⑳ ㉑ ㉒ ㉓ ㉔ ㉕ ㉖ ㉗ ㉘ ㉙ ㉚ ㉛ ㉜ ㉝ ㉞ ㉟ ㊱ ㊲ ㊳ ㊴ ㊵ ㊶

"[Item Description:] Boatman's Pass No 1353 under Martial Law Regulations for the Control of Traffic within the Waters of Bermuda. 'N.G. Herreshoff of St. Georges has permission to use a boat [#718s ALERION III] within the limits of the waters of Bermuda. … Dated this 22nd day of January 1915. C.M. Willets, Capt. Assistant Provost Marshal'. With 'Regulations for the use of Internal Waterways' on verso." (Source: Assistant Provost Marshall of Bermuda (creator). Boatman's Pass. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_03320. Folder [no #]. 1915-01-22.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] new tender [MONTAUK] for #725s RESOLUTE, I did not mean to imply that I thought you were opposing us at every turn regarding alterations to RESOLUTE, and I further wish to state that I have all along agreed with you entirely that it is best for us to leave well enough alone, new alloy gaff, reconditioning RESOLUTE, bringing your little boat [#718s ALERION III] from N.Y. to Bristol, George [Nichols] has written that Jack Morgan will offer you the MERMAID for sale and you should take her, Swan is figuring on a large steamer for Mr. Winton [this will be #377p ARA], total amount of the shop includes 16 S-boats and 8 12-1/2 footers, begin to think that we are now going to show some profits, VANITIE should be sailing by May 1st, glad you have stopped bothering with Dr. Reynolds, reply from NGH: expected letter from James Swan but nothing came, materials for alloy gaff, awaiting address in N.Y. for ALERION III to ship to, if I do not take her home, could you not select one or two of your crew, do not want to have her towed by large steamer, too much danger of swamping in rough water or through c.b. casing, am rather in favor of taking #236p MERMAID, as towboat it would be best to overhaul #234p FRIDAY and put new motor in her, the one [port engine] I took out of #299p HELIANTHUS III would be the thing for her" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27260. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-24.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Description:] two feet longer for #725s RESOLUTE, awaiting new sail plan and new plan for gaff, planning with Hathaway schedule of making new sails, orders for rigging in consultation with Sidney, 9th S-boat [#837s DODAH???] set up today, first watertight cockpit S-boat is all completed, 8th and last 12-1/2 [#848s DOODLE BUG] to be finished this week, negotiations going well for 160ft steel steamer [#377p ARA], hope you get the #236p MERMAID, incl. NGH reply: material for RESOLUTE gaff, sail plan dimensions, sailplan for original mast with lower sails and larger topmast and very long topsail yard, have decided to take MERMAID, hope you can arrange for me to sail #718s ALERION [from N.Y. to Bristol]" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27380. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-03-31.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Description:] four letter drafts on an envelope, to Nat [Herreshoff, Jr.]: have about decided to buy #236p MERMAID, please forward letter to 'him', want him as engineer, wireless experiments, to Armand deConning[sp?]: job offer to run MERMAID's machinery, to George Nichols: James Swan's estimate of building for me has scared me blue, if I am to have a power boat at all it looks I better take MERMAID, possible new boiler, MERMAID could tow ALERION III [#718s] on her way from N.Y. to Bristol, MERMAID inventory lacking items, to James [Swan]: your letter was delayed to insufficient postage, estimate of building a new boat is too high and I will give up on the idea, decided to buy MERMAID, provided the purchase goes through please send men to put engine together and bring her to Bristol, Armand de Conning who was on HELIANTHUS will hopefully run her, alternatively MONTAUK might tow her when she comes to Bristol, Winton steel yacht [#377p ARA] order" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Herreshoff, N.G. Jr, Armand de Cnning[sp?], George Nichols, James Swan. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27480. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-06.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] #725s RESOLUTE gaff alloys, arrangements for trip home for Bermuda, VANITIE sailing by May 1, tender MONTAUK coming along well, plus separate note from Cormack: Bob Emmons is anxiously awaiting your sailplan, incl. NGH reply: won't make new RESOLUTE for want of data, hope 'Bol' will spare a man or two to sail #718s ALERION III to Bristol and be at the steamer when she arrives in N.Y., informed George Nichols that I had decided on buying #236p MERMAID and that MONTAUK could tow her to Bristol" (Source: Cormack, George A. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27500. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-06.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] #725s RESOLUTE gaff material, will put canavas on RESOLUTE's deck the end of week, inspected check valves for centerboard, new mast is all glued, have ordered spare wire, new club topsail, 'You have no idea how much of a help Sidney is, and how quickly he takes hold of everything, and in his quiet way thinks and soIves a lot of troubles which no one else but yourself could do, he certainly is your logical successor, and I feel confident some day his ability will be known and appreciated on the outside, masts of the new schooner [#827s Ohonkara] will be stepped before the 19th, can arrange somebody to sail your little boat [#718s ALERION III] back if you decide to bring her home, trust you have made some satisfactory trade with Morgan regarding #236p MERMAID" (Source: Emmons, Robert W. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27530. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-07.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] will get hold of Mr. Morgan [to negotiate purchase of #236p MERMAID], Mr. Morgan has loaned the RESOLUTE syndicate the old launch which you built for CORSAIR, if all goes well she will meet your ship [from Bermuda] and tow #718s ALERION III to City Island, would like to invite you for the night if you wish" (Source: Nichols, George. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_27590. Subject Files, Folder 8, formerly 90-95. 1920-04-09.)
①

"[Item Description:] LFH expense sheet / trip diary re delivery of #718s ALERION III from N.Y. to Bristol, mention of CORSAIR's port launch" (Source: Herreshoff, L. Francis. Correspondence (expense accounting) to (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28020. Subject Files, Folder 12. No year (1920-04-18 to 1920-04-29).)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥

"[Item Description:] envelope labeled 'Francis Trip in [#718s] ALERION', HMCo invoice to NGH for 'Cash advanced to L.F. Herreshoff for expenses in bringing sailboat ALERION from New York to Bristol as per voucher attached'" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Correspondence (invoice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_28080. Subject Files, Folder 12. 1920-05-03.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] I am wondering, if in your long experience you have come across the trouble of electrolysis in brass or bronze fastenings in the shape of ordinary wood screws used in underbody planking or in piper water connections when made as the screws are of drawn wire and having the heads swaged, and in the other case where the pipe is seamless drawn. I think I've had trouble of this nature at the north[?], years about down here in these dense[?] warm salt waters is is very common so much so as to preclude the use of brass unless cast & even Tobin bronze is effected quite often in tail shafts at the stern bearings tho[?].
This latter trouble we have obviated by pulling in outside stuffing glands which was done at first solely to keep sand out in backing but for some other reason it puts a stop on electro action as well, possibly stoppage of water circulation. Now to the point: I am about building an imaginary duplicate of ALERION [#718s]. Don't laugh. There will be a slight resemblance about her top & that's about all I guess. She is for myself and the boy and I hope to get some fun out of real sailing tho she will have a small motor & one of my folding wheels that have been such a success. [This will be SUNSET] The matter of fastenings is now giving me trouble. Screws have never quite found favor but why not if of suitable metal and properly driven?
The American Screw Co. Providence make a bronze screw that stands acid tests well. Do you know it? The Monel bronze folks N.Y. are taking it up for me. So far I've[?] struck[?] non in stock & can't wait. 1 1/2in # 10 is what I want. Do you know of any dealers likely to have them or any suggestions? Have you ever come across a hammer driven cast brass screw? Well, I can just see you getting tired of being questioned this way and I beg your pardon. I am trying hard to get sail in Biscayne Bay & have lots of encouragement except by persons of means. Sail sharps who could afford fine boats are not in evidence here abouts[?] so I must cater to the more lowly in pocket & design cheap as is possible and have the craft hang together, & screws beat burned copper nails when carpenters are still hanging round $1.00 per hour. I finished up our 25ft Sharpie and came out way behind estimate but found a customer who let me out whole. She was screw fastened of 3/4in Cedar & sails bully. I then ran up against spars, combed the whole Atlantic seaboard, found the right folks in N.Y. & then up against freights. N.Y. to Jacksonville $2.00 per running foot regardless of diameter via steam. Tackled Clifford Mallory & got the rate down to 50 cents but even at that a 4in x 25ft mast or boom weighing say 75lbs came to 12.50, rather high per pound. Still I have hopes of buying[?] in the rough perhaps from Maine by sail.
We[?] are rather expecting to see Curtiss James & Matheson go by in his little ship bound for their World trip. Wish[?] that they might stop in. Busy building more cottages at the Camp. Presume HELIANTHUS [#378p] is fitting out. We are looking forward to her arrival here with much pleasure & hope nothing prevents. With best wishes ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41460. Correspondence, Folder 86, formerly 121. 1921-09-19.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] Just to keep in touch, and please do not bother to answer unless the spirit moves for I am asking no questions. You have been so kind and interested in the new boat [SUNSET] that I thought you might not mind hearing me jabber a bit. After cutting off about 12in of hoist on the head of the mainsail so as not to be block & block on the halliards and another batten, also one in the jib, restowing the loose ballast that represents motor, gasoline, & other fittings not yet aboard, we have given her several trials, and tho the patched mainsail is still hopelessly unsettable am getting better results every time and last Sunday succeeded in trimming the main boom about as flat aft as I've seen ALERION's [#718s] and she kept on footing just as fast as before, that is we think so and in the absence of better proof are getting all the satisfaction possible. At any rate there are no signs of any unbalance of anything so that if lacking, it will be found in the sails. The stability question has apparently disappeared as I thought it might and I will still have room under floor & displacement to put in at least 400 lbs more lead and then be not over an inch below designed w.l. if even that. A long spell of squally weather with rain made it too much work to care for both boats so MELODY was laid up in the basin for the Summer without the desired trial but I feel certain that she would stand no chance to windward with 'SUNSET' in any breeze & that is all I hoped for. N.Y. Herald of the 26th had a number of interesting items about the 6 meter class. I presume you noticed them. Several of the boats are apparently not giving satisfaction that calls for most radical changes at the eleventh hour. This reminds me that friend Huntington is getting ready to go back to our centerboard & hauls out on my ways tomorrow. The debris scattered along our beach from 'SKILLET' tempted me yesterday to quote to him 'Here came a brush of thunder sound. The boy at[?] when was he, ask if the winds that far[?] around with fragments strum[?] the sea.' Strum[?] sounds off somehow. Wirth is getting along O.K. tho bad weather is interfering with their field work. We are well & pulling though the abnormal Summer very nicely so far. Hugh Matheson was here yesterday to get estimates on another SUNSET. A class of these little ships would be great fun. Best regards from all the numerous to you all..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41340. Correspondence, Folder 86, formerly 121. 1922-06-29.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] We have just heard from Wirth about your cruise to the eastward with the N.Y. Squadron which he describes as having been the 'time of his life'. I am glad that he appreciates it as such for what would I have given at his age to have participated in an event of the kind and especially under such auspices that in my time did not even exist. Out thanks go out to your good wife and self. Affairs here are going slowly as usual in mid Summer. SUNSET will be rerigged shortly I hope, if misfortune will let up on the mast question. Ordered months ago, delays in finding a stick even in N.Y., rerouted at eleventh hour owing to R.R. strike & then the S.S. Van[?] breaks her shaft off Canaveral and we know not now when to look for it. However we have not been idle. The new rigging all in shape and the motor outfit installed, the latter to have had trial this week but a little imperditious (as I say) eating, but as the family says, working too hard in the half of SUNSET over gasolene pipes, fetched me up and the last few days have been spent with old diet[?] up here at the Barnacle. Tried to sneak of down to the shop this a.m. but got caught. You kindly told me all concerning the affixing of the runner slides but[?] foolishly made no note so asked Wirth to look over ALERION's [#718s]. His report confirms my memory so I will have it all on in a few hours, soon as the family let me. I deferred its installation at first thinking if possible changes in mast etc. and knowing that I could avoid its use with a little care.
My traveler with the first mast was purely overconfidence of galv. wire rigging that looked large enough, and underestimating the stress on it. In other words, carelessness. If the[?] craft had been larger with[?] more[?] responsibility[?] attached, it probably would never have happened. SUNSET is quite the smallest[?] boat carrying standing rigging that we had to do with and she fooled me. Very oddly, I sent to N.Y. for that rigging & had my suspicions aroused when Wirth was splicing it but the time taken to get another lot made me risk it. Now, right within a quarter mile is the C[oconut] G[rove] Telephone station which did & now have over 5000 ft. of 1/4 & 3/16 regular Siemens Martin galv. rigging wire rope which they use for suspension multiple wire work and I could have had all I wanted for the asking. This I only found out after my second lot had been shipped from N.Y. Brought[?] to keep in better touch with my neighbors is the answer. Larry H[untington] is still pegging away with 'skillet'. The last thing is the new centerboard warped so badly that I am now advising still another made of green native pine which I have found very satisfactory & requires no lead to sink it.
Our best wishes to you all ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41400. Correspondence, Folder 86, formerly 121. (1922)-08-17.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Yours of the 29th inst. just at hand.
You need not feel any ingheb[?] at not writing soon for only yesterday the pangs of regret boarded me for not having reported to you regarding Wirth's return of the week before and again thanking you and your family for the good time which you all gave him. After carrying away SUNSET's mast, it took nearly two months to get a new one from N.Y. and tho a nice stick was very green, weighing 40lbs more than the old one so that I had to be patient and take the time to season it. Then more delay about the rigging & then a letter from Wirth stating that he wanted to turn in the eye splices as a graduate A.3. from the Herreshoff rigging lofts, so I quit. Since he got back we wired up the motor, installed a sprocket hand starter and had a very successful trial tip with apparently nothing to alter tho I had piped it up quite at variance with the directions given. Then we went at rigging & sails & final ballasting of 480 lbs more on top of cabin floor which we will cast tomorrow in lead blocks that will stow under the floor & then call her ready for cushions, table ware etc. Tried her out last Sunday with this extra ballast in a fresh breeze which we would call about all that MELODY could wing to under full sail & by the wind and the little craft carried hers about so well tho I have a feeling that a little harder bilge or trifle more beam would be an improvement. Still she foots & winds well & I will probably get used to the angle of heel, and off the wind she is as near perfect as could be wished in very respect so I now think I will go ahead & heave some sails made & please would you mind sending me a sample of cloth, white or Khaki, would prefer the latter if it is suitable & can be gotten & what do you think of this latest treatment for duck & canvas that is being advertised (the name has slipped me). Enough about SUNSET. We are all very sorry to hear about the laying up of HELIANTHUS [#378p] & ALERION [#718s] as we had fondly hoped to see one or the other on the Bay this Winter. It looks as if we were going to have a good season as to visitors and a very good sailing element seems to have awakened, for which 'glory be', and if I were some twenty years younger would push it for all its worth, as it is, can only advise with them & help with plans. The youngsters are hot on proas as the cheapest & fastest & submarine[?] sport suits them perfectly. They have been canoe racing all summer off Miami and they are really good sports. Another set are talking 'SUNSET' design with a few modifications & then there are the sharpie folks. Between some of these there should be something doing. I quite omitted to say that the runner slides which you sent work finely. The after end of track is a few inches forward of cabin bulkhead on the washboard. A brass thimble on the shroud, through which is run the pennant & from thimble to cleat a foot or more aft of track. Pennant not attached to forw[?] end of block but to the runner so that when the block goes forward the pennant hauls the slack bight of the runner of back stay close to the shroud very neat & nice. We bent the heavy track & sprung the light one to side line of washboard without any trouble. Thank you again for them.
Too bad about slack work for your shops this winter but no matter how things go just pack your duds[?] & don't wait til it freezes up but just hustle down here with Mrs H. & we will see that you are made comfortable. What you have done for the world entitles you to first consideration in all things.
Our best to you both ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41310. Correspondence, Folder 86, formerly 121. 1922-11-19.)
① ② ③

"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled note:] Jan 1923. Enlargement of 29 footer 729 [sic i.e. #727s DOLPHIN] for C. H. Merriman Jr.
Increase as 8 to 9 (original increased 3 to 4) making increase from ALERION [#718s] 2 to 3 or measured with an 18in rule representing a foot.
With same modifications as made in 729 class [sic, i.e 727 class] size w[ou]ld be as follows. [followed by data for LOA, LWL, breadth, draft, depth, freeboard, displacement, sail area, and ballast. Note that dimensions for Newport 29 class differ slightly from those in construction record. On verso of dividend chck note from Manville Company dated January 1, 1923.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Calculations. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE03_03530. Folder [no #]. No date (after 1923-01-23).)
① ②

"[Item Description:] invoices re residence, float, #718s ALERION III, #378p HELIANTHUS III" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Correspondence (invoice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_51410. Subject Files, Folder 12?, formerly 53?. 1923-04-09.)
① ② ③ ④ ⑤

"[Item Description:] invoice re residence, electric car, farm, float, #718s ALERION III, #378p HELIANTHUS III" (Source: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. Correspondence (invoice) to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_51400. Subject Files, Folder 12?, formerly 53?. 1923-04-26.)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled architectural sketch titled 'Railway put down East of Boathouse at Love Rocks for hauling ALERION [#718s] &c in summer of 1923. Scale 1/2in'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Architectural Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE11_00900. Folder [no #]. 1923 (summer).)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled sketch on envelope from Pynchon & Co. to NGH in Bristil showing the section of a glued mast. Titled 'Sections of spare to make for ALERION (#718) yard. July 1924'. On verso a business post card from 'Pynchon & Co' offering to pay '46 for any part of 1,000 shares General Gas & Electric Company'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0301. WRDT04, Folder 27, formerly MRDE09. 1924-07.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Penciled dimensioned sketch titled 'Sizes for Lugsail Yard for ALERION [#718s]. July 3, 1924'." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Penciled Sketch. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Acc. 2004.0001.0368. WRDT04, Folder 32, formerly MRDE09. 1924-07-03.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Yours, writing sale of HELIANTHUS [#378p], a stait[?] ALERION[?] [#718s] way, and other items of interest was duly received. To day I am in receipt of a letter from Mr Hall of MICCO just returned from Bermuda. Although only getting second place in the fishermans[?] class, they were only beaten a few hours by the BERRY[?] almost big enough to carry MICCO on deck. And this after carrying away main mast head and hove to four hours in clearing away wreckage & getting a two reefed mainsail on her again. Also made the Islands dead on end. None of the crew made any pretensions to being experts and therefore their showing is exceeding[?] by[?] enditable[?]. Don't you think so? And MICCO 34 years old. My pat. top sail did them great work the first night out, running them away from the fleet & Hall thinks that if not for his poor judgment in carrying on with his four lowers too long in a squall, that the topsail would have easily put them in with the leaders at the finish. Well, Wirth is just finishing an electric pump & well as auxiliary to our windmill for the house use and not it blows[?] a fresh breeze every day. Also witting[?] the rails at the ways & getting ready for some rest of power hauling rig[?] for our colored chapps are getting $4. kn[?] [?] and important as 'hogs[?] on ice'. Had to give up the entire new railway plan again as Wirth has all can do for months to come & I find I can't manage alone. Hauled SUNSET to day & found her clean as a whittle[?] after over 6 months, lying 90 per cent of the time at her moorings. How about that? The[?] thing about this is a trifle hard to account for. About 2 1/2 months ago, Wirth, while swimming around her, noticed a dozen or more barnacles & knocked them off. To day, not one could be found tho the other boats moored around have a plenty. My theory is that while the mercury paint was new, that barnacle spat[?] attached itself, possibly too much varnish. When either the metal salts[?] were in better contact with the water or an imperceptible seem[?] had formed, the barnacles could not get foothold. I think this a little interesting. Larry [Huntington] has just been in with plans by Hanna of Greek fishing craft, buns[?] are[?] on the Fla. W. coast. Mid section very close to all my older boats [sketch] round bilges but short. Recutting SUNSET's old white duck sail, giving it more peak. Doing this to keep your sails for Winter & not to bother with covers[?] & thereby get more sails[?] ever[?] if not so smart to windward. [In left margin:] With best wishes ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41860. Correspondence, Folder 87, formerly 121. 1924-07-18.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Am just down stairs again after a few days in bed with a somewhat peculiar bilious attack which was a little misleading at first owing to my having had but very few trifling cases since coming to Fla. and didn't tackle it right at the start. We are having the most unpleasant Summer weather of any that I can remember. Heat at 94 several times and much of the time at 88, but with long spells of squalls, not fierce but continuous & much Eliclive[?] disturbances but not much damage even from that. Every thing going on nicely here not withstanding. The Camp improvements almost done so far as buildings are concerned and glad I am, in consideration of the cost of labor. The same has changed some of my minor plans as to rebuilding the railway and a few other things, so I've been puttering with old track, still good but badly bent down in places where ties have given out & heavy boats laid at low water. These conditions were remedied in a few hours luckily by the happy thought of extending the two cross cradle beams, apart as far as I could find heavy timber to reach & using my 20 ton jack with its two side foot lifts & chain under the rails. The running[?] gear is good for another season & more, its defect being simply wheels were too small. Now with a simple motor two winch each low[?] speed, worm gear hoister[?] mounted on the old platform, we can wiggle along for another spell. its only a sideshow anyhow. It's been a beautiful morning of promise but just as we went to lunch, it began from the S.W. again, rain in sheets, wind, thunder & lightening.
Have my Bristol sails unbent off SUNSET, and after again recutting the old white duck mainsail on the luff so as to make it as near LANTANA's [#192101es] as possible and have room for the single part peak halliard, have it now ready to bend.
Under no circumstances however, do I expect SUNSET to approach the speed mentioned for ALERION [#718s] to East Greenwich but I am going to try & see how near she can come to it. She has too much displacement & not fine enough ends below w.l. As for holding the peak up to the mast when reefed, I think nince[?] with some little angle left in it may stay up, if not, will just have to send Patty aloft with a lashing. Will be very glad to see your plan of mast, because anyway & notwithstanding. Its useless for me to any longer pretend that I can get around small boats in a seaway or handle their sails and 'that's what' since mechanized methods will either prevail or pocket handkerchief sails will take charge but fitting it would be if possible to arrange, to pass out of this life close hauled, lee rail under, with our master singing out from the lee set, drive her boys, drive her.
We have just heard though a letter from Aunt Joe of the splendid time you & Mrs Herreshoff gave her and the kindness from the family in general. Among other items she mentions that Mrs Herreshoff was about writing Mr Gardiner regarding the little cottage on the shore. Of course if that, or the Poole cottage next door to us on the hill could be arranged for it would be very nice but there is so little chance of either that its hardly worth figuring on as I think there is one feasible thing however that can be done. You remember the Boston portable cottage by my windmill. 8 x 14 with a projecting clothes closet. This can be moved down to the shore & set up again in half a day. This might answer for kitchenette & other use with toilet and septic tank at one side.
In front of this & facing the Bay with piazza just back of the beach, can be a moderate gable ended building of wood of any size to suit. Constructed so as to [be] portable like the other if necessity calls for it. All easily lighted & heated and fresh water except drinking, at the back door. No ground improvements mentioned[?] we can get together on[?], in fact anything you suggest goes. Yes, the troubles of the H.M.Co. are a most painful thing to contemplate. So many things of like watim[?] happened along about that time with like results. Uar[?] time profits seemed mostly to blame. Is there no chance for reorganization. There must be with such a heritage for[?] backing. My sympathy is with you as well as that of very many others. My N. Bahama expedition (St. Gardiners[?] in TRAMP) returned to day. That is, the party. TRAMP remains at Hopetown Abaco for use again next winter. But one thing went wrong on the whole trip. A bag of bones of the Indians of Columbus period got wound up in the shaft & ground to pieces and now the boat is haunted so says the crew but the owner is not worried. No danger now of any nigger thieving aboard.
I have known for a week past that Larry [Huntington] was in another deal to sell his Bay front place. This morning's papers announces it as closed to Wm. J. Beyan and we are quite pleased, for though hardly expecting any fancy piece from W.J.B. Larry has probably gotten a fair one which with the Key Largo boom chances on his holdings there, will enable him to clear up his affairs with balance enough to help the two children, set up another small house of refuge for himself and take life easy.
In reference to my suggestions on the cottage bu the sea ideas. There may be a hint of heterogeneous, cubist effect, but I think our talent for curved lines and the picturesque surroundings will blend the whole into something very attractive. With best wishes to you both ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41820. Correspondence, Folder 87, formerly 121. 1924-07-28.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Yours of the 15th and the N.Y. Herald of the 17th with your picture on VAGRANT [#719s], both arrived this day making me feel quite in touch with the affairs that interest me. It was very opportune for I had just come from voting against another road bond issue projected by real estate sharpies as usual.
Your account of ALERION [#718s] all through is most interesting and your theory of the bottom fouling most likely correct. I laid up SUNSET just after painting in the basin & over mud bottom but not touching it. We well see what happens to her. I have the foremast on the new design within 30in of the stem w.l. & 4ft 6in forward of the C.B. which is in the same position from mid section as before. With a jib headed sail, i hope to get the balance & main driving power from this sail alone, with the small jib for use with mizzen, or the latter without the jib, or possibly a reef in, with the mainsail. At any rate I am figuring to use the jib only in light winds, or emergencies in heavy ones and the mizzen likewise, but all this seems a long way off as yet, unless Wirth manages to sell MELODY, when I would add a four feet to the new plan midships & manage to build her right away. MELODY is still good but her accommodations are not suitable for Camp use & it would hardly pay to alter her. We are pleased with your enquiries about the 'Shack'. To begin with, another year should see us really doing something towards more cottages for the Camp. The last two built year before last cost too much money to rent at the reasonable rates which we have heretofore made. Fortunately we found customers, but have been striving to hold down this item & not have to cater to the ultra wealthy class. Last week, I was called upon by the agent of a new material & building process which appealed to me quite strongly. Maybe something will come of this. In the mean time we hardly care to put any permanent structures on our home waterfront, hence what I suggested for you in my last letter. I mentioned this matter to the new material man & incidentally gave your name. 'Why! said he. I went to College with Francis Herreshoff and would take special pleasure in helping you out with the building of a portable cottage.' The material is 3 or 4 ply 1/4in veneering cut from inland cabbage palmetto, cemented together with bitumen & other things, providing almost perfect insulation & consequent dryness. So far, so good we will know more later. This chap's name is E.L. Routs[?]. With this I enclose a sketch to scale of the fortunately vacant space on the N.E. side of my boat house. I wondered why several C. trees died in this patch & I never replanted them. Now I know. Also all the coconuts indicated, lean away far enough so that you should not be bombarded with the nuts. We will underpin the building to nearly same height or just the same as my boat house. Will either construct of concrete or buy of metal a septic tank. Almost soft water we get by driven[?] pipe a few ft. Drinking water we get from Munroes cistern. Lighting current we can take from our circuit. Furniture & fittings, [next three words crossed out] anchors & chains from Miami. Labor, ah, there's the rub. My builder says that in about six weeks (note the time) he thinks he can spare the men. Thanksgiving time is hustling the mommers[?] a trifle but the Camp always has cottages a plenty at pre season rates, one, Buttonwood, right on the waterfront.
So if you will take the chart mentioned, place the 8x14 portable, canvassed roof, screened & emtained[?] sided home at proper distance from the front so as to have room for the main building between it & the shore & then make a plan of the latter, or if it suits best leave the 8x14 out of the plan altogether and our estimators (sounds well) will try & give you the figures asked for soon as we can get figures from Mr Routs in his material. The 8x14 has a side extension closet 3x8 [sketch]. We thought it might answer very well for kitchenette and trunk storage.
For heating, we have a spare open front stove but I would prefer one of our airtights as in these a fire can be kept all night which is the time calling for heat in Fla. winters. Of course the open fire is cheerful & pleasant. I've been thinking of the sale of the H[erreshoff] works and do home some satisfaction comes of it. We note the ad in papers.
With best wishes ...." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40020. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-08-19.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Had a very satisfactory contact with my Bon[?] carpenter the other day and got all the assurances possible that the little cottage can be built within the time specified (middle of Nov). We also decided that any portable affair as at first planned, would be more expensive and unsatisfactory and also harder to construct in as substantial a manner as is called for in its position on the shore in order to stand gales with likely uprooting of coconut trees during the Hurricane months. In view of this betterment[?] I have, with the rather scant data of costs obtainable, approximated a rental of two hundred dollars for the season of say five months including such furnishings as is customary. If this meets with your views on the matter, we will start the foundation at once. if not, will entertain any other suggestion you may make. [Incl NGH reply:] I have your letter of 6th and this afternoon telegraphed you as follows:
'Terms agreeable. Hope last plan sent you is approved. Am writing.'
This refers to letter sent you Sept. 3 with in closures of blueprint of the little house redrawn to larger scale but practically the same as first sketch sent you. This letter probably came to your hands soon after writing yours of 6th. The plan suits us very well and I hope you will approve of it. But if it not what your good judgment indicates is what you should put up on your own soil and on your water front please say so. And give me a little direction of what you think is best.
Your rental figure of $200 for the winter 5 months occupation is quite satisfactory and in fact I think rather low if the cottage is fitted out as completely as we would like with bath room facilities and electric light fixtures.
I don't want you to put[?] you are entering into any uncertain venture in pitting this shack up for us. As I am inclosing check for $250 as prepayment of the rent for next winter, and to express to you our satisfaction that it will be carried through by you in your usual complete manner.
We have been considering what to do for a boat for if I continue as well as now, I will want to get afloat on Biscayne Bay next winter. I am in hopes of buying back 'OLEANDER' [#710s], the first boat i took to Bermuda and ship her down. If this fails it is possible we may take down ALERION [#718s], having her sailed to N.Y. and ship with her to Key West and sail her up from there to Coconut Grove. Do you think this feasible. [NGH wil subsequently contract for #907s PLEASURE.]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. (incl NGH reply). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40160. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-06.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] [Penciled draft letter:] Clifford D. Mallory, Esq.
11 Broadway, New York
Dear Mr. Mallory,
Knowing you sent BONNIE DUNDEE [#370p ex-TYARA] to Key West by one of your steamers a few years ago, I am wondering if I could have a small sailing boat [#718s ALERION III] taken there by one of your vessels that I am considering taking to Coconut Grove for use in Biscayne Bay. The boat in question is 26’ o.a., 7’6” beam, and weighs about 6,100 lbs. [and] is a sister boat to the one we built for Comm. Benedict some years ago named SADIE [#732s] and you have probably seen her about Greenwich.
If I decide to take the boat down I would also want passage for myself and wife at the same time, leaving the middle or early part of November. Will you kindly have someone give me information about this shipment and passage i.e. [sic: &c]. Has one of your ships sailing from Key West in November space on deck to carry the boat and [a] derrick boom that could lift her from afloat alongside and deliver her afloat alongside at Key West?
What would be the probable freight charge and what would be the fares for passage of self & wife? Would the boat be shipped at the owner’s or carrier’s risk?
I would furnish a cradle to set the boat in on deck. This is the same boat I had in Bermuda several years and was carried very nicely by the SS Fort Hamilton. In returning she was carried with the rig all standing and was ready to start for Bristol the moment she was put afloat in New York. I would like to have her shipped that way to Key West." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Mallory, Clifford D. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDED1_00310. Folder [no #]. 1924-09-10.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Your telegram duly re[ceive]d and your letter of the 9th just at hand.
The enclosed check for $250 I've placed to your credit and your thoughtfulness appreciated tho everything was satisfactory as it stood before, as is also, the blueprint previously received from which no direction is contemplated except possibly to give one more opening in the front of bedrooms in the form of a high large transom[?] sash over where you had penciled Bureau & trunk, either there or in the partition between bed & living room. Light-east & N.E. winds are sometimes uncomfortably warm and from our experience, bed rooms want plenty of available openings. Let me know about position. Also as to choice of stoves about which I wrote before. The bath room will have W.C., tub *what size), lavatory & spray[?] over tub. Water will be piped down from our tank also electric current. After much discussion I think we are decided on 16in spaced studding enclosed with the insulating Palmetto, diagonal 2 ply, asphalticum bedded Climax board. A little over 1/2in thick, special cemented joints & stucco[?] painted on outside and panel[?], calcimine[?] finish on inside, double floors, ceiling of Climax paneled[?], % roof of sheathing (wood) & slate surfaced shingled. Tile chimney.
Delighted to hear about boat plans [which will soon result in the contracting for #907s PLEASURE]. OLEANDER [#710s], shipped directly to Miami is your best lay. ALERION [#718s] to Key West I have doubts about unless you can arrange comfortable, possibly temporary accommodations aboard for living. I have made the trip in open boats, once in 24 hours, but at that time of year no such run is to be depended on, also, unless one is very familiar with the channels into various harbors there is much chance for trouble if caught in milky water owing some times to just fresh breezes & to keep to the Hawk channel is often pretty rugged going. The only right way would be for me to arrange for a man to meet you & have Mrs H[erreshoff] come up by train. If we were not so busy just about that time, it would give me pleasure to be that man. Anyway, write me about this and i will arrange something. There is an inside route from K[ey] W[est]. to Bay Howda[?] & also back of the Keys but both require local knowledge, besides, ALERION's draft would give possible trouble. How about furniture, most[?] forgot it. Believe I mentioned it once before. Perhaps Mrs H[erreshoff] had better select it in Miami. Expected to have underpinning up but a 3 days rains & blow has prevented." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40180. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-13.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] Answering yours of the 20th enclosing latest B.P. No further complications, necessitating any changes except that the window shah will have single lights instead of 4. The latter would have to be made to order & we can't trust any order work.
Foundation, sills, joints, are in place and the cypress sub floor is now going in. By tomorrow night the studding & plates should be up. A few days of fine N.E. winds with only an occasional slight shower accounts for this progress & no mosquitoes. Boats. Most afraid to begin on this subject. I've watched the trend of sailing craft pretty closely for very many years. Sail looks like coming back quite strong, but the situation is quite different from that of the North, very much so. I need not hold forth as to what contributes the element from which the Northern coast draws its yachtsmen from for you know it even better than I and there is little of it to be found here at present. Winters are the busy time for both young & older yachtsmen and very few having any pep in their make up accompany their families South except ardent fishermen & then their time is too valuable for sailing craft. However, a few score might be hunted up & tempted to buy moderate priced semi racing small craft. I judge so by reason of offers made for SUNSET from time to time but the persons so bidding have not impressed me with the idea that they would ever progress in the game.
We have tried year after year to get up a one design class & with no success whatever, mainly because of prohibitive cost down here to build and I doubt if Bristol form its situation could better this problem. Knowing as much as people credit me with about the subject of suitable design for these waters, I cannot write definitely about any type. Even the one just finished on my board while apparently being just the thing as it now looks from my stand point, brings up doubts as to too much cost for the average Biscayne Bay yachtsman, notwithstanding I have simplified her more than SUNSET. Miami, if it fulfills the dreams of its projectors, which so far it is doing, is fast developing a brand new lot of young men who will make the best of yacht sailors very soon & we can cater to their purses for a while, the time is almost here when they can afford the best. The boat offered you [#907s PLEASURE], tho knowing nothing further than it is to be an improved & slightly larger ALERION [#718s], can, with little doubt be sold, but at what profit is probably a question. Of course, the name Herreshoff would go a long ways further than any one elses. I have found it hard to get up any lasting enthusiasm on the subject, but nevertheless believe in a coming boom on the subject. Just now I am imbued with the idea of an improved dead rise sharpy [Sharpie], square stern, well on one side of keelson aft, for out board motor for which I've been corresponding with two of the principal makers & think it perfectly feasible. later on, will round up the bilges, but stick to the main features, same as I worked up from PRESTO of 1884, and produce, not a windward wonder but an extremely safe, easily handled, & economical all round craft. In fact very close to my last design.
I suggest that you rely for this winter at least, on OLEANDER [#710s] or ALERION [#718s]. Am afraid of too late delivery of any new boat [#907s PLEASURE], and besides which, I think we are at sea yet as to type. I understand that there is a good chance of races in the Bay this winter by the Havana Club course[?] some of the ex 6 meter boats. Suppose you drop a line to Clifford Mallory or [Sherman] Hoyt & see whats in the air." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40230. Correspondence, Folder 83, formerly 102. 1924-09-24.)
① ② ③

"[Item Description:] what sort of boat is it that I hear you are building to take South with you? [#907s PLEASURE], looking for a boat for an old gentleman to sail around in single handed & not to race, what has become of that boat [#732s SADIE] you built for Commodore Benedict on the lines of your [#718s] ALERION?, don't you think she would be just about what I want?, how do you like the new [gunter] rig you put on ALERION?, was sorry to see the old yard sold out but am glad a part of it is still going, for the last 30 years I have sailed on the best there was & all of them of your design, and I think that these 30 years were the best that yachting ever had or will have." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_21080. Correspondence, Folder 61. 1924-10-28.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [Signed typewritten letter on 'W.B. Duncan, Havemeyer Building, Cortlandt Street, New York' stationery:] How do work your rig on ALERION [#718s] when you want to reef. I suppose you could have beckets on the yard at different points & shift the halliards for each reef, but this might be awkward.
I had almost a similar rig on a two tonner I had at Cannes which I bought down there & sold when I left, this was in 1899 & I think she was built by Sibbick of Cowes. They called it a lug & I had no Jaws at the lower end of the yard, but as I remember it I had two halliards & the yard was as near perpendicular as it could be got.
Yours sincerely, ..." (Source: Duncan, W. Butler, Jr. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_21090. Correspondence, Folder 61. 1924-10-31.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] List of stuff to go in Cabin of #907 [PLEASURE], when shipped to Miami, Fla. In addition to regular equipment.
1 15 or 16 lb anchor, straight stock. To be made.
[#718s] ALERION's 8ft 4in tender [#191305es], with 3 oars, 1 p[ai]r rowlocks, Foot brace, Boom rest, Fish shaped busy[?] float, Bailer & shammy. In N. G. Herreshoff's boat house.
1 Piece of chain.
1 Package of Kahki Canvas.
1 Box spare rope & small stores. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Box sailmakers outfit. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Box tools. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Box spare fittings. In N.G.H.'s house.
1 Oil skin, coat & sowester.
1 P[ai]r rubber boots, 2 cushions.
1 Old coat & hat.
1 Bucket, filled, rigging supplier.
1 Flag staff.
12 Bundle of flags.
1 Box fishing tackle.
1 Varnish Can
1 Birdcage
1 Market basket with clothing
1 Bundle of knock down book case
1 Foot stool & raincoat
1 Thermos bottle
When ready for shipping have all gear and extras stowed in cabin, and the cabin locked. Have one key hidden under cockpit bench. The position to be sent by letter, and have the other key mailed to N.G.H.
Have the boat covered with old canvas, whitewashed as [per?] instructions on drawing of cradle. Also forget a plug hole in bottom, under cockpit.
Have name PLEASURE guilded on stern.
Paint like ALERION, white antifouling bottom and very light shade of green topsides. Bright sheer strake. Paint spars.
I have asked Lawton to cast into blocks about 150 to 200 lbs of lead to go inside for trimming. [Undated. A similar short list of items appears in NGH's diary on October 31, 1924.]" (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Note. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29130. Subject Files, Folder 21. No date (1927-10-31 ?).)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] General H. S. Borden called up from New York yesterday and said that he wanted to get a small sail boat for his daughter's use for early spring delivery. He had been talking with Mr. Nichols who suggested a Seawanhaka 16-Footer. We cannot undertake to build one soon enough to suit his purpose, and I told him that I would write to you and ask if the 'ALERION' [#718s] is for sale and would advise him of your reply. I did not really suppose that you would care to sell her, but if you do, I will be glad to give him the particulars, or you can write him direct at 90 Worth Street, New York City.
According to the Clyde Line schedule the first four [Biscayne Bay 14] skiffs [#924s, #925s, #926s and #927s] will arrive in Miami tomorrow and I trust they will be in good order and give satisfaction.
Mr. Nichols tells me that you are going ahead with the design of the 'R' boat for him and Mr. Morgan [#932s GAMECOCK]. We are gradually increasing our woodworking force and will have to scratch gravel to get out the work which we have in hand for spring delivery.
We have had a wonderfully pleasant winter here and I hope that you and Mrs. Herreshoff have also enjoyed good weather and good health." (Source: Brightman, Thomas (Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.). Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_29560. Subject Files, Folder 25, formerly 10-15. 1925-03-06.)
①

"[Item Transcription:] Have been trying for several days to acknowledge the receipt of the B[lue P[rint] of side haul boat ways. Progress has been slow on the B[oat] H[ouse] roof repairs. Firstly, the roofing failed to answer & then couldn't get the men back & when they did start in a defective scaffolding let go & they only shimmed[?] up & bruised it, was from days before getting them to work again. It was the fault of one of the carpenters who built it, still it might have cost me a pretty penny. the work is now done as is also the staining of [your cottage] Fair Haven & the new rain water gutters etc. The outside stain is not quite to my liking being a trifle too dark, but if it in any way interferes with speed of [#907s] PLEASURE we will get it right and the more coats of oil stain, the better. Eddie reports no water in PLEASURE that he can see. While waiting for my carpenters woulds to heal up, I put the mizzen in SUNSET. The first trial was without mainsail, it being up to Fogals, the wind was very light but the little sail quite balanced the jib & held it when hauled flat midship (the jib) & when trimmed by the wind (both sails) moved the boat as well as could be expected. bent the mainsail the next day. There was still only a light breeze and she moved about as before the change. Then I discovered more trouble. Cutting off the clew so disturbed the balance of my one halliard arrangement that I couldn't get any tautness on either luff or leech no matter how the gaff bridle was adjusted. This is a new one on me. Possibly there is such a thing as too much peak & then again not enough for the one halliard. I am beginning to believe this is just the trouble. There had been elegant fresh breezes ever since but I've been too busy to bother with it, as the sail will not admit of recutting again guess I will try your rig. Peak & throat separate, two parts 1/4in flexible wire each with cotton hailing parts aft to c[ock]pit, & if ALERION'S [#718s] rig continues to be satisfactory, have another suit of sails cut the same & back to one halliard again. All the new mizzen gear seems to be quite satisfactory.
The plan of carriage and hauling of same seems to me A.1. Would like however to know your procedure as to getting at lower planking in the water of carriage on the upper side. I presume those parts might be made easily removable or best jacked up, a heeled over off shore or some plan devised. Get a little discouraged occasionally over getting the rock excavation done this year tho Price says he can do it. People's promised down here are somewhat like those made under stress of war. Even my tried builder can't be believed any longer. I've just gone through with four days of 'The Flue'. Very mild case but mighty disagreeable. It didn't put me to bed or keep me off SUNSET. Wish you could have seen the sailing race [in the Biscayne Bay 14 footers] yesterday p.m. Reefing breeze, all but our [No] 6, had one R[eef] in mainsail, the other carried full sail round. Wind S, squally, several times all the fleet was shut in by rain & to see them go into & out was great. These boats are the most reliable little craft I've ever had to do with. There is but one fault to find & that's nothing to do with design. The frames are too weak at the bilges & by next Winter will have to be rebuilt at this point. I feel also that added air tank capacity and the present fore peak tank made more reliable as to leakage should be attended to. So far as our youngsters are concerned or even most of the others, there's little to fear but the very ableness of these little ships might lead to trouble & spoiling of the sport.
Wirth with Miss Agnes came in first yesterday with Catlow & Patty second with Matheson about midway. Six of them well handled[?] all throughout and soaked completely but delighted. Mrs M[unroe] and Patty left for N.Y. last midnight and I am afraid are running into another hot northern spell. Over time[?] it's been a little irksome day times but the nights fine & down round the shore always pleasant. I note what you write of ALERION's [#718s] performance & hope to do some sort of extraordinary things with SUNSET before long. Wirth busy over his engraving. With out best wishes to Mrs Herreshoff & yourself, Sincerely ...
The improvements in our workshop are well worth the trouble." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40590. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. 1925-07-17.)
① ② ③ ④

"[Item Transcription:] Been sort of waiting so as to report arrival of the tub but no news of it yet. This is not strange at all as some of the ships have been carrying their inward cargoes back to N.Y. by reason of not being able to unload here owing to shortage of room & labor and also squally weather. There is congestion everywhere and the Lord knows how they will manage it. I've had no success yet in getting help on the place and just managed to get the grass cutting finished yesterday at a cost of 11.00. Guess I'll let it grow, and as for carpenters to start the Meigs Hine cottage, the situation is still worse. You are lucky to have one all ready.
Every times I leave SUNSET's motor unused for a couple of weeks or so, even if I do turn it over every few days, I have a heck of a time to start it. This defeats the use of having one at all and I am beginning to think of trying to get something better. In one thing, I was pleased with the results gotten from that wonderful motor & especially the wheel of yours and I am wondering as to whether I couldn't use a similar fine cracker[?] arrangement, better muffled and connected by some quick device to the present tail shaft and held down by wing nuts so as to lift it out on deck in a minute or so any odd time for adjustments etc. I believe those motors are made of anti-rust metals anyway I could continue using the present 3/4 shaft & one way clutch and would only want motor & one of your wheels, could also use the present muffler.
Maybe they have improvements on your motor now which would enable me to keep ahead of PLEASURE [#907s]. What think you kind sie[?]? You may have something still better up your sleeve. I could put my ballast back again in the bottom, another advantage.
Went overboard myself the other day to examine bottom. Very little seen & not a barnacle or oyster. You must have had some fine sailing with the foreign built craft. [NGH had tested #718s ALERION III against a Danish-built 22sqm Skerry cruiser on August 23, 1925.] Am trying to sell PLEASURE to a Commander rny[?] U.S.N.R. He is an ex International small yacht winner of matches in Holland about 1907 or 8. Has one of his prizes here in my safe, and old time Dutch ship done in Silver. Am afraid he hasn't got the money but think he can afford one of the [Biscayne Bay] 14ft Class & be a club member. Best wishes to all ..." (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_40720. Correspondence, Folder 84, formerly 102. (1925)-08-30.)
① ②

"[Item Transcription:] From your description of the bottom paint [on #966s GRAYLING], and that you could scrape it off with your finger nail, I can't help thinking there must be something wrong with the paint when put on.
There is a possibility of a mistake such as a painter taking up the wrong pot and putting on the ordinary topside paint, which I know becomes soft under water.
The boat I have in Florida [#907s PLEASURE] was painted one coat last fall, and when taken out of water after 6 months was almost clean and no barnicles. I only touched up a few places, around the waterline forward and the centreboard where striking bottom and launched her to be afloat all summer.
My boat at home [#718s ALERION III] is afloat about 4 months and gets one coat a year and has a very smooth bottom.
If you could spare your launch for a week, she could tow GRAYLING to Bristol in 18 hours, weather permitting, and if she started after a Saturdays race, should be in Bristol Sunday p.m. The fitting of a new mast and rigging should be completed by Monday night on Tuesday forenoon at latest. Allowing one day for trying out and one day for stormy weather would still leave two days to get her back for Saturday noon racing.
As to making the new spar and rigging. Chas Nystrom can better tell you the time, but it looks to me as if the rush work of spring is nearly over." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Morgan, Junius S. Herreshoff Marine Museum Collection Acc. 98.117. Correspondence, Folder 31, formerly 180. 1926-06-23.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Handwritten (in ink and pencil) comparison table giving o.a.L, l.w.l, beam, beam at waterline, beam 1/10b above waterline, draft, depth at various positions, outside lead, freeboard at stem head and other positions, displacement to LWL, frame space (2.2*(D)^1/3)^.9 and other factors (I, II, III, IV), keel thick, stem sided, transverse thick, timbers, plankfloors, lead bolts, planking, diag. straps, clamps, deckbeams, deck, belt frames, rudder stock for the following boats #744 Class (Buzzards Bay Boys Boats 1914), #788 Class (Fish Class 1916), #679 DELIGHT (1908), #699 BIBELOT (1910), #828 Class S (1920), #874 CYGNET (6 meter 1922), #718 ALERION (1912 Centreboard), #932 GAME COCK (R class 1925), #727 Class (Newport 29s COMET 1914), #892 GRAYLING (Q Class 1923), #708 CORINTHIAN (P Class 1911), #773 Class (NYYC 40s 1916), #867 VENTURA (1921 Centreboard), #711 Class (NYYC 50s 1913), #625 DORIS (1905). Undated, 1925 or later given the mention of #932 GAMECOCK. Probably 1927 in preparation for NGH's Rules for Wooden Yachts." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. (creator). Handwritten Table. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_06960. Folder [no #]. No date (1927 ??).)
①

"[Item Transcription:] [On 'R.M. Munroe, Box 116, Coconut Grove, Florida' stationery:] ... This must be Sunday for the house is not full, various mechanics are conspicuous by their absence. It hasn't squalled yet so far but will by p.m. Our cistern is positively running over and the rest on the verge. Rain began about the middle of last week with one roof finished (kitchen) and library nearly so but nothing damaged. Windows & screens now all in so let her drizzle.
Unbent SUNSET's sails and given up any attempt at sailing til the wet spell is over of Wirth gets home which he doesn't seem to be in much hurry about. Everything is rank green again and the lawn mowers are being oiled up. The boat house work is finished up to the date three and the sea grape over the top of the wire fence with the ginger plant close behind but the sweet potatoes 'non est' and a fine water melon vine in its place. Can't do much with your corner post gardens til we get some leaders up. Your good long letter of the 3rd duly re[ceive]d. It must have been interesting to see PLEASURE [#907s] following you up and having another sail in her also in having a chance for a comparison between her & ALERION [#718s]. 'Yachting' [magazine] was quite full of more or less readable stuff last issue but little however of really much value as being either new or proven. That squared saw log of a boom on KATOURA [#1050s] may answer but sure is not a thing of beauty. Your ideas about a boat [#192705es] suitable for these waters & capable of being wheeled up the hill on my new road for storage is perfectly O.K. Whats more, it will be very simple to build strong protection from the weather back of our hammock out of expanded metal lathing[?] & plaster. My two iron wheels are still perfectly good even if they have kicked around in the weather since 1876[?].
If outside ballasted it might be made removable in such small craft tho not absolutely necessary. Tho to detach it removes strain in the boat in handling. I've bought new chain for SUNSET moorings and will risk her again but with cockpit covering to guard against the chop sea of the Swetland storm walls which with the customary deluge of rain & flying salt water might easily over tax her scuppers. Possibly there was no back wash at the time she went adrift, everything being submerged as shown by my pier standing intact. Dr. Baekeland & wife were in town for some three days looking over their new purchase of the Huntington Buyan[?] home and making plans for some changes & furniture. Mrs B. seemed delighted & tho parts of each day were a bit trying as to heat she remained enthusiastic. The Chapman field situation for boat storage is still a good proposition and several good men connected with the Govt. agricultural station are available as caretakers but its quite a ways off and the progress already made by the Coral Gables folks back[?] of better chance there but not this year. Mrs M[unroe] and Patty will probably get away soon for the N.C. mountains but guess I'm a fixture except maybe a S.S. trip north for a little while. With best wishes to all hands. [No year. Choice of stationery and mention of Sunday July 10 (which occurred in 1927) and PEASURE/ALERION comparision indicates this letter to have been written in 1927 (even though it was filed with 1923/1924 Munroe correspondence).]" (Source: Munroe, R.M. Letter to N.G. Herreshoff. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MR_41780. Correspondence, Folder 87, formerly 121. (1927)-07-10.)
① ②

"[Item Description:] Brokerage listing (File No. 812) for #718s ALERION. Dimensions, short particulars. Undated, accompanying text indicates it is Charles B. Rockwell who is offering her for sale, Armory Skerry will be the next owner." (Source: Belknap & Paine, Yacht Brokers (creator). Broker Listing. MIT Museum, Hart Nautical Collections, Haffenreffer-Herreshoff Collection Item HH.6.111. Box HAFH.6.3B, Folder Brokers Listings. No date (1937 ???).)
①

"[Item Description:] Penciled offset booklet titled in ink on cover page 'BUBBLE II [#194501ep] 1946. ALERION 5-14-46, Stations dividing L.W.L. into 10 parts. COMET 6-10-46'. From notes inside the booklet '21ft Motor Boat [BUBBLE II]. Built by A. Sidney DeW. Herreshoff 1946[sic]. Frame spaces vary between 9in & 12in ...'. 'May 14, 1946. Figures taken off model of ALERION #718 with scale of 3/4in = 1ft. Base line 5ft below L.W.L. of 29ft 0in. Stations dividing L.W.L. into 10 parts 0 station on forward end of L.W.L. Lines for an aux. cruiser for J.B. Merriman Jr. are to be drawn from these figures with all three dimensions increased as 7:6. New Model was made. This is (Presumed Aug. 21, 1976.) Newport 29 Size. Newport 29 Rail. Centerboard'. '6-10-46. Model of boat for J.B. Merriman Jr. On stations dividing LWL into 10 parts. L.W.L. = 34ft. Base line 6ft 0in below L.W.L. Sheer taken at under side of deck. COMET'. With inlaid paper scale annotated 'Ag 23, 1976. Boat for J.B. Merriman Jr. using figures taken off model of ALERION #718 5-14-46. Scales 1in =1ft for Cinstruction Plan. 1/2in = 1ft for Sail Plan'." (Source: Herreshoff, A.S.deW. (creator). Offset Booklet. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRDE02_00500. Folder [no #]. 1946.)
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

Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #718s Alerion III even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

• Herreshoff, L. Francis. "A Sail in the Alerion." In: Herreshoff, L. Francis. The Writings of L. Francis Herreshoff. New York, 1946, p. 53-66. Also in: Rudder, September 1943. Also in: Herreshoff, L. Francis. An L. Francis Herreshoff Reader. Camden, Maine, 1978, p. 283-292. (195 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: No known copyright restrictions. Description of a delivery trip from New York to Bristol in typical L. F. Herreshoff style.
• Skerry, Amory Standish. "Alerion." In: Log of Mystic Seaport. September 1969, p. 96-99. (297 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Vessel description and history. Provenance.
• Palmieri, John. "The Alerion Revolution. What Nat Herreshoff Started in 1912." Presentation held at the 5th Classic Yacht Symposium. In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (Publisher). Proceedings. The 5th Classic Yacht Symposium 2012. Bristol, R.I. April 28, 2012. (2,189 kB)
  Document is copyrighted: Yes. Copyright holder: John Palmieri / Herreshoff Marine Museum. Very detailed vessel description and history

• Alerion III (HMCo-made index card)
• Alerion III (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: 21'9"
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 III
• 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 III
Type: 21' 9" sloop
Owner: N. G. Herreshoff
Year: 1912
Row No.: 15

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: Oct
Day: 19
Year: 1912
E/P/S: S
No.: 0718
Name: Alerion
LW: 21' 9"
B: 7' 7"
D: 2' 5.5"
Rig: J & M
K: y
CB: y
Ballast: Lead O.
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.

"Built in 96 days (contract to launch; equivalent to 60 lbs displacement/day)." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. January 16, 2024.)

"Sail area 381sqft from early Lloyd's Registers." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. April 28, 2014.)

"Displacement 5730 lb from NGH design notes quoted in Herreshoff, Halsey C. 'The 2014 CYS Commemorates the Great Herreshoff Year of 1914.' In: Herreshoff Marine Museum (publ.). Proceedings. The 6th Classic Yacht Symposium. May 2- 3, 2014. Bristol, RI, 2014, p. 9." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. May 29, 2014.)

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