Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-05-01
JOHN B. HERRESHOFF.
Extraordinary Achievements of Americas
Sightless Ship Builder.

EXTRAORDINARY
Sightless Ship Builder.
The most notable blind man now iv-
ing is John B. Herreshoff He lives at
Bristol, r. l., and he is at the head Of
one of the largest ship-building firms
in the United States He has been
blind since his fifteenth year, but he
has designed and superintendent the
construction of some of the finest steam
yachts now af1oat. So completely is he
the master even of the smallest details
of his vast business that when the rep
resentative of South American gov
eminent called upon him a few years
ago, and asked for what sum he could
build and deliver three torpedo boats
of a peculiar size and pattern, he re-
quested only half an hours time for de-
liberation before giving his answer.
Before the half hour was up he had
mentally gone over the whole matter,
cost of building and the time that would
be required, working from the new and
strange plans submitted. and had de-
cided at what price he would be iusti-
fed in taking the contract. His offer
was accepted, the boats were built and
delivered at the time stipulated, and
Herreshcff Brothers made a handsome
profit from the contract.
This incident, one of many which
might be quoted, only goes to show what
sort Of man is John b. Herreshoff, the
blind ship-builder. Not since he was q
boy has he been able to see the graceful
outlines of the ships and schooners
which plow the blue waters in sight of
which he was born, but he carries a per-
feet picture of each and every one OF
them in his memory, and it is this gal
lery that he draws upon in devising tho
plans which have made his name ia
miliar one to ship-owners in all parts Of
the world. So thoroughly has he trained
all his mental faculties to bear upon
his life work that when description of
piece of machinery is read to him he
can at once point out its merits and
defects, while so fine and true is
his sense of feeling that by merely
running his fingers over the lines OF
a design he can gain as accurate an idea
Of it as though he saw it. But John Il.
Herresnoff is more than a skillful
designer Of swift and beautiful sailing
vessels and steam yachts. He is also d.
man of great executive ability. He
looks carefully after the financial affairs
of his firm, and personally superintends
every department of a plant employing
hundreds Of men. \ visitor, ignorant
of the misfortune, seeing him seated i'll
his office debating letters or receiving
reports, or strolling unguided about his
ship-yar1ls giving directions to his fore
men, would never suspect that he was
blind. He possesses all the require
ments of a great inventor-some of his
conceptions have done much during the
last twenty years to revolut!onize ship
building-and of a great captain of in
dustry. But for his blindness John Il.
Herreshotf would leave as deep and en-
during a mark upon the history of his
chosen calling as did the late John
Ericsson. As 1t is, he is the most re-
markable member of an extraordinary
family which three generations of abil-
ity and skill have made illustrious.-St-
Louis Globe Democrat