The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-13
CUTTERS BEING BUILT.
Methods in Keeping Secret the Con-
struCtion of Cup Defenders.
CAPT. WILCOX GUARDS THE SHOP
Orders Have Been Given the workmen
Not to Discuss the Company's Busi-
ness, and the Iron Clad Instructions
are Obeyed-what n Reporter Found.

The Lord helps those who help them
selves. This trite truism may lie fitly
applied 10 the remarkable success of the
Herreshoffs Of Bristol, X. L.. the yacht
designers and builders, writes a New
York Herald reporter. John b., the old.
est of the firm, is stone blind, which the
world knows. He has been so since he
was l2 years old. Blindness was stun
bling block TO his ambition aud made life
more of burden than it would have
been. but he rose superior to the terrible
affliction and is today shrewd "far see
ing" intelligent. and as president and
treasurer OF the Herreshoff Manufactur-
ing Company exercises general super
vision over its affairs.
Capt. Nlthapiel e., brother of John b
is the next prominent figure of this re-
markable family, aud to an extent is its
leader. so far as being the genius who
planned the successes of the past few
years which have made the firm famous.
He stands out conspicu ously among the
foremost marine engineers Of the day, He
is far and above the majority OF yachr
designers and builders of the age, and is
so much of an expert in boat sailing that
named in the same breath.
Cup Defenders Came To Them.
That the designers and builders Of the
Gl r ana and Wasp should hold the same
relation to some of he trial cup defend
ers which members OF the New York
Yacht Club had to build in order to sue
caSsfnlly resist the challenge of the
English yachtsmel for the trophy was
only natural. The Herreshoffs have de-
signed and will shortly have fairly under
way two OF these boats. The have also
well advanced in construction and now
nearly ready for launching the new cut
ter ordered by Mr.. Royal Phelps Carroll,
also OF the y Y. \. G..
Il these HerreshofT boats are ahout
the same length on the LOAD water line
- feet-hut OF their type. Aye, there's
the rub"
Cautious as well as clever are the Herr.
eshoffs. Reticence is the citadel OF Can't.
Nat" while John B. may ak "a little
now and then, he don't say much That
will give the outside seeker after infor-
nation regarding their business the least
bit Of comfort.
how secrecy Is Maintained.
70 ascertain just how this secrecy
could be maintained so successfully /
went TO Bristol recently. found the
Herreshofi's Office. That was easy
enough. And found John B.. also an
easy matter Other little things which
wanted % ascertain were not quite SO
easy.
John y. was standing with his back Co
the blazing wood In the fireplace. The
only other person in the room was the
bookkeepcr, Charles w. Young. The
latter asked me my name and business.
! told him bat ] should like TO see Capt,
Nat" Then john B. became the typi-
cal diplomat and-The shield that il inter
posed between strangers and his brother,
the yacht designer
Mr. Nat,'' quietly remarked the
bind man, placing his hand lightly ON
my shoulder. is very busy today and he
won't be able 10 see anybody"
inquiry.
Excuse me" added john b.. and he
lett tue fireplace, made MS way uuhesi.
tatingly across the floor. passed inside the
railing shutting of the desk from other
portions Of the ROOM aud walked TO the