The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-08

at times, which Ii probably due to the
fact that he loves 10 think more than he
loves 10 talk. His demeanor suggetss that
ms head is full of new plans, and he does
not appear TO want 10 depend upon any
one but himself for entertainment He
Walks along the street with his head in
clined forward, as IL he were in search of
some novel notion, though there is local
saying that he acquired the habit from
Watching his rivals in his races, craning
his head in order to see them from under
the boom. He began yachting when a
small boy, and at nine years OF age he was
an excellent helmsman; at twelve he
sailed the yacht Sprite TO her first victory
and won prize. lie was graduated from
the Institute OF Technology where he
took prizes IN physics and mathematics.
After leaving the Institute. in 1863. he
was employed for seven years in the Cor
liss Engine Works in Providence during
which time he was the designer for the
Herreshof Company and modelled most of
their sail and steam yachts. In 1877 he
went to Bristol TO give his whole time TO
marine engineering, and in that year he
brought out the famous catamarans, one
OF which, the Tarantella, sailed in the
yacht races in New York Bay i'm 1878, and
In one race made speed OF II miles an
hour. He designed and built the yacht
Gloriana for L. ID. Morgan in 1890, whose
speed and weatherly qualities produced a
revolution in yacht t-building.
Captain Nat" is superintendent and
manager OF the Herreshoff works and
owns one-fourth of the stock. He lives
In large brick house on the point near
Bristol Ferrys and about half mile east
OF the shops. In his house he has a large
draughting- room. where he spends con- |
siderable time working out new designs
and making preliminary drawings. His |
wife was Clara Anna DE Wolf, whom he |
married in 1883, and they have five chill |
dren. His wife's brother is employed by !
the company as the shipping clerk.
Francis Herreshof, another of the |
brothers whose eyesight has been pre-
served, Is next in age to captain Nat
lie is graduate of Harvard College, and |
ne has distinguished himself in chemistry
and has obtained prominence in the
manufacture OF sulphuric acid. He is
forty-five years Of age and, while an ex-
pert yachtsman, and fond of the sport,
has nothing to do with the company.
THE YOUNGEST OF THE FAMILY.
Julian L. Herreshof is four wears
younger than Francis, and Is the young
looking OF the brothers, and has a full
black beard. He was educated at the
University of Berlin, and has become
noted as musician and linguist; he is
me proprietor OF school OF languages
ana music in Providence and his pupils,
'CNh oih yOuHk, are representatives |
of society and wealth. He is also an en-
'ertaining conversationist, and notwith-
standing his blindness, is familiar with |
he affairs OF the day, political; and social.
he and his brother Lewis not O Ily escort
members OF the family and ,he visitors
about, but they take long walks alone.
With nothing TO guide their footsteps but
cane and their familiarity with the
pathways. They would hardly be sus-
'ected of being blind as they walk to |
nd from the postoffice, the homes of
'ther members of the family and the Office
" the company.
In the building of the Defender the vt
most secrecy was observed, and notwith-
tanding various schemes were resorted
o by different ones TO obtain information
TO the lines and dimensions OF the
oat, her spars, sails, etc, nothing could
e learned from the workmen, or any one
lse having knowledge of the craft. The
eslgns ana drawings were laid down in
room In Nathaniel Herreshoff's house. | 7
ept under lock and key; the hull was
uilt IN the shiphouse, not only kept se-
urely locked, but with watchman out
de TO keep away all having no business
here; the spars were made in a building a
short distance east of the shops on the /
each, and securely locked, and the sails +
ere made in a room in the rubber works, !
bout half mile from the Herreshoff a
hops, and no one was admitted TO the
'om without having a key to the door. i