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

CAPTAIN "NAT'' HERREsHoFF.
In England. In answer to the Queen,
VINO inquired at the first contest, (Which
boat Is second?" the response was,
There is no second!p Since that time
the foreign yacht has,. always been
second, and the likelihood is that the
Nalkyrie III will be second in the October
races.
INTEREST IN THE SEVEN BRoTdERs
But while the interest of the American
ana English people was concentrated
upon the description given of the De-
lender and her trial spins in Bristol
Haroor, In Narragansett Bay and in the
SOUND OH Newport, the newspaper COR
respondents from New York, Boston aud
other places, and the other incidental
VISITORS at, Bristol also became intensely
interested in the Herreshoff family, the
builders of the new American yacht.
Much has been said and written OF the
terreshof works, and of the seven
brother3---three OF whom are blind. and
Tour OF whom have not been bereft OF the
principal one OF the five senses, the eve
slght-but only those who have been
brought into direct daily association
win them know how Interesting the
daily life of each is, especially OF the four
brothers who live in Bristol. A detailed
history OF their lives boyhood and man.
bood--their mechanical labors, their bus
mess conduct and their educational work
would make most readable book. The
lame OF the Herreshoffs as boatbuilders
mas extended to all parts of the world,
Notwithstanding that no large ocean
steamshlp has been turned out from their
works. Perhaps the largest vessel built
by this firm is the torpedo boat Cushing,
OF the American navy. The remarkable
performances of the Herreshon boat.
Stlletto, when on the Hudson River she
passed the great steamship Mary Powell,
and left her far behind, attracted the
ATTENTION OF the Government to that ex-
tent that II was decided to purchase her |
Tor the navy. There have also been built |
Dy the Herreshoffs number of the !
fastest steam yachts and sailing Yachts |
that were ever put ahoat, the best OF |
them, OF course, being the Defender and |
the Vigilant.
ANCESTORS OF THE YACHT BUILDERS.
Notwithstanding that blindness is a
stumbllng block to ambition, there are |
not many men living who are more far
seeing, more intelligent and possessing
more desirable accomplishments than the
bllno, but lost their eyesight when young
lads. The Herreshoffs are of German
descent, the first OF the family being
Charles Frederick Herreshoff, who came
TO this country from Germany i'm 1890.
Inc name was spelled then, as stated by
III. |
grandfather Americanized II by spelling
II as at present. The pronunciation is as
VI the name was divided thus: "Her-res-
hoh, and not "Her-re-shon," giving the
aspirate and not the Ssh" sound to the
last syllable. The father OF the six
nrothers % now living as the son of the one
VINO hrst emigrated, and was named
Charles Frederick Herreshoff. He died
ON September 10, 1883, in the eighteenth
year OF his age. He was also direct
descendant, on his mothers side, OF
mad Brown, who came to Rhode Island
IN IN ,,, I65s, and was companion OF Roger
W llllams. His grandfather was John
Brown, who owned a great many vessels,
III OF which were injured by the British
snip Gaspee, which was burned afterward
oy John Browns feet upon their cruise
d reprisal. John Brown was one OF the
argest shipowners in Rhode Island, and :
me hrst American vessel that fioated the
stars and Stripes I'm Chinese waters after
me revolution was owned by him.
rom the same family OF Browns came
ne beneiactions which led the corpora
ION OF Rhode Island College TO change '
ne name TO Brown university. y
Charles Frederick Herreshoff. the first
anne from Germany IN 1870, and a wear \
ater ne went to Providence, where he r
vas entertained by John Brown. and a
esw months later married his daughter. Z
ie was famous ms musician and lin /
uls'' ana these accomplishments have
'een inherited by two OF the blind
rothers now living Lewis Herreshoff
a musician of considerable ability. and
an Instructor in music, and Julian Is h
the head OF a school OF languages I'm :
rovidence. The elder Herreshoff after g
is marriage TO Sarah Brown purch ased A q
'rm of 300 acres on Prudence Island. i'm a
arragansett Bay. His son, the father y
the present family, spent his summers r
the farm, and occupied his leisure y
ours carving miniature ships. When u
My II years OF age he built a boat for q
imselt and sailed IL around Narragansett N
ay. Within the next two years he built n
'veral boats and sold them. and thus ei
agan his fame as n boat-builder. In 1899 N
g was married TO Julia Ann Lewis OF 10
oston, who was the daughter OF n well. D'
nown sea captain. They had nine is
iildrcn. "
rut. pprar~r o,,~r,.r,ox, III