A "new" Herreshoff Book....

[Adam]

Well, kind of.....

A buddy of mine just gave me a first edition (probably only...) of a book written in 1976 called THE RACING SCHOONER WESTWARD by C P HAMILTON ADAMS. I had never heard of the book before, but after seeing Eleonora (her repro) at the Rendezvous this summer it was a fitting find. It's an interesting book on several account - it talks much about the Herreshoff's from a "British" point of view (by all accounts so far very flatteringly), the descriptions of Charlie Barr (who wouldn't have him on the list of yachting "hero's"?), the large schooner racing that was very popular in Europe at the time, and that many of the photo's came from Cochran's "scrap book" - and I have never seen them before.

Very nice book - have only read the first few chapters - but nicely done. Only thought to missing this one was that it was British in origin....

[Steve]

I may need to search this one out.  I have always been interested in learning more about Charlie Barr.

On a related topic, youy may have noticed that Amazon keeps putting off the ship date of that new Herreshoff coffee table book.  It was supposed to show up in October .... the latest delay has it in the first half of January.  Here's hoping.

[Adam]

Yeah I noticed the delay as well.... guess there is always next holiday season :-)

[Adam]

This is - well - a bit morbid, but does anyone know where Barr is buried? I believe he lived in NJ, but if I remember correctly he died of a Heart Attack in the off season from skippering Westward. Wonder if he was buried here or his native Scotland?

[Steve]

I think I saw the answer to that question somewhere.  I'll see what I can find.  It make take me awhile, but I will look.

Ya know Adam, we are on the same wavelength in a way... I don't find it morbid at all.  Another one (of several) research projects I am involved with has to do with the history of my home (I am trying to get it listed on the National Register of Historic Places).  One of the rabbit holes I am going down in relation to that project is the burial sites of Edward Marshall and Moses Doane.

Edward Marshall was the lead runner in The Walking Purchase (a major event in Pennsylvania history).  Marshall went through my property on the first morning of that event.  He is buried a few miles away.  I am trying to get a picture of his gravesite, and it took a whole lot of work to find it.  I have now located it, but it is in private property and the owner's phone number is unlisted.  I still haven't visited it, but I will.

The other "morbid" story is my quest for the grave of Moses Doane.  He is a big figure in Bucks County history, being the leader of the locally-infamous Doane gang of colonial times.  I have found the grave of 2 of his brothers.  They are at a Friends meetinghouse, with the word "OUTLAW" on the stones, and located outside of the stone wall of the graveyard proper.  It's like nobody but the Quakers would accept them, and even the Quakers were trepidatious.  There are some leads as to where Moses was buried, but that is still a mystery. 

[Adam]

The Doane Family is one of the oldest in the US (Early 1600's anyway) - and originally settled in my town - Cohasset, MA (Hingham then). In fact I LIVE on Doane Street.

BTW, we are far more on the same page then you know  ....

[Steve]

Cool!

Is that in Bristol ?

[Steve]

BTW ... Cohasset?  Do you know Alfred Slanetz?  He owns Cara Mia, a 12, and a 15.

[Adam]

Yep Bristol... I have Sid's as well... been looking for L. Frances - I believe He's up in Marblehead - my wife is from that area, but we don't get up there often - a few times a year but never have the time to look. I'm looking For Clinton Cranes as well - which should be in Boston somewhere.

I do know OF Alfred - he's on the school committee....and of course as the owner of Cara Mia.