Looking for Alert

[mhunt]

1902 full keel Herreshoff 15' (pretty sure) but with a cabin and bowsprit. Donated to Bath Maritime Museum in '75 and sold- date and to whom not on record. Frustrating! I am flummoxed, as is Maynard Bray. Possibly in a field growing daisies or already kindling, but it was my mom's boat and the fate would be good to know. I can e-mail pics, and would appreciate any leads. Thanks!

[HerreshoffHistory]

I assume you refer to #559s Little Robin, the cruising boat based on the Buzzards Bay 15 model?

I believe I have a photo of her from before 1904, but without a bowsprit.



"No. 31 --- For Sale --- Herreshoff 16-foot water line keel knock about; a perfect little craft in every way; just the boat for the boys, or for afternoon sailing; able and fast; very complete inventory for small boat. Dimensions are: 26 feet over all; 16 feet 4 inches water line; 6 feet 9 inches beam; 4 feet 6 inches draught; 1,500 lbs. of lead on keel; built by Herreshoff in 1901. Impossible to find a better boat of the kind, and anybody wishing a small knockabout, could not do better than look into this one. One of the few Herreshoff boats ever placed on the market. Apply to E. A. Boardman, Naval Architect and Yacht Broker, 20 Central St., Boston, Mass. [Although Little Robin was not explicitly identified in the accompanying advertisement text, it is clear that only she could have been meant, as she was the only 16' 4' LWL keel boat that had been contracted for in the 1900-1901 time period.]" (Source: Rudder, March 1904, p. 162.)

"No. 10937 --- For Sale --- A dandy little Herreshoff knockabout; 26 ft o. a., 16 ft. 4 in. w. l., 6 ft. 9 in. beam, 4 ft. 6 in. draught, 1,500 lb outside lead ballast. Small cabin with enough headroom to sit up in with full length transoms. Built in the usual high grade Herreshoff manner with cedar planking and brass screw fastenings. Watertight cockpit. Canvas deck. This smart little craft was built in 1901 and has always had the finest care. Ideal boat for a boy or girl to learn to sail in as she is absolutely uncapsizable and unsinkable. Handles to perfection. Price $500. Can be seen in Boston by applying to Hollis Burgess Yacht Agency, 15 Exchange Street, Boston, Mass. [Although Little Robin was not explicitly identified in the accompanying advertisement text, it is clear that only she could have been meant, as she was the only 16' 4' LWL keel boat that had been contracted for in the 1900-1901 time period.]" (Source: Anon. "For Sale." Rudder, March 1914, p. 153.)

[mhunt]

I agree that would be the logical guess, except for the bowsprit. My mother owned the Alert from 1928 until sometime in the '60's. It was being used for sail training by Maine Maritime Museum from '75 until? Then it disappeared.

[Adam]

If you send me a pic(s)  I can post them for you - I would like to see pictures!

[mhunt]

Thanks, happy to send you my pics. I would need to e-mail them to you as I don't have snapfish etc. How do I send?

[Steve]

How sure are you about 1902?  There is a WH15 named ALERT in a field in Rhode Island, and a BB15 from 1909, with a bowsprit but no cabin, on Jamestown.

[mhunt]

I know about the Alert in RI- but the full keel is the difference. As far as the year goes, I'm going by what Maine Maritime told me.

[Adam]

There is a little envelope under my name - Click that and mail away!

[b.beardsley]

That 15 in Jamestown is Endeavor, which was one of the last BB 15s to be registered at Beverly Yacht Club. It's a normal BB 15, and the bowsprit was added by an owner, can't remember if it's the current one or not.

[Adam]

From MHunt:

[mhunt]

Alert has been found, thanks for all the posts. She has been in a field in Georgetown Maine since 2000, lovingly watched over by a previous owner who found her and brought her home. Not my fantasy ending, but I'm told she was well used and appreciated for many years.

[Steve]

Do we have a hull number for her ?

[mhunt]

Oddly no. An oval plaque with the name Alert in the center, with Herreshoff Mfg. Co. Bristol Rhode Island 1902 around the outside. There is a thought that a previous owner had it manufactured. Still working on that puzzle.

[Steve]

That doesn't sound like a builder's plate that I have seen before.  It could very well have been made by a prior owner.  By any chance would you have a photo of it?

[Steve]

HMCo only built 4 boats using the 15-footer model that had a full-keel, and only LIITLE ROBIN, 559, was built in 1902 (or late 1901 ... she was contracted in June, 1901).  The others came several years later.

The information HH has supplied is quite to the point.  You will note that in both 1904 and 1915, she is referred to as a knockabout, which means the bowsprit must have been added later.

I would like to compile some provenance.  Could you tell me your Mom's name? I don't suppose you know from whom she got her and to whom and when she sold the boat?  Did your Mom name her ALERT or was it that way when she bought it?  How about the current owner in Maine?  His name?  And all the same questions.

You say the boat is ina field? Is she a total wreck?  Do you have any photos?

Thansks.

-Steve