HERRESHOPP, her'res-hOf, John Brown, American shipbuilder: b. Bristol, R. I., 24 April 1841; d. there, 20 July 1915. During early age he was attacked by infantile glaucoma, which during his youth destroyed his sight, after which be remained totally blind for life. His education was carried on at the schools of his native town, but his real education was gained by contact with the problems of a practical life and surroundings, aided, where his lim itations required help, by the constant atten tions of a large and devoted family circle.' In boyhood Mr. Herreshuff fitted up at his home a well-equipped machine shop and carpenter shop; in the former he laid the foundations of the mechanical skill and knowledge that he turned to such good use later in life, and in his wood-working shop he began building with his own hands small craft which served as a splendid study for the later work which made him so famous. Aided by his father, Mr. Herreshoff began the construction of larger craft at about the age' of 20, and in the Year 1863 he began naval construction as a business, which he carried on for more than 50 years with success. At first he had as partner, Mn D. , S. Stone, which firm lasted a few years only, then for a short period he was alone'.in the business, but in 1872 he drew to his side his brother and life coadjutor, Mr. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, seven years his junior, and well equipped in construction, engineering and de signing. •The introduction of steam power as applied to yachts, launches, torpedo boats and craft for trade opened a . new and wide field,
which they grasped with eagerness and `which soon placed them in the. mastery of the new field. The early use of the water-tube boiler gave the business a boom, and the perform ance of the first torpedo boat, The Lightning, built for the United States government, was a revelation in the then infancy of high speed craft. In 1879 Mr. Herreshoff and his brother; Mr. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, incorporated the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. The in troduction of the compound engine in 1880 gave a fresh impetus to the business which was reflected by the construction of numerous steam yachts and torpedo boats and other naval craft for our own and foreign nations. In 1892 the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company took up the practical side of the defense of the Queen's Cup, which had been held at that date for 40 years by the New York Yacht Club, which successfully had held to the old trophy through many attacks from its motherland. The splendid seriei of defenses lasted about 13 years, in which the names of the Vigilant, Defender, Colinnbia:and Reliance are fresh in the memory of all Americans, which, as well as the yet undetermined defense of the Reso lute, goes to show to what height of perfec, non the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company have carried the science of naval designing and construction.