VAPOR is a rare bird: literally, the last known Herreshoff steam launch to survive in the world, out of more than 260 steam powered vessels built in total by HMCo. 

VAPOR (originally simply “#227,” an un-named tender) was one of 30 launches built to the same model. The boat was contracted as a tender for the 211′ LOA steam yacht YACONA, which belonged to oil and railroad tycoon Henry Clay Pierce (1849-1927). Pierce also owned a Newport 15 named YACONA (HMCo. #589), and #227 and #589 were contracted around the same time, in August 1902. Though VAPOR’s precise launch date is unknown, the boat was built in a matter of weeks between mid August and early September.

VAPOR’s remarkable survival can be attributed to her 72 years under single-family ownership: the boat was acquired by the Martin family in 1950, and remained under their care until 2022 when VAPOR was donated to HMM. You can learn more about VAPOR here.