16 BULLETIN 127, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



were built on the " cod's head and mackerel's tail " principle, having 

 a long fine run but comparatively fuller lines forward. About 1850 

 a marked change was made in this particular, and some of the pilot 

 boats built about that time had much finer entrances than had been 

 given such vessels before, and their speed was much improved — 

 always an important factor in a pilot vessel, the success of which 

 often depends on her ability to overhaul inward bound ships. 



The success attained later with wide, shallow yachts naturally had 

 its influence on designers of pilot boats, with the result that a few 

 vessels of this class were made with less depth and more beam than 

 formerly, though the cutter bow with straight, nearly vertical stem 

 above water and the V-shaped stern introduced about 1850 still re- 

 mained distinguishing characteristics. 



It was soon found, however, that shallow vessels were unfitted for 

 the pilot service, for which the stanchest and most seaworthy 

 schooners are required, and in time they were discarded, while deeper 

 and somewhat narrower schooners with lead and iron ballast placed 

 low inside were substituted. The latter proved superior for the work 

 they had to do both in speed and seagoing qualities, and when ex- 

 posed to heavy gales weathered the storms in safety. Perhaps in all 

 the world no vessel of its size could be found in which the requisite 

 qualities of speed and safety were more completely combined than in 

 the American pilot schooner. 



Few things in America have been more noticeable than the re- 

 markable development in recent years of a love for yachting, and 

 the use of boats purely for the purposes of pleasure. "V^^iile this 

 evidences the accumulation of wealth and an industrial condition 

 which gives to many the requisite means and leisure to enjoy the 

 noblest sport at the command of man, or recreation in a more modest 

 and inexpensive manner — perhaps in a rowboat onl}'^ — it is of 

 special interest to the student of naval architecture, since the build- 

 ing of yachts and pleasure boats has led to the highest possible 

 attainment in certain directions, and doubtless has materially in- 

 fluenced the development of vessels used in commerce or war. Nec- 

 essarily, speed is a prime factor in a yacht, for the friendly rivalry 

 of owners, natural enough under any circumstances, is intensified 

 by frequent competitive races, with the result that both time and 

 money are expended without stint to secure the swiftest vessel and 

 the greatest skill in seamanship. 



All this has a most decided influence on naval architecture, for 

 the rivalry which exists between renowned architects or builders 

 is not second to that of those who own the products of their skill. 

 Thus, with their wits sharpened by ambition, they are prompted to 

 exert themselves to the utmost to discover new ideas, both in form 



