20 BULLETIN 127, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



lower edge of a deep plate, the upper part of -vvhich was fastened- to 

 the hull. The experience gained in the building of these diminutive 

 racers, which proved phenomenally fast, doubtless had a marked 

 influence on designer Herreshoff, for, when called upon to produce a 

 vessel to defend the America's cup in 1895, he turned out a sloop em- 

 bodying the main features on a larger scale of the smaller fin-keeled 

 boats. This vessel was named the Defender. She was a modifica- 

 tion of the Vigilant, with a deep fixed keel (without centerboard) , 

 having a lead bulb at its lower edge. Her successful defense of the 

 cup is a matter of recent history and need not be dwelt on here. 



It is pertinent, however, to mention that, whereas the early yachts 

 were built of wood and comparatively little attention was given to 

 details in the matter of weight, etc., these modern " racing machines,*' 

 particularly the cup defenders, have been constructed of metal, and 

 science has been taxed to the utmost to determine with exactness the 

 strength of materials, and to reduce the weight of hull, spars, and 

 rigging as much as possible consistent with requisite strength, in 

 order that the weight thus saved may be included in the lead keel, 

 thereby increasing the sail-carrying power of the yacht to that extent. 

 To such an extreme has this been carried that, while the hull of the 

 Defender below the water line was built of manganese bronze, a com- 

 paratively heavy metal, the upper part of the hull was constructed 

 of a combination of aluminum and other metals whereby the weight 

 was materially reduced. Hollow steel spars were also, in part, used 

 by both the challenger, the Valkyrie III, and the Defender. 



Thus it will be seen that, whereas the vessels used for racing 40 

 or 50 years ago were to a greater or less extent the result of a sort of 

 " rule or thumb " design, the demands of a later day call for the 

 highest skill in this branch of naval architecture — a skill which has 

 been so highly specialized under the impulse which has prompted its 

 development that it can not but prove of material benefit to all indus- 

 tries dependent directly or indirectly for success upon maritime 

 transportation. 



While every man can not own a steam yacht or, perhaps, even a 

 sailing yacht, he can obtain much pleasure and recreation in a simpler 

 and less expensive way. Consequently, large numbers of men find 

 much gratification in owning a rowboat ; a folding boat which may 

 be taken into the wilds and there used on lake or stream for angling 

 or hunting ; or a racing or cruising canoe, in which diminutive craft 

 may be found all the excitement that attends races in more preten- 

 tious craft. Aside from the pleasure derived from owning and sailing 

 boats such as have been alluded to, the fact should not be lost sight 

 of that the experience in water craft gained in the management of 

 these boats often trains men and fits them for higher achievements 



