206 BULLETIN 127, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



7 feet wide; bowsprit, outboard, 10 feet; foremast, above deck, 44 

 feet; fore^aff, 12 feet; mainmast, above deck, 44 feet; main top- 

 mast, 15 feet; main boom, 30 feet; main fraff, 13 feet. Scale of 

 model, one-half inch equals 1 foot. 



The bottoms of these vessels are sheathed with yellow metal to 

 prevent the planks from being injured by the toredo or marine 

 boring worm, and, for the same reason, are fish wells generally 

 covered inside with sheet lead. Recently an improved type of fish- 

 ing schooner is coming into use in the Bahamas, and some of those 

 recently built are as fine looking vessels of their class as can be seen 

 in any country. 

 Gift of Bahama Islands Centennial Commission. 



Cat. No. 76,010 U. S. N. M. 



Model of sponge-fishing schooner. 



Schooners of this type are employed about the Bahama Islands 

 in gathering sponges from the reefs. The sponges are taken by 

 men who go out in the small boats while the vessel cruises about 

 near by. 



This is a wooden, carvel-built, keel, two-masted schooner; with 

 bow sharp, flaring moderately above water; raking, curved stem; 

 long head; deep keel; sharp floor; flaring side; long, very lean run; 

 slightly raking sternpost; wide V-shaped stern; medium sheer; 

 low bulwark; large cabin trunk; carries three sails — jib, lug-footed 

 foresail, and boom and gaff mainsail. Two boats are stowed bottom 

 up on deck; sponges, sponge hooks, etc., on deck. 



Dimensions of vessel. — Length over all, 54 feet; beam, 14 feet 

 6 inches; depth, 5 feet; bowsprit, outside. 10 feet 6 inches; foremast, 

 above deck, 43 feet 6 inches ; foregaff , 12 feet ; mainmast, above deck, 

 44 feet; main topmast, heel to truck, 14 feet; main boom, 30 feet; 

 main gaff, 13 feet 6 inches; boats, 13 feet long; sponge hooks, one 

 17 feet long and the other 25 feet. Scale of model, one-half inch 

 equals 1 foot. 



These vessels have a striking resemblance to the deep Baltimore 

 clipper schooners of 75 years ago, and doubtless the type had its 

 origin in Chesapeake Bay. 

 Gift of Bahama Islands Centennial Commission. 



Cat. No. 160,143 U.S.N.M. 



SKIX BOATS. 



Indian coracle or " bull boat." 



Used by the Hidatza (Gros Ventres) Indians for crossing streams, 

 etc. 



