226 BULLETIN 127, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



covered with canvas smeared with pitch. This most primitive form 

 of boat justifies its survival in the nineteenth century partly by the 

 conAenience for launching and landing of its light weight — one man 

 can lift it — partly by the cheapness and simplicity of its materials 

 and making, but chiefly by. its remarkable faculty of riding safely 

 over the Atlantic rollers in rough weather when no ordinary boat 

 could live. The islanders venture in these frail canoes into the open 

 Atlantic many miles from land, and so seldom do they fail to return 

 in safety that they have ceased to take account of the danger, ancl 

 would almost as soon venture out to sea in a curragh as in a 

 hooker." '^ Cat. Xo. 100,154 U.S.N.M. 



River Boyne coracle. 



The coracle was quite extensiveh' employed for salmon fishing on 

 the River Boyne, Ireland. It is not much used now. since netting 

 Avas jorohibited in fishing Avaters after 8 o'clock in the eA'ening. 



It is an open, oval-shaped coracle, with sloping ends and round 

 sides, made by covering a light frame with leather. 



Dimensions of coracle. — Length. 5 feet 11 inches: beam. 3 feet 9 

 inches; depth, 17 inches. 



Coracles of this description Avere formerly in favor for operating 

 snap nets for the capture of salmon. Two coracles Avere Avorked to- 

 gether, with tAvo men in each: in fishing, one man kneels in the 

 front and paddles the coracle, while the other sits and holds the snap 

 net, dragging it behind, in conjunction with the men in the second 

 coracle. Cat. No. 160,356 U.S.N.M. 



River Dee coracle. 



This tA'pe of boat is used chiefly for salmon fishing on the RiAer 

 Dee, Scotland. It is an open, flat bottom, keelless coracle, Avith 

 sloping, nearly square ends: tumble-in sides: one thwart near the 

 middle : made by covering a light Avooden frame Avith tarred canvas. 

 ■ Di/niensions of coracle. — Length. 4 feet 11 inches; beam, 37 inches; 

 depth, 10 inches. 



This cheaph' constructed and exceedingly light coracle is adapted 

 to crossing streams, and is especially in favor among poachers, Avho 

 carry on illicit fishing at night for salmoii or other species. 



Cat. Xo. 160,355 U.S.X.M. 



Block model of ironclad ram. 



The armored ram Dunderherg was built from this model by AVil- 

 liam H. Webb, at Xew York, in 1866. She was subsequently sold to 

 France. She was armed with four 15- inch and tweh^e 11-inch 

 smooth-bore guns. Her armor was 4^ inches thick. She was one 

 of the first armored A^essels to be provided with a ram. 



" Pictorial World. 



