158 ANIMAL RESOURCES AND FISHERIES OF UNITED STATES. 



A|»|*<i>">(<>i^ .*i4'c*e««Mory to ri;;^;;'iii^ fi^liiiiji^-YeN^iicl!^. 



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Wiibbliiig of tlic o:ir is \vlif)lly avoidofl. If tlu' oar is a inoix riy •^ood 

 tit, it will have less than i inch of fore-and-aft motion in the lock. 



"Catching crabs" is largely avoidcil by preventing the oar from jam- 

 ming in the lock at the beginning or end of the stroke. If a "crab" 

 shonld be canght, the rowlock is not strained, and the oar can be recov- 

 ered without stoj)iiing the boat. 



A good grip of the water is assured to even the inexperieucod oarsman 

 by the shape of the back of the rowlock, which corresponds to that of the 

 oar. The oar settles itself into the projier posi t ion on beginning the stroke. 



Any length of reach may be taken by Umg-built men in going forward, 

 avoiding an evil often comiilained of. 



A space half as wide admits passage of the boat. Equipped with this 

 rowlock a six or four oared shell passes through an opening the width of 

 the outriggers. Crews rowing on narrow or l)ridgcd water will tind this 

 advantage worth the price of the rowlocks in a single season. 



Uniting the rods at a single point brings the whole strength of the out- 

 rigger into play at every part of the stroke, and an outrigger thus made 

 can hardly bo demolished while the boat stands. 



Any oars may be used if of receut pattern, i. c, without the unsightly 

 "bulge" on the loom. It is only necessary to make a slight change in 

 the button, as described below. 



Better time may be made. Experiments thus far indicate that the 

 socket-joint rowlock is perceptildy .speedier than the common pattern, by 

 the stoppage of wabbling, and general smoothness of action. 



Eaising a rowlock with the common outrigger is a half hour's trouble 

 with rusty nuts (one or two of which nsually twist the bolt ofi' in start- 

 ing) and experimenting to get the right thickness of washers. With tln' 

 socket-joint rowlock the same thing is done in two minutes by slipping 

 half or three-quarters of au inch of washers on tin* shaft under the top rod. 



Superior strength. The ordinary iron thoIe-i»ius are strong in one direc- 

 tion only; a backward or siflewise blow is likely to bend them. ^Tlie 

 supporting shaft of the socket-joint rowlock is equally strong all around 

 and withstands a greater strain than the best oars made can apply to it. 

 The whole rowlock is made of the best bronze-metal, which will not rust 

 nor suddenly snap on a frosty morning. Under great mechanical pressure 

 the lower jiart of the lock has been bent out nearly straight without 

 breaking. 



Minor conveniences continually ai)pear in the use of this imi>rovenu'ut. 

 There is no wiring to do; no reaching out-boanl to ship »)ars; no wriggling 

 the button through the rowlock; no getting grease on the oar-handle by 

 l)assing through the rowlock; no "losing the button" outsiil«> the out- 

 rigger; no janiniing the button between the thole-jdus. When the out- 

 riggers are taken oil" the boat the rods turn on the shaft as a hinge and 

 fold uj) into a compact bundle not easily bent out of shap*- nor injiind. 

 The rowlocks caii be detached entirely, if desind, and eaih set of n>d> 

 made into a package as easily carried as a walking-stick, while the row- 

 lock may be ]>ut into the oarsman's coat-pocket. Oarsmen having occa- 

 sion to travel with boats by rail will ap]ireciate this convenience. 



This rowlock cannot pretend to be a cheai) contrivance; it is inadi- of 

 the best material, and refjuires exp<'nsive labor. Its tii"st c«»st is more 

 than that <if fhe coninion pattern, but eonsidering its advajitages it will 

 be louutl ( Inapt 1 in the end." ( F. .V. (onwer.) 



