636 SPORTING BOATS AND CANOES. 



L. Berthon, of Romsey, Hampshire, England, and differs from all 

 others. It claims to combine the necessary elements of the life- 

 boat with the advantage of being folded up to one-tenth of its size 

 and again opened and set up in half a minute. The ribs are longi- 

 tudinal, joined at the bow and stern by strong linkage. When 

 the boat is closed up the ribs close in parallel lines, and when open 

 they are raised into position by the use of braces, and the proper 

 form of the boat is maintained by these braces, the flooring, seats, 

 etc. The sides are of very strong canvas and India rubber com- 

 partments, inclosing a continuous air chamber. These boats are 

 used for yachting as well as for higher uses. Price $25 to $250 

 for the largest, which is fully equipped with mast and sail. Cap- 

 tain Nares took several on his British Arctic expedition. 



Lyman s Patent Rowing Gear. — In this contrivance, by which 

 the oarsman is enabled to propel his boat while facing where he 

 is going, the oars, or rather, to speak properly the sculls, are 

 made in two pieces. The outer end of the loom, or portion of the 

 scull inboard, is fastened by a ball and socket joint to the gunwale, 

 and a short distance forward, by a similar joint, is fastened the 

 shaft, or outboard portion. A light iron lever, or connecting row, 

 joins the two pieces in such a manner that the blades of the oars 

 move in the same direction as the handles, reversing the ordinary 

 method. 



The action is absQlutely without noise, which will be appre- 

 ciated by every one who has attempted to row on to game. The 

 sculls, although but eight feet long, give as much reach and 

 power, apparently, as could have been obtained in the same 

 boat with ten feet sculls, a length that would have necessitated 

 outriggers. By simply drawing the looms against the gunwale, 

 the blades are folded back as a bird folds its wings. Although 

 the gear can be detached instantly, the sculls cannot become un- 

 shipped by accident. They feather well and leave the water with- 

 out noise. It is adapted for every boat propelled by oars, except, 

 perhaps, outrigged racing shells. 



Address William Lyman, Middlefield, Connecticut. 



