THE HOUSEBOAT. 9^ 



Try every frame, keel — keelson, stringer beam, plank and fender with a gimlet. Too 

 much care and attention cannot be paid in testing these component parts of the boat. If 

 found free of rot and the previous items already pointed out are in order then you may 

 justly decide to purchase at a reasonable price. My own experience is that every houseboat 

 after having been kept in order should be depreciated at least 12% every year, which would 

 make the cost of a boat, costing when new Tls. 2,000.00, equal to roughly speaking Tls. 

 800.00. A good price for a 7 year old boat. 



Personally I feel satisfied that a brand new boat would prove cheaper in the long 

 run, and while I have turned out many fine wooden craft I am convinced, that steel house- 

 boats which have just been introduced have come to stay for the following reasons : — 



I. — Cheaper to build. 



2. — Annual repairs are much less. 



3. — Lighter draft. 



4. — Easier on the yuloh. 



5. — Less liable to damage when in collision. 



6. — Life at least 30 years. 

 Any person who has decided to go in for a houseboat could not do better than have 

 one built to the following specification at a cost not exceeding Tls. 1,850.00. 



vSTEEL HOUSEBOAT. 



DIMENSIONS :— Length over all 50 ft. in. 



Breadth moulded 12 ft. in. 



Depth moulded 3ft. 6in. 



Draft loaded 16 in. 



General. — The houseboat to be built to the design of the accompanying plan. Hull 

 to be built of steel plates and angles. House to be built of steel beams, and Oregon pine 

 tongue and groove covering, made watertight with canvas well painted with white lead, 

 skylight of teakwood with hinged covers. Deck covering board and deck fore and aft to 

 be laid with well seasoned teakwood, properly payed and caulked. 



Accommodation. — The accommodation to be arranged as shown in plan. Dog 

 kennel to be built below forward deck, with ventilating hatch through deck, and entrance 

 door, of the sliding type and iron grill to be placed in well. Toilet room as shown in plan, 

 fitted with small enamel bath. Flush water closet, and folding lavatory. Floor to be tiled. 



Saloon to be entered by sliding door, and to be fitted with two settees, 6 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. 6 in. 

 with two drawers below each settee, upholstery to be in green saddle back cloth. A suitable 

 teakwood sideboard with racks for securing glassware in position to be fitted in cupboard 

 below. Gunlocker for four guns and ammunition drawers below to be fitted. A teakwood 

 folding table, oil stove, lamps, window curtains, and carpet to be supplied and fitted in 

 place. 



Abaft the saloon, a cabin with two bunks and wardrobe to be arranged. Spring and 

 hair mattresses and two pillows, to suit bunks to be supplied : — two water bottle racks with 

 water bottles and tumblers supplied : — window curtains of suitable tapestry, brass curtain 

 rods, curtain bands and hooks to be supplied. 



