THE GUNNING-PUNT. 119 



of the punt beyond the muzzle of the gun than is absolutely 

 necessary and this depends in a great measure on the form and con- 

 struction of the punt, and may be materially provided against by 

 continuing the floor as flat and far forward as possible, so that it 

 may be more buoyant under the heavy weight of metal which 

 depresses the head of an ordinary punt. The muzzle of the gun 

 should never extend beyond the stem of the boat. 



It is a considerable protection to the bows of a punt to affix a piece 

 of thin sheet-copper round the stem, and a foot or two along the water- 

 streaks, when accustomed to move much among shell-ice ; but it is 

 well to dispense with it when not required, so as to maintain the bow 

 as light and buoyant as practicable. 



Wooden thowls should be used in all gunning-punts; iron or 

 copper or fixed rowlocks are one and all objectionable, and more 

 especially those heavy prominent projections which were attached to 

 Colonel Hawker's punts, and which used to stick up above the gun- 

 wales as very conspicuous objects. There is nothing more suitable 

 or lighter and more convenient than small, round-shaped, wooden 

 thowls, such as may be shipped and unshipped at pleasure. 



The punting tyro should not venture in a narrow or crank punt ; 

 such is dangerous at all times, more especially under unskilful 

 management. The broader and flatter the punt at the bottom, so 

 much the safer will it be, and the less will be the draught of water. 

 The tyro is recommended to use a flat-bottomed punt at first, as such 

 is not so liable to get out of trim as a round-bottomed, and thus alter 

 the range of the gun 5 round-bottomed punts are more apt to 

 vary, from slight causes of misplacement in the interior, and require 

 an experienced hand to regulate their bearings, and manage them 

 under the different changes of position. 



A punt may be the more graceful and pleasing to the eye when 

 sharp and narrow at the bows, but grace and elegance must not be 

 too much regarded by the boat-builder in this respect ; because the 

 weight of the gun-metal is of necessity so heavy, that it cannot be 

 carried so far forward in the punt as it ought to be, if the boat is 

 sharp and narrow at the bows. 



Particular attention should be paid to the outsides of gunning- 

 punts ; they must be kept quite clean, and any discolourings or 

 stains should be removed. The best colour for the exterior of a punt 

 is dusky white, or a shade of light green may be intermixed with the 

 white lead : a very little lamp-black stirred into the white paint 



