THE SHOOTING-YACHT. 223 



There are conveniences on the decks of such a vessel as the one 

 under explanation, for carrying two gunning-punts in such a manner 

 that they are not seen above the level of the bulwarks j everything being 

 snugly arranged, and with especial regard to the comfort of the wild- 

 fowler, his friends, and crew. 



The cost of a yacht of the description here attempted, would be 

 from 300 to 500, according to material, workmanship, fittings, 

 and other circumstances. 



Three men will be sufficient to navigate a vessel of the kind ; or 

 two, and a good useful lad, if the yachtsman himself occasionally 

 lends a hand ; and which he would only be required to do now-and- 

 then for instance, if caught in a heavy gale, and having suddenly 

 to reef sails. On such occasions no shooting could be done ; and the 

 gun should be well coated with tarpaulin, or placed below, in. the 

 cabin. If a very heavy sea comes on, the fore-hatchways must be 

 put on and secured ; in which case, access may be obtained to the 

 cabin from the aft-hatchway, and then through either of the sleeping- 

 cabins. So desperate a gale as to require all these precautions to be 

 carried out, would probably not occur more than once or twice in 

 several years, with ordinary prudence ; but, having more than once 

 been in perilous predicaments myself, I have felt it worth while to 

 give the caution. 



The only other occasion when the yachtsman might be called on to 

 take the helm or assist in tacking the vessel, would be when one or 

 two of his crew have manned the punts, or the yacht's gig (if she 

 carries one), to go in quest of the wounded birds, just after firing the 

 large gun. At such a time, it is usual for the yacht to be laid- to j 

 or, if wind and weather be favourable, the cripples are pursued with 

 the yacht, despatched with the shoulder-gun, and picked up by means 

 of a cripple-net, which is very similar to an angler's landing-net, 

 attached to a long staff. The cripple-net forms part of the necessary 

 equipment of a shooting-yacht, and is also an indispensable requisite 

 to the shooting-&oa hereinafter described. 



The comforts aboard a yacht of this kind, are beyond what many 

 would suppose. Provisions may be taken for a week or fortnight's 

 cruise, for a yachtsman and one or two friends ; the cabins may be 

 kept as warm as required ; and the sportsmen need not expose them- 

 selves to the weather any more than they wish ; though the most 

 ardent will spend most of their time on deck, or in the well or fore- 



