THE SURFACE BOAT. COFFIN BOAT. BATTERY. SINK, OR BOX. 



The use of the old-fashioued Duo'-outs has been entirelv 

 superseded during the three or four past seasons, on the waters 

 of the Chesapeake, by the introduction of the Surface-boat, as 

 represented in the above engraving. 



This ingenious machine has many local appellations, those in 

 most general use will be seen at the heading of this article, and 

 at the close of it the reader will find explicit directions, together 

 with a skeleton model of the same to be used as a guide in 

 building one for his own use. 



The boat is anchored out on the feeding-arrounds, surrounded 

 by innumerable Decoys, resembling as much as possible the 

 Canvass-Backs, and so balanced in the water that the most ob- 

 servant eye can hardly distinguish them from the living Fowl, 

 as they ride gently on the surface and appear to be employed 

 in feeding, owing to the constant motion of their heads and body, 

 imparted to them by the quiet rippling of the water. 



The construction of this skiff is such that when anchored out, 

 loaded with the Shooter, his ammunition, and the necessary bal- 

 last, the water is on a level with the deck of the box, and when 

 reclining, the occupant and all his paraphernalia are entirely 



