Sporting Notes in the Far East. 27 



CHAPTER V. 



THE BOAT AND GUN. 



,N all cases in shooting, with a ship for your head quarters ; 

 (especially up north and for river work) it is most necessary 

 to have a light, as well as a tight little boat. 



For a good safe seaworthy skiff ; I would propose building a 

 boat under the following measurements : 



Extreme length 15 ft. Extreme breadth 4ft. 6in. 



The boat to have a square stern, and to be built of good 

 seasoned pine, with teak upper works ; but all the inner fittings, 

 gratings &c., must be made of Canadian elm or ash, on account 

 of teak being so extremely brittle. 



She should be fitted with a small watertight locker, under the 

 head and stern sheets respectively ; these lockers will be found 

 most useful for keeping cartridges, and food dry, in wet or stormy 

 weather. If the boat be built in China be careful to see that 

 " John Chinaman " (who is of an economical turn of mind) does 

 not build her of green wood, or bolt the stern piece, and stern post, 

 with iron bolts instead of copper ; as if he does these portions will 

 rot in no time. 



