Figure 20. — Florida sharpie yacht of about if 



laid fore-and-aft, and edge-bolted. The entire bottom 

 was made on two blocks or "sleepers" placed near 

 the ends. The sides were bevelled, and heavy stones 

 were placed amidships to give a slight fore-and-aft 

 camber to the bottom. The sides, washboards, and 

 end decks were then built, the stones removed, and the 

 centerboard case fitted. In spite of its slightly cam- 

 bered flat bottom, this boat, though truly a flatiron 

 skiff in midsection form, had no real relation to the 

 New Haven sharpie; it probably owed its origin to 

 the Chesapeake log canoe, for which it was an 

 inexpensive substitute. 



R. M. Munroe built double-ended sharpies in 

 Florida, and one of these was used to carry mail 

 between Biscayne Bay and Palm Beach. Although 

 Munroe's double-enders were certainly related to the 

 New Haven sharpie, they were markedly modified 

 and alm.ost all were yachts. 



A schooner-rigged, double-ended sharpie was used 

 in the vicinity of San Juan Island, Washington, in 

 the 1880's, but since the heels of the stem and stern 

 posts were iinmersed it is very doubtful that this 

 sharpie was related in any way to the New Haven 

 boats. 



PAPER 25: THE MIGRATIONS OF AN AMERICAN BOAT TYPE 



153 



