292 DESCRIPTION OF THE BOAT. Chap. XV. 



were connected by five cross-bars of oak, eacb 

 4 feet long, and 4 inches by 3^ inches thick, 

 and bolted down to the runners ,• the underneath 

 parts of the latter were shod with iron. Upon 

 the cross-bars five saddles or supporting chocks 

 for the boat were lashed, and the drag-ropes by 

 which the crew moved this massive sledge, and 

 the weights upon it, consisted of 2|-inch whale- 

 line. 



I have calculated the weight of this sledge to 

 be 650 lbs. ; it could not have been less, and 

 may have been considerably more. The total 

 weight of boat and sledge may be taken at 

 1400 lbs., which amounts to a heavy load for 

 seven strong healthy men. 



. The only markings about the boat were those 

 upon her stem, by which we learned that she 

 was built by contract, was received into Wool- 



