14 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



- BOATS. 

 The Albatross has five boats, as follows : 



HERRESHOFF STEAM CUTTER. 



The Herreshoff steam cutter is 26 feet 6 inches in length, 7 feet beam, 

 ami 3 feet 10 inches in depth, with double coil boiler and compound engine, 

 cylinders 6 inches and 3J inches in diameter and 7-inch stroke, devel- 

 oping 16 horse-power with 100 pounds of steam. It has a keel con- 

 denser, and carries an average of 26 inches vacuum. The bunkers hold 

 1,100 pounds of coal, and the fresh-water tank, which is placed directly 

 underneath the boiler, has a capacity of 42 gallons, sufficient for three 

 days' steaming. 



The hull and engine are of the best material and workmanship. 

 Watertight compartments at bow and stern have sufficient buoyancy 

 to prevent sinking in case the boat is filled with water. Twelve per- 

 sons can be seated comfortably in the stern sheets. 



In addition to stea m power, the boat is provided with sliding gunter 

 masts and sails, schooner rigged, and makes good speed under sail 

 alone. It is cutter build, with square stern, weighs 5,500 pounds, and 

 has a speed of 8 knots. 



STEAM GIG. 



Built also by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Twenty-five 

 feet in length, 5 feet 2 inches beam, 3 feet 3£ inches depth. A single coil 

 boiler, compound engine, 4J inches and 2£ inches diameter of cylinders, 

 and 5-inch stroke, developing 7£ horse-power with 100 pounds of steam. 



It has the general form of a whale-boat, is double planked, spruce 

 inside running diagonally, and mahogany outside running fore and aft. 

 Both layers are bound together by brass screws at short intervals, 

 making the structure unusually strong and light. There are water- 

 tight compartments at bow and stern of sufficient capacity to float 

 boat and crew in case it is filled with water. The total weight is 2,650 

 pounds. 



The bunkers hold 450 pounds of coal, and the fresh-water tank 

 under the boiler carries 15 gallons, enough for two days' steaming. 

 The ordinary speed of the boat is about 7 knots, although it can be 

 driven to 8 for a short time. Seven persons can be seated comfortably 

 in the stern sheets. 



The location of the propeller under the bottom, about half the length 

 from the stern, is a peculiar feature of this boat. It is so arranged that 

 by a universal joint in the shaft the propeller can be hoisted and low 

 ered, and when in the former position it does not project below the keel. 

 When in use it is lowered, and no matter how heavy the sea, it is al- 

 ways submerged; thus racing is entirely avoided. The advantages of 

 this system are not particularly apparent in smooth water, but her per- 

 formance in a sea-way is remarkable. The gig is provided with a slid- 

 ing gunter mast and sail, and makes good time under sail alone. 



Steam can be raised in both cutter and gig in from three to five 

 minutes. 



