501 



FOREST AND ISTREAM* 



San Francisco Yacht Club. — We learn -with pleasure 

 thai the prospects of thiB club tire exceedingly bright fur the 

 coming season. The new club-house tit, Sauoeliio has served 

 to unite the bonds of friendship and rivalry closer than be- 

 fore, and the influence of the club is being felt in the com- 

 munity. The books show 110 members and a tine fleet of 

 v.-ssels. Eight schooners— the Cousins. 7.1ft. long; Minute., 

 03ft,.; Azaline, 69ft ; Freda, SOft. ; CommMo, 59ft. Bin.: I'earl, 

 53ft ; Virgin., 82ft., and Lotty, 17ft. Oin. Five sloops— 

 Startled town, 15ft. ; Emerald, 47ft; General Morgan, 40ft.; 

 Sappho, 40ft.; Ariel, 111 ft. din., and Mist. Two yawls— 

 Frolic and Enid, and three steamers. For the coming season, 

 we believe, a number Of the sloops will change to the 

 yawl rig, which has given so much satisfaction in the West. 

 The club-book is an example of completeness, and can be fol- 

 lowed to advantage in its make-up by many organizations of 

 the East. Besides giving the usual matter relating to consti- 

 tution, by-laws, sailing regulations, etc., the book furnishes 

 the addresses of the officers, the prevailing winds in San Fran- 

 Cisco Bay, their force and velocity for a number of years 

 back, the tides and currents, distances, and a chart of the 

 bay and regatta course. Mr. ( hailes G. Yale, the secretary 

 of the club, deserves the thanks of the members for his ef- 

 forts in compiling a book which is a credit to the club. 



Lloyd's Yacht Register, — The third supplement has just 

 been issued to " Lloyd's Sacht Register." It includes a long 

 list of additional yachts, their dimensions, builders, owners, 

 etc., and the classification accorded them. "Lloyd's Yacht 

 Register" should receive better support from American 

 yachtsmen than accorded it. Its influence upon yacht con- 

 struction can only be beneficial, white as a hook of reference 

 it is invaluable. 



Quakeb City Yacht Club.— At the fourth annual meeting 

 of the Quaker City Yacht Club, of Philadelphia, held Jan. 8, 

 the following officers were elected for the year: Commodore, 

 A. F. Bancroft. : Vice-Oorninodore, Paul Klotz ; Rear Com- 

 modore, Charles B. Alagee; President, William Post ; Seere- 

 tary, Charles S. Sal in; Treasurer, Robert Baird ; Assistant 

 Secretary, J. f. Baughman ; Measurer, John B. Vanderslice j 

 Regatta Committee, L. Coleman, It. P. Thontp on, John Mc- 

 Cormick ; Trustees, Alex. Wood, John MeOormick, J. H. 

 Sturk, L. Coleman ; Membership Committee, A. F, Bancroft, 

 Robert Baird and John F. Loew. The club possesses eight 

 firatckss sloops averaging 40ft. long, five second class sloops 

 averaging SOfc, and three fourth-class 25ft. long. A number 

 of additions are in prospect this season and a good programme 

 of races is proposed. We congratulate the club upon the ac- 

 quisition of true Corinthians for Commodore and Vice-Com- 

 modore. Their influence will be felt in the future of the 

 Club. 



SEiWiSHAi'A Onus. — The seventh annual meeting of the 

 Seawanhaka Y. C, of Oyster Bay, was held at Delmonico's 

 in this city, Jan. 5. The attendance was large and the 

 treasurer's report exceedingly satisfactory, showing a surplus 

 of $1,250 cash on hand. " The club has bad many members 

 and yachts added to its lists last, year, and now ranks among 

 the strongest and most progressive in the country. The fol- 

 lowing are the officers elected for 1879 : Commodore, S. J. 

 Colgate, schooner Idler ; Vice-Commodore, O. E. Cromwell, 

 schooner Eddie ; Bear Commodore, Walter L. Suydam, 

 sloop Cygnet; 'treasurer, W. B. Snnonds; Secretary, Chas. 

 H. Grundy; Measurer, A. Carey Smith. Chaplains — Wil- 

 liam Irving, D. D., and Geo. B Vandewater, D. D. Re- 

 gatta Committee— Mr. Roosevelt Schuyler, James II. Elliott, 

 C. Wylls Betis, II. de F. Weeks and Louis P. Bayard. Law 

 Committee— John A. Weeks, Gerard Beekman and James M. 

 Varnum. House Committee— William Foulke, Jr., Francis 

 De Luze and Thomas S. Young, Jr. Resolutions of condo- 

 lence were passed respecting the death of Mr. Fred. G. F ster, 

 an old and respected member. The flag officers' committee 

 reported concerning the changes in the Revenue Laws to be 

 asked at the hands of Congress and the Secretary of the 

 Treasury. The draft of an application to this end was read 

 and approved by the club. A circular letter will shortly be 

 addressed to all the yacht clubs in the United States and their 

 signatures to the petition solicited. As the committee has 

 been to a great deal of pains in compiling the grievances of 

 yachtsmen in the form to be presented, we trust that a prompt 

 compliance Willi their circular will be tendered on the part of 

 all, as they will be benefited by the modifications proposed. 

 Extra meetings should be called if necessary, for the move- 

 ment is one in the right direction and concerns owners of 

 small craft in particular. The same committee was requested 

 upon motion of Mr. It. G. l-it.uyvcsant to incorporate a simi- 

 lar petition praying for relief from certain steamboat laws 

 which bear heavily upon the owners of steam-yachts. This 

 matter will now be taken in hand, but will be kept separate 

 from the petition relating to sailing yachts. The club 

 book of the Seawauhakas has also been revised, and the 

 changes to the constitution, etc., will be called up by Mr. 

 Robt. Centre for action at the nest regular meeting 



• THE SHARPIE. 



Bosiiw, L. I., Jan. 11, 1879, ' 

 Editor Foeest and Stream : 



As there appears to be much interest excited concerning the 

 sharpie, I think that perhaps a few lines, showing just what she 

 a and how much she will cost, may be acceptable to some of yonr 

 readers who have never aeen, or who having seen, passed her by — 

 if she happened to bo anchored — with ihe average yachtsman 'b 

 contempt for anything differing from his type of boat. The sim- 

 plest form of sharpie is a eharp-bowed, flat-bottomed boat, built 

 by nailing two planks, which form her Bides, to a plumb stem at 

 the one end, and to a single piece of hardwood plank at the other. 

 The Bides are sprung around a temporary midship section, which 

 is to remain in place until her thwarts are in and bottom plank- 

 ing secured, the latter are simply nailed athwart ship to the 

 lower edge of the boards which form her sides. She should have 

 soma inches flare amidship , which flare should be carried aft to 

 the stern, and her bottom should be eloped up aft from amidship, 

 bo that she will leave the,wator easily. She may be decked over 

 to suit her owner'B taBte, and her sheer out to suit his eye. She 

 has no keel or ekag of any kind. Her rudder is made from a single 

 plank of an elliptic shape, hang on an iron rudder-post which 

 passes up through her stein. The rudder should be so hung that 

 about one-third of its area is in front of, and two-thirda of it aft 

 of the iron post or axle. Such a boat should be 30m. in height at 

 Stem, 20iu. in height amidship, and carry a graceful sheer her en- 

 tire length. Beam amidship, 5ft. on deck, 4ft. 3in. at bottom. 

 Width at stern to suit the eye. These figures are for a boat 20ft. 

 In length. Centreboard at least 7ft. long by 3ft. wide. No posi 

 tion fore and aft oan be assigned the centreboard, as its plaoe will 



be governed by amount of sheer on the boat's bottom. Big to be 

 of tho triangular or leg-of mutton typo, and consists of foremlBt 

 nd mainmast, dressed tapering, from full size at deck to 2>£in. 

 diamoter at head. Foremast should be stepped as near to stem as 

 i possible. MainmaBt 12ft. aft of foremast, the mainmast some- 

 hat tho shorter, thus reversing the uauol schooner rig. The 

 sails are bent without boom, but with a sprit, which is stretched 

 ss from sheet to mast. Width of foresail, lift. ; do. mainsail, 

 9ft. Tho foregoing is descriptive of the cheapest kind of boat that 

 be built ; her coat will be governed by local wagOB and cost of 

 material. I can and will build and rig complete such boats, or 

 first-class workmanship and material, for one-half the ptice of 

 ordinary boats, or sharpies of superior make and model, any Bize, 

 at proportionate rates. This boat is just what is wanted for coast 

 cruising and sporting, and is well adapted to carrying a oabin if 

 desired. Although she is only locaUy well known, I am so confi- 

 dent of her future popularity that I intend making her construc- 

 tion a specialty. The sharpie is exceedingly graceful, regarded 

 from any position, and I can hardly imagine a prettier sight than 

 a fleet of them under way, with their Blender triangular sails cutting 

 clearly against the sky, and their fine hulls gliding swiftly while 

 leaving scarce a ripple to tell where they were but an iDBtant 

 before. Thoscas Clapham. 



DERIVATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF 

 THE SHARPIE. 



Editor Forest amd Stream : 



If I remember Tightly the first sharpie w&8 built by a Mr. 

 Taylor, a carpenter, who, leaving Vermont for hia health, came to 

 .\. H, and took the Grove House at Five Mile Point. By some 

 happy accident he hit upon very nearly the right shape, and, her 

 cheapness and excellence being at once apparent, he had many 

 imitators, aud now they are abont the only boat used by Fair 

 Haven oyatermen. They have many peculiarities, both of build 

 and rig, and differ much in handling from auy other boat that I 

 have ever used. Then: name was evidently. given from the form 

 of the bow, which is upright and very sharp. The dimensions 

 moBt in use now are: Length, 33 to 35ft.; breadth, about 5ft. 9in. 

 to Oft. on the bottom ; depth amidships, abont 24m. ; at the stem, 

 30in,; and 12in. perpendicularly at the stern. The stemiB a solid 

 piece of oak, sometimes as much as 15in. wide, fore and aft, and 

 Bin., or even sin., thick at the top. The lower end is made thin- 

 ner aud sharper, ao as to give a little flare to the sides. Those 

 are usually made of wide plank pieced up at the bow aud atern to 

 get the required sheer. Through the first third of the length the 

 liaro is increased as rapidly aa possible, to 3>£in. to 1ft. of amid- 

 ship, and more g'-adually toward tho stern, where it is about 4in. 

 to ltt. Of course the flare of the sides, combined with the bend, 

 gives a considerable round fore and aft to the bottom ; the 

 neglect of which fHot, by unaccustomed builders, has caused many 

 failures through tho exoesBive rouudueaa given by shaping the 

 lower edge wrong. 



Tue atern fa BometimeB square, at others round. When square 

 it is set with a great rake, not less than 45 deg.; when round it is 

 nearly upright, and becomes quite light by bemg carried further 

 out by the curve. The ceutreboard is long, and, as the boat is 

 narrow, should como above the top io get the needed surface. 



The forward deck extends to within a foot of the centreboard, 

 tho intervening spicit being Ailed by a thwart, which is notched 

 to receive the case, and has a mast-hole for using a sail in 

 heavy weather. It also affords a convenient step to get up from 

 the bottom to the deok. 



The after end is docked some three or four foet, and the inter- 

 vening space has a washboard Tin. to 9in. wide, with a combing 

 rising two or three inches above, the whole opening being trimmeu 

 out to an oval form. About a foot from the after end of the cen- 

 treboard the mainmast steps, through a very strong thwart, well 

 seoured and supported at tho ends. The rudder is of peculiar 

 form; known by some as the balanced rudder. The stock ia of 

 round iron or steel, paoaiug through a tube flanged at one end to 

 the deck, aud at the other to the bottom, so as to be tight ; split 

 and spread below to receive a plank from 41 1. to 6ft. long, and 12iu. 

 to 15in. wide, shaped off on the forward end, which extends 

 some 12in. to 18m. by tho stook, so aa to olear the bottom, and 

 rounded on the lower edge to prevent oatohing. Tne stock is geu- 

 eially made of sufficient length to allow the rudder to be towered 

 aome in a sea-way, giving a better hotd. Tho head of the stock is 

 squared to receive a corresponding socket on the tiller. The 

 usual style of rig ia with two leg-of-mutton Bails. The foremast 

 is Bot as near the stem as possible, and for racing the sail is cut 

 so as to reach several feet abaft the mainmast, the after corner 

 being cut off and a short spar called a chub extending from the 

 leach to the foot. This is done to increase the sail without adding 

 to the height, The booms are not attached to the foot of the 

 sails, but croaa from the clew to aft on the mast about rive feet 

 up and are ehoved.out by a light purchase at the mast. The 

 mainsail of course extends several feet over tho stern. Their 

 management is very different from that of a oat boat, resembling 

 that of a racing boat with large jib. Being narrow they are rather 

 crank and in fresh breezes must be eaBed by slacking tho fore 

 sheet, as too audden easing of the holm slews the stern so swiftly 

 as to take in water before the boat rights up in answer to relief 

 from pressure. Of course such boats require quickness of judge- 

 ment and action in the sailor, but when well handled no boats 

 abler. They go out in all weathers, and have carried racing sailB 

 in Long Ialand Sound when the coasters were reefed ; and on 

 occasion, at least, a sharpie went from Brauford to tho reef off 

 that harbor and rescued the crew of a schooner wrecked there dur- 

 ing a heavy gale, when neither a smack nor a tug could be found 

 in New Haven to venture out. 



Many think that flat boats are unaeaworthy. It is a great mis- 

 take when no boat can any longer carry sail and must be hove to, 

 the flat one yielding more readily to tho blow of the sea, flies off 

 to leeward aud is dry, while the deep one, being held faBt by the 

 bottom, receives tho full force of it, rolls deeper and is wetter. 

 And when worst comes to worst, and both muBt go ashore, the 

 flat one, if crowded with head salt, is much more fikely to maka a 

 safe landing . In view of their many advantages it seems strange 

 that their use has not more widely and rapidly extended. For 

 tonging oysters they are perfeot ; for the workman, standing on 

 the flat bottom, with the coamings supporting his legs, stands 



erect, and can relieve himself of much weight by drawing his tongB 

 over the side. 



Their coat is less than any other boat of the same capacity. 

 All the space inside is available for yachting purposes, what little 

 ballast is needed being usually a layer of bricks M paving atones. 

 The clow of the foresail beiug necessarily cut high gives room for 

 more height of cabin thai: is usually attained in other boats, and 

 every iuch is of such form as to bo useful. Their draught of 

 water is so light that they can go anywhere, not exceeding 9ro. for 

 a 35ft. boat. Owing to their flatness, too, it is scarcely possible 

 to injure them by pounding on the sand, ne the water forma a 

 cushion. TheBe advantages will bo duly appreciated by all who 

 have cruised in the shallow waters of the Sound. 



The chief objection ia that I hey are unsafe in unskillful hands 

 They Bail, like all narrow boats, on the side when it blows, ami 

 though very fast when properly built, they are never successful in 

 the hands of amateur builders. No one shoul.l venture to build 

 without getting accurate drawings. If any definite information 

 as to details ia desired, the best source ia Mr. Geo. Graves, the 

 most experienced builder in fair Haven. 15. 



We refer readers also to the builders who advertise in our 

 columns as reliable parlies who will fnrnish particulars on de- 

 mand. 



ROUGH-WEATHER YACHTS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Through the courtesy of your columns I nirh to gratify the re- 

 quest of people interested in deep-water Failing as to why the 

 match between Gael and Sunbeam is not to take place. In tho 

 first place it will be necessary to go back to our first trial, and get 

 the minute facts of the speed of both boats. Before wo go into 

 such explanation it might be well to state what we are willing to 

 admit, and atick to what we believe. Our oft-repeated arguments 

 in (Sunbeam's favor arc that going to windward in any water wa 

 are a match for Gael, but aha being 4ft. longer on the water line, 

 would probably run away from us. Under some circumstancea 

 we are willing to admit that she can outran us, but going to wind- 

 ward she cannot touch one side of Sunbeam. Soma of her hackers 

 stand ready, aud have admitted that they think ua the best bout 

 of the two in a rough time, and from what we aaw in Capt. Weston's' 

 outside race, under tho auspices of tho Dorahestet Grab this Ooto- 

 ber, we think so ourselves. Aa poor a speeimeu of a sea-going 

 craft never heeled her aide to a sea or reaped such u, failure. Sh a 

 was drowned out, and did not go over the course, aud yet her ad- 

 mirers ventured to pit her against one of tho best sea-going 

 boats in Boston bay. Why did they do so, unless, as iheir actions 

 speak, they knew the race would never be sailed ? Why did they 

 pot Sunbeam's folks to the expense of lOBing time and money in 

 making preparations for such a race, when they never even put in 

 an appearance on the second day, the day appointed by the judges? 

 Sueh aotion alone in sporting ciroloa would canao them the loaB of 

 the stakes. In the first place we never cared for money, but oon- 

 sidered the hard-earned reputation of our Hide, orafl enough in- 

 centive tocall any yacht of her dimensions out for a trial . 

 inerita. 



Now for our first trial outside the light. Wednesday, Oct. 2 was 

 die appointed day, and 9 o'clock a. m. lha hour for both boats to 

 meet. A few minutes paat the time found Sunbeam hitohed to 

 tho pilot boat's mooring off Boston Light. Iu a short half hour 

 Qael bore down iu company with Bteam tug Dolphin. According 

 to the rules of our race we must go to leeward to start, aud as the 

 wind was southwest, the judges concluded to log off the course by 

 a patent log on board the Dolphin. This was certainly an error 

 on the part of the judges, as it proved tho longest ten miles that 

 ever was sailed. On board our boat waa a practical navigator who 

 laid out the course on the chart in a proper manner, and when the 

 bearings bore right by compass wo hove to, and waited to hear 

 from the judges, they having stopped the tug. In a abort time 

 the cutter Enterprise shot across our atom with the word to " go 

 about four miles further northeaet." When we arrived at the 

 place the judges decided to start us. We were to have three short 

 whistles to prepare, aud two long ones to start. Some little delay 

 was caused in getting tliB flag buoy in poaition. As the wind wsb 

 not over four knots, we were in a quandery about starting ; but 

 as we had decided to go If the j udgea ruled so , we were ready 

 when they gave us the signal. To ua it was an anxious period of 

 lime, and tho race one never to be forgotten. On the results of 

 the trial, perhaps, would rest the reputation of our floating friend. 

 Wo had beaten our opponent in three lair trials, and were to luae 

 all or gain another triumph. Shortly arter 12 si. we got too sigpa] 

 to start, and Sunbeam orossed tho line, standing up to hci woik 

 in splendid style. Two and a half minutes later Qael at 

 looking easy and saucy, and giving us to understand that we must 

 work to win. Wo tacked to the northward and westward, Gael 

 going to the southward. When she tacked we tacked ; then wa 

 found the work Sunbeam waa doing. In that one bitch wa had 

 made over double the distance we had on the start. We out- 

 pointed and out-aailcd her for nine miles of the ten to windwaid, 

 and bnt for a favored slant that 9ael got to the southward, ths 

 result would have been different. Every oue that witnessed tho 

 race conceded that we were doing tho best work, and had the raoe 

 our own way,- but how futile one's efforts when Providonce ruled 

 otherwise. Gradually the wind died away, until we lay almoat be- 

 oalmed. In a short time our attention was called to Quel. By 

 the glass wa could see she was getting qnito a breeze from tha 

 southward. She now was heading almost at right augtes from ua, 

 and perceptibly leaving us. In has than five minutes she tacked 

 across ua, and we plainly aaw defeat staring us in the face. For 

 almost nine of the ten miles to windward we had badly beaten her, 

 and now to lose by a shift of wind ! Gael rounded the buoy first, 

 and set her huge studding-sail tanning before the wind. Throe 

 minutes later we rounded Point Allerton buoy, and boi 

 kites. If wa could now hold our own we were sure of the prize, 

 provided the race was a five-knot breeze. The water was smooth 

 as a mill-pond, and Gael was in her element. She ragged on 

 everything Bhe could, and we did the Bame, and a prettier sight 

 never was witnessed. Both boats were smothered in canvas and 

 going like birds. The wind kept freshening as we neared the goal, 

 but we gradually saw Gail leayiug ua. Bhe beat us on the run a 

 little lsss than 3m. Her time waa 8m. 13a. better than ours. She 

 had to allow for difference in size 7m. 80s., which left lzn. lis. 



