Apkti, l(i 1885. j 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



237 



SMALL STEAM LAUNCH. 



aided about 2^iu. for a boat, of 80 to 90ft. are steamed, and each bent 

 on one side of the mould, being held by dogs. These moulds and 

 frames are then taken to the shiphouse. and set up on the keel. The 

 garboards are of oak, Sin. thick, and side bolted into keel. To 

 thein and the keel each frame is securely bolted, iron doors being 

 added. The bull is strapped diagonally with iron outside of the 

 frames and under the planking-, preventing any likelihood of twisting 

 or working. The wales are also of oak, well bolted to the frames, 

 while about 2ft. below the planksheer an oak strake is worked. Tbis, 

 with the inside clamps and stringers and bulkheads, constitutes a 

 frame that is a tonce strong, light and rigid. Above the garooards 

 the planking is of white pine, in two thicknesses of about tin. each. 

 The first or inner skin is laid, being screwed to each frame with brass 

 screws, and over it, the seams coming in the center of each of the 

 planks of the inner skin, is the outer skin, fastened with brass screws 

 in the frames and also along the seams. No caulking is required , 

 and the hulls are very tight. The. deck beams are also of oak, light, 

 but closely spaced, while the deck is of two layers of J^in. pine, 

 screwed down with thick white lead between. Inside the shelf, clamp 

 Mid deck beams are well tied with iron knees. Some of the steam 

 yachts are lilted with metal cutside to steady them either in the shape 

 of an iron or lead shoe on iceel, or in a padding of lead in the angle 

 between keel and garboards. rounding the angle into a curve. After 

 the keel is laid and frame set up all work goes on simultaneously, 

 planking, decking, joiner work, finishing, painting. All is dene in a 

 warm room, much ot tbe work is reached from a dry level floor, de- 

 tentions from the weather are unheard of, while the material is all 

 kept dry and clean, and the men all work in comfort. Boilers and 

 engines are lifted in by the cranes with little labor, and as much 

 as possible is done by machinery. Under these circumstances it is 

 no wonder that work is done quickly. Within three to four weeks of 

 the time that the keel is laid a yach't of 90 to 100ft. will be ready for 

 her trial trip, and this under no special pressure, but in the ordinary 

 course of work. As soou as a, boat is nearly completed, if it is not 

 desirable to launch her, she is lifted by the cranes to one side of the 

 shop and a few minutes later the keel of another, previously pre- 

 pared, is in her place on the ways and the frames are being erected. 

 A new idea in the shape of deck fittings which we noticed is a com- 

 bination of cleat and chock, the latter being cast of such a size as to 

 fit the waterway, with two horns or arms added, making it also a 

 cleat. Another neat device is a light iron arm to carry moukey rail 

 and netting in place of the common wooden stanchion. Small boats 

 are built as quickly and as light as the larger yachts. Moulds are 

 made for every timber in the boat, the ribs or timbers are bent, 

 and the moulds with them on are set in place on the floor, "keel 

 up:" on these the frame (stem, stern and keel) are laid and fastened. 

 Tne boat is now planked, the strakes being fastened to the ribs with 

 brass screws, and then it is taken from the moulds, the planks riveted 

 between the ribs, and fittings put in. Sets of moulds are kept for 

 each size, and from them a boat may be built almost in a few hours. 

 In addition to their wooden yachts, they bnild composite vessels, and 

 have the full p'ant for iron or steel. 



Their work this winter has heen entirely in the line of steam yachts 

 and engines, the first boat and the largest being No, 118. The main 

 object in view in this boat is speed, and it is expected that she will 

 excel all previous records, as the long experience of her designers 

 and builders has been drawn upou to produce the fastest boat afloat. 

 Her appearance outside is peculiar, as she shows the regula r hull and 

 ordinary sheer, but above the hull proper the sides are produced up- 

 ward to' a deck, the line of which is curved in an opposite direction to 

 the sheer line, which it meets at bow and stern. By this construction 

 the hull and cabin are one structure, the deck serving to brace the 

 hull firmly, and with the cabin sides making a strong box girder of 

 the entire ship. The effect is entirely unconventional and novel to 

 any one familiar with the ordinary type of steam yacht so common 

 in our waters, but it is not unpleasant, while the gain in strength is 

 apparent. The dimensions are 94ft. over all, lift. 4in. beam, 4ft. 6in. 

 draft. Her engines are 12 and 21xl2in. with coil boiler, and are rated 

 at 450 H. P. The screw is of bronze, 4ft. diameter, and has four 

 blades, while the rudder, also of bronze, is balanced, and steers by 

 steam. On deck she has only a pilot house, masts, stack, windsaifs 

 and low skylights, there being as little exposed sur ace to catch the 

 wind as is possible. The pilot house and deck saloon give access by 

 a stairway to the lower part of the ship, where are situated a square 

 cabin, the owner's stateroom with two berths, and a w.c. A bulkhead 

 on each side of the engine and boiler space separates it from tbe rest 

 of the hull, and makes watertight compartments. Abaft the second 

 bulkhead are two staterooms, the galley aud the crew's quarters. 

 The hull is divided into six watertight compartments, all of which 

 are connected to a bilge pump which throws a 6in. stream. This 

 yacht, not yet named, is intended for a. high speed pleasure boat, for 

 use on lakes or rivers, such as the St. Lawrence or Hudson, for such 

 work as is now done by many steamers about New fork, whose 

 owners live on the Sound or Hudson and go to and fro in them every 

 day, and for this puroose she is excellently adapted, but she is also 

 so fitted that little change is necessary to convert her into a first class 

 torpedo boat. Her rig is that of a three-masted schooner with pole 

 masts. She will make a trial trip shortly and will visit New York, 

 when we hope to describe her mote frilly. 



The next by number. 119, is a little fellow, 35ft by 7ft, 6iu., built of 

 mahogany, with engines of 50 H. P., which h«,ve driven her 14U miles 

 per hour, the greatest speed ever atained by so small a boat. She 

 was built as a lender to the steam yacht Atalanfca, and is the boat 

 that has been not : ced as costiu. > , .-..000. Her con- 



struction and finish, being built entirely of mahogany, has made her 

 cost more than most boats of her size, but the fabulous prices given 

 are entirely incorrect. 



No. 120 is a steam yacht 69ft. long, 9ft. beam, and 3ft. tiin. draft. 

 Her engines (of 34 H, P.) are 6 and lOJ^XlOin., driving a 30m. screw! 

 She is building for a yachtsman whose name is not yet made public, 

 and is intended for day use only, and is not fitted for living on board 

 She has a light upper deck and also a toilet room and saloon. The 

 latter is fitted with lockers which may be made up into berths if re- 

 quired, and an oil stove is also provided, so that a stay on her for one 

 or two nights would be no great discomfort. It is expected that she 

 will make 17 miles. Her name is Polly. 



No. 121 is a small steam launch for Mr. Weld's schooner Ghana, 

 20ft. long, 4ft. fiin. beam, ana weighing 1,200 pounds only. The speed 

 is 7]4 miles. It is now in use on the Ghana. 



No. 122. not yet named, is building for Mr. Chas. Kellogg, of Athens. 

 Pa., a fast cruising yacht for lake and coast work, designed to accom- 

 modate the owner's family. She, is 90ft. long, lift. 6in. beam, 4ft, tiin. 

 draft, engines (105 H. P.) 8 and 14><14in., with screw of 45in., and a. 

 guaranteed speed of 16 miles. At present she will carry no canvas, 

 but will ultimately be schooner-rigged, with two masts. 



The last boat in hand. No. 123, is for Mr. George Gordon King, of 

 Newport and New York. She will be 97ft. long, 13ft. beam, and 5ft, 

 draft, with the same power and screw as No. 122. Her fittings will be 

 more elaborate than the others, including two large staterooms, a 

 saloon, paniry. aud toilet room, while the companion isfitred so as to 

 be converted into a small stateroom with one berth. 



An order for four sets of launch machinery for the. naw is 

 now under way, while two sets are also building for two hulls 

 which Polllon Bros, are setting up in Brooklyn, each 42ft. long. 

 The firm has made a specialty of small navy launches, and 



in the bending shop are. stored two, one small one that 

 was on tbe Tallapoosa when she sank, being on its way to 

 join its ship, the Dolphin. It broke loose and floated to the sur- 

 face, where it was picked up and sent to the builders for reuovation. 

 Beside it is a larger boat of similar build, also for navy use. Both of 

 these boats are fitted with folding hoods of peculiar construction. 

 The framework is composed of a series of bows or arches of bent 

 wood, running fore and aft. Tbe ends of each are hinged to the 

 deck, one forward and one aft of the cockpit, and when they are 

 folded down half the bows lie on the starboard deck and half of them 

 on the port. Each of these sets of bows is covered with canvas, one 

 edge of the latter being secured to the deck. In use the two sides may 

 be swung up until they meet at the top, their general arrangement, 

 being somewhat on the plan of an ordinary buggy top. When in this 

 position they form an arched roof over the boat. If desired, the 

 windward side only is raised, making a shelter, or in rough water one 

 or both sides may be raised a few inches, keeping out all spray. 



The members of the firm are no less noted as boat sailors and 

 practical yachtsmen than as designers and bmlders, and to them 

 directly are due many improvements in rig and fittings. They have 

 tried and made successful the cat yawl, of which the most notable is the 

 Constielo. the property of Mr. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff, her designer. 

 She is a keel boat, 28ft, 6in. on waterline, 32ft. Gin. on deck, 8ft. 8in. 

 beam, and 5ft. Oin. draff, with lead keel. Below her accommodations 

 are surprising, as the room is not cut up by bulkheads. The finish is 

 very fine, being all in mahogany. She has good headroom, a light 

 and' roomy foiecastle, wide lockers in cabin, and above them folding 

 berths on the Pullman plan. Under the deck, at after end of cabin is 

 a large platform used for stowage, with room for a couple of beds if 

 required. The steering gear is peculiar, an invention of the owner. 

 The head ut the rudder stock is fitted with a brass segment, lying 

 horizontally under the cockpit floor, in which gears a brass pinion on 

 a vertical shaft supported by a standard. The steering wheel, on the 

 upper end of this shaft, may be locked by a slight motion, so as to 

 secure the helm in any position, while it may be as easily released, a 

 great feature in single-handed sailing. The rig consists of a cat sail 

 stepped well forward, the boom being short enough to allow a miz- 

 zen mast aft of rudder head. Both sails are fitted with booms and 

 gaffs, but the mizzen boomkin is dispensed with, the boom being held 

 down by a sprit from the mast, while the sheets lead to each quarter. 



The Romp, built by the firm for Mr. Geo. A. Thayer is rigged in tbe 

 same manner. For many years the Herreshoffs have been celebrated 

 for their small sloops and catboats, both centerboad and keel, anf.1 

 they have now a fine specimen of the latter class in Julia, owned by 

 the father of the present partners, a deep and able cruising boat. She 

 has a large portion of her ballest on the keel, but is fitted also with a 

 sliding carriage containing a weight of (lOOlbs. fitted to ways running 

 thwartships, about level with the floor. The carriage is held either 

 amidships or in either bilge by a catch which is easily operated. In 

 working it the catch is released by the steersman just before the boat 

 comes about, and while there is still inclination enough to carry it 

 down to leeward, where it fastens itself, and on the boat paying off 

 itisonthe windward side. The boat, including this arrangement, 

 is handled entirely by one man. Forward there is a nice cuddy giving 

 room for two to sleep and cook, and dry storage for clothing and 

 bedding, so that the boat is well adapted for extended cruises. 



Perhaps the most noteworthy featu;eof the work of the Herreshoffs 

 is its scope and variety coupled with tbe success of each effort in widely 

 different fields. Small catboats and sloops, larger centerboard yachts, 

 both sloops and schooners, singlehanded boats such as Consuelo, 

 torpedo boats, family cruising yachts of the Magnolia and other 

 special types, high speed yachts of all sizes, yacht and navy launches, 

 engines, boilers, screws, and numberless minor details, in their hands 

 have reached a. high degree of perfection that has made the. names 

 of Herreshoff and Bristol familiar whenever yachts are nsed. 



CRUISE OF THE CORA. 



[co:nci-1!okd.] 



The next morning at sunrise a plunge over the rail into the clear 

 water and a delightful swim, then breakfast. The decks were 

 scrubbed and the brass work all polished, and by the time everything 

 was in trim our friends of the Oshkosh Club began to arrive, and the 

 morning was spent in greeting new friends, inspecting the yacht, 

 chatting and smoking. In fact, the whole day was spent on board 

 in receiving visitors, both ladies and gentlemen, inspecting the yacht, 

 as she was the largest vessel of the kind ever seen in those waters, 

 and therefore to many an object of great, interest. 



Next day Commodore Munger arrived by rail from Chicago, and 

 met with a hearty reception, both from his many friends of Oshkosh 

 and from the crew. A small volume might be written of the hospi- 

 talities and enjoyments that we all received from the. generous friends 

 who spared no time, trouble nor expense to make our stay pleasant, 

 aud after a very interesting regatta of the Oshkosh Club, we with 

 many regrets announced our departure for the morrow-. 



The next morning we started for the bay accompanied by several 

 friends on board the Cora, and a large party in a small steamer 

 alongside, who kept us company to the foot of the lake, where, amid 

 fluttering of handkerchiefs from the ladies , adieus and good-byes we 

 parted with many regrets and a ringing salute from the gun, with the 

 hospitable yachtsmen of that beautiful little city, singing with the 

 middy Ids "Yillikins and his Dinah." 



•"Of all the tine cities you'd find in the West, 

 The crew of the Cora think Oshkosh the best, 

 The yachtsmen are so jolly, and girls are so fine, 

 We'd advise you to go there if you want a good time." 



The trip back through the big locks was interesting, and at Green 

 Bay we cast off the tug which had towed us, with 



"Uonie alongside Cap. and get your pay." 



"Nothln' to pav, gentlemen, it's all settled." 



"Why, how's that?" 



"Well, that's our orders, good bye, come again, "and with a parting 

 screech from the whistle and a splash under its stern, the tug sheered 

 off toward the dock. 



We were soon underway, headed for Menominee with a fine west- 

 erly breeze, and though we had had a week of delightful enjoyment 

 at Oshkosh, it was more a week of fashionable dissipation than the 

 yachting and cruising we had come for. The broad blue water of the 

 bay, the cool breeze, the swelling canvas and curliug white cap was 

 welcome enough after all. The Commodore nominally took his 

 place in the second watch with the master's mate and did his duty 

 like a good sailor and seined to enjoy it vei-y much. The master's 

 mate had been presented with a spoon and line from a fisherman 

 friend at Oshkosh, and after passing Chambers Island, he rigged it 

 U P> and tying a. shingle to one end, he prepared to catch another 

 Mackinaw trout. Though we were ploughing through the water at 

 a rate that would make it lively work for any trout short of a Maud 

 S to catch it, he patiently fished without a bite till he got tired out, 

 then swinging the end with the shingle on once round a cleat over 

 the counter he left it to itself. Just at daylight next morning, when 

 going out through Washington Island passage into Lake Michigan he 

 was on watch and had the wheel when a 'sudden ker zip-splash away 

 went the shingle 20ft, astern, and now on its edge, now on the flat side. 



now disappearing entirely for a moment, away it went for the shore 

 a mile away. 



"Here, take the wheel," he yelled, and springing into the dingey. 

 astern, he seized the oars and started in pursuit. The commotion and 

 noise brought all hands from below, and they stood looking at the 

 fun. The wind was very light, and for a while the shingle kept nearly 

 abeam in its zig-zig course, with the M. M vainly trying to follow it 

 until it finally disappeared in the distance heading across for Es- 

 canaba 



We could see the Mate stand up and gaze wistfully after his shingle 

 his new line and spoon, to say nothing of the fish at the end of it, 

 then resume his oars and pull slowly and sorrowfully back to the 

 yacht. 



He had several jckes cracked at his expense as he climbed over the 

 side and made the painter fast, to which he only answered, "Oh ' yon 

 be Mowed," and disappeared below, while the Middy yawned and 

 said, "Boys, in the words of the great Bardwell Slote, n. c.—no 

 chowder— to-day," he followed for another nap. 



The wind strengthened as the sun rose across the lake, and we 

 passed out through the channel between Washington Island on the 

 starboard, and Poverty Island on the port, laying our course N. E. 

 toward the Big Beavers, and with the wind free on our port side. 



When Gull Island was sighted in the afternoon we hauled Closer, 

 and kept more to the north and west of High Island, Whisky Island 

 and Squaw Island, and next moaning bore away due east to the north 

 of Garden Island, toward St. Helena and the Straits of Mackinaw. 

 By 9 o'clock we were off McGulptu Point, and were here treated to 

 quite a lively thunder shower a- d a squall from the west, which sent, 

 us along at a lively pace toward Mackinaw, where we dropped anchor 

 about noon, and for a change of yacht diet we all went ashore and 

 dined at the hotel, after which we spent the day in seeing what few 

 sights the island affords. 



The island is a bold, rocky one, standing up high with deep water 

 close in shore, and has quite a number of historical places of some 

 interest to the visitor, besides several good hotels, from the piazzas 

 of which one may always get plenty of pure air and a fine view 

 across the straits, upon whose waters the white sails of the passing 

 vessels are constantly visible, fhe propellers and steamers' from 

 Chicago to and fro to all points touch here, which renders it acces- 

 ible at all times, and relieves somewhat the monotony of the olace. 

 It is said to be a fine place in summer for invalids and those suffering 

 from hay fever, but to me it would he woefully dreary loafing about 

 the hotel piazzas, or playing croquet and ten-pins, which seems to be 

 the principal amusement of the visitors. For the sportsman or 

 yachtsman there is nothing to attract. There is no hunting on the 

 island and no fishing about it without going along distance over to 

 the upper or lower peninsulas with a steam tug or a Mackinaw sail- 

 boat. Still many like it and 1 would not detract from it any of its 

 pleasures or attractions. We were wind-bound here several days, 

 with not enough wind to beat out of the straits, and this I suppose is 

 why I do not enthuse over the place. 



We desired to circumnavigate the island before leaving for the 

 south, and one morning with a light breeze we bore away toward 

 Bris Blanc Island, and coming about for a leg to the north as soon 

 as we thought we could stand clear to the eastward of Maeinac 

 Island. When we got to the north of the latter and about a half mile 

 from shore, the wind all died out leaving a slight swell from the north 

 setting toward the rocks. We were soon drifting slowly toward t ru- 

 ing boulders on shore over which the breakers dashed, while for a 

 hundred feet or more above them towered the almost perpendicular 

 cliffs of the island. The bottom, seemingly about fifty feet, was 

 plainly visible through the clear water. The sun was broiling hot. 

 and every one but the unfortunate who had the trick at the wheel 

 sought shelter wherever shade could be found and whistled for a 

 breeze. The Middy scratched the mast, and wanted to know of the 

 Captain what else could be done to raise a breeze, and got for his 

 pains: 



"Stand by there and drop anchor." 



"Great Scott, Cap! donH do it. If you anchor I shall be fried into 

 a Saratoga chip in another hour," said the Mid. Down went the 

 anchor, and when about all the chain had gone over, there that blessed 

 old mudhook hung, apparently twenty feet from the bottom, sodeep 

 was the water, yet we were not twenty rods from shore. The gig was 

 manned, and four of the crew, including the Middy— much to his dis- 

 gust—took a line and pulled hard and strong to stop her drifting 

 shoreward. 



A slight breeze was soon noticed coming from the west.-though 

 some distance off on the water, the boat was recalled, and at soon as 

 aboard the order "All hands up anchor" was welcome enough, for 

 none of us realized what that implied till we had worked a half hour 

 at tbe winch under a broiling July sun before fhe old hook broke 

 water and was safely catted. Then how welcome was that cool 

 breeze, as exhausted with heat and labor, we sought the shady side 

 of the mainsail and listened to the rippling of the water at the bows. 

 We soon rounded the island and came to alongside the, steamboat 

 dock. The wind seemed likely to hold good, and we resolved to sail 

 that afternoon. While preparing to get under way the steamer 

 Duluth came in from Lake Superior bound for Chicago, aud as she 

 landed almost the first passenger leaning over the rail was recognized 

 by the master's mate as an old-time friend. Mr. D„ of Chicago, who 

 had been at Oshkosh at the regatta, gone from there to Duluth by 

 rail, and was on his way home by steamer. He at once came aboard 

 the yacht, and was informed that we sailed in an hour, aud urged to 

 take the trip on the Cora instead of the steamer. After expressing 

 some doubt as to her being large enough for such a voyage, he con- 

 sented, and his baggage was at once transferred to the yacht. 



Now, Mr. D,, familiarly known as Jim, was quite a" fashionable 

 young man, and while a whole-souled sensible fellow was given to 

 fashionable clothes, and therefore had nothing suitable to wear, and 

 it was at once decided he must have something that looked more like 

 a sailor and would stand rougher weather than would his silk hat and 

 Prince Albert coat. So a visit to the Island store he picked out from 

 among the Indian curiosities, mineral specimens, groceries, etc., a 

 pair of blue overalls, which by turning up the legs full six inches at 

 the bottom, managed to fit him pretty well about the waist. A cheap 

 Mackinaw hat was added and a pair of buckskin slippers. These. 

 with a blue flannel shirt which the captain kindly loaned him, trans- 

 formed him from a city gent to a first class salt— in appearance. 



It was only in appearance, however, for Jimmie was more familiar 

 with a light'side bar wagon and horses than he was a yacht, and did 

 not know the jib sheet from the topping lift, as came near proving to 

 our sorrow^ on the voyage. We got under way and giving Mackinaw 

 a parting gun we soon were making a long leg for Waugoshanee 

 Point and Lake Michigan. The wind held good and Isle aux Galets 

 light— called by the sailors "Skillagalee," soon beamed out like a. star 

 above the water, due south, as we bowled along under full sail. 



We sat about the deck enjoying the evening aud each— 



"Whiffed his cares away," 

 thoroughly tired from our experience north of the island during the 

 day. Jim was much interested with the yacht and all about her, 

 asked what this rope was for and that "thing," etc.. and insisted on 

 being placed on watch as one of the crew, in which he was duly 

 gratified. 

 How we slept that night after our labors in that hot sun . and in the 



