£98 



forest and stream. 



\}tkr i i885. 



I 



reached the. r.eeo'mi. lit this and the previous Stage it is a most diffi- 

 wilt matter to -convince men of the absolute importance to them, not 

 toly from a i\ieing point of view, but for the general good of their 

 Yachting, of suitable rules. Usually in such a Case the boats are of 

 •one type, any rule works fairly well, and Itaembfers do not realize the 

 'necessity for a change. Some day a boat of a different type comes 

 Into the club and perhaps Under the rules has an unfair advantage. 

 Such a case occurred wftb. ti',e cutter Aileen, in Toronto, where, under 

 the old length and breadth rule, she received time from smaller and 

 beamier centerboa-fds- In such cases the rule is usually changed, but 

 the ether exIW-me is more frrquent here Under the prevailing 

 length rules in which half or less of the overhang is measured as so 

 touch boat, the beamy stnbtails have the advantage over anything of 

 the cittfter type with long overhang, and the latter are practically ex- 

 'eluded from races. Either of these eases may awaken a. club to the 

 vaults of their pet rule. 'in use perhaps for years, but until something 

 Of the kind occurs, men go on calmly building under the old ride 

 until a change U difficult or impossible, to inaugurate. Tn this stage 

 too-, yachtsmen are apt to undervalue ite importance of a strict in- 

 terpretation and observance, of the sailing rules and rules of the road. 

 and to race in a half -hearted and slipshod manner that is death to 

 the sport. Sooner or later they come co learn that even where cruis- 

 ing rather than facing is the object of a club, a strict observance of 

 'achting rules atid etiquette is necessary to success. The club that 

 jas the best boats, the roost skillful sailor men, and the fullest entries 

 for raoteS or cruises, is the one in which the greatest attention is paid 

 feo details, however small. 



This week is the date of the annual meeting of the Lake Yacht 

 Rieiug Association, at Toronto, and the question of the Erie meet 

 will he discussed, and reohably some action taken to have represent- 

 atives present, Should the yachtsmen of the lakes, from Superior to 

 the St. Lawrence, see fit to adopt such a plan as we have laid before 

 them, a beginning is already at baud, and half the work of organiza- 

 tion already done in the L. "Y. R. A. Arrangements can easily be made 

 at- Ballast Island to extend the Association over all the lakes, adant- 

 >ng its rules to go into effect at once or at some time in the immediate 

 future. No violent change is needed, all can be done easily -And 

 ■quietly now., and all the clubs brought to work harmoniously under 

 the rules in a year, or two at most. Should the general plan be ap- 

 proved, the details may he arranged as desired ; but wc believe no bet- 

 leS vule could be found than the present one of the L, Y. R. A. We 

 have spoken of it at some length a year since, April 37, 1884. and after 

 another season have no reason to change our opinion. Those who 

 have watched the set of the measurement question carefully for a 

 few years past, both here and abroad, know that it is drifting strongly 

 in the direction of a length and sail area rule, and this particular 

 storm is probably the best of the three. Any measure to be success- 

 ful must deal broadly and boldly with the questions that present 

 themselves, and it must not only be up to but in advance of the 

 yachting of today; but we believe that lake yachtsmen are safe in 

 vofiowmg the course given them by the present L. Y, R. A., and we 

 isope. to see this summer at Ballast a hearty indorsement and adop- 

 tion, of the good work they have done. 



A CRUISE IN FLORIDA WATERS. 



OK Tuesday, Feb. .36, 1881, a bright, warm day. at the PahnaSola 

 wharf on the Manat'-e River, lay a small sloop bearing the 

 ■euphonius name of the Sneezer. Why it was so named I have never 

 been aljie to learn. The Captain's somewhat emphasized remark, 

 V, .I call it the Sneezer," with a sort of don't-qucstion-tne-auy-further 

 'iiir, being- sufficiently discouraging to a timid mortal like myself. At 

 33 o'clock M., our little parly, consisting of Mr. C. H. Babbitt oC New 

 York, Mr. Curtis and myself, having seen the last of our provisions 

 'and multitudinous bundles of clothing, etc., stowed on board, took 

 our places on the stem seats of the boat and swung slowly out into 

 the channel, our two small boats towing behind, We proceeded on 

 our way, but had not gone far when we saw Mrs. Babbitt in a small 

 boat iu'hot pursuit-, waving something in her hand. The something 

 prove 1 to be some mail which she thought might be important. 

 There were no further hindrances, and soon the familiar landmarks 

 along the shore were hidden from our view as wo swept, out with the 

 tide toward the gulf. Tie wind was. )ight and we sailed very slowlv. 

 A little before dark we anchored off Hunter's Point, just at the en- 

 trance of Big Sarasota Bay, and all went ashore. Mr, Babbitt set a 

 trap for 'cooUs, v possums', or whatever might come that way. We 

 vatiaht a tew fiddlers for bait, aud returned to the boat and soon re- 

 tired, caeX one making up his bunk to suit bis individual idea of com- 

 fort. ThUiug the night we heard a 'coon crying and snarling. Mr. 

 babbitt remarked he had one in his trap, but in the morning be found 

 •only a bit of fur, which led him to resolve thereafter to get up and 

 attend to his trap next time he heard any disturbance from that 

 quarter if he wished to secure his game. 



'the next day, after breakfast, we went through Sarasota Bay, an- 

 choring about noon at bong Boat Key, and all went ashore. Weset 

 the trap aud saw a large nock of pelicans, also heard deer running, 

 but did not get a shot at either. Early next morning we left our 

 moorings. The wind was quite fresh and rapidly increased, being 

 dead astern. After sailing some distance, our little boat, the Hope, 

 burned wrong side up. and the little blue box seat went bobbing away 

 on the waves. As soon as possible the, Captain put into a little har- 

 bor, took the Hope on board and lashed her on the roof of the cabin. 

 We then resumed our course, the wind freshening so rapidly that 

 we were obliged to lower our mainsail, and shortly after our jib, and 

 sped under hare poles a distance of twelve miles, the bay being so 

 rough that often it seemed as if Mr. Babbitt's boat was far above 

 us and must be dashed over the stern and into the cabin. It, however, 

 escaped with a few severe bumps. We saw at intervals a sloop at 

 some distance from us, which Mr. Curtis thought might be oue be- 

 longing to bis cousin. Mr. Giles. As we came around a point into the 

 litt'e channel just inside of Big Sarasota Pass, we saw the aforesaid 

 Sloop anchored near. It proved to be the Grace Darling of Cedar 

 Keys, Captain Wilson, and we soon discovered that not-only Mr. Giles 

 but Dr. A. Ferber was on board. We hailed them as we passed, Mr. 

 Curtis using a small hunter's horn for the purpose, of which Mr. Giles 

 possessed the counterpart. The latter soon replied, and later came 

 over to our boat which lay near. 



About 11 o'clock next morning Messrs. Babbitt and Curtis went in 

 the former's boat some miles up the bay to get a young man, Mr. 

 Gildehaus, who had agreed to join the parly at this point. They met 

 with many difficulties, aud it was so late when they at last found Mr. 

 Gildehaus". that although they started on their return at once, the 

 night was so dark, and they met with so many obstacles, that they 

 concluded to remain all night at a settler's house, which they did, 

 sleeping on the floor. As I kept vigilant watch from the Sneezer the 

 next morning I espied them about o'clock comiug around a bend of 

 the bay, Mr. Gildehaus in his own odd-lookiug craft. They were tired 

 and hungry and did ample justice to the warm breakfast awaiting 

 them. The folio wing inornihg the gentlemen from both boats went 

 hunting and fishing together, while I took a long walk about the outer 

 beach, where the surf came roaring up on the white sands, and shells 

 lay in long rows. The next day we explored the various ins and outs 

 of the shore, the gentlemen walking down to the tripod whicli marked 

 the entrance to the Pass. As I stood on the beach I saw Whisky, Mr. 

 Giles' dog, rushing toward me, making a strange moaning noise. I 

 called him and lie came near, as though in answer to my call, but 

 rushed past me aud up the beach out of sight. Search was made for 

 him. but he was not found until late that night, when Mr, Giles found 

 him lying cm the ground in au exhausted condition. He took him in 

 his arms and carried him back to the Grace Darling. 



Mr. Giles told us when we met him later, that he nursed poor Whis- 

 ky carefully for two or three days, but was finally obliged to shoot 

 him, as he was taken with a fit that resembled hydrophobia, rushing 

 about the boat snapping at everyone, the foam flying from his mouth. 

 His grave was made on Sanibel Island, near which they were an- 

 chored at the time. In the evening (Sunday) Mr, Cildebaus and Mr. 

 Curtis had gone over to the Grace Darling, Mr. Babbitt was on 

 shore attendiag to some skins he had put out to dry. He soon came 

 back, and after packing everything preparatory to leaving us in the 

 morning, he sat down and sang with me a number of hymns (he has 

 a fine baritone voice). At 8 o'clock Mr. Gildehaus and Mr. Curtis re- 

 turned in one of the Grace Darling's boats. Mr. Curtis was all wet, 

 and in explanation he said that just as they started to return he 

 stepped over into Mr. Babbitt's dingey, but the tide was so fearfully 

 swift that it whirled the boat from under him. He caught at the 

 rail of the Grace Darling and his cousin Mr. Lewis Giles reached 

 over the side, caught hold of him and helped him on deck. If he had 

 fallen in there would have been small chances for his life, if any, as 

 the tide was so strong and the night very dark. Mr. Gildehaus only 

 ■just escaped falling over. The tide swept the boat away into the 

 darkness in a moment. Early next morning Mr. Babbitt went out 

 and found the boat far up the beach, half full of sand and one oar 

 gone. No other damage was done except that he broke one of the 

 oars in trying to pry off the boat. .. 



As we were i viuz idle inside the Pass, we concluded to go about aud 

 take Mr. Babbitt to Sarasota; then we could return to ran out when 

 the sea was calm enough, consequently we came and just now are 

 anchored in front of Sarasota's one store. Some of the party have 

 gone ashore to purchase some necessaries and to bi 1 good-bye to Mi . 

 Babbitt, and I sit on the stern seat dodging the sunshine, as the boat 

 swings around. After leaving Mr. Babbitt at the store, we turned 

 about and ran down to the Pass again, but again found it too rough, 

 SO wo lay at anchor iust inside the point. Toward evening we tried 

 again, bill, just in the mostneeded place the wind failed and the strong 

 tide carried us up to shore; so, being baffled, we again turned back 



and anchored, to day (March 8) the. wind and tide were more favor- 

 able, the Grace Darling hoisted sails and went out, we soon followed 

 and rejoiced to bid adieu to Big Sarasota Pass. We. followed the 

 shore for about thirty miles, when we came to Stump Pass, through 

 which we sailed, and dropped anchor just inside in the mouth of 

 Kettle Harbor. We all turned out on the beach for exercise. After 

 breakfast on the following morning, we ran up the harbor to a de- 

 serted lemon grove for water; the latter was not good , but we brought 

 away about half a bushel of lemons. After dinner we started down 

 the harbor for Pass Huevo or Egg Pass. The wind was contrary, so 

 we were obliged to anchor inside for the night. Next morning before 

 breakfast we ran a little further down the harbor, anchored and had 

 breakfast, after which we went on shore. The others fished while I 

 took a long walk on the beach down to the Pass. Just on the point I 

 saw a large flock of white pelicans, who were very tame and did not 

 fly till I was quite near them. After dinner we sailed for Pass Huevo, 

 but found it too rough, the tide rushing like a millrace through the 

 narrow channel. The captain concluded to run down to Big Gaspar- 

 illa inside the harbor. A head wind and shoals made our progress 

 slow, and having found deep water we anchored for the night. We 

 think Kettle Harbor very pretty. It rained during the night; so th/ey 

 say, but I slept too soundly to hear it. We are really in Charlotte 

 Harbor at last, lust iii the edge of it. 



Saturday. 11:85 A. M.-We are still on the spot where we spent the 

 night, ;'. 8., anchored in front of a fish ranch. There are five or six 

 bduses built of palmetto leaves and one wooden shanty. On one of 

 the former is a large wooden board, evidently part of a' ship, bearing 

 in large black letters on a white background the name "Northamp- 

 ton;" henee we christened the place the Northampton Fisheries-. 

 The wooden shanty is just now occupied by two young men from 

 Massachusetts who are. taxidermists, and who have a flue collection 

 of birds and shells. .Mr. Gildehaus (whom I will hereafter call Pro- 

 fessor for short, as Mr-. Curtis has dubhed him Professor Wiggins, on 

 account of some weather predictions I believe) and Mr. Curtis have 

 been washing clothes. It was amusing to see them. Armed with a 

 bag of soiled clothes and plenty of soap they went ashore, and hav- 

 ing borrowed some tubs (improvised out of syrup barrels) went 

 bravely to work. The water was brackish, the clothing impregnated 

 with salt water, and In spite of tremendous efforts and the wonderful 

 soap, their success was not a matter of congratulation. Meanwhile 

 1 made biscuit, and having left the Captain to superintend the baking, 

 I took a stroll on the. outer .beach, whence I returned laden with 

 pretty shells, and wading to the sloop lost my footing, and stumbled 

 aud fell in the water (but saving my treasures), greatly to the amuse- 

 ment of the fisherman's family, who were grouped about the door of 

 their curious house, thus commanding a good view of our move- 

 ments. We are anchored in the curve of a very pretty bay, only 

 separated from the gulf by a narrow strip of land, so we can hear 

 the surf while we lie in perfect calm, and two or three minutes' walk 

 brings us to the very wide, shell-bestrewn beach. We hope soon to 

 be where there are plenty of deer. The fishing here is superb, sheeps- 

 head and channel bass abounding. I was fortunate enough to catch 

 one pompano, which is esteemed as a great delicacy, and we cer- 

 tainly considered it so when, well browned, we discussed it for break- 

 fast next morning. 



Sunday, March 7.— We passed quietly in the same piaae. The fob 

 lowing morning, having a fair wind we hoisted sail and steered for 

 Boca Grand or main entrance to Charlotte Harbor, passing which 

 we sailed all day aud until long after dark, We -we're how fillly In 

 Charlotte Harbor, and the beauty of the scenery fully justified the 

 enthusiastic descriptions we had previously beard of this lovely 

 haven. Island after island fose.tnto view and faded into the distance 

 behind us; some mete chimps of nlaugrove trees, others of greater 

 extent, showing a charming variety of foliage. Flocks of snowy 

 heron, crake and curlew arose from the rookeries and sailed majes- 

 tically in long undulating lines to more distant and undisturbed rest- 

 ing place. Some of the islands we passed deserve more than a pass- 

 ing notice, among them were Petrucbio, known to many as Cayo 

 Casino, Maudaugo, Palmetto and Useppa islands. As we intend to 

 visit one or more of these islands on our return trip, I will reserve the 

 description of them until then. We were unable to make the desired 

 haven, Punta Rassa . that night, as the. fair wind which had sped us 

 on our way all clay suddenly failed us when we were about thirteen 

 miles from that port. After an interval of comparative calm the 

 wind again rose, but from a less favorahle quarter, and after vainly 

 striving through the darkness for some time, the wind having again 

 shifted, but this time dead ahead aud blowing very hard, we took 

 shelter behind Buck Island, seven miles from Punta Rassa, where we 

 anchored for the night; the tide running against the wind made a 

 chop sea and the boat rolled and pounded all night, so we had but 

 little sleep. Indeed our situation was anything but enviable. 



Next day we got under way and sailed the remaining seven miles 

 to Punta Rassa, reaching there about 7:30 A.. M. Punta Rassa is an 

 important cable station and post office, so we were, surprised to find 

 that the Whole settlement consisted of only two buildings of conse- 

 quence, one being the post office and telegraph station, and the other 

 Summerlin's Hotel. The landlord of the hotel is one of the cattle 

 kings of Florida, A young taxidermist was preparing a collection of 

 birds Cor two foreign noblemen. In the evening we enjoyed some 

 nice vocal and instrumental music, after which we returned to the 

 sloop and turned in. The following day after breakfast we started 

 out. intending to run over to Sanibel Island, which is just opposite; 

 but seeing the Grace Darling coming in, we turned about and an- 

 chored. The Grace Darling came to anchor near us. Mr. Giles came 

 over in a small boat with an invitation for us to join the party. We 

 accepted the invitation, accompanying htm immediately. The Grace 

 Darling soon headed for Oyster Creek, the Sneezer following in her 

 wake. We all went deer h'uu'ing. but returned unsuccessful. After 

 tea our party returned to the Sneezer for the night. 



Next morning the Grace Darling bade us good -by for the present. 

 We were out of water and ran back to Boca Captiva. a fish ranche; 

 we found excellent harbor but no water; we lay there over night, and 

 next morning weighed anchor and came five' miles further to Boca 

 Grande. Here we found very good water, good harbor, good hunting 

 and fishing grounds near. There is a flsh ranche here kept by 

 Spaniards. Eleven palmetto houses, a wooden barn, several curious 

 frames for drying fish seines, making altogether quite a picturesque 

 looking settlement, framed in by the lovely green of the varied foli- 

 age. Our captain is busy in the culinary department, while he awaits 

 a good opportunity to run the Sneezer on shore so that he can fill all 

 the wafer casks. Professor is fishing in the lee of some of the small 

 islands here. Mr. Curtis and I are on board awaiting the next turn 

 of events. We all wentdeer hunting and found plenty of deer tracks. 

 and once heard tue deer running, but the thick growth of underbrush, 

 cactus, etc., was not favorable to hunters without dogs. We saw also 

 many panther and wildcat tracks. Next day. Sunday, we took a long 

 walk to the outer beach. We found uo new shells. We discovered a 

 pretty looking fruit, resembling the lady apple of the North in appear- 

 ance, its pulp white, sweet, and slightly astringent, the seed inclosed 

 in a fibrous bask. The Spaniard called it the opossum plum. 



The next day we left Boca Grande. The winds were adverse so we 

 ran into Boca Captiva at about 3 P. M. Professor, in his explorations, 

 found the well of good water which we failed to find on our first visit, 

 and having filled everything available, we wandered about on the 

 beach, gathered shells, tried to catch fish, but found only "cats;" we 

 saw many wildcat and 'coon tracks and heard the 'coons fighting at 

 night, Had our friend Babbitt remained with us. with his trap, he 

 would doubtless have rejoiced in a multitude of spoils. We left 

 Boca Captiva Wednesday, March 17, and after five hours of sailing, 

 part of the time beating, we ran into the entrance of Oyster Creek, 

 and prepared for a stay of several days. About an hour before sun- 

 set we went in the Hop'e, and Professor in the Wash Tub fas he laugh- 

 ingly styled it on account of its awkward shape) up into the rookeries 

 after birds of plumage, but the gnats were so thick, it was impossible 

 to take good aim at anything, we were nearly frantic with the sharp, 

 incessant stinging. I structc one white ibis, but it fell in such thick 

 growth we could not get it. Meanwhile the Professor had been off to 

 the open flats after snipe; of which he brought back quite a number. 

 Next day, after breakfast, we all went up to the flats, leaving our 

 boats anchored, we waded some distance to the fiddler grounds. Pro- 

 fessor and Mr. Curtis went their separate ways, the former after 

 snipe, the latter following a deer trail. The Professor brought back 

 thirty-five snipe, and Mr, Curtis shot two brown curlew, but could 

 only get one. I dug fiddlers in the meanwhile, and explored around 

 generally, found a number of beautiful shells, like the so-called coffee 

 shells, only. 1 think, larger, also some trees laden with a kind of pear- 

 shaped fruit, evidently half grown, internally like a watermelon, an 

 outer case of pulp inclosing a softer portion of small flat seeds. 



Next day, Friday, we agaiu took our line of march to the fiddler 

 grounds; more wading. We walked a long distance, over flats and 

 shallows, through long grass full of trails, a strip of tropical wood- 

 land, and there, the rain begiuning to fall, and with the prospect be- 

 fore us of an interminable walk should we persevere in pur purpose 

 of finding the outer beach in that direction, we retraced our steps. 

 Found fresh deer tracks in our own recent footprints, and after some 

 time, saw two deer running in the distance. Unfortunately our hunt- 

 ers had not brought their guns, being on a quest after fiddlers only. 

 The tide was low, and we alternately waded, now pulling the boat 

 by its painter, then poling, till in one shallow we rolled the Hope 

 on its oars across a narrow island to the deeper water on the other 

 side. On our way up we had stopped at one of the small islets to eat 

 'coon oysters, which we found very good. While so engaged, a saw 

 fish about three feet long passed near the stern of the Hope followed 

 closely by a shark; indeed, we saw plenty of the latter during the 

 day. On the way back we investigated the old oyster beds, but the 

 oysters had all been killed, probably by the northers creating low 

 tides. Having stopped in a favorable place to flsh, we caught sev- 



eral sheepshead and one;curious spotted fish, which our captain called 

 a "divjl fish,' - but which we called a rock bass; also several little 

 kittens. Returned to the Sneezer and had some fish fried for supper, 

 reserving the rest for breakfast, including our devil fish, which we 

 found very good. 

 The following morning Professor and Mr. Curtis went off in their 

 1 ive boats for snipe, fish and whatever else might fail in their 

 way, leaving me with the Captain on the Sneezei. I helped the latter 

 put things in order, finished Vol. II. of the "Mysterious Island," and 

 wrote thus far in my log; and now. ju-t 12 o'clock, I see the boats 

 coming with our hunters. They brought more snipe, of which I at 

 oner- proceeded to make a couple of pies. Soou after dinner I rowed 

 to a little Island near, and walked about until 1 saw a very large 

 snake, light brown with stripes running- lengthwise, Thinking "dis- 

 cretion the better part of valor, 1 ' I left his shakesliip to his native, 

 heath, and made good my escape td the boat. About an hour later 

 1 rotessor and Mr. C. went Over to the rookeries whence they re-- 

 tiirned at nightfall with six buds of plumage-ibis and herons. The' 

 mosquitoes and glials were so thick that next day the ( laptain decided 

 to run down the cdast \o Sanibel Island in search Of Ball Inlet, of 

 which wc were told, and which is the. narrowest part of the islaud; 

 where I could readily walk across to the outer beach for my edvpted 

 shells. Therefore this morning at o'clock we left Oyster Creek- 

 and after about two hours sailing we turned into a large, rotir.d bay 

 which we thought must be the place we sought: but on Investigation 

 no indication of the, outer beach could be discovered. So the 0a g ? 

 again weighed anchor and sailed out. what he called Deception Bay; 

 coming to anchdr just around a sandy point on the south side of the 

 aforesaid bay. We have all .been ashore, walked along the beach for 

 exercise. There we saw plenty of fiddlers and fresh deer tracks. 

 Mr. C. is ashore now, Professor and I are writing, Captain is doing a 

 •wonderful amount of thumping and rustling overhead. 

 [TO be concluded next week.] 



CRUISING SLdOF* ALICE. 



THE yacht whose lines are giveu above is a keel sloop now build- 

 ing for Mr. D. W. Tryon of Now York, by F. C. Smith of New 

 Bedford, about which latter place she will be sailed by her owner, 

 who intends to use her for cruising only. Her dimensions are: 



Length, on deck 34ft. 



Length, at waterliue 31ft. (Jin. 



Beam, extreme 10ft. 



Beam, at waterline 9ft. 



Draft, extreme 3f I . Gin. 



Keel, iron 3,0001bs. 



She will be sloop-rigged, with single jib only. Her cockpit is of 

 moderate size, with tight deck and scuppers, while a house gives 

 over if t. height in cabin. There will be two berths or lockers, ice-box, 

 water-tank, oil-stove, pantries and shelves for stores and utensils, 

 and she will be comfortably fitted for living aboard. In model the 

 Mice is similar to the usual type of centerboard boats in use. in the 

 locality, but in this case the board has been dispensed with, and a 

 keel 2lin. deep added, making the total draft 3ft. tim., with which 

 she can l'uu in almost anywhere ajong the coast where she is in- 

 tended to be Used, while the entire cabin i ; available for Jiving rOOm. 

 Her bhiider and modeller has modelled a number of similar bdats, 

 and, in the. 4-lice,while .the. extreme dimensions donot afford many pos- 

 sibilities in the way of flno lines, he has turned out a very shapely 

 and fair craft, She is built of oak, with yellow pine planking and 

 white pine decks, and in quality of materia I, fastening and workman- 

 ship, she speaks well for her builder as a strong, substantial and 

 workmanlike production. 



NOTES FROM THE DELAWARE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The iron steam yacht Dione, built for speed only by Mr. Harvey, of 

 the firm of MeDahiel. Harvey & Co., anchored this evening at Copper 

 Point with the sailing yacht Zimmerman in tow. from a winter cruise 

 in Chesapeake Bay. The Dione has a snake-like appearance, remind- 

 ing one of Herreshoff's 100. the smartest type of steam yacht in the 

 world. The owners use the yacht for pleasure excursions in the 

 magnificent stretches of Chesapeake Bay and the Southern coast. 

 A letter before me from Mr. McDaniel states that they get 18 miles aver- 

 age per hour out of the \aeht even in rough water. After stopping 

 with us overnight she. left again for her Southern home. The gSffc; 

 yacht Maseottei built by Jos. Nixon, of Kensington, for Ttiad Cham- 

 bers, Atlantic City, is 'a fair sample of the Ledyard type, and no 

 doubt will be speedy. Fermimore. of Burlington, N. J., has just 

 completed a 37ft. yacht on the dish order. Her transom is rather 

 wide, but she has been lined wi'h care, and the whole structure is 

 the work of a mechanic and a practiced eye. In short she is a beau- 

 tiful boat, perfect in every detail of workmanship, the result of long 

 experience. Mr. Fenniuiore is one of the oldest yacht builder- 

 the Delaware, and although not professing to be scientific, his quick 

 perceptive eye .never fails him. This man taught the New Jersey 

 builders how to shape au oyster boat, and the coastwise people how 

 to build boats suitable for their necessities. His first efforts, how- 

 ever, commenced at home, on the Delaware, where his superior skill 

 as a builder elevated our yachts and working vessels to a standard 

 nnsur passeo in this country. He has retired from business pursuits, 

 but his old love for fine lines cannot be suppressed, and so it is that 

 in his leisure moments his active brain sets his willing hands to work. 

 Mr. A. Colburn's 55ft. yacht Butler, purchased, I believe, in Boston, 

 built some years ago iu New York, will remain in our waters. Will 

 mention her again in my next letter in connection with other local 

 matter. K G. W. 



THE STEEL STEAM YACHT WANDA. 



IT is a long time siuce the old time fame of New York as a ship* 

 building center departed with the decline of wooden vessels. All 

 of the famous yards about the city have practically disappeared, and 

 for many years their custom has gone to the iron shipyards of the 

 Delaware. Iron shipbuilding has never found a home in New York, 

 but now that it in turn promises to be superseded by the adoption of 

 steel, it is encouraging to note the establishment of the new industry 

 along the East River. Last year the first steel vessels on the lakes 

 were launched, the first steel yachts built in this country, the 

 Nourmahal and Eloctra, were launched on the Delaware, and in New 

 York two sieei ferryboats were built at Greeripoint by the Continen- 

 tal works, and the keel was laid for their first essay iu steel shipbuild 

 ing by Messrs. Piepgrass and Pine at their newly fitted up yard in 

 Greehpoint. This vessel is a steam yacht of novel design from the 

 drawing board of Mr. John Harvey, heretofore known here only 

 from the success of his cutters, and is to the order of Mr. Wm. 

 Woodward, Jr., of the firm of Woodward & Stillman, of New York. 

 The dimensions of this yacht, intended for long cruises with greater 

 ability under sail alone than is common here, vary greatly from those 

 of American steam yachts, rier length over all is 143ft., on waterline 

 137ft. and her beam is 18ft.. a proportion of 7 to 1. The depth of hold 

 is lift. 6iu. and the draft is 10ft. 2m., her displacement being 190 tons. 

 Her midship section resembles more a cutter widened out than it 

 does the steam yachts of American model, and with its depth and 

 lead ballast promises excellent results under canvas alone. Above 



ends, with reverse frames 2x3 abreast of and for 10ft. fore and aft of 

 the engines and boilers. The plating is of M al| d 5-lBin. steel. Five 

 bulkheads of 3-16iu. steel divide the hull into six watertight, compart 

 nients. Forward of the engines are the captain's and officers' 

 quarters and the forecastle for the ciew, while the cabins are aft of 

 the engine space. A deck house contains a pilot house in the fore 

 end and a galley aft. The rail and fittings on deck are all of teak. 

 The engiues were designed by Mr. John Haug and built by John W. 

 Sullivan, of New York. They are of the usual inverted compound 

 type with cylinders SO and 33in. by 3-lin., connected to a .steel shaft 

 8in. in diamet-r. The wheel is of iron, 8ft. 6in. diameter, and 14ft. 

 pitch. The boilers, two in number, were designed and built by David 

 M Nichols, of New York, and are horizontal tubular Oft. 6m. long, 

 Oft Oin. wide, and 9ft. 6in. high over all, with 5-jin. steel plates. Each 

 contains 187 tubes Sjajln. diameter and 7ft. Sin. long. The grate 

 surface of each is 35 sq, ft. The stack, 3ft ,5m. diameter mside, turns 

 down out of the way in sailing. The yacht is schooner rigged, with 

 foresail of 690ft., mainsail of 1073ft,, staysail 313ft., Jib 837ft. and 

 mainstay sail 381ft., or 3683 sq. ft. in lower sails. All her canvas was 

 furnished by Sawyer. . 



The launch was to have taken place on Wednesday of last week, 

 but low water prevented. On Saturday morning all was ready, how- 

 ever, and by noon the workmen had the wedges under the chains in 

 which the. yacht was slung and had started to rally up. Soon the 

 weight of the handsome vessel rested entirely on chains and cradles, 

 the keel blocks were split out, aud the dog shores knocked away. 

 The grease on the ways had hardened, owing to the postponement, 

 aud the yacht lay motionless until some sharp blows from battering 

 rams started her. As she moved slowly and gracefully down the 

 ways little Miss liaitli, Mr; Woodward's daughter, broke a bottle of 

 chain pagne over her forefoot and named her Wanda, while a little 

 German band stationed near by rent the air with variations on ••Hail 

 Columbia." Gathering way she entered the water easily, made her 

 bow to the shore as she left it aud floated lightly on the East River. 

 Hor engines and boilers will at once be put in place, and her joiner 

 work, designed by Mr. Eidlitz, will be completed by hor builders. 



