316 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Mat 13, 1886. 



fychting. 



FIXTURES. 



There are still many clubs not represented below, and some of the 

 dates in the table are not official. We ask the aid of club secretaries 

 and others in completing and correcting the list: 



Mat. 8. Great Head, Club, Winthrop. 



16. Newark, Opening. 8. Quincy, Club. 



16. Yorkvillo, Open, East River. 10. Great Head, Club, Winthrop, 



22. Quincy. 10. Hull, Novelty, Hull. 



23. Quaker City. Opening. 10. Corinthian, Club, Marblehead 

 31. Sandy Bay, Cup. Rockport. 10. Sandy Bay, Pen., Rockport. 

 31. Knickerbocker, Spring: Reg. 13. Beverly, Cham,, Marblehead. 

 91, Onondaga, Ope.ning,On. Lake. 13. Great Head, Ladies', Winthrop 

 31. S.O.Y.C., Opening, N. Y. Bay. 14. Hull, Cham., Hull. 



31. New Haven. Opening Sail. 15-17. Amer. (Steam), Annual. 

 31, Toledo, Pennant, Toledo. 17. Sandy Bay, Cor., Rockport. 



31. Brooklyn, Opening. NY. Bay. 17 to 25. Knickerbocker, Cruise. 



31. Atlantic, Opening Sail. 

 31. Corinthian, San Francisco. 

 31. Newark, Annual. 

 81. Jersey City, Opening Sail. 

 June. 



8. Larchmont, Spring Regatta. 



6. Great Head, Open, Sweep- 



stake, Winthrop. 



7. Hudson River, Union, Open. 

 7. Williamsburg Regatta. 



9. Portland, Annual. Portland. 

 9. Sandy Bay, Cup, Rockport. 

 9. Quaker City, Anuual. 



17. Jersey City, Annual. 

 21. Hull, Ladies', Hull. 

 32. Boston, Cup, City Point. 

 24. Dorchester, Club, Harrison. 

 24. Beverly, Club, Mon. Beach. 

 24. Corinthian, Ladies', Marble- 

 head. 



24. Saudy Bav, Pen. Gloucester. 

 24. Great Head, Cham. .Winthrop. 

 24. Quincy, Club. 

 27. Great Head, Club, Winthrop. 

 81. Beverly, Cham,, Swainpscott. 

 81. Hull, Cruise, Eastward. 



12. Brooklyn, Annual, N. Y. Bay. 31. Sandy Bay, Ladies', Rockport. 



12. Great Head, Pen., W'inthrop. 

 12. Buffalo, Annual, Lake Erie. 

 12. Portland, Challenge. Portland. 



14. New Jersey, Annual. 



15. Atlantic. Annual. N. Y. Bay. 

 15. Quaker City. Ladies' Day. 



17. New York, Annual, N. Y. Bay. 

 17. Dorchester, Open, Nahant. 

 17. Sandy Bay. Cup, Squam. 

 17. Hull, Cor. Pennant, Hull. 

 17. American, Newbury port. 

 19. Hull, Pennant. Hull. 

 19. S. C. Y. C, Annual. 

 19. Corinthian, San Francisco. 



22. Quincy, Club. 



23. Boston. Cup, City Point. 



August. 

 2. Sandy Bay, Open, Rockport. 

 7. Corinthian, Open, Marblehead 

 7. Beverly, Club, Mon. Beach. 



7. Quincy, Club. 



8. Quaker City, Review. 



9. Great Head, Club, Winthrop. 

 11. Great Head, Ladies. Winthrop, 

 14, Sandy Bay, Clab, Squam. 



14. Hull, Open, Hull. 

 14. Beverly, Cham , Nahant. 

 14-29. Quaker City, An. Cruise. 

 21. Beverly, Open, Marblehead. 



24. Great Head, Cham., Winthrop. 



25. Hull, Ladies'. Hull. 

 88. Corinthian, Club. Marblehead, 



26. Sandy Bay, Cup,Final .Squam. 58. Hull, Chani., Hull. 

 26. Corinthian, Cup. Marblehead. 28. Sandy Bay, Open. Squam, 



26. Great Head, Cham..Wmthrop. 



27. Quaker City, Review & Cruise. 

 29. Eastern, Annual, Marblehead. 



July. 



8. Knickerbocker Cruise. 

 8. Oswego Cruise, Charlotte. 

 3. Hull, Club, Hull. 

 3. Buffalo, Annual, Lake Erie. 

 3. Newark, Cruise. 

 3-6. Quaker City, Reg. and Cruise. 

 5, Larchmont, Annual Regatta. 

 5. Boston, Open, City Point. 

 5. Sandy Bay. Open, Squam. 



Septkmber. 



2. Boston. Cup, Citv Point. 



3. Quincy, Club. 



4. Dorchester, Club, Harrison. 

 4. Beverly, Open, Mon. Beach. 



4. Cor i u t h i an , Ch am . . M ar b lehead 

 4. Sandy Bay, Pen., Rockport. 

 6. Newark, Open. 

 6. Quaker City, Cup, 2d Class. 

 8. Great Head, Club, Winthrop. 

 11. Hull, Cham., Hull. 

 11. Corinthian, Sweepstake, Mar- 

 blehead. 



S.Beverly, Open, Sweepstake, 11. Sandy Bay, Sweep., Gloucester 



Mon. Beach. 

 5. Toledo, Pen., Toledo, 

 o to 6 Interlake 5T. R. A. Rendez- 

 vous and Race, Detroit. 

 6 to 11, Interlake Y. R. A. Cruise 

 to Put in Bay. 



17. Toledo, Pen., Toledo. 

 19. Quaker City, Review & Cruise. 



18. Sandy Bav, Club, Rockport. 

 18. Great Head, Club, Winthrop. 

 25. Buffalo, Club, Lake Erie. 



28. Beverly, Club, Nahant. 



YACHT DESIGN AND BUILDING IN BOSTON. 



AFTER taking first place last season in the yachting world, it is 

 very evident that Boston does not propose to accept a second or 

 third, either in home or international yachting, without a lively strug- 

 gle. Important as ber victory was last year, it will not stand alone, 

 and Boston yachtsmen evidently realize (bat they must this season 

 put forth all their strength to prove that chance had little to do with 

 the result, and that they can improve on the work of the past season. 

 Tt may be that the Puritan is able to do this, but they wisely prefer 

 to have two strings to their bow, and have endeavored to surpass last 

 year's crack with a still faster craft. After turning out one such boat 

 it is a rather risky business to attempt at once to build a faster one, 

 as there is a good deal in naval design that cannot be brought within 

 the scope of rule and compass, a something that makes one boat go, 

 while the next, backed by additional experience and knowledge, may 

 prove greatly inferior, but in the present case, af I er a careful com- 

 parison of the old and new boats, the observer is pretty sure to give 

 his opinion in approval of the latter. We all know how successful 

 Puritan has proved herself in all weathers, and in her younger sister 

 Mr. Burgess has wisely contented himself with no marked departure 

 from the previous model, but has sought for improvement in the 

 direction of detail in model, build and ballast, thus insuring at least a 

 fair amount of success. 



The two vessels, Puritan and Mayflower, differ chiefly in length, the 

 latter being 5ft. longer, or 85ft., and in weight of keel, the latter hav- 

 ing 37 tons outside, or an excess of 10 tons, or 37 per cent, over Puri- 

 tan. The value of this alteration, at least as far as such racine- as the 

 boats will do, is unquestionable, as the gain in stability will offsetany 

 disadvantages. Were it a question of ocean cruising there is little 

 doubt that this weight with length of 8jt£ beams, would make a very 

 uneasy sea boat. It must not be imagined that Mayflower is in any 

 sense a mere racing machine; she is as strongly constructed as any 

 boat of her class, and it is not improbable, in view of the sporting 

 spirit of her owner, that she may cross the Atlantic some day in 

 search of the cups so poorly defended last season; but she is built 

 with one purpose chiefly in view, to race in American waters, and 

 her ballast has been stowed for this special end. 



As to dimensions, the old model has been drawn out to a greater 

 length of 5ft,, retaining the other proportions quite closely. The 

 sheer plan is nearly the same with the exception that the sternpost 

 has more rake and the heel is carried down deeper. The draft at 

 forefoot is the same, that amidships is the same also, 8ft, 2in a but at 

 the heel of the sternpost the draft is 9ft., instead of 8 in the Puritan. 

 This difference is due only to a desire on the part of the owner for a 

 straight keel for convenience in docking. It will be remembered that 

 Puritan had a slight rocker upward aft. This has been removed by 

 adding a foot at the heel, making a long straight of keel wiih a slight 

 drag. The speed in turning may be lessened a little, but this is com- 

 pensated for by the grea'er rake, while the center of the lateral plane 

 being proportionately further aft, a shorter bowsprit is carried, the 

 actual length, 38ft. outboard, being the same as Puritan. 



The counter is very like the latter, but is narrowed in more on deck 

 and is cut away a little finer above the water, giving it a lighter look. 

 The midship section differs from the Puritan in four points. The 

 freeboard is 3ft. £iu , an increase of 2in. : the beam at waterline is lin. 

 more on each side, the extreme beam, 23ft. 6in., is an increase of S}4m. 

 per Sid?,, giving considerable more flare; and the hollow at the rabbet 

 is much less marked. This follows from the increased size of timber 

 available for a keel. Last year the largest stick obtainable was 

 22 x26in. This of course dictated the breadth on top of the lead keel, 

 a height of about 2ft. above the baseline, and the yacht had conse- 

 quently a strong hollow above the rabbet. In the larger boat a dif- 

 ferent system of construction wasfollowtd, two sticks, each 24x24in., 

 being laid side by side, making a width of 4ft,., where Puritan had 

 little more than 2, and thus, the widtn. on the bottom of the lead 

 keel being the same, l6in., the hollow is straightened out. The bot- 

 tom of the lead keel is rounded off and also the corners. Little alter- 

 ation is noticeable in the waterline, except that it is more round 

 amidships and a little straigbter near the chainplates, with perhaps 

 a little fullness aft. On deck the increased round of side amidships 

 is very quickly seen, while the transom is visibly narrowed in more 

 than Puritan's. The character of the run is very similar to the latter, 

 but in the forebody the Mayflower is eased off on the bow above and 

 at the waterliue just under the chainplates, showing less shoulder 

 there than Puritan. The dimensions of the two boats compare as 

 follows: 



Puritan. Mayflower, 



Length on deck 95ft. lOOtt. 



Length on waterline . . SOc't. 85ft. 



Extreme beam 22ft. 7in. 23ft. 6in. 



Least freeboard. Sf t. 3ft. 2in. 



Draft amidships 8ft. Sin, 8ft. 2m. 



Draft, heel of sternpost 8ft. Oft. 



Area midship section 80 &q ft. 82 sq. ft. 



Displacement 105 ions. 110 ions. 



Ballast on keel , 27 tons. 37 tons. 



Ballast inside 19 tons. 11 tons. 



Ballast, total 46 tons. 48 tone, 



In construction the two boats are very similar, but the newer has 

 been more thoroughly strengthened, and at the same time is some- 

 what lighter above water. Tbe deck plank run fore and aft, the 



planksheer is of white pine, tbe stanchions of locust, while the rail, a 

 clean and beautiful piece of oak with a perfectly fair curve, is a 

 pleasure to look at. The keel construction differs in detail from that 

 of the new Atlantic, as though both are made of 24in. sticks, they are 

 joined in a different manner. In the Atlantic the two keel sticks lie 

 side by side, the joint between them running exactly in the center of 

 the yacht. In the Mayflower the two sticks, of the same size and 

 length, 60ft., are so laid that one end of each overlaps 10ft. beyond 

 the other, while the two are at a slight angle with the fore and aft 

 center line, by which means a good shift of butts is obtained, and 

 several pieces of deadwood dispensed with at each end. With a 

 centerboard craft of this i-ize the question of construction is a com- 

 plicated one, as timber cannot be obtained for a keel in one piece, and 

 the ingenuity of the designer must supply its place with a strong 

 combination of several pieces. The frames are united at their heels 

 by cast floors of the hest gun iron, 4x3^>in. in the throat, with long 

 arms. The hull is well furnished with hanging knees, and thepartners 

 are well braced. About the mast are three l^gin, rods with turn- 

 buckles running from deck to keel, and transmitting the strain of 

 halliards and purchases to the latter. The work on deck, such as 

 hatch coamings, skylights and companion, is all very light. 



The cabin, 15ft. long, is fitted in pine, painted, and trimmed with 

 mahogany. Aft it opens into a stateroom 7ft. long, fitted with two 

 berths and toilet stand. On the port side of the trunk is a passage 

 way forward, along which arc three small staterooms, while on the 

 starboard side is a large stateroom. The captain's room is forward 

 o ■ the same side. While all is well and neatly finished, there is no 

 attempt at display. Outside the oak bottom is very smooth under 

 its coating of copper bronze, and tbe finish of the bottom, topsides, 

 deck and rail are better than the Puritan and most other yachts of 

 her size. 



The rig of the new boat will be practically the same as Puritan's, 

 but as before noted, the bowsprit will be shorter. The mast is a fine 

 stick of Oregon pine 83ft. over all and 63ft, deck to hounds, 19in. in 

 partners and 18 under jaws of gaff. The hounds are of oak and the 

 trestle trees of locust. The iron work is made by Lawley & Son in 

 their yard, only the bpst brands of Norway iron being used. Some 

 changes were found necessary on the Puritan last year in the mast- 

 head fittings, and these gave hints which have been followed in the 

 metal work of the new boat. The mastcap is a specially fine forg- 

 ing, and all the ironwork is very carefully proportioned. The bracket 

 for the throat halliard block is streagthehed by a filling of oakinside 

 the triangle. A heavy strap runs down the after side of the mast- 

 head and supports all the bolts. The plates for the quarter lifts have 

 each three links of chain between the eye and the block, preventing 

 any tendency to twist. The 80ft. boom, 14tn. diameter, and the 50ft. 

 gaff, 12in. diameter, match the mast in quality. The topmast, of 

 white pine, is 46ft. long and llin, diameter, and the bowsprit is 38ft 

 long and 16in. diameter. The latter is a bright round spar, the only- 

 ironwork being at the end. The spreader is of oak, passing through 

 a mortise in the stemhead. Above tbe waterline the yacht is painted 

 white, with a very narrow gold stripe and light carving aft, while 

 carved in gilt letters on the stern is the name Mayflower. Forward 

 there is an absence of all gilt work, making a very pleasing finish, 

 the entire effect being very tasteful. 



The Mayflower was built in the same place as the Puritan, in a 

 building shed of fearful and wonderful construction, but which 

 served at least to protect her from the weather. The water outside 

 was not deep enough to launch her, so a large dredge had been at 

 work for several days digging a ba«in for her to lie in alongside the 

 new wharf and also a channel in which to launch her. The ctrertgers 

 had instructions from Messrs. Lawley to run in on the night tide of 

 Tuesday and scoop a deep channel for the keel, but it seems that tbey 

 neglected to do so. On Thursday morning the yacht lay on the pop- 

 pets, her bowsprit, in place and projecting out of the shore end of the 

 house into the muff, where a treuch had been dug to receive it. The 

 ways were greased and wedges ready when the first of the crowd 

 arrived very early in tbe morning. As noon approached they in- 

 creased, until there wore probably 2,000 people assembled, The, bluff 

 above was black, the long wharf was crowded, and men and boys 

 swarmed over the masts and canvas houses of the yachts still hauled 

 on the beach and ways. It was nearly noon before the poppets were 

 wedged up and the crowd were becoming very impatient, when a 

 diversion was caused by the launch from her winter berth alongside 

 the shed of the schooner Gevalia. By the time she was afloat and out 

 of the way the sound of wedges had ceased and the big yacht started, 

 slowly at first, and then gathering way until she slid rapidly down the 

 incline. Before she was fairly off the ways her speed slackened, and 

 she gradually came to a stop, her heel bedding in the soft clay. On her 

 deck were a hundred persons, who were all sent forward, a line was 

 passed to the tug Active, and she slowly moved astern. Another line 

 was carried to the steam winch of the dredge, and the Mayflower was 

 soon completely water-borne. No christening ceremony was per- 

 formed, though General and Mrs. Paine were on ber deck." The vacht 

 was soon moored to the wharf . where she will lie until completed. 

 In spite of the awkward grounding the launch was successful. It is 

 too soon yet to say which of the four large yachts will be chosen for 

 the Cup defender; but it is certain that in looks the new boat stands 

 first of the four, with her sister a good second. Where they will be 

 in the sailing is another matter, but we believe that Mayflower will 

 stand first also in the estimation of most who have seen all of the 

 quartette. 



It would seem that trusting to ber and Puritan alone, Mr. Burgess 

 was in a fair way to add to his reputation, but they are only a part of 

 what he has done within the past year and a half. Within the latter 

 part of this time be has furnished designs for a number of yachts of 

 all sizes and kinds, that are now building, and ev an though someshoul 1 

 not come up to the expectations, there is not one of the lot that is not 

 remarkable for symmetry of form, for unity of design and for a 

 careful balance of all requisites; with an attention to details that 

 should insure success. Whether or no all are equal to the Puritan 

 there is about every one a graceful appearance and absence of 

 notable faults that commends it to the observer, while the able, 

 wholesome character of each is one of the most promising features 

 of onr yachting to-day. We have had boats which though fast have 

 been ugly, tmcomfO' table and dangerous; but thelatter three qualities 

 are noted only by their absence in Mr. Burgess's designs, while there 

 is fair promise of speed in all. 



Of course, everyone has heard of Puritan, but comparatively few 

 know of the 18ft, keel catboat, Wraith, designed last year for Gen. 

 Paine's sons, and built by Smith, of South Boston, This little boat 

 was sailed in the races of the Corinthian Y. O. about Marblehead, 

 and has proved herself equal t o the centerboard boats as long as they 

 sail with fixed ballast. This year Mr. Burgess has designed several 

 of about 20ft„ both keel and centerboard. The largest of his new 

 craft, however, claims the first mention, ascboonerfor Messrs, Owens 



Metcalf, of Providence, R. I. The order was for a family boat for 

 cruising, with all the speed that could be had without a sacrifice of 

 cruising qualities, to which end the sail plan shows a liberal allow- 

 ance of kites. The length over all is 103ft., on waterline 86ft., beam 

 22ft., with 10ft. draft, a fair amount for a centerboard boat. The 

 after body is similar to the Mayflower, with the bow altered to suit 

 a two stick rig, and a clipper stem added. The keel is of lead with a 

 board dropping through it. The rig will probably be condemned by 

 some of the quidnuncs who are entitled to write N. A. P. D, Q. after 

 their names, as it is similar to one they have lately criticised in New 

 York. The foremast is quite short, the triatic stay raking down 

 sharply, consequent on the high peak of the foresail. The foresail 

 gaff, a'spar longer than the distance fro in fore to mainmast, is peaked 

 up at an angle which allows it to be held effectively in place, conse- 

 quently the throat is quite low, and permits a shortening of the mast- 

 head and a proportionate lowering of weights. Lawley & Son are 

 building this yacht, and she lies in the house beside Mayflower's berth. 

 She is planked and will soon be ready for the water. 



Next in size to the two large boats is Mr. Fay's yacht, building under 

 a separate shed near by. There was no room in the big ship houee 

 so a temporary shed has been erected to build under, as all of the 

 Lawleys' work is done under cover. It is a pity that more builders 

 do not follow their example, as the loss of time due to bad weather 

 would usually pay the cost of a temporary shed, wbile the work is 

 sure to be better done undercover. This boat 13 39ft. 8in. waterline by 

 14ft 9in. beam, with a long overhang and plumb stem, and a form of 

 the Puritan type. Her iron keel looks deep enough to hold her with- 

 out assistance, but in addition there is a long centerboard housed 

 below the cabin floor. Owing to tbe depth of keel and tbe deadrise. 

 there is room for a large board entirely below the floor, only a pipe 

 and a chain for operating in the cabin The iU of this boat will be of 

 the usual cut, double headsalls and low hoist. 



Another design made by Mr. Burgess this wiuter but not yet built 

 is a sloop 26ft. 8in. waterline for a gentleman in Wisconsin, while he 

 has furnished for Mr. Archibald Rogers, of the cutter Bedouin, another 

 26ft. waterline boat, a keel craft of considerable depth, for use on the 

 Hudson, which will be built later on. 



Over in Cambridge a 22fc. cutter for Mr. Jameson, also from Mr. 

 Burgess's designs, is building by Diosmore. while Smith, of South 

 Boston, has in hand two keel cats similar to the Wiaith. They are 

 each 19ft. 7in. on waterline, plumb stems and good overhang, and are 

 very shapely and attractive in looks. The lead keels weigh over 

 3000 lbs each, and are shaped to fit the bottom, all the lines of the 

 hull ending fairly at the outer sides of stem, keel and sternpost. 

 One boat is nearly completed and the keel of the other is just cast. 

 Mr. Smith has put in excellent work and the finish of the hull is in 

 keeping with the general quality of the design. 



Mr. Burgess nas also designed a centerboard cat of 22ffc., another 

 of 20ft,, both to carry outside lead, an 18ft. cat for a Philadelphia 

 yachtsman, and a centerboard cat 20ft. long for Mr, George McManus 

 nowbuilding by A. D. Story at East Boston. 



Outside the line of sailing yachts Mr. Burges3 has designed this 

 winter a steam yacht, the Hanniel, 97ft. over all and 85ft. on water 

 line, for Mr. Daniol Ford, which has be* n built bv McKie, of East 

 Boston, and is now nearly completed. The stem is plumb, the sheer 

 quite straight, with a good freeboard, and the lone overhang is very 

 handsome. The yacht is provided with a fair allowance of canvas 

 and a very stylish rig. Another steamer, built by the Lawley's at 

 their old yard, is for the Harvard crew, for coaching purposes. She 

 is 50ft. long and 5ft 6in. beam, with double skin, a veritable double- 

 ender, almost like a shellboat in lines. Her engine is set at an angle 

 amidship, the shaft raking sharply down, so that the wheel is beneath 

 the center of the boat. The most peculiar feature is a balanced rudder 

 placed forward instead of aft, and directly under the bottom. Going 

 into still another field, Mr. Burgess has now in hand a design for a 

 fishing schooner for Boston parties, to be lOOft. over all, 90ft. water 

 line, and24tt beam, with an iron keel. 



With all of these boats in the field Boston has little to fear for her 

 supremacy in more than one class. Mr. Burgess's skill has been well 

 seconded by the reliable work of the Lawleys, and there is no part 

 of any of their work that will not stand a thorough scrutiny, both as 

 to quality of material and workmanship. Though the first of her 

 size and kind, and built in a hurry, Puritan was no discredit to them, 

 but the new boats show an improvement on her that speaks well for 

 the progressive ideas of her builders. The fitting out of Mayflower 

 will take hut a short time now, and she will soon be sailing. Puritan 

 now lies off Smith's yard where she will be finally fitted out. Her 

 boom and bowsprit have been lightened and she has had a temporary 

 cockpit added on deck, an oval coaming about 9ft. by 6, and 15in. 

 high, the wide top making a s-*at. It will be removed in racing. 

 Another month will see a trial between the two, and will prove the 

 correctness of the estimates of their qualities. 



CRUISE OF THE COOT. 



XXII. 



FOR two months the Coot was forced to keep harbor, the cold hold' 

 ing on in an unprecedented way. This was just so much time 

 lost as far as the cruise had for its object a voyage to the distant 

 South. It was some consolation to feel that the most difficult portion 

 had been overcome, and that reaching any point further south was a 

 question of time and not of practicability, as that had already been 

 thoroughly tested. Three times the ice closed solid about tbe Coot, 

 and skating around tbe boat took the place of handling the stick. 

 Cold winter gales followed day upon day, the wind hanging in the N. 

 W. and N. with surprising persistency. Almost the entire length of 

 Chesapeake Bay was frozen over or blocked "olid with drift ice. For 

 many days navigation was entirely suspended. Numerous casualties 

 to vessels were reported. Schooners by the dozen were torn from 

 thyir moorings and lifted bodily on the beach. Others were crushed 

 between the grinding floes, while some s.nnk outright from sheer 

 inability to carry the loads of ice which formed on their decks, in the 

 rigging, and clung to their sides. From way down in Georgia the ice 

 was reported six inches thick, and the fresh waters of Albemarle and 

 Pamlico remained closed except the narrow thoroughfares gradually 

 broken through by the steam propellers. 



Between the cold spells came one warm spring-like day which 

 raised false hopes. The Coot was under way at once and clear of 

 Hampton Craek, bound across the Roads into Willoughby Bay to go 

 on tbe hard for painting. For this purpose the stable sand beaches 

 of Willoughby Spit serve excellently. Sails can be spread out and 

 washed on the beach, which has any desired slope. The Spit is a 

 long, barren tongue, much like the Sandy Hook fo familiar to New 

 Yorkers. It faces Fortress Monroe, and during the late unpleasant- 

 ness had batteries thrown up to aid in the fortification of Norfolk. 

 Of these all traces have disappeared. In the bay there is from 7 to 

 12ft. The only coves giving protection to a small boat are at the 

 western extremity of the Spit, immediately upon rounding. Only 

 one is marked on the chart, but the second is much the better of the 

 tvib. About 5ft. can betaken in if you know bow to avoid certain 

 shoal patches. Mr, Rogers has an oyster plantation and a ranch 

 ashore at this place. His men are always ready to lend a helping 

 hand in blocking up a boat. The same can be said of various fishing 

 outfits along the beach. Good water is handy from a well dug 12ft. 

 into the sand. The nearest post office is at Ocean View, three miles 

 down the beach, and the nearest store is five miles away. These dis- 

 tances were impressed upon my memery, a6 I started out in heavy 

 rubber boots, three suits of clothing and oil skins one cold day in 

 quest of provisions. A loaded market basket and two-gallon oil can 

 with all the clothing made tramping through soft sand very heavy 

 carting. I was obliged to round to for a rest quite often and fetched 

 aboard the yacht completely used up. I should have filled up before 

 leaviug Hampton, the reader will sugeest. So I did. But no sooner 

 had the Coot got well along toward the bay than a fresh gale from 

 N. W. started up. The peak of the mainsail was enough to lift the 

 yacht around the Spit Into the cove. Then it began to howl and the 

 thermometer dropped to 20. A whole fleet of oystermen sought 

 refuge, until we were packed in tbe cove like dove-tailed sardines. 

 If any one had dragged, a string of boats would have been cutdown. 



Four days patience had to be drawn upon. Then it moderated 

 for three, during which I utilized each high tide for bilging the boat 

 and painting, the bottom being given three coats of Tarr and Wan- 

 son's copper composition. This is in general use in Southern waters 

 and is said to be by far the best preventive against worms, which 

 create havoc with unprotected keels in these warm waters. All work- 

 ing boats have one, two or three times a season to be painted with 

 this composition, otherwise they run the chance of being worm-eaten 

 beyond repair. A yarn is told about a skipper in York River. Being 

 too poor to buy a smack, he started to build one on the beach, working 

 upon her at low water. When he finished plxnk'ng the sscond side tbe 

 other side had been eaten up by the wrrms and that on the flood only, 

 I have seen sections taken out of keels which looked like coarse 

 sponges. The worms grow as they bore along and sometimes attain 

 the size of a man's little finger. They are most to be dreaded during 

 the summer months. It is said they will not eat across a seam and 

 that a sufficiently deep false keel will arrest their upward course. 

 They are especially fond of centerboard slots. One man told me he 

 built fires under his hoat and smoked them to death. For Tarr and 

 Wonson's copper paint a good word must be said. A thin hasty coat 

 put on the Coot's bottom in October was found almost perfect and 

 clear five months later, in spite of her rough experience through the 

 ice. Some racing men believe the coating to be slow because gritty. 

 But for cruising I shall always give it preference. It can be pur- 

 chased throughout the South, where it is held in high esteem. 



The Coot was first thoroughly smoothed up outside by means of a 

 rasp, sandpaper and plenty of elbow grease. The wounds made by 

 the ice were flushed with stiff red lead, and after the brush had gone 

 over, the surface looked smooth and new. The topsides were given 

 a shiny black coat late in the afternoon, whereupon it at once set in 

 to rain a deluge, the only pour we had for weeks before and after. 

 The paint had to be swabhed off and gone over afresh. While on this 

 subject let me caution against the use of asbestos paints, rubber 

 paints or chemical paints. They are unfit for boats, will not staad 

 the salt air or wear and tear of decks, but peel, crack and fade. 

 The best colors in linseed oil and whitelead, and particularly those 

 made for marine purposes, are the cheapest in the end. 



When ready to get out, several days more of heavy storms set in 

 and pinned the Coot where she was, thereoy compelling the foraging 

 expedition ashore already mentioned. We slipped out the afternoon 

 of tbe tenth day between a shift from a gale from S.E. to another 

 from N.W., and made Hampton again to load up with provisions, 

 bound into Albemarle. Two weeks longer the weather was cold and 

 unpropitious. When patience was exhausted, a close reef sent the 

 Coot flying across the Roads and up Elizabeth River to Norfolk, 

 where the boat was berthed among the oyster fleet in Paradise 



C mule in Hampton a good chance was offered for studying the 

 various kinds of working boats indigenous to Chesapeake regions. 

 Of these 1 have already spoken in previous letters, which are sup- 

 plemented with some sketches of the prominent varieties. The 

 Hampton flattie is best described as a beamy sharpie with an "in- 

 board jib." She is flat-floored, but has rise to the floors in the run, 

 just like the plan adopted by Mr. Clapbarn in his sharpie yachts. 

 The flattie is very stiff, roomy, cheap and of tbe lightest draft. She 

 need not be ugly, is a good sailer in smooth water, and said to be fair 

 in a sea. For sportsmen bound down curritucK and similar ducking 

 ground* where there is only 2 to 3ft. water, the flattie would seem to 

 fill the bill. They invariably havo their sums decorated with a dia- 

 moud in bright colors, which seems quite as mcessary to the flattie 

 as the eyes to a Chinese junk. Flat-bottomed boot building of all 

 sorts is highly developed in this part of tbe world. Even the regular 

 "square-toed" schooner, supposed to be original to San Francisco, 

 flourishes up the James, and all manner of arks and dry goods boxes, 

 with much better sailing qualities than one might suppose, are to be 

 met with, doing service as carriers between little settlements and 

 farms and tbe larger centers of trade. 



The knowing ones can discern the origin of all these queer make- 

 shifts and the buy craft. The pungie is of Baltimore clipper Jescent, 

 with a rocker keel, drag and raking post like the British racing cut- 

 ter She is never painted black or white, but a lisht buff with green 

 wales in the north and with brown waies I urther south. The buck- 

 eye, always cailei bugeye by tin watermen, has reached almost 

 yacht-like deve'opoient ou the eastern shore of Maryland. Smaller 

 vessels of the same style, with each side hewn out of solid log and 

 tbe fine ends patched out, are a specialty of the York River. They 

 are painted white with black wales and smart, saucy, handy little 

 clippers they are. Above 4Q| c. the cabin is in the run surmounted M 



