86 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Ja»..S1> !i8S9. 



CRUISING CUTTER VELMA. Owned by H. L. Parker, Lynn Y. C. 



A CRUISE IN A SINGLEHANDER, 



Tri K c utter Velma. of the Lynn Y. C. was modpled by John H. 

 Keating, of Marbiehead, and built by Allan Hay, at Lynn, in 

 the spring of 18K7. Tbe owner, after reading the cruises of the 

 Coot and Pilgrim, and a careful study of C. P. Kundardt's ex- 

 cellent book "Small Yachts," concluded that the sloop he then 

 owned a share in was not suitable for such a cruise as he wished 

 to take, so after looking for some time among the shipyards of 

 Salem, Mavblohead, South Boston and Quincy, and finding no 

 boat that suited him exactly, be concluded to build, as a boat was 

 wanted which should not cost too much at first and not be too 

 expensive to keep. 



The dimensions at last decided upon, a general plan of the boat 

 was given, with orders for good accommodations for cruising, an 

 uncapsizaole hoat. and a safe boat in any weather liable to be 

 met with, and lastly, to have fair speed. Two seasons' use has 

 proved the 1 oat to be what was desired. Her dimensions are as 

 follows: 



Length over all 20ft. 7in. 



L.W.L 17 ft. Cin. 



Beam extreme ''ft. Sin, 



L.W.L 5ft. 9in. 



Draft extreme 3ft. Tin. 



Leatt. freeboard 1ft. Sin. 



Displacement (long tons) 2.27 



Ballast, keel, iron" 63 



inside, " 53 



Ratio of ballast to displacement 48 



Area lateral plane 57.5sq. ft. 



midship section 7.86sq. ft. 



immersed surface lH.Tsq. It. 



C. B. below l.wl lOJ^in. 



from fore end l.wl 9ft. tiWin. 



< !. L. R. from fore end l.w.l 10ft. 5J4in. 



C. E. from fore end l.w.l 9ft. 4 in. 



C. E. above l.w.l lift. 



C. L. 11., below l.w.l 1ft. 7^in. 



Mast, from from foie end Lw.1 7ft. 



deck to hounds 18ft. 



Bowsprit, outboard to sheave 9ft. 6 in. 



Boom 18ft. 



Gaff 13ft. 



Area, mainsail 240sq. ft. 



topsail 70sq. ft. 



jib 68sq. ft. 



total 378sq. ft. 



The cockpit is 4ft. long and lft. deep, the deck forming seats, 

 with scuppers above water. The fore hatch is 15in. in diameter. 

 The keel, keelson, stem, sterupost :ind rudder are of 4m. oak; 

 frames oak, 2x2; floors. 1}4 sided, 2W thick in throat; plank, 

 ovpress, %in.; ceiling, Wa. pine; deck frame, 2x2 spruce. The 

 forestaysail sheet is single, working itself iu tacking. The cabin 

 house is Gfi. long by 4ft. wide, with over 4ft. head room; a length 

 of 7ft. forward of the house gave over 3ft. height and plenty of 

 room for oil stove and cooking utensils. A series of railed shelves 

 forward held all the dashes, and a long rack on port side of cabin 

 close up to the clamp gave room for charts and many other small 

 things. 



Canned goods and vegetables were kept under the transom. A 

 five-gallon keg for water was fitted under the cockpit, so as to be 

 easily taken out, or trigged with a small wedge so it never worked 

 loose. Butter and lard were kept under the cockpit, and they 

 weie. always cool. Oil in a two-gallou can supplied our wants for 

 a long time. The large locker on each side of the cockpit gave 

 plenty of dry storage for clothing and light sails. Bread was kept 

 in a tin cake box set in one of the after lockers, and it would keep 

 well for a week. 



Our ground tackle consisted of three anchors, one 25, one 20 and 

 one of 121bs. with 25 fathoms R£ih. manilla line and 25 fathoms 

 2in. line, also oue sea auchor or drag. We carried three lower 

 sails, gaff and jibtopsails and spinaker. Just before the Fourth 

 of July the ballast was shifted aft and a new mast put in, which 

 was the same length as the old one from deck to hounds, but a 

 longer pole, with 10ft. height from hounds to topsail halliard 

 sheave. This enabled us to set gaff and jiptopsails well up, as we 

 eapected considerable light weather in July. Lazy lines were fit- 

 ted to the mainsail, and tueir use saved a deal of work and trouble. 

 Under the jib and staysail the boat will go to windward against a 

 heavy breeze and chop sea, and never miss stays in tacking. 



On July 5 we left Lynn at 9:15 A. M. with a good southwest wind; 

 we rounded the weir off Bass Point at 9:50, and set gaff and jih- 

 tnpsail. After passing Nahant we steered N.E. by E. l& E., and 

 set spinaker to starboard, we were off Marblehead Rock at 11:35, 

 and Half- Way Rock at 12:10; then we passed tbe tug William 

 Sprague with a party of Lynn gentlemen on board, who were out 

 for a day's fishing. Piling our revolvers in the. air, we received 

 in return a salute from the steamer's whistle. We got to Eastern 

 Point at 1:25 P. M., then took in the spinaker, and the wind fall- 

 ing we or if ted a short time. Catching a little breeze we passed 

 between Thatcher's Island and the Londoner at 3 P. M., 24J4 knots 

 from the start. 



We heaoed N. % E. from the Londoner between the flat ground 

 and Little Salvag. s. The wind increasing we took in topsails, as 

 the pole bent strongly. Pleading for the Shoals, we passed White 

 Island light at 7 P. M., having made the 20 knots fiom Cape Ann 

 in just four hours, 



~ W hen near Portsmouth entrance we caught a sharp thunder 

 shower. Hearing the rain coming on the water and remember- 

 ing the old saw, '"when the rain's before the wind," we dropped 

 mainsail and jib, and kept on our course under staysail atone. 

 The rain fell in torrents, and the wind blew fiercely for a short 

 time, but soon passing over we set all lower sail again and worked 



VELMA— MIDSHIP SEETION'. 



up into the harbor, where we anchored at 9:30 P. M. on the Kittery 

 sMe off Fort McClary, having made "viy z nautical miles for the 

 first day's run of twelve hours. 



Wc were up next morning early, and started out of the river 

 with a rattling breeze, raiding the whitecaps, and a heavy chop 

 sea following the cutler, which carried whole mainsail and jib; the 

 wind coming down in hot gusts off the shore, we double-reefed the 

 mainsail, and keeping well off the land we soon set the staysail 

 and afterward whole mainsail again. We passed Cape Neddick 

 at 8:15. making the 10^6 miles in just two hours. We were off Cape 

 Porpoise at 11:30 and Wood Island at 1:07 P. M.; steering about 

 N.E. we got to Cape Elizabeth at 3 P. JVL; hauling up for Portland 

 Head, the wind was dead ahead and fast getting lighter; we did 

 not pass the light until 5:20 and dropped anchor at Peak's Island 

 at 6 P. M., dav's run 4hV£ miles. Here we met the Ruth, of Lynn, 

 which had left there on the night of July 4. 



Next day was Saturn ay, the wind blew strong from N.W. Late 

 in the afternoon we stood up toward Little Hog Island under two 

 reefed mainsail and both jibs, then tacked and headed west for 

 Portland Harbor. When near Fort Georges it blew so hard that 

 we dropped mainsail and ran over to the wharves under the two 

 jibs; then setting mainsail we went up the. harbor and picked up 

 a mooring off the Portland Y. C. house, kindly offered us by a 

 membd. 



The Portland Y. C. has our thanks for many favors. We were 

 off again early Sunday morning, and steering about N.E. by E., 

 wind strong from N.N.W., we carried two-reefed mainsail and 

 both jibs. We passed Fort Georges. Great Hog Island and Cow 

 Island Ledge to starboard, Three Brothers, Clapboard Island and 

 Ledges to port; not keening a gond lookout we did not see Lower 

 Basket Ledge until we were almost on it. Luffing sharp we 

 passed to windward about two boat's length off the ledge, which 

 just showed above water; that woke us up a bit, and we kept a 

 good lookout to leeward afterward . Passing Upper Basket Spindle 

 to port we kept on toward the red buoy on Chebeag Bar, and run- 

 ning close to Little John's Island we anchored and had breakfast, 

 8 l 4 miles from Portland. Shaking out whole mainsail we left at 

 9:3i), and passing the black buoy on Ohebeag Point to starboard, 

 we ran before the wind for Half- Way Rock, passed Eagle Island 

 to port, and one-half mile further on headed E.S.E. between 

 Dunker's Ledge Spindle and Mark Island Ledge Buoy. The 

 wind nearly left us for a while, then starting in aga-n we set 

 spinaker to port and ran north of Sumbo's Ledge; the White Bull 

 and Brown Cow were easily made out to port. When near Bald 

 Head Le.Jge Spindle we took in spinaker, and soon after the top- 

 sail, the wind coming strong and puffy off Small Point. We 

 went inside of Fuller's Rock, and when off the Black Nun Buoy 

 on Jack Knife Ledge, we dropped mainsail in the lazy lines, as 

 the squalls were very heavy. Under the two jibs we sailed by the 

 bell on Pond Island Bar, and as the tide was running out we 

 dropped anchor between Pond Island and Scguin, in company 

 with two big three-masted schooners, also bound up the Kennebec. 

 We were 19^ miles from Little John's by our course. We lay at 

 anchor until 5 P.M., when, the tide turning, we beat up the river, 

 passed Fort Popham with a light wind, and were near Bald head, 

 at the mouth of Back River, when it grew dark, the wind died 

 out, and we tried to get to Phippsburg Centre, but the tide set US 

 up toward Lee Island, so we dropped anchor for the night. Day s 

 run about 34 miles. ' , 



We were very near the rocks, and it was thought best to keep 

 watch until the tide turned, which would set us away from them. 

 The tide ran so strongly, and it was so dark, that we. did not feel 

 at all encouraged to get our anchor and try to make a safer berth, 

 as in the dark we might make a bad matter worse. The tide 

 turned at about 1 o'clock, and then we all went below and slept 



well until about 4 A. M., when a shout from the crew awoke the 

 skipper, who made short time in getting on deck. It was broad 

 daylight, and the rocks were nearly all around us. Jumping into 

 the tender and taking a second anchor he rowed quickly down 

 stream until the 25-fathom line was all out, and dropping the 

 anchor hurried to the yacht and took the end of the line we had 

 laid to all night. The cutter was dropped down stream to the 

 end of the cable, then the first anchor was hauled aboard the ten- 

 der, this process being repeated two or three times until we were 

 well in the stream with plenty of room all around. When haul- 

 ing the anchor the last time a loud hallo from the yacht attracted 

 attention, when it was seen she was f ast drifting down stream 

 and making toward the west bank of the river. The anchor was 

 quickly got in the hoat, and pulling toward the yacht it was 

 dropped well away from the banks, and taking the end of the line 

 in his teeth the skipper pulled his best for the boat, and as luck 

 was with us the. line was made fast around the bitts. with a few 

 fathoms to spare. The cutter swung around to the line, and 

 cleared the bank by a very short distance. On examining the 

 cable it was found to have been chafed on the rocks, and when 

 the cutter was snubbed it parted near the anchor. 



One of the crew threw over a small 121bs. anchor and neglected 

 to take, a turn over the bitts, so the line went through his hands 

 and he had to let go or be pulled over, as the momentum of the 

 boat was too much for him. It all might have been prevented, 

 had we anchored before dark, but the tide being with us we 

 wished to make up river as far as possible. 



The tide turning again about 7:3U A. M., we went up river, pass- 

 ing Pettis Rocks and Ram Inlet to port. After going through 

 Fiddler's Roach the river widened and the city of Bath was in 

 full view. 



As the wharves did not look very busy we hauled up to one and 

 made fast. Here we were shown many favors and had to answer 

 many questions as to the use of the pole we carried on port side, 

 a light spinaker boom, 20ft. in length. We bought a new SOlbs. 

 anchor and about 37 fathoms of 2J4in. line. 



We left Bath next Tuesday morning early and went down with 

 tbe tide, with a light air, carrying spmakei- part of the way. We 

 passed close to the bell buoy near Pond Island, heading south of 

 Jack Knife Led^e and Fuller, we steered for Half Way Hock, but 

 the wind fell light and then flattened out entirely. We drifted 

 awhile, and then a light breeze started in fromS.E. We passed 

 Half Way Rock, and steering for the Chunk of Pork, we passed 

 bet ween the red buoy off Green Island Keef and the black buoy 

 ou Johnson's Rock and soon came to White Head Passage. We 

 went through with a good wind and came to anchor at Peaks 

 Island at P. M.; distance run, 31 miles. 



Next day was Wednesday. We went over to Portland after 

 dinner and anchored among the yachts off the yacht club house. 

 Here one of the crew left on the Fremont for Boston, as his time 

 was up. A strong wind had been Mowing alt day, and it increased 

 at night and blew a heavy gale. Thursday the rain fell heavilv 

 at times in the night, with heavy thunder and sharp lightning. 

 One schooner yacht near us dragged with three anchors out. 

 The cutter Vayu of Boston lay near by, also the big steam yacht 

 Narod. 



We lay at anchor all day Friday* and at evening rowed down 

 around the fine steam yacht Electra. She was lighted from bow- 

 sprit end to topmast heads and end of main boom witn one 

 hundred incandescent lights, forming a huge arc of Are that 

 showed up finely in the darkness. We left Portland at 5 o'clock 

 Saturday morning, wind very light, passed Portland Head Light 

 at 6. After passing Cape Elizabeth we steered S.W., half west, 

 for Wood Island, passing close, to Old Anthony on the way. We 

 passed Wood Island, and soon the wind came out ahead and gave 

 us a long leg along the shore and a short one outside. We saw 

 two white cutters standing across Saco Bay, but they were so far 

 inshore from us we could not make out who they were. Off Cape 

 Porpoise a white cutter was seen coming with the wind, she 

 looked familiar, and we ran alongside and spoke her. It was the 

 Otter, of Marhlehead, also of the Lynn Y. C, bound east, cruising. 

 About sundown the wind died away, we were then off Bald Head 

 Ciiff, heading for Cape Neddick. After drifting around some 

 time and finding no wind at all we jumped into the tender and 

 towed the cutter into York Little Beach, where we anchored at 

 9:30 o'clock between two small fishing schooners, the moon shin- 

 ing quite brigutly. Distance run, 36j£ miles, 



Sunday morning we were up in good season and went ashore 

 to the bakery for provisions, and after breakfast weighed anchor 

 at 7 A. M. and made a couple of tacks out of the harbor and then 

 stood out art und the Knubble, and headed S.W., with spinaker 

 and topsail set, toward Portsmouth. Near York Spindle passed 

 the Eastern Y. C. on their cruise. A white schooner whs showing 

 the way and a white cutter was to windward outside York Ledge; 

 after them came a number of black schooners, some carrying big 

 maintopmast staysails and trying to catch all the wind possible, 

 which was not much. We passed Portsmouth entrance at 11:35, 

 and heading S. W. by S. on a good full with light wind we made 

 the Whistling Buoy off Newnuryport Bar, and. as wind and tide 

 were both with us, we ran into the harbor and picked up a moor- 

 ing which was kindly pointed out by yac'itsmeii aboard a small 

 sloop. Time. 4:30 P. M.; distance sailed, miles. 



Monday morning was pleasant, and a good breeze blew up the 

 river. We got under way at 8 A. M. and beatdown the river with 

 the tide. When up to the breakwater the wind seemed to fail, 

 and a heavy, short sea bobbed the cutter up and down and sent 

 her bowsprit under water to the stem at times; but she took no ' 

 water on deck. By close attention and quick work on jib and 

 main sheets the yacht was kept head to wind and the strong tide 

 soon carried us over the bar, and, payi ug off to starboard, we 

 caught the wind again and headed S.E. by S. for Halibut Point, 

 with quite a sea and a strong wind a little forward of the beam. 

 We passed Lhe schooner yanht Kestrel, evidently bound to New- 



