Pec. 31, 1904.] 
History of Yachting, \ 600 to \ 815.* 
This is easily one of the important books of the year; 
by which we mean that it will in all probability survive 
and become widely known as a standard work upon the 
subject to which it relates, partly on account of the ad- 
mirable manner in which the publishers have produced 
the volume, and chiefly by reason of the conscientious 
research and literary ability of the author, who. appears 
to possess in a marked degree the qualities of a historian 
■ — conciseness, impartiality, and freedom from egotism. 
The book deals with an era of yachting history of which, 
hitherto, very little has been__k.go-wn or written, and it 
will doubtless surprise most people to learn that yachts 
were introduced and built in America by the Dutch some 
fifty years before they were known in Great Britain; 
also that the first British yacht to cross the Atlantic was 
the Industry, owned by the eminent Quaker, George Fox, 
who made this cruise during the reign of King Charles 
II. There are many other new and equally interesting 
facts related ; beginning with the origin of yachts in Hol- 
land and following their history for more than two hun- 
dred years, until the yacht club, now the Royal Yacht 
Squadron, was founded in 1815. 
There is very little left to the imagination in this book ; 
dates, dimensions of yachts, their builders' and owners' 
names are all clearly recorded, also interesting particulars 
of celebrated vessels of war and commerce. Captain 
Clark has made clear several matters about which there 
has been much doubt and question; among others, the 
definition of the word "yacht" at various periods since 
the term came into use, also the exact period when 
science was first applied to shipbuilding; likewise the 
origin and development of various rigs — all handled by 
the firm hand of an expert. 
The author remarks in the opening chapter: "I wish 
to trace as clearly and completely as possible the early 
history of yachting, illustrated by the portraits of famous 
yachts executed by artists no less famous when these 
THE SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS. 
Built 1637. From "The History of Yachting (1600-1815)." 
vessels were in the zenith of their renown. At various 
periods I shall notice briefly some of the celebrated ves- 
sels of war and commerce, in order to trace more clearly 
the evolution of the yacht, for she has developed side by 
side with her more industrious sisters, and at times, espe- 
cially during the early days of her existence, has shared 
in the laborious undertakings of both." 
This may be taken as the scope of this interesting 
work, and one is impressed throughout, in reading it, 
by the enormous amount of labor and research which has 
been bestowed upon the subject. There are many fine 
passages in which the author displays his excellent com- 
mand of language, and nowhere in the book do we find 
any indication that he permits language to take posses- 
sion of him; there is also a very refreshing absence of 
the personal pronoun— worthy of imitation. The book is 
superbly illustrated throughout in photogravure repro- 
ductions of rare and valuable engravings and original por- 
traits of yachts ; also of men-of-war and merchant ships ; 
most, in fact we may say very nearly all, of which have 
never before been published. We have much pleasure in 
reproducing a number of the illustrations, by permission 
of the author. . 
As most yachtsmen are aware, Captain Clark followed 
the sea for many years, beginning on board the China and 
California clippers, and retiring while in command of an 
Atlantic Mail Steamship. This is a rather remarkable 
instance of a sailor whose love for the sea has converted 
him into a yachtsman. The introduction is appropriately 
dated on board of his yacht, the famous Minerva. The 
book is published under the auspices of the New York 
Y C, and reflects much credit, not only upon the author, 
but upon all who have been concerned in its production. 
Our only regret, in which we think most yachtsmen will 
share, is that the author has not extended this history to 
a later date, and we hope that he may be induced, to pub- 
lish a second volume. • 
It remains only to say that the volume is. an example 
of beautiful book making, and for this the credit is dye to 
the loving care bestowed upon the work by Mr. 
James D. Sparkman, of Messrs. G. P. Putnam's 
Sons. From the time the manuscript reached 
*The History of Yachting, 1600 to 1815. By Captain Arthur H. 
Clark. Published by Q. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and. 
London. - ; " — 
his hands until it was delivered in completed form, Mr. 
Sparkman took every care that the book should be a per- 
W 
THE CUMBERLAND, 1780. 
From "The History of Yachting .(1600-1815)," 
feet piece of" the printing art of the day. As a member 
of the New York Yacht Club, and one who has long 
been prominently identified with yachting affairs, he took 
New York, Dec. 22. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
Captain Clark, in the preface to his book, remarks on 
the singularity of the fact, that with so much that 
has been written on yachting, nothing previous to his 
effort has appeared which made any attempt to give its 
history. A very moderate acquaintance with the matter 
and a little reflection are sufficient to dissipate any 
apparent strangeness in this lack, and to embrace the 
value of Captain Clark's undertaking. In this age of 
systematic design, of professional and amateur design- 
ers, of technical literature, popular magazines, organ- 
ized yacht clubs, blue prints and snap-shot cameras, 
everything worth preserving is recorded and perpetu- 
ated in print; but when none of these existed, or ex- 
isted only in very small degree, and when the painter 
or other artist was the means relied upon for delinea- 
tion and illustration, it is not at all remarkable that 
little has been commemorated. 
That under these conditions Captain Clark has furn- 
ished his book with forty-nine pages of illustration and 
so much of fact, detail, incident and measurements is 
abundant evidence that the work has not been done 
in a hurry. On the contrary, it is clear that the work 
is the result of enthusiasm working with concentrated 
effort through many years, and seeking its material 
from many and widely scattered sources. While Cap- 
tain Clark knows full well and acknowledges that boats 
of various kinds usually, in part at least, propelled by 
oars have been used in different parts of the world, 
from very early periods for State, official, or for pur- 
poses of purely personal convenience and pleasure, 
he apparently, with good warrant, claims a Dutch 
origin for the favor given to yachting in England, and 
for the introduction of the chief features of the sloop 
and cutter rigs there and in this country. 
Readers will find in this book the known facts 
in regard to some questions in yachting history, 
often recurring, but not so far as I know ever be- 
THE YACHT FANCY. 
Owned by Colonel Lewis Morris, New York, 1717. 'J 
From "The History of Yachting (1600-1815.)" 1 
peculiar interest in Captain Clark's work; and the club 
is to be congratulated upon this circumstance, which has 
produced such a happy result. 
A BOEYER OR DUTCH SAILBOAT, 
From "The History of Yachting (1600-1815.)" 
fore discussed in the same volume. _ Of this_ class 
are the origin of the centerboard, the introduction of 
common use of leeboards on vessels sailing the Hudson 
River in the early part of last century. Accounts are 
given of the early contests between yachts antedating 
the institution of yacht clubs, and of the earliest forma- 
tion of these, and the subsequent early races. 
The book contains much that has no very close re- 
lation to yachting, but rather to those interested in 
it, to marine development, and in a sketchy way to 
spicy scraps, of history, but these chiefly serve to lend 
REVIEW OF YACHTS IN HONOR OF QUEEN MARY OF FRANCE, 1638. 
Prom "The History of Yachting (1600-18*5.)" 
mm 
