Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ... THE TRIAL CRUISE OF THE "PERSEUS" (6-ton Lugger), 1890. Scarcely three months had elapsed after the sale of the "Orion" in 1889, when the novelty of being without a craft of any sort for the first time for thirty-nine years, instead of being deemed a relief as at first, came to be felt as a deprivation, and led to my planning a small carvel-built boat, for single-handed work, rigged and internally fitted like the "Procyon"--but without centre-board, such as a few years before I had advocated in the Field. Considering the 6-ton "Procyon" too big, I set out with the idea of producing a boat of 5-tons, Thames measurement, that would register about 3; but, as the use I contemplated making of her assumed a more definite shape, my requirements in respect of draught and freeboard and stowage necessitated an addition to the depth, which without altering the nominal tonnage, resulted in her registering 4-75--with 2ft. more mast, 100 sq. ft. more canvas, and over a ton more ballast than I had considered it needful to give to the "Procyon." The plans were submitted to the builder in this form, and no alteration was made after the building commeuced; so that, viewed as a single-hander, the fault, which I admit can be found with her rather inconvenient size and weight, rests entirely with myself. The fact is, within the limits of a 54-ton boat I had to choose between handiuess, combined with cramped quarters, and dependence on the shore on the one hand, and thorough seaworthiness combined with appreciable comfort and independence on the other; weighs 2cwt., and is self-supporting, is 64in., and its height from partners to head-iron 23ft. The mizenmast, from deck to truck, is 12ft.; and the bowsprit, a very substantial little spar, is 8ft. outside. In...
