THE MERCHANT VESSEL - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 Excerpt: ...points of difference between English and American ships and sailors. British ships partake largely of that solidity which is a peculiar characteristic of John Bull. A spirit of utilitarianism pervades all. Strength and durability are qualities much more looked after than beauty. And while everything is neat and seaman-like, there is none of that light, airy grace which is noticeable in the Yankee. The American sports an extravagant length of spars, and seeks to give his vessel a rakish look, even if she is the dullest of cotton boxes. The Briton--so John Bull delights to be called when away from his native isle--the Briton saws off every superfluous inch of timber, scarcely leaving enough to keep his rigging safely on the masthead. The American paints his masts and often his yards white, aiming to give to heavy spars a light and graceful appearance. The Briton scrapes his mastheads and blacks his yards, imparting to both an appearance of massive strength and solidity. The American decorates the hull of his ship with a shining coat of paint, making her old and worn planks look as though just from the builder's hands. The Briton coal-tars his vessel's bends, that the water may not penetrate to and injure the wood. The American uses Manilla running rigging and patent sheaves, because they run better and save labor. The Briton persists in stiff hemp ropes, and old-fashioned blocks with sheaves that make a revolution perhaps once a voyage, because both last longer. So the parallel might be carried out ad infinitum, but t would scarce interest any one except a sailor. In point of speed tiiere may be but little difference between American and English vessels; so far as durability is concerned, the Briton has undoubtedly the advantage--if advantage it may be called...