ARMED VESSEL IN PERSIAN
GULF.

MODERN naval architecture has not penetrated far into this part of the world, and evidently the shipbuilders and ship-men cling religiously to the manners and customs which their forefathers have handed down to them with full instructions to be like the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Certainly this craft does not show any signs of having yielded to the flirtations of modern times and inventions. The Malays were great rovers, and this craft, although on the coast of the Persian Gulf, carries much Malay character with it. The double outside rudders almost remind us of the twin screws in home waters at the present day. Still, the dhow character predominates, with the two masts and high stern, more encrusted than the Mohammedan dhow, yet with a square transom ; the mast-head is Malay in form, but the gong is not at all a Malay instrument of music.

The armament of this vessel must have shaken her pretty well if frequently discharged, unless the charges used were small and the powder weak—a safeguard often thoughtfully arranged by the purveyor.

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Many years ago a fine trade was carried on from London and Birmingham in supplying Bonny" muskets to the West Coast of Africa; they were curiosities in those days, say sixty years ago. The stocks of beech-wood with the comb of the butt uncut, were painted the brightest scarlet; the

flint pattern.

ARMED VESSEL IN PERSIAN GULF

137

barrels very long, with the scarlet-painted wood running up to the end of the long barrels, producing a very telling effect; the locks were of an old Tradition says the price of these "articles de vertu" was seven shillings and sixpence. One of the merchants in Birmingham at that time was a Quaker, who on being remonstrated with for engaging in such business replied, "Friend, thee doth not know that I supply the powder."

BOMBAY YACHTS.

THE Royal Bombay Yacht Club is an admirable organisation, favoured by a combination of circumstances which makes it quite unique in its social standing. Of course the first object was yachting, which was well taken up by the officers of both services and leading Europeans, producing a very good little fleet, composed of eleven lateen rigged yachts, three steam yachts, four schooners, four cutters, two yawls; the largest craft being the "Zingara" schooner of 268 tons.

The great race of the year is that of the lateen class, which under racing canvas look very large and above their real tonnage, requiring big crews. The starts are very exciting, and the manoeuvring causes a mixed feeling of anxiety and merriment-anxiety on board the competing craft, the merriment principally amongst the spectators, who crowd down to the Apollo Bunder or Wellington landing stage, over which stands the very fine building of the Club House of the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, whose hospitality and welcome is well known and well remembered by all who have had the pleasure of receiving it.

The course at Bombay is not a long one, not more than twelve miles, so that the racers can be watched all through from the balcony of the Club, whence they start and whither they return. After leaving Quarantine buoy on the port hand, they pass South Carenjo black buoy with globe on starboard hand, rounding the mark boat off Gull Island, mark boat code flag W. on starboard hand, the Sunrock light and Dolphin lights to port, and