Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][merged small][merged small][subsumed]
[blocks in formation]

occasions in daily life where "dryness" in the throat is complained of by the operator; in this case there was the terrible combination of an atmosphere of coal-dust, combined with the violent exercise of a rapid treadmill, which rather tempted the Whippers into the clutches of the publicans. In 1856, however, the coalowners themselves established a "whipping office for the men-it does not sound kind or complimentary until duly understood and soon afterwards "coal whipping" died a natural death when the railways monopolised the carriage of coals to London. A dying effort was made at Newcastle in 1844, when the old collier brig “Atalanta was cut in half and steam engines were put into her. The doom of the collier brigs was sealed; half measures were of no use to compete with steam, and in 1852 the "John Bower was the first steam collier built of iron. This vessel went on running regularly until 1898, when she was broken up.

وو

[ocr errors]

THE YORKSHIRE COBLE.

THE coble is the light boat, typical of the east coast of England from Yarmouth right up north. The build of these boats is very peculiar, combining the two qualities of being well adapted for beaching and yet possessing great power in working to windward. When seen broadside at sea, her sail mast has a severe rake to an angle of about 70°, her gunwale springing towards the stern with a strong rise at the bow before coming to stem. The boats are generally painted with broad bands of colour, light blue, white, and green; the tall mast carrying a narrow lug, with an occasional jib on a temporary bowsprit. The most curious feature is the broad square stern, falling in above and terminating in a flat floor with two keels, locally known as 66 skirvels," which run up about one third of the length from the stern, making them easy to beach. Forward the entrance is very fine, so to beach her she is put on stern first.

Examining forward, the keel is not one consecutive straight as it comes to the forefoot. Instead of being cut away like modern racing yachts, the keel deepens, giving a great grip for windward, because the rudder goes four feet below the keel, without which the extra depth of forefoot would be a detriment. What anomalies there appear to be in the construction of boats, what play is given to fancy in some of the abortions produced! Here are the dimensions of the classes in general use. The two larger classes, capable of carrying three tons and nine tons, are proportioned :

[blocks in formation]

These same lines are applied in the small boats carried by the North Sea fishing smacks for cod, ling, and haddock. Each fishing boat, with a crew of five men, carries two small 23-ft. footers, which are clinker built; the others are carvel.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small][ocr errors]
« AnteriorContinua »