The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-02

Tho Origin and History of centrebon.as

Tho Origin and History Of Cenfrcboa-e;s.
BOSTON, Oct 81, 1870.
The original centreboard, then called sliding
keel, was invented in 17Ta. by Captain John Schank
OF the British Navy.
1t was the result Of conversation between that
gentleman and Earl Percy aftcrward Duke OF North
cumberland, who was much interested IN naval
architecture. His lordship observed that if cutters
were built much letter, 50 as to go on the surface
and not draw much wafer, they would sail faster,
and might still be enabled to carry as much sail and
keep mp to the Wind, by having their keels descend
to greater depth; and that the fat side Of the keel
when presented to the water, would oven make
them able to sprect more canvas and hold the wind
better than In construction whereby they present
only the circular surface OF the body TO the watern
Captain Scliank. coincidin2 In this opinion, sug
gested that IL the deep keel was made movable, so
as to be screwed upward Into q trunk or well within
the vessel, 80 that on necessity they might draw
little water all those advantages might be obtained.
After mature consideration Captain schank was
fully convinced OF the feasibility OF the idea and In
1174 he solicited Lord Percy then In Boston, to per-
mit him to build boat for his ordship on that con.
struction He did SO, and 1t proved decided sue
cess.
In 1889, after his return to England, he built
boat ut Deptford with three sliding kcels. In the
lOuOWlNY year tuo IrIul CutC6r was DullC dt Hly-
mouth on the same principle and aftcrward several
others, three OF which-the Trial, before mensloned
the Cynthia, sloop-of-war, and the Lady Nelson
were at the beginning OF the century still IN the
service OF the British government.
The Lady Nelson was only sixty tons. the smallest
made o voyage Of discovery to New South Wales,
and was reported by her commander, LeutenanI
James Grant, to be an excellent sea boat.
Owing to her small size and peculiar build she was
no. deemed desirable vessel TO ship III end was
ognihed with the name OF lils Maiestys finder Box.
Wlile on his voyage he spoke spanish prize N dis
tress and the master was conveyed on board the
Lady Nelson in one OF her beats On his way he
noticed the after keel when the vessel pitched and
lie was greatly surprised when her construction
was explained and was 80 incfedulous as to her
being bound on so long voyage thai on his return
to his own vessel he conldensally asked the officer
in charge OF the boat II his captain Was not little
mad.
Tie Lady Nelson encountered severe weather and
fell il With several larger vessels which had suffered
considerably, losing spars, sails and boats, while
she lost nothing but part OF one OF her sliding kees
On arriving at Table Bay TINS was found to be l
consequence Of defective construction. the Keel
beng weakened by the bolts having been driven
joining the pieces with rag bolts-bolts passing
only half way through each plank and none OF them
In line with the Other This method was suG ested
by the builders assistant at the dockyard and Is the
same as pTactlsed To-day.
The advantages claimed by Captain Schahi
were:-'First, that vessels thus constructed W IL sal
faster steer easier and tacI and wear quicker ana II
less room; second, they will carry more and draw
less, water; third they WIZ ride more easy az ~
anchor; fourth, they viii take tho ground better
nth, 10 case O. shipwreck, OF sprlnging eaa or
rs ney are NOR more se aHa hsao 70 ~
war, bombs, hreshDs floating batteries and nat-pot
toned boats for landing troops"
Captain Schank also sugges ed that vessels should
be built with compartments so as to conlne leak
fire to that space, and so allow the one 10 be NOR
| readily extingGished and the her kept under TIT
| wells might also be made useful by having then
| fitted with cocks to Good the magazine and wasl
decks and so save tho labor OF pumping or to fill tn
casks or tanks as the fresh water i exhausted ant
when lying In fresh water river the supply Nigh
| be renewed in the same way.
| The first centreboard boat had sliding kee
nearly her entire length. The other vessel tn
Trial, had large Keel amidslis, and smaller on
each forward and aft They all dropped SIX feet
| wide.
At an investigation as to the seaworthiness, specs
! and comfort OF tho Trial, her officers Unanimously
| pronounced her ~ satisfactory, but thought TIL
device capable OF Improvement.
| The centrebOard OF the present day is a far NOR
elective ana Convenient affair. 1t Is sometime
| called a revolving keel. as the forward end il
pivoied III an IRON PIN and only the after end tails
| Occasionally an iron plate Is used but 1t is not ~
| proved by the scientific builders. Two or thre
years ago an iron folding board, II we may so cal
It, was inserted. II was 50 arranged rs 20 shut "
Ia under The vessels oor; but iE has not so Ia
had much success. Its great weight mado 1t dill
cult TO moist. 1t is expensive, and suspended
| weight Is usually condemned by yachtmen.
Tie ccntreboard has never met with much success
anywhere but in the United States, and It ID here
Only LnuL JOTlll VI puSiOA VI
| and other conditions were well understood Its use
is mostly confined TO yachts ana golfers. The
daught. The latter being usually Fat, require 1t tc
enable them to go 10 windward. In Holland the lee
board is much In vogue, az the waters OF me Guy
der Zee and the deltas Of the adjacent rivers ART
very shoal. The vessels used quito dat ana iul
bowed, but with the lee board they do very well
The les board is also IN use In England, on cana
boats and similar craft; but 1t Is an unstghtly ar
rangoment and would not be tolerated In anything
but trading vessel.
There can be little question that centreboard yachts
are the fastest most weashery and handest vessels
In existence.