The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-31
CAPTAIN CRApo's EMBARKATION.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SMALLEST CRAFT EyE5
STARTED on THE TRANSATLANTIC TRIP.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SMALLEST CRAFT EvE5
STARTED on THE TRANSATLANTIC TRIP.
Nxw BEDFORD, Mass. May 90, 1877.
Captain Thomas Grape, OF this port Is now on h.a
way Europe he having sailed yesterday in bis boat
the smallest which has ever attempted 10 cross the
Atlantic such hardy expedition, Mrs. Crapo.
his pIucky wife, accompanied him. A large crowd
were =, the wharf the pair start OF
their long and perilous journey ana the ain
was rent with cheers the tiny craft gided
GU. OF the harbor. 1t a sight seldom seen in this
section OF the country, and old tars looked With
amazemen nj a, the determination OF Captain Grape 10
attempt such hazardous undertaking The prevoui
day religious services held the boat al
tended By large number OF the friends Of Mr.. ane
Mrs. Grape. Fcrvent prayers were offered that HI
who holds the winds in the hollow OF bis hands would
guide the boat that Captain Grape and his wife would
be permitted TO return to their family in safety.
CRAFT.
The dimensions the boat furnished by the Custom
House officials is as follows Length on deck, 1855
icet; all 20 feet; breadth, a. breadth over RIB
bons, ga feet; greatest depth, $40 feet; average
depth within the length Of the keel ieet greatest
inside BREADTH feet; tonnage admeasurement l.62,
butthe old government measurement would make her
tonnage nearly three tons Her two sharp ends, how
ever having keel only Is feet long. with sheer OF
IL inches reduces her cubcal capacity AS official pa
pers the usual form could not be furnished TO her
the Collector OF tho Port gave Captain Grape
informal document certifying 10 her Dimensions.
her crew," &c The boats foremost Is IL feet above
the deck aud mainmast II feet Tho only sails bent
were two .qcgoi mutton sails, " having no gas, but
narrowing 10 point ut the top When hoistcd the
foresal measures 15 feet and the mainsail IL feet,
while at the foot they measure feet. Captain Cross
has provided himself with extra sails to be used in
ccta, nd
s.aysal which he proposes bring into when the
wind IS light. He also carries charts, compass and
quadrant. and he Will keep his longitude oy dead
reckoning, verifying 1t by speaking any vessels he
meets.
TUE PROPOSED COURSE
Ho proposes take the route used by ocean steam
cars taking u direct course from Chatham Light until
clear Of Newfoundland and then hauling northerly tor
latitude as deg, and longitude 30 deg, from which
point no VIII make course as direct as wina ana
Weather will permit for the chops Of the English Chan.
mel expects to be reported at falmouth IN about
forty days Thence he proposes to proceed TO London
and before tho end OF the season to Havro.
DIFFICULTIES.
Mariners generally give the opinion that the boat 10
able and will in all probability make the voyage
good anship and be the alert tor The
mcrous changes of wind and weather which he will en-
counter One the awbacks and which Ia q serious
one, is that there Is no means Of lighting the cabin
from without except through the hachways and con-
scqucntly there means Of ventilation save by
the hatches there being windows Tho intrepid
captain however s Of the opinion that in very rough
little while the boat is laid 10, with her head Kept TO
the wind by drag and that he sit IN the hatch
way aft and steer his craft
The draws thirteen inches Of water and should
the break her, there being bulwarks 70
tain It, II will run of quickly as IL came Captain
Grape will have o canvas boot to fasten around ha
body when necessary. After taking lcave OF the nu.
crafts which accompanied the boat out OF the
harbor Mrs. Grape, who Is the mate and well,
donned masculine suit In place Of the usual female
attire the former being better adapted 10 her work.
II any change OF ballast Is ionud necessary Captain
Grape Will call Woods Hole at Vineyard Haven
Chatham. Al first $50 gallons Of water thought
sufficient ballast, but after the boat launched Il
was deemed advisable by Captain Grape and other
nautical to substitute 500 pounds OF iron in place
OF one OF the water kegs The boat Is painted white,
with green bottom. II was intended TO have had
trial Trip the principal object Of which being TO PROP
ery adjust the ballast. but Captain Grape found IL I'M
possible to do so.
PRAYERS PoR sAFETY.
No little apprehension felt Tor the safety OF the
boat notwithstanding the confidence expressed IN her
captain and her arrival III Europe Will be awaited
with almost painful interest not only by bis numerous
friends this city, but by many who have heard OF his
rashness other parts OF Tho country. The members
or the various churches will make tho matter he
subject OF special prayer, the CREW. tee that
their safety is invoked by all the good men and women
OF this seaport That those prayers may be answered
is the eryent wish OF everybody In the place.