The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-06-28
CRAPO,S BARK.
Description Of the Smallest Craft Ever
Started on the Transatlantic Trip

Started on the Transatlantic Trip.
New Bedford (Mass.9 Cor. New York Herald.1
| Capt. Thomas Grape. of New BED.
ford, IS now on his way to Europe, he
having sailed in the smallest boat which
ever attempted to cross the Atlantic on
SUCH afoolhardy expedition. Mrs. Grape,
his plucky wife, accompanied him. A
large crowd We're at the wharf to see the
par start On their long and perilous jour-
ney, and the air was rent with cheers as
the tiny craft glided out of the harbor.
1t was sight seldom seen in this section
OF the country, and old tars looked on
with amazement at the determination OF
Capt. Grape to attempt such hazardous
undertaking. The previous day religious
services were held near the boat, attended
by Large number of the friends of Mr..
and Mrs. Grape. Fervent prayers were
offered that He who holds the winds in the
hollow OF His hands would SO guide the
boat that Capt. Grape and his wife would
be permitted to return to their family in
safety.
The dimensions of the boat as fur
nished by the Custom House officials is
as follows Length on deck, 10. So feet;
over all, 20 feet: breadth, ga; breadth
over ribbons, 6.4 feet; greatest depth,
3.16 feet; average depth within the
length of the keel, 2.6 feet: greatest
inside breadth, feet; tonnage admeas-
urement, 1852, but the old Government
measurement would make her tonnage
nearly three tons. Capt. Grape has pro-
vlded himself with extra sails to be used
In case OF emergency, and he has also a
squaresail and staysail which he proposes
to bring into use when the wind is light.
He also carries charts, compass and a
quadrant, and he will keep his longitude
by dead reckoning, verifying it by speak
ing any vessels he meets.
Capt. Grape proposes to take the route
used by ocean steamers, taking direct
course from Chatham light until clear of
Newfoundland and then hauling north
erly for latitude As deg, and longitude
30 deg, from which point he will make a
course as direct as wind and weather will
permit for the chops of the English chan
mel, and expects to be reported at Fal-
mouth in about forty days. Thence he
proposes to proceed to London, and be-
fore the end of the season to Havre.
Mariners generally give the opinion
that the boat is an able one and will in
all probability make the voyage in safety,
but they state that her owner must show
good seamanship and be ever on the alert
for the numerous changes of wind and
weather which he will encounter. One
Of the drawbacks. which is a serious
one, is that there is no means of lighting
the cabin from without except through
the hatchways, and consequently there
are no means Of ventilation save by the
matches, there being no windows. The
intrepid Captain is Of the opinion that
in very rough weather the after part of
the fore hatch can be raised little while
the boat is laid to, with her head kept to
the wind by drag, and that he can sit
IN the hatchWay aft and steer his craft.
The boat draws thirteen inches of
water, and should the sea break over her,
there being no bulwarks to retain it, it
will run off as quickly as it came. Capt.
Grape will have canvas boot to fasten
around his body when necessary. After
taking leave of the numerous crafts which
accompanied the boat out of the harbor,
Mrs. Grape, who is the mate and crew as
we'll, donned a masculine suit in place OF
the usual female attire, the former being
better adapted to her work.
No little apprehension is felt for the
safety Of the boat, Notwithstanding the
confidence expressed in her Captain, and
her arrival in Europe will be awaited
with almost painful interest, not only by
his numerous friends in this city, but by
many who have heard of his rashness in
other parts of the country.