Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-07-23
THE YACHT "BUELINGTON."
Her First Cruise on the Waters of Lake
Champlain.

Champlain.
The following breezy extract the FREE
PRESS has been permitted to take from
the log of the yacht Burlington" on her
first cruise down the lake, under charge
of that enthusiastic yachtsman, Mr.. w.
II. II. Murray. 1t is unnecessary to in.
form our readers that the extracts are
from Mr.. Murray's graceful pen.
FRIDAY, July IS.
A drizly morning, cloudy with some
rain. Left moorinRs at $3.50 a. m. and
drfted out. OFF Bluff Point II light breeze
sprang up from the south, southwest
which gradually freshened. At $40
a. m. passed Appletree Point, breeze
growing better. Off Valcour it had
become a good sailing breeze
and the yacht was moving well
through the water. Ran up toward Platts-
burgh expecting to run in for dinner,
but as the wind still freshened concluded
to keep on. Accordingly let her head Off
and winged the sails out. The wind was
now fresh, and the yacht sailing dead be
fore it, wing and wing, ran very fast
Rounded up into the cut with wind over
the beam blowing strong and puffy
water white and streaky as a yachtsman
could wish How she flew Masts bend
ing like y-rods and water under the lee
uuater kissing. CouLtrymen fishing in Il
boat anchored midway between the two
huoy's off Knights Landing. Siguaed
them to give us free course as was our
right They did it, lively enough at last,
as they realized the speed with which we
were coming. Our booms swept within
thirty feet of their heads as the yacht
dashed with her gunWale well down, he
tween the buOys They'll know the diff
ference between a yacht and canal boat
4. snfsg Il Ia. T..., g
"Samsons' Lake View House at
l:l5 p IN.
Left moorings eff Samson's with light
wind almost none. Two ladies' on board,
one an invalid, cloudy with thunder all
around the horizon, sun searching hot
when unclouded. \ mile north of knights
Ferry the storm burst over us. Ran in to
ancorage in Il heavy squall without reef
ing but with two men at the sheets. The
wind was very heavy, and between the
crash of thunder the plunging of rain, the
flashes of lightning and the roar of the
wind, as the yacht with swelling sails and
masts and booms we'll bent swept on, we
had as pretty a dash for cover Us any
yachtsman could ask for.
July 49,
A nasty day Thunder all around the
sky. Dead Gains and sudden gusts with
splaSnes of rain that levelled the lake rs
ii 1t rained oil We had three squalls in
succession Reeled once, when how it
blew The lake all black and white and
overhead black clouds with white scuds
flying across them. What a day for yacht
ing, But the yacht worked well under
all conditions Nothing was lost over
board, and nothing parted or gave way
under use and strain, and 50 we tloated
into mOOrngs al p. m, well content as
we should be. TO this brief log we would
add the following notes:
On this cruise the circumstances were
most trying for pleasure yachting. There
was much tain and high, sudden winds
But no discomfort was experienced by
those ON board and in none of the squalls
were the passengers or furnishings wet
with water either from above or below
ana no one was nervous lest they should
be cup SET
In no squall was the gunwale of the
Yacht ever within four inches of the water
and the opinion seems to be justified by
the facts of the case that when ball asted
properly her present canvas cannot upset
her Not knowing who may sail her in
the future Mr. Murray begs leave to sug-
gest to her future commander the follow
ing:
/. Ballast her down an inch or two be
low the painted water line and trim her
by it. Ballast needed, say 1000 pounds
.. In squalls, single reef If you have
confidence at the helm and two men at
the sheets and keep your eye not on the
gunwale but on the masts and sails. In
brief the canvas or masts or both will be
blown.out of her before she, thus ballasted,
will he blown over.
3. In sailing unknown waters work her
with half centre board unless you have
a good lookout, and in sailing up for an
chorage and in reefy water have no board
down at all. You will find her work well
and make very little leewav with her
board wholly up.
4. A single reef in each sail will enable
you to lay your course with Il beam wind
when blowing ii gale. Thus reefed She
can sail the length OF this lake with Il
pleasure party on board when not a boat
on these waters, big or little, except the
Vermont" would dare venture out. Mr.
Murray gives it as his deliberate opinion
that nothing but gross mismanagement
on the part of the sailing master can ever
cause the yacht to founder or prevent her
bringing her company safely into port.
;, Mr., Murray had taken the liberty in
compliment to the city where she was
built and Is to be owned to name her the
"Burlngton." He has done this without
consulting the wishes of her owners, and
hence subject to their approval.