Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-23
THE MERLIN.
What the New Burgess Yacht = Like,
Inside and Out.

A Boston special to the New York Sum says:
The trim-looking schooner yacht Merlin. which
gave the Sea Fox such q hard race in the re-
cent regatta Of the Eastern yacht club. gives
promise Of speed that will put all the big
boats on their mettle before the season is over.
MIR. Burgess in drawing her lines engrafted
from all the other boats which have made his
name famous all their speedy qualities, and, so
far science and skill could make her such,
the Merlin is a winner Mr.. VIM. II. Forbes
her owner, is justly proud of her, even though
her first race saw her in second place instead Of
at the head of the feet. Her untried sails were
strained out of shape, and before the race was
finished they were in anything but O fit condi-
ton for a frst-class racer. Even with that
handicap she pushed the New York boat to one
of the prettiest races Of the season.
The Merlin is a center-board schooner yacht
with deck measurement Of ITO feet and water
line length OF 80 feet. Her sailing measure
ment, according to the new rules, is SO. AZ feet.
Her hull Is painted white and stands well out
Of water. She draws 9 feet 8 inches without
the board and gets an additional depth Of
about 10 feet when the board is dropped. Her
bow and stern are not unlike those Of the Sa-
chem, sharp and clearly defined, just such q
bow and stern as would be expected on ar a.
cling boat. But the Merlin is a boat of greater
comfort in cruising with speed in racing. This
was Mr.. Forbes's design when he consulted
with Mr.. Burgess, and the result Of the seasons
racing and cruising will show if the combina-
ton has been q success.
The Merlin's spars are of medium weight, and
her spread Of canvas is graded accordingly.
The yacht is rugged solely with view Of cruls-
ing, the one feature which smacks of racing
being an enormous extension spinnakl pole,
which holds the spinnaker IS feet over the side
of the boat. The pole Was designed by Capt.
Crandall, the skipper of the yacht, and it is not
surprising that he wants to give his patent a
practical test under his own supervision. So
far as the rigging goes II is the same as that on
any schooner OF her size. The graceful manner
in which she rode the waves in the northeast
gale, which was blowing at the time of the first
race, showed that she is a frst-class heavy
weather boat. She stood up to her work better
than any Of the other boats and pointed well
in spite of the heavy sea- In fact, she proved
that her name had been well chosen, and the
handsomely carved fgurehead of the Merlin
skinned over the water as though she was in
reality a specimen of the fnny tribe. After Mr..
Forbes had decided upon the name Merlin he
was asked if the boat was named after the fish
or the fortune teller, both bearing the same
name. MIR. Forbes laughingly said he would
leave the decision to the boat herself, and the
trial trip showed that the fsurehead OF the
fish was not out of place.
The Merlin has handsomer deck than any
of the schooners A small cockpit feet long,
and shaped like horseshoe, furnishes accom-
mediation for a number of guests. The COM
panionway is fitted up with circular stairway
which leads to the main cabin. Below the
deck are seen the evidences of the owners
quiet but luxurious taste. The appointments
are rich and suggestive Of the ease and COM
forts Of home rather than the cramped, op-
pressive, and unattractive features Of life be-
low deck. All the rooms are finished in mahog-
any and white, which offsets to advantage the
rich draperies and upholsterings.
Aft OF the cOmpanionway is the ladies' saloon
"a charming apartment handsomely finished
in red and pink. The thick Wilton carpets
give back no sound of footsteps. and hcavy
tapestry portieres shut of the passage to the
main cabin. The cushions are upholstered in
red and pink velvet, and costly cretonne cur
tains hide from view the berths on either side.
The skylight shades and portfolio draperies
are OF silk. A large plate-glass mirror fills one
side of the cozy room and gives the impression
OF a room double the actual size. The toilet
room is fitted with marble baths.
The main cabin is at the foot of the compan-
ionway. The floor space Of this cabin measures
1875 xle13 feet. On each side is a berth, locker
and sideboard. rich shade Of blue Is the
general color Of the uphostering. On all sides
are lounges covered with blue velvet and sup
piled with cushions Of down covered with the
same material. At the forward end OF the
cabin is an open fireplace and bookcase. The
berth curtains and portieres are the same as in
the ladies' saloon.
Passing forward through the cabin one comes
to a passageway, which divides the owners
state room from the principal guest state rooms
and leads to the captains room and galley. Mr..
Forbes state rooms are on the starboard side.
They comprise a sitting room and bed room
small, OF course, but supplied with all The COM
forts OF life. There is accommodation for eight
persons, including the owner.