The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-02-18
FOUR.MASTED SCHOONERS,

Ind erwriters Adverse to Their Insur-
ap,e because of Recent Disasters.
The large number of losses on large
four-masted schooners which have occur
red recently have served to disturb the
minds of the underwriters, and some OF
the companies will not write them in the
future, while others have increased their
rate from to > per cent. In spite OF the
FREQUENT losses this class OF vessels has
proved very profitable, as they give the
CARRYING capacity OF good-sized 6arks and
ships without the expense OF mainte-
nance of square-rigged vessels, and q
steady flow of capital has lately sought
this class of investment. These vessels
are not now considered the ideal sailing
vessel, and their rugged is regarded with
suspicion. Their lower masts are so
long and comparatively so close together
that they are not held securely in place
by the standing rigging. The lower
masts of a four-masted schooner are
much longer than those OF a square
rugged vessel, while the vessel itself Is
not any wider, and as the shrouds, which
are the main stays OF the masts, run
from the heads of the lower masts TO the
vessels sides, they form such an acute
angle that much stability is sacrificed.
In the square-rigged vessel, where the
lower mast is shorter and the vessel OF
equal beam, the angle OF the shrouds is
much broader, and the mast is supported
so firmly that to carry it away at the
deck is almost an impossibility. Very
few people believe that the four-masted
schooner Mile q. Bovine, which was
recently abandoned at sea, would have
been lost had she not carried away her
masts, thereby rendering her unman-
ageable and wholly at the mercy of the
sea. 1t is now universally acknowledged
that the greatest difficulty to overcome
in the construction OF large fore-and
alters Is to support the masts that they
will stay as they are put and be able to
stand a stiff gale without going by the
board. Although the rig OF the large
schooners is considered their worst fault,
there are other features embodied in
them that are considered objectionable
by many, one of which is the center
board, with which nearly all of them are
fitted and which weakens the vessels
back, as it is necessary, in order to have
a center board, to cut hole through the
center of the keel. The center-board has
proved to be an excellent thing for small
vessels OF not more than 400 tons regis
ter, but when they are built larger it is
considered by many that it is better to
make them keel vessels.
Another feature in the four-masted
schooner, which is considered by many
as Objectionable, is their light draught in
proportion to their length and breadth
one OF the principal objects of the build
ers having been thus far to construct
large carriers with as light draught as
possible, so as to enable them to go over
the shoals in safety and to discharge
their cargoes at places where there is not
much water. One OF the objections OF
the underwriters is that they do not
carry men enough, and depend toomuch
upon the engine to make or shorten sail,
etc., and in case the engine becomes dis
abled the men are liable to be placed in
a position where they would be power
less to avert disaster on account OF lack
of numbers. The staysail rig invented
by the late Captain R. Il. Forbes is quite
favorably spoken OF, and it is hoped that
a practical demonstration of its merits
and dement's will be made soon on some
large schooner New Bedford paper.