The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-28

His first production was what was
called the ram bowed and quaint looking
little Peg Wellington. She was designed
about twenty years ago and is still in
existence. The Peg Wellington was often
laughed at in a good natured sort OF a
way on account OF her peculiar and un-
orthodox looks. Now that her designer
has made a name for himself people no
longer laugh at her peculiar looks. They
say that her designer was original and
that he intended to strike out forms for
himself.
Watson achieved his first success by
means of five tonner called the Clotil-
de, which beat a very famous Fairlie boat
named Pearl in a series OF matches at
Largs. Following the Clotilde, he de-
signed the Vril, Madge, Verve, and some
others. In 1880 Watson received an or
der from John Clark of Curling Hall,
Largs, for the Vanduara, which won both
name and fame for her young designer.
The successful career of the yacht had the
effect OF drawing more and more atten-
tion to the rapidly rising young designer.
The more noted Of the Vanduara's sue
cessors have been the Marjorie, May,
Wendur, Valkyrie, Tarana, Deerhound,
Uleria, Doris, Dora, Ornsay, and the last
competitor for the America cup, the
Thistle. Watson has also designed some
noted steam yachts, chief among them
being the Foras, the largest yet built on
the Clyde for a private individual; the
Hermione, which was said to be the fast
est yacht in Great Britain, and the Amy,
May, Mohican, and Vanduara. In recent
years Watson has found time to devote a
great deal of attention to the improve
ment of coast lifeboats, subject in which
he is greatly interested.
Before he became such a busy man he
contributed a valuable series of papers
on yacht designing to Land and Water,
and at one time was the yachting corre-
spondent OF the North British Daily
Mail. In addition to being a clever yacht
designer, Watson is good sailor.
According TO recent cable dispatches,
Watson will design a ninety foot racing
cutter for the Prince OF Wales and one
for his royal relation, the Emperor of
Germany, the present owner OF the This
tie, or Meteor, as she is now called.
Watson has visited this country twice,
the first time in 1886 and again in 1887.
ii. G. Wintring ham, the Bay Ridge de-
signer, tells an amusing story of Wat
sons last visit to this country, when he
came over with the Thistle. "The only
time had the pleasure OF meeting Mr..
Watson was in a race up the Sound in the
fall OF 1887, "said Mr.. Wintringh ham. He
was guest OF Mr.. Maxwell on the sham
rock when she raced the Titania. Ii was
his first experience on big centreboard
boat, and he watched every movement
OF the board. II so happened that
the wind came from almost every
direction, and the board was first taken
up and then let down, as the case might
be. Toward evening the wind freshened
into gale, and In beating along the New
York shore we ran i'm too close and the
board struck. 'Ah,' said Watson, Il see
what IL is for, now; it's for stirring up
stones Since then Watson has found
other uses for the centreboard besides
stirring up stones, aud has used them in
more than one Of his recently designed
boats.
"Onething IL certain, Watson has not
been asleep during the past five years,
and in his new valkyrie he will send over
. boat that will give Herreshor, or any
enc else. all thsy care 10 do TO beat her"