The Republican journal., 1897-08-12
cats of Old Nantucket.

U.s. He is we'll equipped with the
machinery of the dav, such as
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cats of Old Nantucket.
'tei OF Boats ana iheiF HARD, skippers.
~ Correspondence Boston Herald
nous eatboat fleet of Nantuc ket
&c. place in the annals OF the fish
~. They perform large work
ardous calling. The summer
-.s these boats only in holiday
.tore and after the advent of
1t HE boats ave put to the hard
Ut dutv-lishing in Vineyard
eket sounds and the open ocean.
ss his: A pleasure craft. wide
with a single sail, spread from
wy mast. stepped In the very
M boat. This model, according
Iil idea. evolves boat that is
--eer. is prone to taking the bit
IS teeth. So to speak. and in a
uund and become generally I'M
neral impression, the cat ''rOOts
t3I piece of Weod t. be in. That
A the uninitiated size up the cat
ug. no doubt. read such things
IS particular type OF sailing craft.
Iting journals have taught that
4alow boats are dangerous in a
a",Iallv if fitted with ballast on the
safer to be in when the hard winds
- heavy sea.
loat is the widest boat for length
iuilt. She is also the shoalest;
She draws very little water. A
u - feet water line and II feet
f.. as a rule. draw about 80 inches
..t.
this general plan most of Nan
eats are built. only the local
ue longer, wider and not much
han their Cape Cod sisters.
claimed by some that the modern
about Is the safest up to- date model
lise in. This latter style of craft is
-tlicalIv opposed to the Cape Cod
keel knockabout, on waterline of
WilI be about eight feet beam and
.lv perhaps five feet of water. The
.uds upon her great beam for
AIRY sail. while her narrower
-ae knockabout. is dependent upon
nj ballast low down. for stability.
ket catboats are to Nantucket
.lt the horse and cart are to his
who conducts farm. The boat
us money with his boat. lust as
...r does with the horse and cart.
atA difference in the calling.
sherman can buy his catboat on
.nts. that is. if he has any credit.
.e boat is given into his possession
hing for him TO do is to earn the
f., meet his notes on the piece of
propertv. Money sometimes
1oatman's family NAV prevent
1T bavment. but it is not without a
INT that the lapse is made.
.- af the catboats used in these wa
re built on the south side of Cane
where there are men who make a
RI of such work. Woe be unto the
who Sights a lob or skips over
atoms with an idea that his error
mept will not he detected.
ordinary catboat costs ABOUT 5000.
for sea, and when one of these
4Yen is spending 5000 he is nretty
-a know if he is gettino his moneys
If man wants nice things and
hnish in his boat he NAV nav as
is 81 200 for the extra polish. but SO
j. The stock and other materials that
ato the construction of the hull. it
!btful if he gets a better trade.
r. builders. as rule. are afraid to
the fisherman. There is a sort of
Masonry among the profession that
work subsequent havoc with that
Liar builders business.
r will these catboats do that com
hem to favor? Here is an illus
~ When the Nantucket boats are
Y off Chatham with others of the
..rt. it is necessary. in order to reach
ung grounds. to sail out into the
..ean until the Chatham sand dunes
50 SIGHT of and then keen on sailing
ta hour. This means that the cat
-o from Is to 20 miles to sea in Or
u.n is as rough as any body of water
under like conditions. If the cats
1ght on the fishing grounds in a
.3ster they must make port. Fly
rtare a stiff gale and rising sea. they
Hr seaworthy. indeed. to stand
remendous strain. The mad
through the breakers. and over the
ars could not be ATTEMPTED in a
Taught boat with anv degree of
u To strike the bar in a keelboat