Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-16
EARLY AMERICAN YACHT.
"CIeopatra's Barge" One Of the First
Vessels of Its Kind.
The Plan to Rescue hspoIean That Failed.
Owing TO the Presence Of the French Fleet.

In these days, when fleets OF yach-s,
fitted out with every imaginable lux
ury, sail each season from this port
for mere pastime, it is interesting to
note the story of a pioneer American
pleasure craft and to recall the chief
aim of its owner-the rescue of
Napoleon from st. Helena.
The Beckett shipyard at Salem, Mass.
was operated by various members of
the family for more than $50 years
dating from 1850. From here We're sent
out many ships owned by the family
called Crowninshield, in whose blood
ran love of salt water. Strange err
rands had they to other lands. In 1870
Capt. Jacob Crowninshield brought
home from Bengal what is said to have
been the first elephant ever seen III
America, creature of huge dailleh-
sions, whose fame was sounded far ana
near. 1t was fortunate investment
for the owner realized from her sale
the sum Of 100000
This same Jacob Crowninshield was
a prominent merchant of Salem. ana
carried on a profitable business in the
East India and China trade. He was
in many ways remarkable character
and early determined that his son
George should DE not only fitted to
in a
room, but also made thoroughly
familiar with all the details OF snip
from stem to stern. At that time It
was deemed an essential part OF the
training of a merchant ike jacob
Crowninshield to undergo an appfeh-
ticeship from the hawsehole TO the
quarterback Therefore, from the age
of -, young Crowninshield studied
navigation in theory and in practice
sailing first as a common sailor IN ms
fathers ships. then gradually acquir-
ing knowledge which entitled him to
become a master. Hence. it is not sur
prising that the young man imblbed A
taste for the sea and love for row
ing life which, later on. would not be
satisfied With the monotony of bust
ness Then, too, it is not strange to
find him, in 1916. when he was in mid
die Mfe, giving an order to the Beckets
for vessel of 19l tons burden. to be
called Cleopatra Barge. He begged
that no expense should be spared IN
her construction. for she was to be
built solely for the pleasure of himself
and his friends and for the purpose
which he had in view.
There recently died in a quiet New
England village one of the last OF The
Crowninsheld family, and in this
mans possession We're many valuable
relics, among them papers relating 10
this Cleopatra's Barge and the original
plans for her construction AS she was
IA pioneer vessel of her class, new and
original ideas had to be adopted. She
was built somewhat in the style of a
small man-of-war. She had a wide
stern with little cabin windows looking
out upon it. and was square rugged on
the foremost and fore-and-aft on the
mainmast. Captain Crowninshield dld
not intend her for racing craft. but
she was provided with ring sail ana
water sail. which today are altogether
obsolete. She was So feet long. - feet
II inches wide, and her draught was
eight feet.
The furnishings above deck and be-
low were of the most elegant descrlp-
ton. Even the ropes in the quarter
deck were served with velvet, and some
We're CT different colors. The cabin.
which was - feet by 20, was fitted ~
in mahogany and birdseye maple an
the furniture was of the First Empire
style. covered with red velvet and
much gold lace. A complete silver
service embellished her dining saloon,
to which was added elaborate china
and GLASSWARE made expressly for tho
purpose. In all the little vessel cost
$4,000.
Even before Cleopatra's Barge came
off the stocks in the shipyard she was
the object Of intense interest to the
people. Thousands visited her among
others the officers of the navy from
Charlestown and many distinguished
men from Boston. On the day before
she sailed for the Mediterranean Cap
tain Crownnshield gave a large dinner
party aboard his yacht, at which the
Governor of Massachusetts was d
guest.
On March 80. 1917, Captain Crownin-
=
Mediterranean. He put in at III,
Azores and at Madeira where. follow
ing his accustomed democra tic instinct
he allowed his vessel to be freely in
spected by all strangers who desired t,
visit it. The crowds We're immense. al
classes nocking to have a look at tins
ttistinctively American craft While i
French ports she was visited by British
and French naval officers who Were
unstinted in their praise. 1t is relate.
that the Pope came over from Rome (,
inspect for himself this boat. of whics
he had heard So much
But the American skipper, amid al
these pleasures and social amusements
did not forget the purpose of his Noy
age. He passed some days at Elba
visited the house where Napoleon hat
been confined. and made the acquaint
ance of many of the eX-EImperor's in
Innate friends. The captain eXplaine,
to them his ardent admiration for tn
cXiled Emperor, and they provided hin
with letters Introducing him to tn
mt.nllat.s AT h.. .,,..a ;lx. No,