The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-07

''That bend is not sharp enough; you are
not following your copy
The blind man was always a lover of
boats. When he was old enough to mani
age a jack-knife he began whiting out
boats, and in his fifteenth year he built
a good-siZed yacht for his own pleasure.
He became totally blind by slow degrees,
but he went on building boats, carrying
in his mind the models he had known by
sight Forced by his blindness to greater
mental activity, his practical mind grew
to one of great concentration and acute
ness. and what is remarkable is that he
has been able to keep up with the times
Ito grasp the technicalities of the latest
machinery and to keep abreast of the
newest notions of the day
THE LITERARY HERRESHOFF.
The second brother Lewis, who also is
blind, is the literary counselor of his
brothers, and is perfectly familiar with
every detail of yachts and yachting.
have read many descriptions of yacht
races from his pen that make it difficult
to believe that he has not the use of his
eyes.
Others tell him just what movements
the rival yachts are making. and the
blind writer knows precisely how the
scene looks, and as a sailor what the
boats are likely to do next His race
stories are among the best turned out,
paper editors.
He is ar accomplished musician, and
can use the type writer as rapidly as
When Mr.. Watson spoke of Here
shoff," however, he had special reference
to Nathaniel Herreshoff, popularity
known as Capt. Nat"
CAPTAIN NAT
He is the actual designer of the firm,
and is the mechanical genius of the fam
Ii- CttR in f11.a Of n1aer-
from five-raters up to the big single
stickers that keep the cup in America,
are numberless; They are distributed
known at every regatta. Several have
been sent to this country.
Capt, Nat is about fifty, and, unlike
his brothers, is in full possession of his
sight; He lays down the designs fer
yachts. works out the models, makes
all the calculations of measurements for
hulis, spars and sails, and it is to his
genus that the effectiveness and beauty
OF the Herreshoff models are due. He
is an expert sailer of yachts as WELL aid
it is always Capt Nat who handles
the diler of his latest creation in her
owner
He is large. muscular man, slightly
round-shouldered, and is the most active
worker at his yard. He is quiet, his
ruiz of plans, and he need depend on no
one but himself for entertainment From
fls custom of inclining his head to one
side there is a local saying that he ac-
CURED the habit from watching mis- rivals
at races craning his head to look at
them under the boom.
CAPTAIN MATS FAMOUS BOATS
The famous yacht designer has had
the best preparations possible for his
work After graduating at the Institute
OF technology at Boston, where ne took
numerous prizes, he worked for seven
years IN the great Corliss engine works
of Providence. Then he Joined his broth
ers at Bristol and gave himself up wholly
to marine engineering
one. OF his earliest productions was
me famous cstamaran, Tarantella. which
GSreveioped a speed of twenty-one miles
yachts have been noted.
Capt. Herreshoff in now engaged on
the designs of the new yacht which
IS TO defend the mug for the eleventh
I! tlIne r., from British, attempts to recapture
II. The plans, which, laid down in a
room III his own house, are kept under
LOCK and key, are guarded most jealouslv
Inc vessel Will be built in a ShipboISe
not only securely locked, but protected
by Watchmen constantly. The Snar,; ard
sails and all the details of the forthcom-
ing yacht Will be made by the Here
shoffs under tmpenetrable secrecy. in
WORKSHOPS to which only those possess
ing keys are admitted.
When the boat is built she will he
openly exhibited at trials. With the
energy and genius at work on both sides
OF the water, two of the finest "acinc
machines we Rave yet seen are sure to be
turned out. ~ Nc
If the Watson boat succeeds. Sir Thorn
as Upton will become the proud pns-
SCISSOR of the blue ribbon of the yacht
ing world.
MAY the best boat win" is the toa
Oh yavht clubs in Britain and America