New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-06
UP TO DATE HOUSEHOLDS
EVERY YEAR SEES AN INCREASED NUM-
Der OF ENTHUSIASTS
ROUTES ALONG WHICH TO
LOITER.

Year by year the houseboat grows more popular
in America. 1t was probably Indigenous in the
Southwest for back far as the 40s the settlers
poled their houseboat scows up and down the
Mississippi and Red rivers and to-day the house
boat forms the permanent domciIe all up and down
the Ohio of thousands who have discovered the
simple fact that there is no way to charge rent
tax for a house when it's on a boat.
But modern. fashlonab BILE houseboating among
those fortunate folk who have money in their
purse. introduced about sixteen years ago by
Pierre Lorilard who IS fairly entitled to the
name of father of American housekeeping. The
custom came from England, where the house
boat has always meandered along the gentle
stretches of the Thames. But the American build
ers, after their restless fashion. straightway be-
gan 10 improve the English model They gave first
true boat model to the hull thereby enabling the
vessel to be readily towed any desired location
Thence 1t was natural step to motive power, and
to-day the houseboat is independent. though
not as speedy, the yacht,
THE TRUE "HOUsEBOATER"
There is nothing. in fact. which the true house
boater' scorns more thoroughly than speed Speed
is utilitaran. Even in the atmosphere of moneyed
ease 1t smacks of commercialism. What has the
householder, lettering away sunny days in shell
tered coVes drifting idly through calm canals
to do with those strenuous ones who rush hither
and yon? The houseboat in its highest develop
ment to-day. costs much a yacht; but the
cost is put in space not in speed. Thence these
great, comfOrtdDle suites OF rooms: these accom-
modations for the whole family and twenty guests
more: these roof gardens and spacious deck
parlors
Pierre Lorillard loved to loaf away the winter
days in the bays and bayous OF Florida. He had
a houseboat and a barnbOat, the latter carrying
his horses and vehicles wherever he went At the
time OF his death there being built 70" him the
boat in which American houseboat building prob
ably reaches its highest point Incomplete at his
death, the boat has since become the property
of Sheffield Phelps. for whom It finished in
June Mr. Phelps has named it the Nlrcdha, and
has it with him at Newport. The Nrodha is
125 feet long, with breadth of q feet inches
The hull is of steel. the upper works of wood.
there three decks and two twenty-five horse
power gasolene engines. The upper deck extends
the full length and breadth of the vessel and is
covered with awning
Mr. Lorard contemplated expanding $4,000 on
the furnishing of this boat. Mr. Phelps has prob
ably spent more than one-thrd of this sum,
but this sufficient to make most luxurious
interior. ]. J. Phelps. brother of the owner of
the Nirodha, has a big houseboat los feet long.
and Clarence X. Dolan. of Philadelphia, owns the
Rancocas of the length The walls of the
Rancocas are finished in white enamel and the
furniture is mahogany. The main saloon IS IN
Colonial style, with open fireplace and tiled hearth.
hardwood floor and heavy rug. There are also
piano, bookcase. writing desk, reading table and