New-York tribune., 1907-05-12
WESTCHESTER NEWS.
SHIP AHOYwl IN HARLEM
Shipper Wesp and His Son Build a
Sure Enough Motor Boat.

ship ahcy." The words fell musicaily on the
stl! air. Where away, mate?" came the in
slant response. in the gruff bass of the genuine
sea dog. Two points off your starboard bow.
sir" replied the sonorous tones of the vgialt
lookout.
I'or the benefit of those who might be misieo
into the belief that this conversation IS 1Ee
Introduction 10 cne OF Clark RusseIs bTihY
tales of the ocean wave. ii may be well to say
that the above bt of dialogue took place yes
terday in the rear Of a double row Of modern
apartment houses-steam heat, elevator ser
vice hot water supply. ct al.-and the speakers
were none other than Henry Wesp, sr-, market
gardener and his son. Henry Wesp, jr.. fire
man in the New York Fire Department Scene,
a vacant lot in the block between 94th and
Both streets and West End avenue.
The facts Of the case are these: A Tribune
reporter prowling about in the immediate
neighbOrhood. attracted by the sound of
loud hammering, interspersed with remarks Of
the aforesaid billowy ilk, all coming from the
vacant lot. Investigation led to the discovery
Of yacht the ways at the top of a rise in
the ground and Immediately back Of row of
houses in West 95th street. between West End
avenue and Riverside Drive. AT the bow OF
the little craft, seated on the ground and busily
engaged III hammeTing large quantities of vel
low oakum into the seams on the sides of the
boat, reposed a dark griZzled man. Top boots,
blue sweater and blue yachting cap, with
trousers OF the conventional pattern, completed
the costume.
At the stern Of the vessel and engaged in
fitting d brass propeller into place, was sprawled
a young man Of brawn and muscle. clean
shaVen, but with similar costume TO that OF
the elder man. This young fellow was evi-
IDENTIFY having trouble with the brazen pro-
peller.
When the reporter first came into view in the
off1ng he was hailed in the manner above de-
scr1bed. and after he had displayed his clear
.F-E,.
evidence as TO his business in those waters he
was allowed 10 approach within striking dis
tance Of the embryo boat.
She not a long. low. rakiSh craft but a
neat little vessel Of the motor boat variety. and
the history Of her being WAS unfolded by her
proud sponsors.
The folks had their minds set on owning q
craft OF some sort" confded Skipper Wesp
and 50 my son and I set about to build this
boat First. we bought a set of plans. early
this winter. and then set TO work TO procure
the lumber with which to build her. Everything
Whlch you see INTO ner has been made by hand
by Son and myself. and we expect 70 have
her in the water around the first Of next month
She will measure 81 feet on the wateriine 81
feet g inches over all. and draw about three and
-The keel was laid about March l. hat all
the neighbors he-eabout made fun of US and
laughed a. the presumption Of we starting a
boat bat there you see her"
The skipper" interrupted al this point in
his yarn by the appearance OF q strange sail
on the horizon, and instantly all was hustle on
the deck Of the home craft The stranger ran
up signals 10 her peak and after n system 4
wigwagsinr had been gone through and the
ship ahoy" speech successfully delivered. she
hove alongside. and introductione followed.
The strange vessel proved to be John Hyland
fireman. attached 10 Engine Company 81, of
Manhattan. and one of the builders Of the new
boat he lending a hand 10 his chun. Wesp ir
whenever ne found time from his regular duties
= versatile man IS Skipper Wasp. for. after
the arrival OF the Hyland vessel. he excused
himself to the visitor. explaining. 4 have .
pUt that plot OF ground in shape for the corn
planting tomorrow" indicating some freshly
plougled earth in the southeast corner of the