New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-01-02
THE DfTS OF SAILS
Memories Of Old Shops on the
Hudson.
THE SLoOPS OF THE HUDSON BY William F.
Nerplanck and Moses " Collyer. 12mo; PIP
Xii, III G. T. Putnams Sons.

he HAN moon ana tHe NleTAiolAl WHICH SAt-
ated such sensation at the recent celebration
are not the only types of vessels that have de-
parted with the age Of chivalry. The sioops of
the Hudson have accomplished Il service de-
manding recognition which finds embodiment |
II an historical sketch Of the packet and mar
ket sloops Of the last century, with a record of
their names together with personal remins-
cences Of certain of the notable North River
sailing masters This modest little volume
devoid OF literary pretension. will appeal TO
those who love the leisurely methods of trans
Uortation and especially TO those who have
handled a tiller and recognized the sacred in
dVidualty OF a sailing vessel No two sloops /
were exactly alike in line or achievement, and /
= those who comma nded them were heroes 10 the /
I Youths whose homes were on the river banks
These sleops at one time carried passengers as
Wei freight. and the limited mail of pioneer
days Steam and electricity have displaced
these useful and picturesque messengers, and /
only those who knew them intimately could /
pay this tribute TO their memory When the
royal mail was no longer carried by horses De /
Quincy could deplore the change that rele !
gated the mailcoach the junk OF
The new system of travelling he said, iron /
tubes and boilers have disconnected mans |
heart from the ministers of his locomotion.
Tidings fitted to convulse all nations must |
henceforTard travel by culinary process; and
The trumpet that announced from afar |
The laurelled mail heartshaking when heard
screaming the Wind and preclaiming itself |
through the darkness TO every village or soh- |
tary house on its route has now given way for
ever TO tie potwalopings Of the boiler
Such may well be the reflections OF those who |
sec sail give place steam, and whose aim 1t
Is Tot TO pay sentimental tribute a form
e transportation but TO record the actual ser
vice Of the vessels that contributed not lit
tie the nlmitable commerce Of New York
Excerpts from some old family letters show
how important a part the sloop played in the |
first days Of the last century. and curious facts
stated bearing Upon its speed and other
qualities The peculiarities and vagares Of
the tide had be thoroughly understood by
the shippers II they would make time The
slooIs good at windward work, but a
rule when wind and tide both unfavor-
able they lay at anchor till the tide turned.
The author quotes Washington Irving to show
. that thar charming writer Fnew little about
nautical matters took off his cap FEM
more Cooper. who a real sailorman, and ,
also knew the Hudson like breeze It is hard |
o realize that very far removed /
from the days when the North River teemed |
with sturgeon. big fellows weighing two hun
bred and fifty bounds. which could be /
leaping into the air and occasionally falling
the deck Of a sloop. Mr.. Verplanck has many
interesting details To narrate, gathered from
his experience and from hearsay. He re-
calls that the tides when the moon is in apogee
: nd perigee used to be called by the boatmen
apple tree and pear tides.
Sometimes a sloop would be five days going
from New York 10 Newburg. and. again yes
sci favored by wind and tide left the city at
q p. n, reached Catskin, 10 miles distant
. clock the next morning. and made the return |
journey in fifteen hours. This Captain
| Collyers record. and he has compiled inter-
esting story of his experiences and recollections
Is cabin boy, master and owner for nearly half |
a ceItury. Where hundreds Of sloops and |
- hooners were employed there is now scarcely |
one left the competition of gigantic tows barges
and canal boats, nameess and without charac-
ter linked together and drawn by a wretched
lug having been too much for these more at
1rsctiEe craft We have Captain COllyer's word
for il that the centreboard was invented by
Cornelius Carrnan of Low Point. and first used
ly him in the soop Freedom The red and
. green sidelights for sail and steam vessels were
IS. used on the river in 1862 and intro
dt,eed by General Bel jamiR Butler, who in
ferosfed in a factory that made these lights.
They we're sold for 80 a The "reminiscences
az CAPTAIN Woolsey, of NeWburg, another old
timer also contain many personal items and
convey lively idea of the scene on the river.
Pictures Cf typical river vessels and portraits
OF the shrewd, homely old fellows who sailed