Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-19
TIVE very latest whim OF luxury Is
landgoing yacht, an auto de-
si1ned IN carry aieht narsnn~

l6nQSOluS yacht, al auto GO
signed to carry eight persona
from New York to San Francisco.
While no sea.going yacht or house.
boat was ever more luxuriously fitted
and appointed than this new land.cruiser,
the most notable feature about the auto,
perhaps. lies in the, ingenuity with
which the comfort and safety Of It's
guests have been provided for with the
least possible expenditure Of space and
weight.
There is something about the way In
which this car has been fitted out which
reminds one very much Of the efficiency
displayed by the German army. Nothing
seems to have been overlooked Every
possible contingency seems TO have been
provided for.
Just by way OF example might be men.
toned the land-yacht's TENDER fully
equipped motorcycle. which. at a mo.
ment's notice, may be lowered from tho
upper deck" by means Of a regular
ships darit, and sent of to summon re.
lief in case Of need or to meet any other
emergency that might arise.
Tho land-going yacht was built by
Roland r. Conklin, Of New York and
Huntington, L. l. Mr. Conklin Is we'll.
known in financial circles because of his
large interests In the Cuban sugar in
dustry and as president OF the New York
Motor Bus Company. His magnificent
estate. Rosemary" at Huntington. L. l..
Is one OF the show places OF the country
When Mr.. Conkiin decided last Spring
to take his family to visit the Panama
Pacific Exposition. he conceived the idea
OF making the trip in an automobile
which would provide living as we'll as
travelling facilities. His idea was 10 de-
sign car that would have every comfort
and necessity provided by private Pull.
man. and few more, and yet be able 70
travel over any ordinary country road.
Instead OF being obliged to lay up in
the noisy, smoky terminal OF a railway
yard. 1t could stop and camp by wooded
stream or in the Corner OF a green pas.
ture at night
A few weeks ago Mr.. Conklin. his fam.
lily and two chauffeurs. making a party
Of eight. started from Huntington. L. l.,
in the unique vehicle, which has been
dubbed the Gypsy Van," and they are
now we'll on their way to the Exposition.
No attempt will be made for a speed
record. On the contrary, the coast to
coast trip is expected to take between
three and four months, many side trips
being on the program.
Before describing the car proper. a
very fair idea Of the exterior of which
may be gained from the photograph and
sketches on this page, few words may
be devoted to the remarkable equipment
with which the car is provided.
Reference has already been made to
the motorcycle. but so carefully have
most contingencies been provided against
that 1t ought seldom to be necessary to
summon outside aid.
For going over stretches Of sand, for
instance. long canvas strips are provided.
For crossing unbridged streams there Is a
knockdown portable bridge. In case the
yacht should be unfortunate enough to
land In mudhole or ditch, there Is a
winch, to be operated by the motor, which
Is strong enough to get it out Of trouble
with very little difficulty.
There is a powerful searchlight In ad
diuon to the riding lights, a complete
"nrst.sid" kit. set of fire extinguishers
and q wonderful variety OF. tools and
machines, including an electric drill, an
electric soldering iron and an electric
valve grinder.
The car itself may best be described,
perhaps, by imagining that We approach
it from behind and then enter on tour
Of inspection
The door in the back Is opened by turn.
ing a handle which automatically let's
down couple OF steps. Having assembled
these steps and shut the door after U.s.
we see on our left hand large icebox in
two sections, one higher than the other.
On the lower section OF the icebox rests
folding wash basin with mirror and other
toilet articles. Attached to the main ice.
box, which holds 100 pounds of ice, is a
filter which is connected by pipes to the
ice chamber, providing flow of cold
water at all times. -
Over the icebox and extending tn the