The Washington times., 1934-06-16
GEN. WIN. MITCHELL NAVIGATES CAN
Seaworthy Graft
Is Comfortable
And Fast
By BETSY CASWELL
WonGH'S Page Editor

At least, that Is certainly the
case with Gen. William Mitchell.
OF course, he has driven every.
thing there Is with motive
power, from planes to tractors,
and q mere boat is pretty siDl.
pie to him.
But the fact remains, that
navigation is q somewhat tricky
art, and it is much to the gen
erals credit that he is as accom-
plished q skipper as he is q pilot.
His own yacht, the Canvas.
back" which bears the diStinc-
ton Of being registered with
MiddleburG, Va, as her home
port (the general claiming that
with flood rains she could be
Mavisated up Goose Greek and
moored at his own front porchD
lies at anchor off the Capital
Yacht Club, ready and waiting
for the moment that her owner
decides to shove off on an ex-
t6nSive cruise of the Virginia
and North Carolina sounds and
bays.
Strongly Built
She is what is known as 50
dead rise model" found by
many years Of experience to be
the best for rising quickly on
the short seas that come up dur
ing the heavy squalls to which
the Chesapeake Bay, Currituck,
Pamlico and CroGtan sounds are
subject.
She was built by Captain
Perry at Kitty Hawk, N. c., in
sight Of Kill Devil Hill, where
the Wrights first flew. She was
set up under some oak trees,
and not q single blueprint or
ether ;dra wing was made Of her
General Mitchell merely max.
ing marks in the sand to show
how he wished her designed.
Her pIanking is Of juniper,
that Is white cedar from the
Dismal Swamp. An inch-anda
half Of this sturdy wood is her
outside skin. Her timbers, 3A
square, are set thirteen inches
apart. On the inside she is
sheathed with an. inch-andta'
half Of juniper. She is COM
pIetely copper fastened, and. in
addition, Is copper Sheathed.
AlI-SeasOn Boat
She Is one Of the strongest
built boats that was ever
launched, and designed for use
both in the winter and in the
summer, for fishing, duck
shooting, and cruising.
Her cabins are made Of cy-
press wood, and, in planning,
the arrangement Of the ordi-
nary boat was completely re
versed. The owners cabins were
put forward, and the crews
quarters, galley and storage
spaces are situated aft. On her
berth deck, the owners cabin
Is 16 feet by 10 feet. with a full
sized bathroom adjoining.
Directly aft, is a cabin used
primarily by General and Mrs.
Mitchell's children, and op-
posite that is another bath
room. The "Canvasback" has
hot and cold water, o good
furnace with radiators in every
room, electric fans, and COM
plete screening, so you can see
that she is equipped for very
nearly any type Of weather.
Next to the children's cabin
Is the engine room, with 6 feet
Z inches head room throughout.
Here are found two 100 H. P.
engines, and a 3 H. P. electric
plant, with storage batteries.
Water pressure system and elec-
trio bilge pumps with hose con-
nectionS to any part Of the
boat are also a feature.
Extended Cruises
Then comes the galley with
4 two-bunk cabin for the crew.
The galley is furnished more
than adequately, with an elec.
tric refrigerator, electric and
protane stoves, q sink, and
ample storage space for two
months supplies.
The main deck Is IA feet Of
Open deck space forward, which
may be enclosed with canvas
awnings If desired. There is
an: electric hoiSting gear for the
anchors. Att Of this deck there
is the pilot house, equipped
with instruments, Searchlights,
foghornS, controls, and ell the
neceSSaries.
In fact, I remember, on one
cruise g.. aboard the Canvas
back" I wanted to find out
who had founded the State Of
Delaware, and why 1t was called
DOl&ware--Qeneral Mitchell pro.
dueed an encyclopedia from the
pilot house, and I obtained all
the information on the sub
ject I desired!
The main saloon is 19x9 feet,
around which is q 36.inch deck,
90 that fore and aft traffic may
be maintained without disturb
ing the occupants Of the saloon.
Aft Of this Is q l4-foot-long
deck, which is also equipped
with awnings, aud with chairs.
on the boat deck, above the
saloon, two 16-foot tenders are
kept In their chockS. This deck
makes q fine place to sit on
warm evenings, when the yacht
Is under way.
WeatherS Storms