Rafts and Boats. i o i
the boat, and in each of the outer planks, o o, p p, fig. III., fix uprights m n, 6 inches high, to support a seat, mortised on the pair of uprights in each board ; the ends of each seat should be short of the breadth of the boat by an inch or so, so as not to bear against the sides ; then lay down two ribs of tough wood, fitted to bear equally across the planking, on each side, as rs, r's', and screw each end of them down to the outer planks only.
" Wooden cleats can be fixed on each board at t t, each to receive the butts of two guns, while their barrels lie in hollows formed in the cushions of the seat opposite them, so that the rower can put down his paddles and take up his gun instantly ; steps for a mast can be also contrived at the same points. This woodwork is to be also well painted ; it can be taken out with ease, as it is nowhere connected with the tin of the boat. Care should be taken that no projections in this woodwork, such as screw-heads, &c., should chafe the tin, and that it should be always kept well painted.
"The boat, of which this is a description, drew 22' inches water with one person in, with two guns and ammunition, &c.; it was furnished with two short paddles, which were tied by a short length of string to the sides, so as to be dropped without loss of time on taking up the gun to fire ; the boat turned with the greatest ease, by one backing and pulling stroke of the two paddles, and was very stiff in the water.
" Iron rowlocks were fitted to it, pn the outside at b, e, fig. 1. [I do not give the diagram by which the author illustrated his description ; the rowlocks were applied to the sides of the boat, and each rowlock was secured to the side by three bolts.] The two upper bolts had claw-heads to seize the iron-rod gunwale on the inside, and a piece of wood was fitted on the inside, through which the three bolts passed, to give substance for their hold, their nuts were on the outside. With these rowlocks two oars of 7 feet long were used. The breadth between the horns should be only just enough to admit the oars.
" This boat could be carried on the shoulders of two persons, when suspended on a pole passed through the end rings, for a distance of twelve or fifteen miles daily, with guns and
