Leaving the subject of ancient ships and navigation, we shall now turn
our attention to the more recent doings of man on the ocean, and, before
entering into the details of ships and ship-building, devote a little
time and space to the consideration of boats.
There are great varieties of boats--as regards shape, size, material,
and use--so that it is not easy to decide on which we shall first fix
our attention. There are large and small, long and short boats; flat,
round, sharp, and bluff ones,--some clumsy, others elegant. Certain
boats are built for carrying cargo, others for purposes of war. Some
are meant for sailing, some for rowing; and while many kinds are devoted
to business, others are intended solely for pleasure. Before we refer
to any of these, perhaps our young readers will not object to be told
how to construct:--