27 YEARS' CRUISE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 76, 20 September 1911, Page 6

27 YEARS' CRUISE

MILLIONAIRE'S STRANGE VOYAGE. New York, July 24. Mr. James B. Hammond, the millionaire inventor of the typewriter which bears hit name, left New Y'ork for Europe yesterday in his specially-designed gasolene yacht Lounger 11. Mr. Hammond, who is seventy-three years of age, has resolved never to live on shore again, but to make the sea his home for the rest of his life. "I am departing on a twenty-seven year cruise," he said before leaving Now York. "I expect to live to be a. hundred. I shall then retire, and present the yacht to the American Government as a perfect model of a twentieth century seat boat." The yacht is a marvel of luxury, and includes many novel features, including a garage which will accommodate a large motor-car. The yacht is ninety-five feet long, and has a maximum speed of fifteen knots, with engine and sail power, Mr. Hammond has gone to sea with an aquarium of goldfish, a prize fox-terrier, a bull-terrier with a litter of six pups, and several canary birds. He is suffering from rheumatism, and cannot walk, unassisted. He is attended by a masseur, a nurse, a secretary, and a chauffeur. The skipper of the yacht is a native of Fin, and the skipper's wife is cook, while his cousin is the wireless operator, and his brother-in-law is boatswain. The yacht is equipi>ed with hot and cold air plants to preserve an even temperature in all climates, A few years ago an attempt was made to have the courts declare Mr. Hammond incapable of managing bis own affairs, but the millionaire successfully fought the suit.