NATAL BRIGADE BOAT.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1808, 19 October 1874, Page 2

NATAL BRIGADE BOAT.

Some time ago the Thames Naval Brigade gave Mi\ Savage an order to build a boat, the. nocessity for which has been long felt, as an essential portion of the Brigade property; indeed, there has always appeared something exquisitely absurd in the fact of a body of men claiming to be denominated "naval,'!* when their daily experience of naval mat* ters was confined to the pleasant pros pec-, tive of a mud flat. This want of acquaintance with the watery element was not due: to the Brigade, as in the younger days of the company the cost of a boat, would have been more than it could have supported. As soon, .then, as a Way was seen through which to obtain the object, a boat was ordered. That boat is nearly completed, and there can be no hesitation in pronouncing it a graceful (and; withal substantial) specimen of naval architecture. The boat is forty feet in length; and her beam measures six feet six inches, taken from the inside. She is built ostensibly with the idea of being used as a serviceable man-of-war gig, and, we should say, will answer the purpose admirably. She will carry two masts, the -sails, two French lug sails and a jib, but can be worked with' oars if required. It is estimated that she will carry thirty passengers comfortably, and the seatsand "fixings" at the stern have been so constructed as to want nothing in the shape of elegance or comfort. She will be launched in a bout two weeks from to-day^not soonerj as, during the interim, the work of completing $he " outward show" will be performed,, tite masts put in and sailing gear attached ; while a number Of'other smaller matters have to be attended to. Subsequent to Major Gordon's report being sent in, the Government communicated with the Naval Brigade to ascertain what the cost would be for |he construction of two boats, with the idea, presumably, of contributing towarcs the expense of two. Therefore,.if the Government grant such a sum as would be equal to half of what it would cost to build two boats, the Brigade will be in a position to havo a gunboat— that is a boat which will be at least strong enough to carry the guns of the Brigade, the present; one not being sufficiently stout. This is very much needed, and it is to. be hoped that the need will soon be supplied. - ■■■>