This is the third vessel added to Lombard's line of Boston and Charleston packets, during the past year. The Isabella, of 358 tons, was the first, the Sumter, of 380 tons, the second, and now the Edisto, of 366 tons. These have all been designed to stow large cargoes, and to sail fast; and have been constructed in the first style of workmanship, and are admirably adopted for any trade suited to the tonnage.
The Edisto is 126 feet long on deck, has 26 feet 4 inches breadth of beam, 16 feet depth of hold, 8½ inches dead rise at half floor, 6 inches swell, and about 18 inches sheer. Her ends are easy and well formed, and she has sufficient depth of keel and rise of floor, to enable her to hold a good wind. Her bow, up to the load displacement line, is very clean, and above the line of the planksheer, has an easy and graceful flare. It is ornamented with a carved and gilded billet-head, and carved work along the trail boards and around the hawse-holes. The stern is light, and swells between the counter timbers, and from the arch board to the rail, and is ornamented with a spread eagle, flags, &c., all neatly arranged in an arch over the cabin windows. Broadside on she displays a gradual lively sheer, which is carried up well forward, thereby imparting quite a dashy appearance to the bow. She has painted ports in a white strake, and the rest of her hull outside is painted black.
On deck she has a small topgallant forecastle the height of the main rail, with a handsome capstan on it, and close abaft its break, is her windlass, which is of the latest patent, strongly secured.
The quarters for the crew are below forward, and are protected by a lofty companion, which opens aft; and they are both spacious, well arranged and well ventilated. Abaft the foremast, she has two moveable houses, one containing the galley, and the other fitted with various useful apartments.
Her pumps are near the mainmast, and have copper chambers, and can be worked both at the same time, if required.
She has a half poop deck with a spacious house in front. The starboard side of this house contains a state room with two berths in it; and the larboard side the pantry, and it also forms an ante-room to the cabin below. It is neatly painted and grained, and very conveniently arranged. The cabin is large for the size of the vessel, lofty, well lighted and ventilated. It contains a water closet, a bread locker, and six spacious staterooms. Two of the latter, one on each side, overlook the main deck. That on the starboard side is appropriated for the use of the captain. Each state room has its deck and side light, and is conveniently furnished.
The cabin is wainscotted, and painted in imitation of satin wood, bird's-eye maple and mahogany, set off with pilasters, edged with gilding. The furniture is neat, and corresponds well with the design of the cabin.
Of her materials and fastenings we cannot speak too highly. Her keel is of rock maple, her frame of seasoned white oak, as are also her breast-hooks, stanchions, &c. She has regular between-decks, 6 feet high, and the beams of both decks are secured with massive hanging and lodging knees, strongly bolted and well finished. The thick work on her bilge varies from 5 to 7 inches in thickness, and, the rest of the ceiling is not less than 4 inches, mostly scarphed and square fastened. Her planking outside varies from 4 to 5 inches in thickness, and is strongly trenailed and extra bolted. The decks are of clear white pine, 3 inches thick, and the boarding of her bulwarks and monkey-rail is tongued and grooved in excellent style.
She is copper-fastened, sheathed with zinc, seasoned with salt, and has brass ventilators in her bitts and along the line of her planksheer. In boats, ground tackle, and other furniture, she is amply supplied, and is in every respect a well found vessel.
She is a full rigged barque: her foremast, &c, are 56, 33 and 18 feet long; mainmast, &c., 60, 33½, 18, and 11; and mizen mast 58, 30, 11, with 9 feet pole; yards upon the fore and main masts alike -- viz: lower yards 52, topsail yards 44, topgallant yards 30, and main royal yard 22 feet. Her bowsprit is 19 feet outboard; jibboom 22 feet; flying jibboom 14; spanker boom 35; gaff 30; main spencer gaff 16; and the other spars in proportion. She is strongly but neatly rigged and looks very well aloft. Upon her mast-heads are gilded balls and spires, which make a beautiful finish.
She is owned by Messrs. James Adger and John W. Caldwell, of Charleston, S.C. Lombard & Co, Capt. Nathaniel Kendrick, and others, of Boston, and was built at Medford, by Messrs. Hayden & Cudworth, who also built the Isabella and Sumter, and is commanded by Capt. Kendrick, who is one of her owners -- Messrs. Adger and Caldwell are also part owners of the Isabella and Sumter. Capt. Kendrick is a gentleman of much experience in the trade, and will make his fine vessel tell a good story. Although designed for a packet, she will make her maiden trip to Russia, and will sail this day. She is as good and strong a vessel of her class as need be built, and, we have no doubt, will prove to be very profitable. Her builders are entitled to great credit for the faithful manner in which she has been constructed,
Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius.
Sjöhistoriska Samfundet | The Maritime History Virtual Archives | The Boston Daily Atlas | Search.
Copyright © 1997 Lars Bruzelius.