Chapter I: Preface

“Snug-Harbor” is the second volume of “THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES.” Though it contains its fair proportion of story and adventure, there is less of these elements than in its predecessor; though the writer believes there is enough to keep up the interest of his young readers. Dory Dornwood, the hero of the initial volume of the series, is again presented, and about a quarter of a hundred others; though all of them cannot be heroes. Like the former volume, the scene is laid on Lake Champlain and its shores.

In accordance with the hint thrown out in the preface of the first volume, the Beech-Hill Industrial School makes a beginning in this book; and its pupils are gathered together in the schoolroom and the workshop. The boys are instructed only in those branches of learning which will be of the greatest practical utility to them as mechanics. They are taken into the shop, and set to work as carpenters and machinists; and some idea is given of their operations at the bench. But in a work of this kind the author finds it hardly practicable to describe in detail the work done by the Champlain mechanics; though he has done so to some extent, as a suggestion rather than as a system of instruction for boy-workmen. Without a vast number of drawings, the tools and machinery used by the carpenter and machinist cannot be described and explained so as to be of any great practical service. The book is rather to create an interest in these trades than to furnish a guide to young mechanics.

The author regrets that there is no American work of the kind mentioned. Our English cousins have sent us over some excellent works on the subject, which are very useful, though not fully adapted to the needs of American boys. A new friend suggests that such a book be prepared, and with his aid it may yet be done.

Captain Gildrock, the founder and patron of the Beech-Hill Industrial School, has some radical ideas on the subject of education; and probably many of the older readers of this book will disagree with him: but the question he argues is worthy of attention and discussion, however it may be finally settled.

Though the author is not a mechanic by trade, he has worked in his own shop for many years. With the carpenter’s bench, the turning-lathe, and the various implements for working in wood and metals, he finds not only his needed exercise, but a degree of pleasure which makes it all the more healthy and exhilarating; and he commends the work to his young friends, both for their amusement and instruction.

DORCHESTER, MASS., Aug. 20, 1883.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

THE SLOOP THAT WENT TO THE BOTTOM 13

CHAPTER II.

THE YOUNG MAN WITH A LONG NAME 23

CHAPTER III.

MR. BOLINGBROKE MILLWEED TELLS HIS STORY 34

CHAPTER IV.

THE GOLDWING ANCHORS FOR THE NIGHT 44

CHAPTER V.

A QUARREL ON BOARD OF THE JUNIPER 54

CHAPTER VI.

THE IMPULSIVE ASSAULT OF THE ENGINEER 65

CHAPTER VII.

BOLINGBROKE MILLWEED OUT OF A PLACE 76

CHAPTER VIII.

PUPILS FOR THE BEECH-HILL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL 87

CHAPTER IX.

THE VOLUNTEER HELMSMAN AND HIS MOVEMENTS 97

CHAPTER X.

THE BATTLE NEAR GARDEN ISLAND 107

CHAPTER XI.

THE MASTER-CARPENTER DISPOSES OF HIS PRISONER 117

CHAPTER XII.

CAPTAIN GILDROCK’S FIRST LESSON IN NAVIGATION 128

CHAPTER XIII.

HANDLING A STEAMER IN A FOG 138

CHAPTER XIV.

THE STRONG-ROOM AT THE BEECH-HILL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL 148

CHAPTER XV.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE AFFAIRS OF THE MILLWEED FAMILY 159

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SHIP’S COMPANY 170

CHAPTER XVII.

THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE SYLPH 180

CHAPTER XVIII.

ANOTHER BATTLE AT PLATTSBURG 190

CHAPTER XIX.

SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED ON SHORE 201

CHAPTER XX.

THE NEW HEAD OF THE MILLWEED FAMILY 212

CHAPTER XXI.

CAPTAIN GILDROCK ARGUES AGAINST HIGH-SCHOOLS 223

CHAPTER XXII.

THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS IN THE SHOP 234

CHAPTER XXIII.

SOMETHING ABOUT TOOLS AND WORK 244

CHAPTER XXIV.

WORK FOR THE HEAD AND THE HANDS 255

CHAPTER XXV.

THE SECOND CLASS AT THE CARPENTER’S BENCH 266

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE END OF THE FIRST SCHOOL-DAY AT BEECH HILL 277

CHAPTER XXVII.

OSCAR CHESTER TAKES A LESSON IN BOATING 288

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE UPSETTING OF THE MONKEY AND ITS LESSON 299

CHAPTER XXIX.

AN AFTERNOON IN THE MACHINE-SHOP 310

CHAPTER XXX.

WHAT THE STUDENTS FOUND AT THOMPSON’S POINT 320

SNUG-HARBOR;

OR,

THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS.