The Cruise of the Branwen

• FROM ITALY TO GREECE Polyphemus thundered, "vomiting stones and fire and smoke," as we swung out to sea due south towards the Isle of Capri. ~ -. Our course was' laid through the Bocca Piccola to round Campanella Point, so we had soon passed the headland that holds Posilipo on its slopes, and behind it farther west I could just sec the islet of Nisida : "a waste islet, stretching without the harbour, neither right at hand nor yet far off, a wood– land isle wherein are wild goats unnumbered. . . . Also there is a fair haven," says Odysseus, "where is no need of moorings, but men may run the ship on the beach. At the head of the description of her builders, who worked to Lloyd's highest class : Length over all 135 ft. o in. ,, between perpendiculars 111 ,, 6 ,, ,, on load water line 1o8 ,~ o ,, Breadth moulded 16 ,, 6 ,, Depth l l ,, 3 ,, The yacht is of steel, with handsome scroll figure-head and trail board, quarter badges 1 &c., the design being oak leaves and acorns in relief, and embodying the owner's armorial bearings. She is rigged as a fore and aft schooner with two pole masts. The machinery is situated amidships, and consists of a triple-expansion condensing engine, having cylinders 9 in., 15 in., and 2 5 in. diameter, with a stroke of 18 in., and a cylindrical multi– tubular return tube boiler 9 ft. 7 in. inside diameter by 8 ft. 9 in. long, constructed for a working pressure of 180 lb. per square inch, to Lloyd's requirements. The desks and all skylights and fittings are of teak. Fresh water tanks to hold 500 gallons of water are arranged fore and aft. Two boats are carried in davits, a 20· ft. gig and a 16-ft. cutter (which can be replaced by a motor– launch). A steam windlass for working the cables and warping the yacht is fitted forward. 39