by H.S. "Skipper" Smith
With illustrations and diagrams
A fine beginning-cruising book. Lovers of Block Island and Cuttyhunk will certainly like it because of its local appeal. From the Introduction: "This book is entitled The Amateur Seaman because it is written for a class of men to whom this title better applies than that vague term “yachtsman.” Of men who own and handle small pleasure craft, there are many different types. Some like to race, some to sail around without particular destination, while others prefer cruising. A few use their vessels as floating homes during the summertime, loafing places, de luxe or otherwise. All are yachtsmen, but not all are seamen. It is to men who are seamen, or who are trying to learn the science of seamanship, that this work is directed. It is written as well for the benefit of those whose principal enjoyment is taken in cruising rather than racing or loafing. I have called this book The Amateur Seaman with malice aforethought. The term “yachtsman” brings to the minds of too many a vision of a sartorially perfect being with uniform coat, flannel trousers, and visored cap, whose principal function afloat is apparently to run the paid hands around and call on the steward for cocktails. For him I can say nothing of interest. Nor am I so familiar with racing sailing. Racing is more an art than a science. You must be born for it if you are going to succeed. Those who seek the water merely to rest and loaf require no instruction. Seamanship is a science. It can be taught as well as learned. It covers what might be termed the entire economy of a ship, external, internal and personal. A good helmsman or an expert sail trimmer, for example, is no seaman, unless he can put his vessel in commission, care for her in the water, perform all necessary work on board, provision her for voyages, navigate and handle her under way, and finally educate his associates to become good shipmates with him and with one another. This book is, therefore, an attempt to describe to some degree that science of seamanship. Its major appeal should be to those who own or sail on small ships, under forty feet in length, and whose supply of time and cash is limited."
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