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Optic, Oliver, 1822-1897

"On The Blockade"


"What do you make out, Mr. Flint?" asked Christy, who was too busily
employed in watching the movements of the officers and seamen on his own
deck to give especial attention to the character of the other steamer.
"I can't see well enough yet to say anything in regard to details,"
replied the first lieutenant. "I can only make out her form and size;
and she seems to be as nearly like the Bronx as one pea is like another,
though I should say that she was longer."
"Is she in motion?" asked the captain with interest.
"She appears to be at rest, though it is possible that she is moving
very slowly; but if she has not stopped her screw, she is not going more
than four knots."
"You say that she is built like the Bronx, Mr. Flint?" asked Christy
anxiously.
"Just like her; I should say that both hulls came out of the same
mould."
"That very nearly settles the question in my mind. Probably she was
designed by the same naval architect, and constructed by the same
builders, as the Bronx," replied Christy, gazing intently at the dim
outlines of the steamer in the fog. "When a designer has made a great
reputation for fast ships, men with piles of money, like the former
owners of the Bronx, the Scotian, and the Arran, employ him to furnish
the plans for their steam yachts.


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