When the hull is properly shaped it must be hollowed out.  This is done by means of a “gouge,” or chisel with a curved edge.  A small vessel can be hollowed by means of a knife or ordinary chisel, but it is best to have a “gouge,” if there is much wood to be taken out.  When he has made the interior of his vessel as deep and wide as he thinks proper, he will put a deck on it, if it is a ship or a schooner; but if it is a sail-boat or sloop, he will probably only put in seats (or “thwarts,” as the sailors call them), or else half-deck it.

Then comes the most interesting part of the work—­the rigging.  First the masts, which must be light and tapering, and standing back at a slight angle, are set up, and the booms and yards are attached.  A great deal of ingenuity can be displayed:  in making the booms work well on the masts.  The bowsprit is a simple matter, and the stays, or ropes which support and strengthen the masts, are very easily attached, as they are stationary affairs.  But the working-tackle and the sails will show whether our young friend has a genius for boat-building or not.  If his vessel has but a single mast, and he merely makes a mainsail and a jib, he will not have much trouble; but if he intends to fit out a schooner, a brig, or a ship, with sails that will work (and where is the boy with soul so dead as to have any other kind?), he will find that he will have a difficult job before him.  But if he tries hard, and examines the construction and working of sails in real ships, he will also find that he can do it.

If the vessel is a fine one, she ought to be painted (this, of course, to be done before the sails are finally fastened to the booms and yards), and her name should be tastefully painted on her stern, where of course, a rudder, carefully working on little hooks, is already hung.

It will be very difficult to tell when the ship will be actually finished.  There will always be a great deal to do after you think all is done.  Flags must be made, and little halyards running nicely through little pulleys or rings; ballast must be provided and adjusted; conveniences for storing away freight, if the ship is large and voyages are contemplated, must be provided; a crew; perhaps a little cannon for salutes; an anchor and windlass, and I am sure I cannot tell you what else besides, will be thought of before the ship is done.

But it will be done some time, and then comes the happy hour!

If the owner is fortunate enough to live near a pond or a brook, so that he can send her right across to where his partner stands ready to receive her, he is a lucky boy indeed.

What a proud moment, when, with all sails set and her rudder fixed at the proper angle, she is launched!

How straight she sits in the water, and how her little streamer begins to float in the wind!  Now see her sails gradually puff out!  She moves gently from the shore.  Now she bends over a little as the wind fills her sails, and she is off!  Faster and faster she glides along, her cutwater rippling the water in front of her, and her flags fluttering bravely in the air; and her delighted owner, with laughing eyes, beholds her triumphantly scudding over the surface of the pond!