Page:The history of yachting.djvu/293

Rh adopted. I believe the Union was the first sloop that ever circumnavigated the globe. She proved to be an excellent seaboat, and was a very safe vessel. Still I think it too great a risque to trust to one mast on such a long voyage, when a small brig would answer on the N. W. Coast as well. The Cargo came out in fine order and I received great gratification in the idea that my conduct through the voyage had been very satisfactory to the owners, and although my voyage was not so lucrative as was contemplated at the commencement, owing to the rise of skins on the N. W. coast and fall of the same at Canton, still upon the whole it was a saving voyage. No vessel that left Canton in company with the Union made so quick a passage, although we were detained a fortnight at the Isle of France. She rarely exceeded 130 knots a day, though once northbound in the Pacific with a strong wind abeam and following sea, fine weather, under all sail she logged 168 and 188 knots for two consecutive days."

The Union arrived at Boston July 8, 1796. She was owned by Crowell Hatch and Caleb Gardner, merchants of Boston. Captain Boit was born in Boston, 1773; he was the son of John Boit, a well-known Boston merchant and ship-owner.

The Union was the first, and probably the only sloop that has ever circumnavigated the globe—it will be remembered that the Spray made the greater part of her voyage rigged as a yawl, when commanded by that justly-famous seaman and navigator, Captain Joshua Slocum.