RAFT

A species of float formed of various logs or planks, fastened together side by side, so as to be conveyed from one point to another. This means of conveying timber to the sea-coast is advantageously practised in many places. The following notice of the plan adopted on the Rhine, of bringing the vast quantities of trees felled near its source down to the navigable stations on its banks, may be interesting to the reader: — A little below Andernach ttie little village of Namedy appears on the left bank, under a wooded mountain. The Rhine here forms a bay, where the pilots are accustomed to unite together the small rafts of timber floated down the tributary rivers into the Rhine, and to construct enormous floats, which are navigated to Dordrecht, and sold. These machines have the appearance of a floating village, composed of 12 or 15 little wooden huts, on a platform of oak and deal timber. They are frequently 800 or 900 feet in length, and GO or 70 in breadth. The rowers and workmen sometimes amount to 700 or 800, superintended by pilots, and a proprietor, whose habitation is superior in size and elegance to the rest. The nift is composed of several layers of trees, placed one on the other, and bound together: a large raft draws not le than G or 7 feet of water. Several smaller ones are attached to it, by way of protection, besides a string of boats loaded with anchors aiid cables, and used for the purpose of sounding the river and going on shore. The domestic economy of an East India man or an English man of war is hardly more comj)lete. Poultry, pigs, and other animals are to be found on board; and several butchers are attached to the suite. A well-supplied boiker is at work night and day in the kitchen; the dinner hour is announced by a basket stuck on a pole, at which signal the pilot gives the word of command, and the workmen run from all quarters to receive their me es. The consumption of provisions in the voyage to Holland is almost incredible; sometimes amounting to 40,000 or 50,0C0 pounds of bread; 18,000 or 20,000 of fresh, besides a quantity of salted meat; and butter, vegetables, ., in proportion. The expenses are so great, that a capital of three or four hundred florins is considered nece ary to undertake a raft. Their navigation is a matter of considerable skill, owing to the abrupt windings, the rocks, and shallows of the river; and some years ago the secret was thought to be mono i)olised by a boatman of Rudesheim and his sons. {Autumn on the lihine.) [s. 1026]