The word Schoon, however, is Dutch, and from the Dutch-Latin dictionary already referred to, published in 1599, we find Schoon—beautiful, fair, lovely; and then follow some thirteen applications of the word, but nothing to indicate that it was at that time applied to a rig or a vessel.
In 1716 the first lighthouse built in North America was erected on the Little Brewster, an island at the entrance of Boston harbor; it is known throughout the maritime world as Boston Light. During the following year William Burgis of London, published an engraving of this lighthouse, in which the tender appears. From it we can form an idea of a large sloop of that period.
In 1717 an engraving of New York harbor also was published by William Burgis, dedicated "To his Excellency, Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and the Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same." The engraving shows several yachts, one of which is evidently a Government yacht saluting, while the other, the index informs us, is "Colonel's Morris's Fancy, turning to windward with a sloop of common mould."
This yacht is mentioned in the Memorial History of New York, as follows: "Racing on the water was not much in fashion, though the gentry had their barges, and some their yachts or pleasure sail-boats. The most elaborate barge, with awning and damask curtains, of which there is mention, was that of the Governor Montgomerie, and the most
