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. Huge cables, running the length of the
ship and driven by steam generated in a giant boiler down
below operated this miracle of modem naval technology,
pulling the sail along the greased wooden rail at a high rate
of speed. The sail, moving from front to back,
manufactured its own wind as it roared along and thus
propelled the ship on its course.
When the sail had completed its impressive sweep across
the deck and reached the ship's prow at the rear. . . . (There
WAS one tiny problem. It was impossible to turn the ship
around. Therefore the stem looked just like the prow. The
gnomes had solved this slight hitch in design by fixing the
sail so that it could go either forward or backward, as
needed, and had given the ship two figureheads - buxom
gnome maidens, one on either end, each holding screws in
their hands and staring out to sea with resolute intensity.) . .
. Where were we? Ah yes. When the sail reached the prow
at the rear, it rolled itself up neatly and traveled under the
ship through the water until it reached the prow at the front.
Here it leaped out of the water, unfurled itself, and
thundered along the deck once more.
At least, that is what the sail did on the drawing board and
in numerous gnomish bathtubs
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