The following excerpt is from the Superindentent’s Report to the School Committee, which was printed in the School Committee Report for 1923 and reprinted in Beverly City Documents for 1923.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL TRAINING
Beverly, Massachusetts,
December 18,1923.
MR. S. HOWARD CHACE,
Superintendent of Schools, Beverly, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir: The Manual Training work in the Grade Schools has been very carefully thought out, in as much as, projects have been chosen which should hold the boy’s interest, as well as to be a benefit to him. This is not an easy thing to do and requires a good deal of thought.
Now in the sixth grade, the usual run of projects are being made, namely, rule, key tag, key rack, cake cooler, etc. Before making his project, each boy must make a drawing of the same which he consults and uses as a plan during the construction. Special emphasis is also laid upon the use of the various tools, as this is the pupils first attempt at wood-working.
A slight change has been made in the plans for the wood-working classes in the seventh grade this year. In previous years, in this grade the boy has started work at once on the construction of the sailboat, but after much thought I deemed it advisable to spend the first half of their time on smaller projects such as neck tie racks and airplane windmills. By doing this the boat is started in the last half of the year and completed in the eighth.
My reasons for doing this are as follows:
1. Not sufficient time in one school year devoted to wood-work to allow the pupil to finish his boat.
2. To give the boy a little more work of an elementary nature before he tackles so large a project.
3. So that the instructor will have the opportunity of being more thorough in his explanations and teachings.
This may seem a long time to spend on one project but I feel the boat is worth every minute of the time. Very few people realize the work in the construction of a sailboat, or the various woodworking and metalworking tools used. The following are some of the tools used.
Coping Saw; Draw Knife; Chisel
WOODWORKING TOOLS
Jack Plane; Bit Brace; Gouge;
Hammer; Wood Rasp; Auger Bits;
Rule. Wood File; Try Square;
Rip Saw; Smooth Plane; Marking Gauge ;
Back Saw; Sloyd Knife; Scissors;
Screw Driver; Spoke Shave; Counter Sink
METALWORKING TOOLS
Drills; Gas Torch; Hack Saw;
Clamp Vise; Soldering past;e Flat and Slim Taper File;
Hand Drill; Soldering outfit; Screw plates’
Pliers; Tinners’ Snips
The sailboat that we are making this year is a little different type of boat, that is, we are doing away with the graft and bow sprit and making use of the marconi rig, also changing its shape as well as the lead on the keel. The model for this year’s boat has been made and tried out and has proved to be a fine sailor.
Of course, all of the pupils do not make boats, as it is optional, and many of them make tabourets, fern stands, radio cabinets, medicine chests, etc.
No doubt many people would be surprised if told that within two years the boys have made over four hundred and fifty model sailboats. More than any other city or town in the United States or, one might say, in the world.
Our yacht races have been photographed by the leading motion picture men, namely, Pathe, Fox Film, and Educational Weekly. Motion pictures of the boats in construction at the schools, as well as the races have been shown all over the country. Not long ago, I received a letter from Bowling Green, Kentucky, stating that they had seen pictures of our yacht races there.
Last June the Beverly Rotary Club very kindly donated a cup for first prize and medals for second and third prizes for the winners of the race.
At this time, I wish to thank Mr. Waite for his hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
(signed) JESSE A. DUTELLE.
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