14 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



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Boston, 



Urn York. 



Charleston 





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H. M. 



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Feb. 7 



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9 27 



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Feb. <l 



Fell. 10 



1 21 



in or 



9 20 



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in no 



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Fet>. 11 



2 SO 



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10 49 



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Feb, 13 ..." 



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1 22 



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YACHTING NEWS. 



Yaohting at Oswego, N. T.— The prospects of lake 

 ug in the future seem bright indeed, for from all ports 

 along oid Ontario, Erie and Michigan comes favorable news 

 concerning the rapid increase of the fleets and the spread of 

 popularity of the sport among the masses. When once the 

 beauties of the hikes and the magnificence of the cruising 

 grounds they afford are fully appreciated by the people in the 

 West, it will not be long before their yacht squadrons will 

 vie in number and in quality with those along live sea-board 

 proper. About Oswego the outlook is encouraging. The 

 fleet in those waters reaches twenty sail, the largest a 40-tou 

 schooner, 6016. keel and 10ft. beam. The Ella, of 20 tons. 

 is by many considered the fastest bout o£ her size on the 

 lakes, for in the matches at, Oswego and on the Canadian 

 shore she defeated Virrjvinc, with galUmt Outhbert at her 

 Wheel. A steam yncht, 50ft. keel, is now in course of con- 

 struction for Mr. N. Best, of Oswego, and a number of 

 Smaller craft are going up. Tides and currents do not bother 

 our friends on Lake Ontario. The Thousand Islands and 

 other famous places are the most popular resorts of the 

 yachting fraternity. Barnacles are scarcely known in the 

 fresh water regions, and iron craft need not bother about "the 

 best coating for their bottoms." 



Blnkkb HiLTi Yaout Club.— The Bunker Hill Yacht Club, 

 Charlestowu, Mass., elected the following officers for the 

 year: Com., W. H. Tolmau ; Vice-Corn., 3. H, Kick; Capt., 

 S. 11. Mon'is; Sec'y, W. P. Hodgkinsou ; Fiu. Sec'v, P. J. 

 Henchey; Treas., G. W. Melville; Trustees, N. F. O'Neil, 

 G. Andrews and J. Keyes ; Measurers, W. 8. Bobbins and 

 M. Walsh ; Steward, B. W. Hollis. 



Nflw Dkpaktueb in Shabpies.— A correspondent, whose 

 experience with sharpies extends over many years, informs 

 us that Mr. Barns, of ytony Creek, Conn., has' built for him 

 a ducking boat on the sharpie plan, but to obviate the "pound- 

 ing" has adopted the following plan: The stem projects 

 ■below the bottom, and a rounded piece of wood butts up to 

 it and runs to nothing aft. Of the success of this improve- 

 ment we hope to hear more anon. One objection to the 

 sharpie for hunting purposes has been this very peculiarity 

 of pounding or hammering in a sea, thereby destroying the 

 aim. If this can be done away with, the sphere of usefulness 

 of the sharpie will be materially enlarged. 



Experiences on the Lakes.— " We have," writes a lake 

 yachtsman from Buffalo, "some gloriouB old sport on our 

 fresh water lakes, and yachting in the future promises to ex- 

 pand to large proportions on our inland seas. First, the get- 

 ting ready for the start, fitting out with countless things for 

 the coming cruise, preparing Ashing tackle, bait and tiro- 

 visions ; then the start itself, and when once well outside cf 

 the Dummy Light, to meet the storm, hoist foresail with a 

 reef, stow mainsail and jib, and skim along at a lively pace 

 through the blinding rain for our destination. Arrived there, 

 we lower foresail, drop the anchor, make things snug, and 

 after a quiet smoke, then for the good old sleep f the 

 righteous that the sail and the excitement brings on. Next 

 morn, up with the break of day, and out to the fishing- 

 grounds, where sport of a grand kind awaits us among the 

 black bass, perch, rock bass, and an occasional sheepshead ! 

 If our fellow-cititjzeus only knew of the solid fun there is in 

 yachting, Buffalo would soon count htr handsome craft by 

 the score." 



The Cobinthtan Cdtteb.— Owing to the small scale upon 

 which our cuts of the Corinthian cutter (published last week) 

 were necessarily executed, it would be found difficult to 

 "build directly from them. For those desirous of building 

 upon this design-, we can procure large scale working drawings. 



Osgood's Portable Boat. — The canvas folding-boat of 

 the Osgood pattern has long been in high favor among sports- 

 men. She weighs only 40lbs., everything included, and can 

 be hougnt for $35. They have been used as long as seven 

 yeurs, with-ut showing signs of wearing out. Made at Battle 

 Creek, Mich. 



Boston Yaobt Club. — The annual meeting was held and 

 the following officers unanimously elected ior the ensuing 

 year: Com., Francis H. Peabody; Vice-Corn,, Nathaniel 

 Wales; Kear-Com., Andrew Bobesou ; Sec, Thomas Dean ; 

 Treas., Augustus Buss; Measurers, D. J. Lawlor, J. B. 

 Smith; Trustees, Benjamin Dead, Wm. B. Merrill, K. B, 

 Phidips ; Begatta Committee, Wm. H. Bangs, Jr., i. Alfred 

 Mitchell, Thomas Dean, Frank A. Drew, George S. Kice; 

 Membership Committee, A. C. Martin, Charles E. Kuss, Wil- 

 liam S. Whitney. The club received a proposal from the 

 Sewanueka Club to present a united petition to Congress 

 through our member from this district for a license law to 

 govern yachts, and do away with requiring them to take 

 coaster's papers. On motion of ex-Vice-Com. Smith, a reso- 

 tion was adopted and Com. Peahody instructed to sign for 

 the club. Mr. Curtis' motion relating to the voting privilege 

 was referred to a committee to report at next meeting in 

 April. The club is in a very prosperous condition. 



Tub Rbai. Okioimal Shahpib.— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 Give honor to whom honor is due. 1 notice in your paper an 

 article on sharpies, signed " B.,'' in which l.e says Air. Tay- 

 lor, of Vermont, has the name of building the first sharpie, 

 which is not correct. I remember full well the boat built by 

 Mr. Taylor and named the Trotter, and wish to inform jou 

 that the bout built by Mr. Taylor was not the first sharpie. 

 The first sharpie was built by myself and brother, J. H. 

 Good-ell, Of Fair Haven, Ct., several years before Mr. Tay- 

 lors, and was named the Telegraph from her great speed. 

 We were the designers of the model of the sharpie. I am 

 not positive as to the exact year we built the Telegraph, but I 

 think it was about the year 1818. If you desire any further 

 information relative to the above you can obtain it by writing 

 to parties in Fair Haven who are conversant with the facts. 



Baltimore, Md., Jan. 30. J. 1). Qoodsell. 



We are glad to place upon record the names of the origina- 

 tors of the sharpie, for with the lapse of time her origin would 

 have become obscured, and the number of claimants who 



years hence might seek to identify themselves with the first 

 boat of the kind have been forestalled, and thus, as our cor- 

 respondent says, we give honor to whom honor is due. 



Where to But Canoes.— We are constantly ia receiptor 

 inquiries for the name of the builder of the Shadow canoe. 

 1 he canoeing world is referred to our advertising columns 

 where they will find the card of Mr. Geo. Roahr, boat-builder, 

 of Harlem. A visit to his extensive shop will satisfy any one 

 that Mr. Roahr knows what a Shadow canoe ia and how to 

 build them quite as well as he knows how to put together 

 shell-boat work, for which he has long been famous. The 

 material and workmanship, and particularly the finish of his 

 Shadows and Nautile.nses will compare favorably with any- 

 thing in that line. With his ample facilities and favorable 

 location, he is prepared to build the Shadtw and other canoes 

 at the lowest rates, while his responsibility requires no further 

 guarantee from us. 



ROUGH WEATHER YACHTS. 



Boston, Jan. 27, 1S79. 



EDITOB lOREST AND 8TF1EAH: 



I notice in your correspondence recently an article headed 

 " Bough Weather Yachts" in which the writer, who was apparently 

 on board the Sunbeam during the race, makes some statements in 

 regard to the judgeB, Messrs. Arthur Burgess, (Joolidge, Barnad 

 and myself, not sustained by the facta, fie says : " The judges 

 concluded to log-off the oourso by a patent log on board the Dol- 

 phin. This was certainly an error on the part of the judges, atf 

 it proved the loDgest ten miles that ever were sailed. On board 

 our boat was a practical navigator, who laid out the course on the 

 chart in a proper manner, and when the beariDga bora right by 

 compass we hove-to." 



I have yet to learn that a patent log in thorough order, as was 

 the one used that day, is not a proper— and the usual— means in 

 such races; acd as when ten milea by it were run, Minote Ledge 

 Light bore southwest by south and Bakers Island Lights north by 

 west, there was no material error in the distance. When the 

 Sunbeam hove-to at 11:05 A. m. the Dolphin had run one hour and 

 a quarter east by north from Boston Light at half epeed, being 

 ahort of coal. Her full speed is not over eight knots, and the log 

 then registered less than five. The " practical navigator " must 

 have left his chronometer at home. 



I notice next " Borne little delay was caused in getting the flag 

 buoy into position " This is not true ; there was no delay what- 

 ever in that operation, and as the Sunbeam was astern some half- 

 mile or more, I presume "Kedge" speaks from hearsay. My 

 "request" to waive the consideration of Btaiting to windward 

 first waa a refusal to serve for another race unless this wae so 

 altered. Of the yachtsmauship of starting a twenty-mile race 

 from a flag buoy ten mileB out to sea, comment ia unnecessary. 



On the second day the judges postponed the race more than an 

 hour after the appointed time, neither yaoht being within five 

 miles of the starting point, and no wind. Such remarks as 

 "They had the ear of the judges. Wo made up our minds we 

 should not only not handle their money, but would never ses the 

 stakes,'' and some others of similar nature, so far as they refer to 

 mo, may pass for what they are worth. With this I leave the sub 

 ject. l J axdon my taking up your space with a matter eo purely 

 personal. Very respectfully, Frank E. Pradoby. 



The above we print with pleasure in justice to the judges 

 who are certainly above any suspicion and well known in the 

 community in which they reside. We have also in type an 

 Recount of the Sunbeam- Gael matches from the standpoint of 

 the Gael. The controversy would seem to be the result of 

 misunderstanding and " Hedge's" complaintsgainst the judgss 

 will be cleared up by the letters.to hand, though there may 

 always remain a difference of opinion as to the merits of the 

 two yachts, which a series of races next season can best settle. 



MORE ABOUT THE SHARPIE. 



New Haven, Conn., Jan. 21, 1879. 

 EnrroR Fobest'and Stream : 



I have come to the conclusion that one's own experience coupled 

 with that of others would make a more readable and instructive 

 article than pBraonal experiences only. I have called on several 

 bu fdera and sailers of the sharpie and round-bottomed boats, 

 thinking that if there were any good or weak points in either, I 

 would be apt to hear of them. Both classes of theaetnen here agree 

 that a sharpie labors easier and is drier, exoept in a chop sea, or 

 a heavy sea and light wind, when it will pound, and la then the 

 wetter boat of the two. This is tho only fault that I have heard 

 of them, while their light draught and sailing qualities are not ex- 

 colled by any other olasa of boats. 



Years ago, the dug-out canoe was used by the Fair Haven boat- 

 man. The square-ender, or skiff, was used by some, but was not 

 considered a salt-water craft, and wae thought to be countrified, 

 and no boatman was high-toned unlesa he waa the owner of a 

 canoe. These were brought from Lake Champlain, rafted together 

 like logs, by one John Smith, who would get customers for them 

 and who drew outa for choice on their arrival : each canoe being 

 numbered and a price so set by a oommittee that Smith would get 

 his price for the lot. The price would be 830 to S60. They wero 

 used with leg-of-mutton sail, leeboard, and steered and sculled 

 with an oar. Occasionally there would be a raoe, six or eight men 

 in each canoo with paddles, tho loaers to pay for an oyster snpper 

 at the tavern. The whole thing would be wound up with a fore 

 audaftor in the barroom, and the negro fiddler would keep tho 

 light fantastic toe a-wagging away into the early hours of morning. 



The last raft of canoes was brought about 1832. Suitable logs 

 being difficult to obtain, the canoes became poorer in quality: and 

 just about this time oysters began to bo so aoarce in the Qninni- 

 piao Biver that the oystermen were obliged to plant them in onr 

 harbor. In looking around for a proper boat, the sharpie was hit 

 upon, the first being built about 1835. She waB not then the hand- 

 some and speedy boat she ia to-day, and it is only within the last 

 five years that they have been brought to that degree of perfection 

 that their sailing qnalitias exceed those of the round-bottomed 

 boat. Even now there is no regular rule to build them by, each 

 boatman ordering of the builder — who is generally a boatman— 

 what he thinks would best suit his purpose, trusting to luck for 



extra sailing qualities, The head of the centreboard trunk is al- 

 ways put just aft of the cabin or forward deck, which varies ia a 

 35ft, boat from 9>g to lift. 



Mr. Lester Kowe, of Pair Haven East, has been the Incby one, 

 as boats of his build— when they have been allowed to enter-have 

 won every race for the last three years. He has kindlv fui nished 

 me with tie dimensions of his Carrie- V., which has beaten suoh 

 fast round-bottomed boats as Lihby, at Bridgeport; Bird's yacht 

 of Clinton, and Twilight and t helming, of Stony Creek Mr' 

 Rowe thinks his boat will go faster to Windward thin any boat he 

 ever saw, and will not exospt a catamaran. 



Carrie V. is 35ft. long, breadth of beam is amidships, and ia 8ft. 

 on deck; flare of aides, fin. to the foot ; width of stern, i^ft,, 

 just before it commences to round, and lOin. deep ; depth at bow, 

 36in.; 14in. sheer; lift, centreboard; decked over, 10ft. forward 

 and 4ft. aft ; washboards, 12in. wide amidships ; length of rudder, 

 aft,, audlSln. deep ; greatest draught of water, fan., and is amid- 

 ships ; bow sets 4in. out of water. In her racing trim ehe carries 

 a 45ft. foremast, Din. diam. ; 40ft. mainmast, 5 Vim diam. ; both 

 tapered to l^in. at mastheads. Length of bowsprit, Vltt., 22ft. 

 between spars ; hoist of jib, 27ft. She carries 250yds. of canvas— 

 75 in the foresail, GO in the mainsail, 1.5 in the staysail, -10 in the 

 squaresail, and 30 in the jib. To got ti.i, great spread 'of canvas 

 in the fore and mainsails, S or 10ft. " clubs" are used, and two 

 booms to eaoh of these sails, which set with suoh nicety that when 

 on the wind there ia not over 6in. space between Bail and boom, 

 The mainsail rune out bo far over the stern that an iron V, 4ft, 

 long, has to be usod for the mainshoet. The cost of sails is 60 cts. 

 per yard, The canvas is generally furnished by the boatman, the 

 aailmaker doing the work, inoluding roping, for 4 eta. per yard. 

 In a race 12 men are used for ballast— no dead weight ever being 

 used— and when on tho wind, outriggers, consisting of two 16ft. 

 planks, are run out to windward, upon which the men get, one of 

 them being captain of the outriggers, whose business it ia to see 

 that Ibe weather corner is kept just out of water, he using more 

 or lesa men, and shifting them to windward or to leeward as the 

 occasion requires. It is a great point to keep the sharpie in just 

 this position when on the wind, as she aaila faster aud holds on 

 better. 



The cost of the round stern over the square is $15. Tho ad- 

 vantages are in looks, no comers to catoh the mainsheet, it will 

 not ship a sea so oasily when moored by the atern, as they always 

 are when tonging for oyeteM. Tho reasons for so mooring them 

 are, handiness in getting at the anchor, and they lie more quiet. 

 The two pleasure or working masts for 35ft. boat are 4>.;in. diam., 

 and 2S to 30ft. hoist, and the two spread 65yds. canvas. 



Most boatmen have to go through several bridges in going down 

 the river, and is they have to unstop their maste, they are made 

 ae light as possible, so as to handle easily, and for this reason 

 they are sometimes carried away at the partner or main thwart. 

 A hatchet ia carried, so that the stump of the maat can he out to 

 fit the step when a single reef is put in— not a long operation for 

 a Fair Haven boy, either. 



From 150 to 175 bushela of oysters can be carried in a boat of 

 this size, and she will sustain 5 tone weight. The weight of her 

 hull is 2,000 to 2,500 lbs., and it takes ten good men to end her up. 

 The oaptain of one of onr yachts told me that hohad seen sharpies 

 in bad weather dredging for oysters in the Sound, when it waa a 

 mystery to him how they staid, lot alono doing any work. The 

 coat of one these boats, with working or pleasure sails, is about 

 $250. 



Length for length, the round-bottomed boat is the better, but a 

 Bharpie will outsail and drown oat anything nearly double her 

 tonnage, if sailed by a Fair Havon boatman. The sharpie la also 

 the quickest boat that ever sat in the water, and it requires con- 

 siderable experience to handle her easily. Ther will come dead 

 about in their own length, and their quickness la only equaled by 

 two well-matched Tom cats in a moonlight se 



Long sharpies will not be built to any great extent for yachting 

 purposes, and my reasons for so believing may be stated at some 

 future timB. The "skip-jack," a boat of many good qualities, I 

 think will take the place of the large sharpie for yachting. A 

 aharpie less than 25ft. in length does not amount to much in a 

 seaway, unless you give her conaiderable breadth or beam, which 

 hurts her sailing qualities, and spoils hor beauty ; the latter being 

 a great misfortune to anything of the feminine gender. Sharpies 

 sail better when loaded by the stern than by the bow, and should 

 you ever wish to row one alooe that is made to pull two pairs of 

 oars, always take the stern pair. 



I have had no experience in the transportation of boats by oars, 

 but thinK that perhaps weight will tell against the sharpie. They 

 are heavier than one would suppose to look at them, and white 

 one end at a time lifts easily, it ia another thing when yon tackle 

 both ends at once. Yon can judge for yourself when I tell you I 

 have one I made as light as possible for sailing, 14ft. long, 3ft. 

 beam, and it fakes two men to load it on a wagon. The stock for 

 this boat, including three coats of paint, was about $6, and I was 

 one and one-half days building her. The price of a boat of this 

 kind is $1 per foot or a little over. I have another, Ifcffc. long, 

 decked over like a duck-boat, and made for that purpose ; and 

 while she would do well enough to shoot out of on a river or Bmall 

 lake, she ia a complete failure for coot shooting on the' Sound on 

 account of her " pounding," which destroys the aim. When made 

 for rowing, sharpies are considered heavier than a round-bottom 

 boat of tho same length, made for the same purpose. 



SharpieB have no hollow water-lines, neither onght the bow 

 crown up. The sideH throw up the bow in bending them, but the 

 forefoot is cut straight away aft, so that the water-line will he at 

 right angles with the stern. A sharpie's bottom is nearly straight 

 from the Btern to midships, or thereabouts, according to the fancy 

 of the builder. Some makers commence at the stern to cut up 

 the corners, and hollow the sides along midships. What gives 

 the bow the appearance of crowning np ia the way the sharpie sits 

 on the water, and the less you cut away the corner or bottom sides 

 amidships or aft of it, the higher the bow will be out of water. 



J ASH. 



—See Bohemian Glass Company's advertisement. 



—Bead "Barton Mtrldetli," a sporting story equal to FraDk Forester's 

 beat, la Paila. Suniay Pott, Single copies, 3o, ; per annom, JL— Aiv 



