FOREST AND STREAM. 



153 



way in this neighborhood to a more enlightened and benefi- 

 cial policy. The small fry must learn to take the bull by the 

 horns and abolish sand-bags and live -weight if they wish to 

 see yacht racing thrive. 



Bdxfaxq Items. — The season will probably open about the 

 middle of April. It will mark an era of fresh life and in- 

 creased growth in yachting affairs on the lakes. The Buffalo 

 Yacht Club used to m n lior their vessels wherever a snug 

 nook could be found, but this suratner they will all moor in 

 the Erie Basin, just inside the stone breakwater, under the 

 supervision of an appointed boat-keeper. A club house is 

 in contemplation. 



Rowing on Lakb Geoboe.— The open amateur regatta of 

 the Lake George Regatta Association will be held at Lake 

 George, N. Y., on July 18 and 17, 1879. Handsome prizes 

 will be offered, and satisfactory arrangements are in progress 

 in relation to the transportation of crows and their boats from 

 a distance, and a limited number of crews will be furnished 

 with board free while at Lake George. The programme of 

 the races has not yet been fully decided upon, but. will em- 

 brace fours, pairs,' doubles, singles, and perhaps others. The 

 regatta will be governed by the rules and regulations of the 

 National Association. For particulars address W. Scott 

 Whitney, Sec'y, Lake George, N. Y. 



It is proposed to make this regatta the forerunner of others 

 to come. There is as tine water as the world produces at 

 Lake George — no obstructions, such as tide or current ; and 

 it will bo an unusual thing at that time of the year if there 

 is not a mirror-like surface to the lake. The course will be 

 as straight, as a line can be drawn. A view of the whole 

 can be had from the banks of the lake. There will be no 

 trouble in land conveyances, as the crews' can come via rail- 

 road to the wharf of the steamer on Lake George, at Ticon- 

 deroga. Everything will be done to make it pleasant and in- 

 teresting to all. 



8f AtronsTiNE (Pla.) Yaoht Club. — The club held a re- 

 view, March 6, in which the yachts Seminole (flagship of Com. 

 Douglas), Arrow, Fleetmng, Maud, Florence-, Nellie, Alexis, 

 Venus, Oipsey, and others look part. The annual regatta 

 was sailed March 13, with a very flattering list of entries. The 

 Regatt d Committee consisted of the following gentlemen : J, 

 H. Rut ertoid. W. B. Beck, and 0. Livingston, with Com- 

 modore Douglas in general charge. Course, ten miles, and 

 five miles for third class. Time allowance, one minute to the 

 foot, and thirty seconds for third class. A summary is ap- 

 pended : First Class— First, Fva, 89ft. 3'm., 2:40:30 ; second, 

 Florence, 32ft. , 2-.40. Second Class.— First, Jdlewild, 21ft., 

 2:24 i second, Mamie, 26ft. 3in., 2:32. Third Class.— First, 

 Came/.lGft. 2iu., 2:36 ; second, Minnie, 18ft. 2iu., 2:50:30. 

 Special First Clnss— Maud, 27ft. 10in., 2:16. Special Second 

 Class— Alette, 21ft., 2:27:30; Daisy Bums, 16ft. 3in., 2:59. 

 Special Third Class— Traveller, 22ft., 2:83:45 ; Bessie, 19ft. 

 'Jin., 3:55:30. 



Trra St, Augustine Bab. — The St. Augustine Press says 

 that the pilots report ten feet of water on the St. Augustine 

 bar at low water, and seventeen and eighteen feet at high 

 water. What bar on the south Atlantic coast can do better 

 than that ; and what pilot was ever smart enough to keep up 

 with that shifting bar for a week at a time ? 



Pbovidbncb Yaoht Club.— This club was organized in 

 1875 and has now a fleet of 1 schooner, 12 sloops, 8 cats, and 

 2 catamarans. Number of members 40. Colors, red pointed 

 burgee, blue diagonal stripe with white star. Headquarters 

 Providence, R. 1. 



Yachting as Nabbagansett Bay. — Editor Forest and 

 Stream : I read the description of the English cutter Freda, 

 given in your last issue, and think she must be an extraordi- 

 narily fine craft ; but I cannot understand where all the sails 

 you mention can be set on a sloop-rigged boat. Will you ex- 

 plain her rig more fully, or give a cut of her in your paper ? 

 The Freda may be very comfortable at certain times, but why, 

 I am at a loss to perceive, having been accustomed to a very 

 different style of craft. I think that for the many good quali- 

 ties combined that those of Narrangansctt Bay cannot be ex- 

 celled, and although calculated more for bay service, they can 

 do very fair work when caught outside. At Mr. Davis', our 

 yachting headquarters here, a large number of fine yachts are 

 wintered every season. Mr. Davis is the builder and owner 

 Of the famous Wanderer. His yard is located on Allen ave., 

 and is quite a place of resort during the warm season. Mr. 

 Davis has just launched Mr. Arnold's sloop Tidal Warn. He 

 has also a 19-foot boat on the stocks. The Wanderer has 

 taken so many prizes in the bay that the yachtsmen have got 

 discouraged and won't sail against her, especially so in the 

 Newport regatta last season, when she came off victorious 

 against all the picked craft of the vicinity, much to the aston- 

 ishment of Newporters, who thought to beat her in rough 

 water. Some of our yachtsmen have made an early start this 

 season, so as to take in the spring fishing; the Starlight, a 

 sloop of 25ft., owned by R. W. Jenks, was rigged last week. 

 She is a very good sailer, and has won several prizes, but the 

 past season has found a formidable rival in the stoop Hope, 

 owned by E. J. Anderson, and some exciting con tests between 

 them are looked for the coming season. The Irene, cat- 

 rigged, 25ft., is also ready for work. The Providence Yacht 

 Club was organized in 1875, and has nearly one hundred 

 members and a fleet of yachts that would compare well with 

 those of any club in the States. They own the handsome 

 building they occupy, and lease tho entire wharf privilege on 

 which it is situated, and which commands a fine view of the 

 bay. The club gives several regattas each season which are 

 open to all other clubs that extend to them the same privilege, 

 with the exception of the cup races, of which they have two. 

 The first of these was given by Harry J. Flint, and has to be 

 won three successive seasons by the same yacht before the 

 holder of it becomes the owner. This cup is sailed for in June, 

 and has been won two seasons by the sloop Feck and Btion, 

 owned by C. II. Peck. The second cup was given by E. J. 

 Anderson, with nearly tho same conditions, and is held by 

 Wanderer at the present time. This cup is sailed for in 

 September, and is over a triangular course, thus giving sloop 

 yachts a great advantage. One notable feature to be seen on 

 most of the yachts of Narragansett Bay, and which is seldom 

 seen elsewhere, is what is called the " slide rig," which does 

 away with hoops on the mast, and in connection with the brass 

 blocks, which are universally in use, not only gives a yacht a 

 neater appearance, but, as Mr. Davis informs me, " are of the" 

 greatest advantage in doing windward work, holding the luff 

 of the sail close to the mast, and not allowing it to swing to 

 the leeward as it mu3t do with hoops." This style o£ rig 

 with brass blocks is manufactured in Providence solely by 

 Chas. Manchester. KnoDY. * 



aurora on tub Dislawabe.— The coming season promises 

 io be one of unusual activity. The Quaker City Yacht Club, 

 of Philadelphia, held their monthly meeting March 12. Owing 



to tho many accidents that have happened to the boats in 

 crossing the bar opposite Cooper's Point, the regatta commit- 

 Bd to change the starting arid finishing of the 

 matches from off Laurel street: wharf on the western shore to 

 off Cooper's Point, Camden, N. J., on the eastern shore of the 

 river. No definite conclusion was arrived at, and the matter 

 was laid over until the April meeting. The annual spring re- 

 gatta of the club will be sailed on Thursday, June 12. The 

 fleet of this club comprises the (oljowingyachts : First class — 

 Coquette, Clara, Columbia. Minerva, White Wing, Phantom, 

 N. Spering, Salin, William Tell and Kingston Ooddard. 

 Second class— Stella, Lillie, Eliza, Chris- Gallagher. Third 

 class (open boats)— Bianca, Post, JSUa. The Phantom, Sper- 

 ing, Eliza and Gypsy wer c very badly damaged in the great 

 storm last October, but will bo repaired. There will be three 

 sloops added to the first class before the season opens, two 

 from New York and one now building by Fisher, of Ken- 

 sington. Also some five or six of the third class, including 

 the famous Adelphi and the Fashion, Sclby, Camden and 

 Nklmls, formerly of the Delaware Yitcht Club. AVm. Wiser, 

 Jr., of Bridesburg, is building a 22-foot boat for parties of 

 that place, which will probably be added to this club. Col- 

 lins, of Camden, is also building one, which is expected to be 

 a regular flyer ; she is 87 feet on deck, 20 feet on keel, 11 feet 

 beam ; mast, 40 feet ; boom, 36 feet j gaff, 22 feet, and will 

 carry 150 yards of 'canvas. The present efficiency of this club 

 is due to the untiring zeal of its officers, especially of its Com- 

 modore, A. F. Bancroft, who, in addition, is an'active mem- 

 ber of a cricket club and gun club. Capt. R. G. Wilkins, of 

 Cooper's Point, is building two boats— one of 15 feet and the 

 other of 18 feet— which you will no doubt hear from during 

 the coming season. C. C. 



Boston PfiOsrEOTS.— The Corinthian spirit runs higher 

 than ever in Boston, and this summer will see more men sail- 

 ing and navigating their own vessels than in yeare gone by. 

 Cutlers are rather growing in favor among the "level-headed" 

 —no disparagement intended to those who do not. believe in 

 them, however. The feeling seems to tend toward the cutter 

 rig J oi vessels over 50ft., but not under. It is hoped that 

 some enterprising person will build an auxiliary steam yacht 

 and start, in these waters a specimen of that useful and con- 

 venient style of vessel. Both Beverly and Nahassett Clubs 

 seem enterprising as ever, and will both show additions in 

 their forthcoming lists. Salem's new club will probably keep 

 in the fashion and give a union regatta, as its sister clubs have 

 done during the past summer. There is plenty doing at City 

 Point in the small yacht building line. Among this summer's 

 fleet will be several craft familiar to New York yachtsmen, 

 and we will always be glad to see more of them in our har- 

 bor, even if the club signal does show that they had from 

 the west of the "cape." Wandeheb. 



Geottni) Tackle.— The great majority of our yachts are 

 lamentably deficient in ground tackle. This is what the 

 owner of a sea-going schooner of sixty tons says on the sub- 

 ject : "I carry as ground tackle 300 fathoms CUin. hawser, one 

 5001b. anchor, oiie kedge, one anchor 175ibs, one anchor 

 2501bs, 75 fathoms fin. chain, 500 fathoms 3 Sin. hawser, and 

 at least three or four warping and mooring lines, of length 

 and size proper. I have a good hold to stow all this gear, so 

 that it is handy. I should like to see a New York feney 

 yacht, or a Boston one either, for that matter, stow away the 

 amount of tackle proportioned to her size. I never saw a 

 proper place reierved for it in them. In truth, most yachts- 

 men would laugh at the outfit, and yet it is hardly up to the 

 amount required by the text-books of the United States Naval 

 Academy for a vessel going to sea." 



Tjie Hebald Abctic Exprdition. — The San Francisco 

 Yacht Club will muster in full force, as per club resolutions, 

 and convoy the Polar Expedition out to sea. Capt. De Long, 

 of the Jaannetu, and his officers have been tendered tho hos- 

 pitalities of the club. 



Wanted — A flush-deck, sea-going steam yaoht. Also a 

 Shadow canoe in fair order. Address tho Yachting Editor, 

 this office. 



« H i » 



BOSTON TAKES TO KEEL. AND LEAD. 



Bostok, Mass,, March 3, 1879. 

 EnrroK Fobest and Stream : 



I notice in your columns that there is considerable discussion 

 as regards the merits of Ike cutter, centreboard boat and sharpie, 

 but that very little is said about onr keel boats. I think them not 

 only the most comfortable boats ef their size, but in a breeze and 

 a jump or a sea thoy are the smartest boats we have in our waters 

 and for anght we know can equal, if not beat, the English cutter. 

 In our keel boats we gain ability in rough water, and cabin accom- 

 modations that cannot be had in either of the three above-named 

 boats— two qualities alone that the Boston yachtsman dislikes 

 to do away with. We have here but one genuine cutter, that was 

 brought over from England with great expectations, although there 

 is^now less faith placed in her as regards speed. But when one 

 comes to comfort I can't see where it can be found, the cutter 

 being so very deep and narrow that i£ a person wishes bertha he 

 is obliged to aaerifico transoms and narrow his floor so much that 

 a table cannot be stationary without being very much in the way; 

 and while under weigh with any wind, it is next to imposaible for 

 the steward to do any cooking, conseqnentiy a cold lunch has to 

 be served to satisfy the enormous appetite tho yachting man gen- 

 erally has. The cutter enthusiast might say there is comfort in 

 the feeling that the boat is uncapsizable. X agree with him on 

 that point, but this comfort is also had in our keel boat, aa we 

 carry heavy iron or lead keels. Ho also claims that he has height 

 in lus cabin, but to get this he sacrifices the beam. As for tho 

 centreboards thoy are a class of boats that are fast going out of 

 nae in and around Boston — i. e., boats from 20Ir. upward— as it 

 has been and is still being shown that a keel boat in a breeze is 

 the smarter of the two ; and with that speed the owner gets com- 

 fort as he puts his centreboard box out of bis cabin and has his 

 boat deeper, conseqnentiy more head room, which is a great con- 

 venience. We allow that in moderate weather the centreboard 

 boat is more than a match for ti-e keel in going to windward, but 

 soon as tho sheets are lifted, tho keel not only holds her own, 

 but in tho majority of cases will outran tho centreboard. It 

 might be said thai Ihe latter has beam, and makes up the room 

 Bhe lacks in depth. To this I can say that more than one-half 

 tho keel boats we have here have a beam equal to that of the 

 centreboards; also, that a number of centreboards have been 

 changed to keels, and are now talcing prizes and beating centre- 

 board boats who took prizes away from them before they were 

 changed. 



In the keel boat of 35ft. length one can have a foreoastle, with 

 a stove large enough to have an oven, and stowage room enough 

 for stoves, crockery etc., besides accommodations to sloop a man 

 and a boy. Then we come to the cabin, which is high enough to 

 allow the average man to stand up straight in. On oither side 

 the companion-way are two large closets, one for light sails and 

 storage generally — such as overcoats, odskins, rubber boots, etc 

 --while tba other is used for a water-oloaet, which is belon ;!ie 

 line, consequently giving ample head-room, to say nothing of her 

 wide transoms and floor. This size boat will oarry all tho way 

 from 1,000 to 3,0001bs. of iron or lead on her keel, consequently 

 is as uncapaizable as the cnttor. 



Here allow me to quote from "B.," in his article in yonr num- 

 ber dated Jan. 23, on the " Construction of Sharpies :" " Being 

 narrow, they are rather crank, and in fresh breezes must be eased 

 by slacking the fore-sheet, as too Budden easing of the holm 

 slews the stem so swiftly as to take in water before the boat rights 

 up in answer to relief from pressure." I agree with bhn in think- 

 ing them perfect for oyster tonging, or where the water ib bo shoal 

 that our light-draft centreboards cannot be used. But having 

 plenty of water here, I am inclined to think that their good 

 qualities will hardly be appreciated by the yachtsmen m and 

 about Boston. There are now being built here a number of keel 

 boats, ranging from 20 to 50 feet on water lino, four of which are 

 schooners, the rest sloops and oat-rigs, a style that is not used 

 here as much aB formerly, on acoonnt of the heavy weather helm 

 they carry, running off ; and to steer them at all, even by the 

 wind, it is necessary that a deep skag should be placed on the 

 keel, thereby making her draw from 7 to Oin. more water. 



I mentioned what are going out of use in Boston waters, so 

 now I will give you the dimensions of two or three sloops, the 

 styles of which are fast coming in use hero, as the entries in the 

 race next season will show a larger number in this class than any 

 other. Mr, Green is building for Thos. Stone, of East Boston, a 

 boat (modeled by B. M. Woods, of E. Boston), with which he ex- 

 pects to clean out the Viking, the keel sloop that took the first 

 prize away from tho famous centreboard Shadow, last fall, in 

 Capt. Weston's outside race, under the auspices of the Dorchester 

 I'acht Olnb. Her dimensions are aa follows : Length over all, 

 37ft. Gin. ; water line, 33ft.; beam, 12Tt. 8in. ; depth, 6ft.; draft, 

 7ft. She is quite sharp forward, also on the floor, as yon will see 

 by tho depth, having 42in. rise to the bUge; is very lean aft, with a 

 Y stern. She has 22in. sheer ; has 25in. keel outside the garboaid, 

 with l,2001bs. of iron bolted to it amidships ; has also a tremen- 

 dous amount of dead wood aft, which, it is claimed, is going to 

 give her power in a breeze, especially with any sea running. 

 This point, of course, can only be satisfactorily proved to us by 

 practical illustration, there being no other boat with such an 

 amount of dead wood here in Boston. They also believe that can- 

 vas makes the boat go, and are putting very largo sails on her, 

 carrying a 40ft. Gin. mast, which is stepped well aft; bowsprit, 

 Hit. outboard to stay, and a 22ft. topmast. Mainsail will have 

 28ft, hoist, 42ft. on the foot and 22ft. head. Wood Bros, are 

 building a boat for themselves, with which they expect to beat the 

 Gael, as they want to prove their model superior. She is 35ft. 

 over all ; 31ft. water line ; lift. Gin. beam ; 5ft. deep ; Gft. draft ; 

 is very sharp forward and on tho floor, having a rise of 3Rin. to 

 the bilge ; is also very muchjout away aft, with a V stern— in fact 

 there is hardly a straight line on her, as they aro all hollow. She 

 will make a very pretty boat on the water, having 20in. sheer. 

 Her keel is very deep— being 27iu.— on which Bhe will carry 1,500 

 lbs. of iron ; and in races they intead to oarry nothing but shift- 

 ing ballast. The amount will be about 3,0001bs., which cannot 

 help giving the boat a great deal of power. It can also bo very 

 eaaUy handled, as she will be an open boat for this season. 

 Jacob Eood is about finishing for Messrs. Blaney, of East Boston, 

 one of tho prettiest boats that will float the coming season, the 

 workmanship being beyond criticism, and, should she prove ua 

 fast as her looks warrant, will be the hardest, competitor the 

 third class will have. Her sails will be extremely large, and it ia 

 thought they are overdoing it, and that she will not stand up un- 

 der such a pressure, except, in very fight airs. Length over alt, 

 29ft.; water line, 25ft. 10iu.; beam, 9ft. 8in.; depth, 3ft. 6in.; 

 draf t, 1ft. ; sheer, ISin. ; hollow lines forward and on the floor, 

 also very fine aft, with a V Btem ; is to oarry l,Q001ba. of iron on 

 her keel, whioh is 20in. deep. Mr. Bood is also buildings oat-boat, 

 for W. B. Pigeon, of East Boston, wherein ho combines keel and 

 centreboards. Length, 23ft. 5in.; water fine, 19ft. Gin.: beam, 

 9ft. 2in.; depth, 30in. ; draft, without board, 2ft., having a lOin. 

 keel-board, being 7ft. by 2ft. Gin. She !b very flat on tho floor, 

 and is straight sharp forward. It is a notioeablo fact that hard])' 

 a boat ia budt here now but that she hag Borne weight on her 

 keel, and that the oldjboats are obliged to follow suit in order to 

 keep up their reputation for speed. Halliard. 



A DELAWARE RACING CRACK. 



The oat-rigged yaoht Oharlea Cohill was built in the spring of 

 1877 by Captain R. G. Wilkina, and launched in time to participate 

 m the annual regatta of the Cooper's Point (Caniden,'_N. J.) Yaoht 

 Club. May, 1877. She ia 17ft. long on deck, 19ft. long on keel 

 (over all), and 7ft. beam. Spars— mast, 82ft. long, Gin. thick at 

 deck; boom, 28tt.; gaff, 17ft. Depth amidships, 22in.; forward, 

 27in. ; aft, SOin. ; spread of canvas, 05yda. She won^the champion 

 flag in the regatta of 1877, and h:is held it in tho throe subsequent 

 regattas of the club. She was challenged by the Mayberry for 

 850 and the champion flag, which race was sailed July 18, 1877, 

 from Cooper's Point to Chester Buoy and return, a distance of 

 upward of 35 miles, the Gohill boating her advoraary more than 

 threo miles. She next entered Smith's regatta of 22ft. boats, and 

 won fn-Bt prize, aliandaome silver tea set, but was swindled ont of 

 it, although she passed the home stakeboat two infies ahead of any 

 boat in the fleet, tho judgea deoiding— after accepting her entrance 

 fee— that the competition was not open to Jersey boats. During 

 the same year (1877) another race was sailed from Cooper's Point 

 to Chester Buoy and return, in which the Cohill participated. On 

 her return up tho river, wheQ off Red Bank, a heavy thunder 

 ehowercameup, and she was struck by lightning, splitting her 

 gaff, and for a whilejpar&lyzing her orew. The rain poured down 

 in torrents, and shut out the view of all the boats. After tho gust 

 olearod away, the gallant craft was seen— still on the lead— head- 

 ing for tho Horseshoe under fullj sail, although three-fourths of 



