FOREST AND STREAM. 



389 



cup, to the yacht making the quickest time over the course. 

 At the second gun from the steamer Reybold, all classes got 

 away together. Ada/ phi and Lillie got the strength of a stiff 

 sou'wester off the eastern shore of Smith's Island, the latter 

 with Godfrey Krousc— " Philadelphia's Cranfield" — at the 

 wheel. Mitierw. was not far astern, followed by the crack 

 Clara, Lane, Gallagher in the order named, 



and the balance of the fleet in a bunch. At Greenwich Point 

 the yachts found it a nose-ender, and the work began. Add- 

 phi still in the lead, worked the strength of the ebb down 

 midchannel with skipper Geo. T. Campbell giving the word. 

 ..,</ mid IRnerva followed her tactics, while Lane, 

 Snjip/in, CuiTu : put in their boards more to the 



westward. Abreast of League Island Lane, went by Minena, 

 but overrunning on a leg toward the Island lost her advantage. 

 Aihlphi, "heroine of Smoky Hollow," hauled around the 

 buoy in fine style, having fetched the mark ahead of all the 

 larger cabin craft, and Krouse immediately piled on the linen 

 as he went flying for home before the southwest breeze, 

 hugging the Jersey shore all the way up for slack water. Time 

 of rounding Chester buoy : 



h. x. H. x. 



Adelpbl 12 f.8 Camden I ID 



Llllie 1 03 Lane I 21 



Clara 1 05 Fairman 1 25 



Eddie .1 ous, Poet, 1 25VS 



Minerva 1 07 Stella 1 26 



Coniot 1 10 Selene 1 26J4 



Blaucs 1 10 Giillnghcr 1 »?!* 



Bappho 1 16 IE Thomas 1 81>i 



Bin I'ra and Lillie ran the Tinicum beach, the rest followed 

 Krouse, who had obtained a long lead. Lillie then attempted 

 to cross the ebb, but lost much by the manoeuver, as the wind 

 fell light and left her in the race of the tide. The run up was 

 devoid of further incident. The flood gave all hands a lift in 

 the failing breeze, and finally a fine race was finished as 

 under: 



H. M. H. M. 



Adelphl 4 13 Gallagher 4 §\% 



Eddie •! 27 Selene 4 152 



Bl&nca * M?4 Fairman 4 62>4 



Clara..... * 32 Post 4 t>3 



Minerva 4 32% Lane 4 64 



tSomet 4 41 Stella 4 MX 



Sappho + 43% Thomas 5 02 



Llllie 4 45Ji Quay 5 12 



The time of start was lOh. 31m. Judges, Messrs. Chas. B. 

 Adams, Beverly (N. J.) T. G; Chas. Cohill, Commodore 

 Cooper's Point Y. C, and Geo. F. Keyser. C. G. 



VINDEX VINDICATED. 



New Yobk, June 5, 1879. 

 Editob Fqbest and Stream : 



Inyonr issue of 29th nit., "Bobstay," referring to my craft 

 the Flutter, says that she caused much amusement to the specta- 

 tors by leaving the harbor of Oyster Bay, Sept. 16, 1876, under 

 etorm canvas. It atrikea me forcibly that the laugh is on the 

 other side. Out of a whole fleet of yachts bound to New York 

 she was the only one that dared to get under way. I can't say what 

 the velocity of the wind at the Signal Office was, but I know that 

 it blew hard enough to smash all the sheet blocks in tacking, 

 besides tearing the clew from the storm jib— a mere rag — endan- 

 gering the bowsprit — an llj<fm- stick — by its slatting. I would 

 further say that the bowsprit was not run into the sea as slated, 

 and that I have never carried away a bowsprit on the vessel, al- 

 though I have eruiBod in her the whole length of our coast and 

 rounded Hatteras in the winter season. The San Francisco 

 yachts, as I understand the matter, are of the ordinary type of 

 American centreboard vessel, with great beam but small canvas, 

 which, in the smooth waters of a bay, undoubtedly can do well. 

 They would fail miserably if called on to do any real work. 



Many of your correspondents write about the English cutter, 

 giving thBir experience of them, when it is evident from what they 

 say that they have never put foot on board one of them ! There 

 are at the present moment in this country the following ontters : 

 Muriel, Kami— ex Kitten— and a small one built by Piepgraaa 

 this spring. The rest are modifications, and would be repudiated 

 by English yachtsmen. The nearest approach to tho real thing 

 among the rest is the Volanle. Yet, with so few to judge from, 

 these gentlemen make wholesale deductions as to the performan- 

 ces of this type of boat. My friend " Podgers '' is so sore of the 

 seaworthiness of the broad shoal type that he, in one of your back 

 issues, draws a very pretty picture of the defeat he— on pap< 

 proposes to give to tho cutter. I will say in reply that the Volante 

 is j ust the length he mentions, and I shall be most happy, i 

 her owner's consent, to lot him try the experiment on her. I only 

 reserve the right to pick the weather. Mr. Olapham, with his 

 model sharpie, had better join the party. 



"Open Sea" takes exception to my " poetry," but he really 

 should not. Old hands like myself can't imagine a Smedley 30ft. 

 boat going dead to windward six miles an hour against a three- 

 mile tide, total nine miles ; that a fishing smack only 55ft. water 

 lino can beat America in a blow; nor that she can go 12 knots — or 

 miles— through a chop sea, close hauled— vide issue of 29th ult.; 

 nor that n vessel ia without butts, etc., when she has a break 

 the deck. 



The Gloucester fishermen, the N. Y. pilots, the English Channel 

 pilots, have, 1 presume, some experience in small vessels at 

 Have " Podgers " and the other gentlemen who favor the shoal 

 boat for hard work, over seen anything but a deep keel vessel em- 

 ployed by these men? Kobebt Centeb, 



THE NEREID, 



New Yobk, June 7, 1879. 



EWTOB FOBEBT ANB StBEAM : 



Has not most too much been said against that quaint embodi- 

 ment of naval construction, the Nereid' From the moment 

 she touched the water to the present time she has been the bono 

 of contention and the butt of ridicule. First of all the New Yoi 

 Yacht Club, iu a most unsportsman-like way, contested hi 

 admission to the club raoes under the shadow of their definition 

 of a yacht, as it wiib claimed she could not accompany the club 

 upon its cruise from inability to meet the winds and waves of the 

 raging Long Island Sound, but in truth because it was feared that 

 her small displacement would, by time allowance if not by speed, 

 place all the cups at her disposal. All this trouble was taken be- 

 fore tho veBselhad ever been tried, and the exact reverse of the 

 fears then entertained have became manifest through experience. 



Up to the present timo every report of a race or cruise must have 

 its fling at this long-suffering craft ; and I ask again, is it not 

 going a little too far, so far indeed as to lose sight of the 

 generous and liberal spirit of her owner, in thus putting in 

 practice a most original idea, and trying at a great expense a 

 novel experiment? Had tho Nereid proved a great buccobb 

 in the way of speed, as her first cousin the Catamaran has 

 done, no praise would have been too great to beBtow upon this 

 novel veaael and her enterprising owner ; as it is, however, the 

 everae seems to be tho case, and in condemning the faults of the 

 craft many too often condemn her owner, when praiae alone 

 should be due to a gentleman who so fearlessly enters into an ex- 

 periment attended with so great expense. I may say in con- 

 clusion that I heartily wish wo bad many like him who would as 

 fearlessly grapple with as many more unsolved problems of naval 

 architecture. SeawAnhaka. 



Our recent reference to the Nereid and her sailing should 

 not be construed into a reflection upon her enterprising 

 owner, Mr. Anson Phelps Stokes. No one appreciates more 

 than ourselves the value of experiment in new directions, and 

 with our correspondent we are prepared to acknowledge 

 the debt the community owes to one who "so fearlessly en- 

 ters into an experiment attended with so great expense." 

 The charge of belittling any honest efforts looking to improve- 

 ment in the qualities of yachts cannot be laid at our doors, 

 for we must most emphatically wash our hands of the insipid 

 drivel which has and still may appear in contemporaries from 

 the pens of incompetent persons. While ready to acknowl- 

 edge the very creditable independence of thought and action 

 which produced such a novel type of vessel as the Nereid, we 

 cannot refrain from pointing out the fact that had more prom- 

 inence been given to the Stream Line theory in her design, 

 some slight, changes in construction would have produced 

 more satisfactory results. In the remarks to which "Sea- 

 wanhaka " takes exception, we merely attempted to account 

 for the seeming paradox of a slow Catamaran, and we now 

 add that any person ridiculing the efforts of Mr. Stokes and 

 others, or superciliously turning up his nose at something 

 new and possibly much beyond his comprehension, has, iu 

 our eyes, no standing, and ten to one will be found an igno- 

 ramus. Costly experiments like those of Mr. Stokes, if 

 undertaken with reasonable prospects of success, and il 

 founded upon the sound precepts of naval science, should re- 

 ceive the hearty support of all interested in the development 

 of.uaval architecture ; and whether finally successful or not, 

 their originators will always receive from fair minded and 

 logical persons that praise and recognition which is their due. 



A CHARMING CANOE ROUTE. 



Louisville, Ey., May 15, 1879. 

 Editor Fobest and Stream : 



The time has come when aanoemen begin to consider their 

 summer cruises, and this leads me to suggest to such as can en- 

 joy from two to four weeks with the paddle that no more delight- 

 ful trip can be taken in America than that of the James Biver. 

 The starting point should be Covington, Virginia, in the heart of 

 the Allegbanios, not over twenty-four hours from New York, and 

 easy of access from Cincinnati as well. Covington is on I he Ches- 

 apeake and Ohio Railway, at the navigable head of Jackson's Rivi 

 a narrow, sparkling, rushing stream, which in the first thirty miles 

 of its course below Covington descends over three hundred feet, 

 and all the way to Buchanan carries the canoeist in rapid water 

 through the glories of unsurpassed mountain scenery. From 

 Buchanan to Lynchburg the course is varied between the long 

 and beautiful reaches of sltck water improvement, occasional 

 Bhort canal connections, and — if one has a mind for short 

 now and then — exhilarating rushes down the rapids which invari- 

 ably succeed the great dams. Thence to Richmond the river 

 broadens, but is uniformly swift and enjoyable throughout. The 

 entire course is broken by rapids, cascades and falls, lively enough 

 to test the best nerve and skill, yet there is not a yard of it where 

 the canoe need be carried, save around the dams. Scenic beaut: 

 and grandeur are never absent from the eye. The massive peaks 

 and swells of the Alleghanies ; Clifton Forge's wonderful arch ; 

 the gap below Craig'B Creek, equal to that of the Delaware, but 

 a deal more picturesque ; the unique fountain at the ' ' Bat Hole ;" 

 the rounded hills below Buchanan ; the Natural Bridge, reached 

 in a two-mile tramp from Giimore's Mill ; the glorious pass of five 

 miles down Balcony Falls through the Blue Bidge ; the cultivated 

 diversities between Lynchburg and Bichmond ; — these are but a 

 few salient points in a succession of nature's glories that mark my 

 cruise of 1877 with pleasant memories which I would that others 

 may enjoy. The trip from Covington to Bichmond may be made 

 in two weeks easily, and three weeks will compass a very leisurely 

 cruise over all the water from the heart of the mountains to the 

 sea. I cannot over-commend this beautiful river and its hospita- 

 ble people to the cruisers of the coming summer, and stand ready 

 to answer by post any queries aeeking more definite information. 

 A. H. 



Jfnswets to ^atfrespendentu. 



Ha Notice Takeu at Anoiuaioue Communications. 



Frankfort, Ky.— The reputation of the gunmaker is excellent. 



E. N-, New Platz, N. Y.— Woodcock open season in New York begins 

 Aug. 1. 



C. C, Philadelphia.— Cannot And the Field you referred to ; flics not 

 complete. 



H. F. K., Newport.— See our yachting fixtures, the most complete 

 publis.ed. 



C. E. T. Akron, O.— The specimen which you send is the Bear Bug 

 .rawlis) 



F. B, P.— Address of bulldar of "folding boals " will be found In our 

 advertlslng columns. 



Quaker City.— All the clubs on the Delaware still allow shifting 

 ballast, except in cabin yachts, 



o. W. K , OatawiBsa, Pa.— We shall be pleased to receive and publish 

 your scores. Must be in early. 



J. W. M., Rochester, N. r.— Wo do not think the dog had rabies. It 

 was much more likely to have been poison. 



R. L., Flatbusb, L. I.— What la the close seaso j for woodcock la Rut- 

 land Co., Vermont ? Ans. From March 1 to Aug. 1. 



H. D. II., University Place, City.— For works of American history or 

 travel apply to C. L. Woodward, IS Nassau St., New York. 



Corinthian.— You will And your questions covered by our ylew of 

 " Practical Boat Sailing " in last number. Read the paper. 



E&el, N. Y.— Time allowance of New York Y. C is based upon size, 

 only correct measurement in nse. Length measurement is sheer non- 

 sense. 



G. H. K.— Will make inquiries about the Colvin canvas boat. The 

 parties may have gone out of business. Possibly you will Olid what 

 you need among our advertisements, 



F. M., Portland.— Can't do everything at once. For yacht bniider of 

 good reputation consult advertisers. The man who advertises his 

 business is always the best one to go to. 



Wi F- G„ Charleston, Kanawha Co., W. Va— Your specimen is a 

 tree toad, Hyla versicolor, but how he reached his prsant size before 

 death we are at a loss to conjecture. Perhaps he was trying to make a 

 bull of himself. 



"W. 8.— 1, No. G English shot contains 26S pellets, No. t American 

 shot, 291 pellets. 2. If yonr measure does not correspond to the scales, 

 teat each and sec which is wrong. 3. Eugene G. Blackford, Fulton 

 Market, N. Y., deals in frogs' legs. 



E. H, H., Stamford.— Do not know where you can get a working boat 

 in your neighborhood. In New York inquire at boat-houses along; 

 Harlem River for beat bargain, or go to Geo. Roahr, foo; 135th st„ 

 Harlem, who may put you on the track. 



L. F. P., Brooklyn, N. Y.— 1. You can buy canvas hunting Bults 

 cheaper than yon can buy the canvas and make the suits yourself. Go 

 to any of the dealers advertised in our columns. 2. Probably the birds 

 are upland plover, though you should send some description. 



W. B. D.— I have a gun, of which the left barrel misses Are. Am 

 using IT. M. C. cartridges. Have sent the gun to be repaired, but 

 works no better. Shall I nse other cartridges? Ana. The fault Is in 

 the gun. The TJ. M. C. cartridges are used by hundreds and thousands 

 with greatest satisfaction. 



C. W., Minnesota Junction, Wis,— The breech-loader is usurping the 

 place formerly occupied by the muzzle-loader, and that fact alone Is 

 suffici ent, we should ihink, to prove its superiority. The muzzle- 

 loader and the breech-loader are each good enough in themselves. 

 The accuracy la in the marksman as much as in the arm. 



H. B. K., City.— To prepare skeleton leaves and moasea, make a prep- 

 aration of chloride of lime, 4ozs. ; carbonate of soda, Vozs. ; water, 3 

 pints; dissolve ; Alter through Altering paper into glass bottle. Now 

 add three-fourths water ; put in the leaves. Leave them until they 

 whiten and then put them into clear water to remove the alkaline 

 salts. Then lay them in soft paper to absorb moisture. 



K., Pittsburgh, Pa.— Will you please recommend some work or works 

 on ornithology, not too scientific, but accurate and thorongh. The 

 booK is for the use of my children, but should be something more than 

 the average " child's book" on kindred snbjecta. Ana. For American 

 ornithology we would recommend Dr. Coues' " Birds of the North West" 

 and his "Birds of the Colorado Valley" now publishing. 



Col. J. A. B., Arcate, Cai.— The newspapers report the capture In a 

 seine, at Coddington's Cove, of a tarpum measnrlug six feet and one- 

 half In length, and weighing 12S pounds. What is a tarpum? Ans. 

 The scientiflo name of the tarpum is Megalops allanticus, Gill. It has 

 very large silvery scales, plays on surface of water, very active'; gen- 

 erally taken with harpoon ; has been known to take the hook. 



J. N. A., Pennsylvania.— 1. The guns are made by Whitney Arms 

 Co., and are generally esteemed good weapons. For general game 

 from woodchucks to deer, use a IS. 2. We have had no late informa- 

 tion regarding the Susquehanna Ash-dams. 3. The Tennessee season 

 is a month earlier than that of New York. 4. Tennessee has her quota 

 of snakes, but they are not numerous enough to be annoying, 5. The 

 game of that State comprises deer, wild fowl, quail, wild turkeys, etc. 



H„ Huntingdon, Tenn.-1.-Where are the wild pigeons nesting this 

 season ? 2. Where do catbirds go in winter ? 3. Where do Bnowbirds 

 raise their young ? 4. Did buffalo ever abound in the E istej-n States ? 

 Ans. 1. There is a roost iu Michigan, we believe. 2. Southern States, 

 Mexico, Cuba, etc. 3. What do you mean by snowbirds? Junco lu/e- 

 Malis breeds in Maine, New Hampshire and In the mountains south to 

 Pa. and perhaps Georgia, while Plectropha^s nimtis rears its young in 

 the extreme North, Alaska, Cumberlacd Gulf and northern part of 

 British possessions generally. 



H. W. F., Rutherford.— My Gordon setter bitoh has whelped eight 

 puppies— three dogs and Ave bitches. Are there any particular points 

 to consider in selecting a brace from the litter? There are two or 

 three black, white and tan, the rest black and tan. They are lhrea 

 weeks old. Ans. It is rather difficult to select puppies at that age 

 We should choose from those without white, and probably the largest 

 and strongest. As they grow older the probable shape of head, legs 

 and body can be determined, and a choice made accordingly. 



t. L. H„ Huntingdon, Tenm-There is a kind of blowing horn, which 

 has iu the neck a tongue, and Is made pointed, to go inside the mouth 

 while blowing instead of against the lips. I have heard such called" 

 harp horns, and have frequently seen toy horns of this kind. While 

 out on a camp hunt last fail I met with a sportsman who had a large 

 horn of this ktnd, which he stated that he had been using for several 

 years, and that it had never been out of order. It was an excellent 

 sportsman's horn, easily blown, and could be heard as far as the ordi- 

 nary blowing horn, and required much less strain iu blowing. Where 

 can I flnd one? Ans. New York dealers have nothing of the kind in 

 their stock. We do not know where you will find one. 



W. N. a, Galveston, Tex.— In a glass ball match, 15 balls, A scores 

 15 and takes first, B Bcorea 13 and takes second ; and D tie on il 

 shoot off, and C wins third. Does D then have any claim to fourth, or 

 should it go to winner of ties or aj Ko rules adopted before 'the 

 match? Ans. The dlfflculry here Is In the negligence of contestant to 

 agree upon form of mutch before shooting It. It claBS shooting, D has 

 no claim to fourth; if not class shooting he has sn .di a claim. As 

 class shooting Is usually understood to be the method where nothing to 

 the contrary la agreed upon beforehand, we should decide that the 

 referee was correct In awarding fourth prize to ties of a. If D thinks 

 he was used unfairly he will possibly proiir. by experience, and when 

 he shoota again have the rules and mode definitely at d beforehand 



