;a vim.) 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



of 20 per cent, must be made Cor vessels not enrolled on the 

 club lists and for additions to bring the figures up to date. 

 At the present time there are in America nearly 1,100 cabin 

 yacbtB Cully decked, rigged and titled. Their tonnage is not 

 far from 30,000, and they give employment to about 8,200 

 Hands wbHe in commission. 



Besides the regular yachts, however, a large fleet of half- 

 deeked sailing boats, used exclusively and strictly Cor yacht- 

 ing purposes, have sprung into existence as a sort of school 

 or stepping-stone to the ownership of fully decked vessels. 

 These are generally known as "open boats" in contradistinc- 

 tion to those fitted with permanent cabin accommodations. 

 Much of the sport and life of yachting is contributed by 

 these "open boats," especially in Eastern waters, where the 

 custom of sailing them with fixed ballast has given them a 

 much wider popularity than the aimless and expensive 

 nuisance of shifting ballast, still tolerated in New York 

 waters. In 1879 there were some 500 of these active mos- 

 quitoes, and in 1882 we have, records of about 400. which is 

 probably not one-half of the number in existence. The 

 grand total of legitimate yachts of all classes to-day may be 

 set down as 2,000. 



Racing has, of course, kept pace with the general develop- 

 ment of the sport, and is this year, more active than ever in 

 its history. The number of races sailed in 1875 was 144. 

 In 1878 it was 237. In 1879 the number was 361, In 1881 

 the races sailed were 240, and in 1882 no less than 285, while 

 for the current year, our fixtures give promise of exceeding 

 that number before the season closes. The number of win- 

 ning yachts in 1878 was467; inl879 it was 508; in 1880 our 

 columns show 470. 



The growth of dubs is illustrated by the following few 

 examples: lu 1866 the New York Y. C. had on its rolls 41 

 vessels, of which only 1 was a steamer, and 281 members. 

 To-day the club burgee is flown from 119 vessels, of which 

 34 are steamers, and 548 members answer to the roll call. In 

 1870 the Atlantic Y. C. had a fleet of 37 yachts and 86 

 members. To-day the club's register exhibits 76 yachts, 3 

 of which are steamers, and 200 members. In 1875 the East- 

 ern Y. C. was made up of 44 yachts and about 175 mem- 

 bers. Now the club has 92 yachts and 485 members. The 

 Hull Y. C. was not thought of in 1875. At this day it is one 

 of the strongest in the country, with 152 yachts and over 

 500 members. 



Other clubs exhibit like flourishing condition, and formid- 

 able as the array of yachts and yachtsmen already is, the 

 sport is only in its infancy. Coming years will in all proba- 

 bility sec accessions to the ranks of amateur sailors which 

 will eclipse what has gone before to an extent which would 

 now be considered a wild flight of the imagination. 



CANOEING. 

 Canoeing, as the term is now understood, dates back, in 

 the United States, to 1871, when the New York Canoe Club 

 was organized. Prior to that time, the name canoe had 

 been applied to the birch bark, log dugout, and other simi- 

 lar craft, but the trim little cruisers, now so numerous, were 

 entirely unknown. In the winter of 1871-2 a New York 

 man, prompted by the reading of MacGregor's inter- 

 esting books, called together several boating men, and organ- 

 ized a club under the title of the New York Canoe Club. 

 One or two Rob Roys were procured, of English build, 

 and several canoes were ordered of an American boat- 

 builder, who undertook the construction of the hitherto un- 

 unkown craft. 



About this time Mr. Baden-Powell's book on "Canoe 

 Traveling" appeared, and gave a new impetus to the sport, 

 as the Nautilus was capable of much more extended cruis- 

 ing than the smaller Rob Roy. Mr. Powell very kindly sent 

 the new club a large drawing of his No. 3 Nautilus, from 

 which the Chip, Gretchen, Violetta, Gertrude, and other 

 canoes were built, the later ones varying both in dimensions 

 and details from the original model; which, however, was 

 the parent of the large class of cruising canoes which now 

 includes the Shadow, Jersey Blue, and similar boats. 



The membership of the new club increased to thirty in 

 1872. and in that fall the first regatta was held in Flushing 

 Buy. Owing to over-canvassing, and perhaps to the sailors 

 not knowing thoroughly the capabilities of their craft, every 

 canoe capsized either during or after the race, a fact that 

 was commented on by ail the papers, and being soon gener- 

 ally known among boating men, gave a severe set-back to 

 the infant sport. In 1874 the second regatta was held on 

 New York Bay, from Staten Island to Pamrapo ; the capsizes 

 were numerous this time also, and canoeing was for a long 

 lime in general disrepute. In June, 1879. a third regatta 

 was held off New Brighton. Staten Island. This proved a 

 success; and since then races have been held regularly every 

 year. The failure pi the regatta of 1874 injured canoeing so 

 much that little was heard of it for some time, but Mr. 

 Bishop's cruise from Troy, N. Y., to Florida, in a Nautilus 

 canoe, described in his interesting book, "The Voyageof the 

 Paper Canoe;" and the cruises of Messrs. Barnes and Sieg- 

 fried, of Louisville, and of other canoeists from other 

 places, to the Centennial, gradually brought the cruising 

 features of the sport into greater, prominence; the boats were 

 much improved in model, rig and fittings, and many Hew 

 recruits added. 



One drawback that canoeing labored under for a long time 

 was the extravagant account of the merits of a canoe; one 

 boat was praised by the "early fathers" as being at once 



equally fast under sail or paddle, capable of carrying any 

 amount of luggage and stores, equally good on small creeks 

 or w T ide, open waters, the result being that many bought 

 canoes expecting more from them than any boat is capable 

 of, and being disappointed, gave up the sport in disgust. 

 As, however, the boats became better known, it was seen 

 that they were amenable to the same general laws that 

 govern ill hosts. If required for paddling and portage work, 

 they must be light and narrow, if for open water more 

 weight and beam were admissible, with increased sails and 

 ballast . The canoeist who settles on the work he will do the 

 most of, either paddling, sailing or both combined, and 

 selects his boat accordingly, is seldom disappointed. 



Although the number of cruisers increased rapidly, there 

 was for some years no concerted action among canoeists, the 

 only club being the New York. In 1877 a few enthusiasts, 

 fired by MacGregor's books, established the Jersey Blue 

 Canoe Club, with a fleet of six canoes, all of amateur build, 

 at least two of which are still doing good service. Several 

 years later the Jersey City, Cincinnati and other clubs sprang 

 up. In 1879 a number of canoeists were present at Lake 

 George during the summer and participated in some races 

 gotten up there, During the following winter Mr. N. H. 

 Bishop, with the energy and perseverance that are noticeable 

 in all he undertakes, and in the face of many obstacles, set 

 about the establishment of a national canoeing association. 

 The first meeting of this association was held at Crosbyside, 

 N Y., August 3, 1880, about thirty canoeists being present, 

 several from Canada. Mr. W. L. Alden, of New r York, 

 was elected Commodore, Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati, 

 Vice-Commodore, and N. H. Bishop, of Lake George. Sec- 

 retary. Races were held on three succeeding days. In the 

 following winter three islands, known as the Three Sisters, 

 about four miles north of Crosbyside, w r ere purchased for 

 the use of the American Canoe Association, as the new 

 organization was called, and on Lorna Island, the largest, a 

 log-house was erected for meetings, and sites cleared for the 

 camps. 



The second meet in August, 1881, brought together about 

 one hundred canoes. The. officers elected for the ensuing 

 year were: Commodore, Nicholas Longworth, C. C. C. ; 

 Vice Commodore, E. B. Edwards, of Peterboro; Rear Com- 

 modore, Arthur Brentano, K. C. C. ; Secretary and Treas- 

 urer, Dr. C. A. Neide, L. G. C. C; Regatta Committee, 

 Messrs. Wulsin, Ellard and Stephens. 



The third meeting in August, 1882, brought together a 

 still larger gathering of canoeists, and a marked improve- 

 ment in the general build and rigging of the boats was 

 noticeable. Races were, held as usual. Mr. E. B. Edwards, 

 of Peterboro, was elected Commodore; Mr. George B. El- 

 lard, C. C. C, Vice-Commodore, Mr. C. B. Vaux, N. Y. C. 

 C, Rear Commodore; and Dr. C. A. Neide, Secretary and 

 Treasurer; the Regalta Committee being Messrs. Tyson, 

 Strickland and Wbitlock. It was decided to accept the in- 

 vitation of the Canadian members to hold the meet of 1883 

 at Stony Lake, in Peterboro, Canada. The Canadians have 

 worked steadily for a year to prepare for their guests, and 

 there is no doubt that the meet this month will be the most 

 successful yet held. 



The aim of the American Canoe. Association is principally 

 to encourage cruising, to which end it endeavors to collect 

 such information as to watercourses as may be valuable to 

 all canoeists. By co-operating with it, canoeists can at i 

 time obtain information concerning any locality in which 

 they may wish to cruise, from members resident there, while 

 the red and white burgee is in itself a sufficient introduction 

 among members. There is no limit to the useful work it 

 may accomplish in collecting accurate and valuable data in 

 regard to the watercourses of the United States and Canada. 

 It is always said of Americans that they rush headlong 

 into the pursuit of any sport that may for a time be popu- 

 lar, and then abandon it as quickly, as witness croquet, 

 the first velocipede fever, and other sports; and it is an in- 

 teresting question whether canoeing will decline in the same 

 manner. We are most undoubtedly of the opinion that it will 

 not. Its growth has been very slow, but of late years sure 

 and steady, and the prospects now are most encouraging. 

 It affords a means of out-door recreation, at once healthful, 

 pleasant and less expensive than any other, and entirely 

 free from the gambling, jockeying, and unfair dealing that 

 often keep gentlemen from similar amusements. It does not, 

 like rowing, depend for existence on the competition and 

 excitement consequent on racing, and it requires no expen- 

 diture of time in severe training, but its attractions are of a 

 calmer and more lasting kind. The quiet paddle in the 

 morning or evening, alone or in company, with leisure for 

 thought, and the appreciation of ome's surroundings; the 

 sail with the healthful excitement and labor, requiring one'; 

 whole attention for the time being, clearing the brain and 

 leaving no cares and worries of the day; when brief and 

 ledger are forgotten for an hour, giving place to the more 

 important question of tack and sheet. Then there is th 

 holiday cruise for those of sedentary pursuits and not in- 

 ured to roughing it, a quiet paddling and drifting along 

 some peacefully flowing river, with meals at farm houses or 

 quaint water-side inns; or for those of hardier build, the 

 excitement of rapids, the long sails on deep water, and the 

 healthful life by the camp-fire 



The many who do not care for rowing and cannot afford 

 a yacht, find in the canoe a craft in which they may enjoy 

 the pleasure of sole ownership and command with the ex- 



citement, of a sailing race, at a merely nominal cost com- 

 pared with that of any other sailing craft, while to thai 

 large class of boating men who find their pleasure in a per- 

 petual tinkering, altering and improving their boats, the 

 canoe with the bright varnish, polished brass, numberless 

 screws, intricate arrangement of reef gears, steering gears, 

 patent aprons, rudders, hatches and sails, offers opportuni- 

 ties for invention and contriving that are unknown with 

 other boats. 



The canoe itself has changed greatly in the past ten years; 

 the little Rob Roy, though still used by light weights and 

 for river work, has given place to larger and more comfort- 

 able boats, while the Nautilus has gradually grown into a 

 perfect miniature yacht; and models have multiplied, until 

 between these extremes the canoeist can find a craft suited 

 for any work he may fancy. While all have their uses, two 

 sizes are specially adapted to cruising, the boats of 27 in. 

 beam and those of 30 in. beam and 14 ft. long. Most of the 

 eannes now in use fail within these limits, which experience 

 has proved to be the best for cruising, and the attention of 

 canoeists should be turned to the perfection of these two 

 classes. 



Pleasure canoeing in Canada dates back many years 

 to a time when the dugout, and birchbark were used 

 for hunting and fishing— the pnsent boats being then 

 unknown. The dugouts were too heavy for portag- 

 ing, and the birch too frail for most purposes, and 

 about 1856, Stephenson, of Peterboro, built the first 

 basswood canoes, making them as strong as the log 

 dugouts, and but little heavier than the birchbark. The 

 first paddling races were held about 1854, at Lakefield, and 

 the first regatta was held in 1856, on Lake Katchewawooka, 

 at Lakefield, and a second at the same place in 185T, and one 



the same year at Peterboro. In 1858 a grand regatta, lasting 

 two days, was held at Peterboro, and another at Rice Lake. 

 Other races, chiefly paddling, followed in subsequent years 

 at Peterboro, Lakefield aud Rice Lake. The basswood 

 canoes were first seen at the regattas about 1858. since which 

 they have come into general use for hunting, fishing and 

 camping. Stephenson, English, Gordon, Herald and othet 

 builders have introduced many improvements in the it 

 and the methods of manufacture. The Peterboro Boating 

 Club, at its formation, was composed almost entirely of 

 canoeists, and both sailing and paddling races for canoes 

 have figured prominently in all their races. 



A MID-SUMMER SYMPOSIUM. 



IT was a beautiful scheme — a huge camp-fire blazing up 

 beneath the forest arches, and in the genial glow a gather- 

 ing of that host of contributors whose names are as house- 

 hold words to readers of Forest and Stream. In the 

 simplicity of our hearts we set about to secure the realization 

 of the enticing vision. But there it ended. "Al Fresco'' 

 would be "detained by official duties;" "Awahsoose" wn.s 

 haying; "Didymus"— well, the chances were that by that 

 time he would be off to the North Pole and growling because 

 the bears had been killed off before lie got theie; "Ness- 

 muk" was "busy fishing;" "Piscco," "Penobscot," "Wa- 

 wayanda," "Wells" and all the rest were scattered here and 

 there, eacli and all fertile in good excuses, regrets and good 

 wishes. Then there was the fire itself; did we suco 

 bringing our friends together, what a huge circumference 

 must it have, that all could gather about it without crowd- 

 ing ! And we reflected upon the heat such a fire must needs 

 give out — worse even than the great Piirk How conflagration 

 that singed us in 1882. There would be no getting near 

 enough to such a fiery furnace to insure our sociability. No. 

 the eamp-fire was clearly out of the question, and we te flc 

 tautly abandoned the project. 



But had our purpose been put, into execution, the Arc 

 kindled and the clans gathered, here is something of what, 

 might have been heard: — 



FROM THE CRAG OF DOS HERMANOS, 



Perched on the topmost crag of Dos Hermanos. what, i.s 

 the whisper that reaches my ear from the far-off Orient of 

 Mannahatta's isle? "I'm" ten years old to-day— just ten 

 years old to-day 1" So you are, and may you live lobe a 

 thousand, my darling! 



With Yankee brain, and Northern pluck, with Southern 

 heart, and Western grit, you are an honor to your parents, 

 and a model to posterity. 



Across the scarred peaks of the Rockies, over the waste 

 barrens of the great plains, over the rolling prairies of the 

 West, over the fertile coin lands of the Mississippi valley, 

 across the buttressed shoulders of the Alleghanies, I swid 

 you my heart-felt greeting- 

 While Are doth burn, aad water run, 



We'll never forget the Forest am> Stream: 

 For a life that's cheered by Hod Ai'D Gun, 

 Is hetter than wild ambition's dream. 



H. P I 



THE CAMP OF THE ETNGFISH K I ; S 



I am reminded to-night, our first in camp this year, that 

 next week Forest and Stream completes its tenth year of 

 publication as a sportsman's journal, a sportsman's paper in 

 the truest, sense, and 1 though! it might "warm the cockles 

 o' your heart," and seem kind o' fraternal and brotherly like 

 to send you a friendly grasp and a kindly greeting from the 

 Kingfishers out of the heart of the wilderness. 



1 nave' spent many pi -asant hours over the pages of the 

 dear old paper, which have been a source of much solid 

 comfort, instruction and amusement, aud I have come to 



