302 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Not. 15, 1883. 



WQ MEASUEEMEXT JUGGLEBT THIS TIME. 

 nPHE New York Y. C. at the beginning of the season 

 J- unanimously adopted sail area and length for the com- 

 petitive measurement of yachts, The rule was formulated 

 by a committee of experts. The committee included Mr, A. 

 Cary Smith, a yacht designer with greater experience and a 

 wider range of general knowledge than any American in the 

 profession. It also included Mr. J. Frederick Tarns, an ex- 

 pert yachtsman, thoroughly conversant "with all that apper- 

 tains to the Spoil in every bearing, and vice-president of one 

 of the largest shipbuilding establishments in America. It 

 also included Mr. C. Smith Lee, equally as expert and 

 familiar with yachting affairs at home and abroad. It also 

 included Messrs. Ansou Phelps Stokes and fJhas. Warren 

 Lippitt. yacht Owners and practical yacht sailers. This 

 committee, after full and thorough investigation, with a full 

 knowledge of the design of modern cutters and a full knowl- 

 edge of the probability of a challenge from abroad for the 

 America Cup, decided lo recommend a rule which should 

 sjlOW hfi prejudice lo any type and which should permit 

 the equitable classing of British and American yachts In the 

 event of an international contest next season. This rule the 

 New York Y. C. unanimously ratified after mature con- 

 sideration, with a full knowledge of its workings In every 

 respect, with a full knowledge of the design of modern 

 cutters, and with a full knowledge of the probability of a 

 challenge for the America Chip under that rule. 



The recent fall races have brought about, the conviction 

 that the America Cup will he lost next season and that this 

 emblem of precedence in yachting is to be transferred again 

 to British shores through the instrumentality of a cutter. 



If under this impression any attempt is set on foot to alter 

 a measurement rule adopted with a full presentiment of the 

 responsibilities it entailed, that movement will be such bare- 

 faced chicanery and sharp practice that, with the public, we 

 will not hesitate to pronounce such an attempt as infamous. 



We do not for a moment suppose or even hint in the re- 

 motest manner that the New York Yacht Club as a body is 

 capable of stooping so low as to seek the retention of the 

 Cup by foul means if unable to hold that trophy under rules 

 of its own deliberate creation. But recently some promi- 

 nent members of the club have appeared in print with the 

 suggestion that dabbling and cooking the rule be again 

 Undertaken, with a view of outclassing the cutter aud preju- 

 dicing her chances in advance by jugglery which would be 

 met with a storm of indignation at home as well as abroad, 

 if such a proposition has been made by the persons in ques- 

 tion through oversight, of its real portent and consequences, 

 we trust they will see til to counteract in the future the sus- 

 picions of contemplated foul play they have unwittingly 

 raised in their anxiety for the safety of the Cup. If their 

 proposition has been made in earnest, in full recognition of 

 all it implies, we pronounce their endeavors the most out- 

 rageous perfidy aud shameless attempt at sharp practice 

 ever sought to be, perpetrated in the annals of sporting his- 

 tory. 



Owing to the one-sided prejudice incorporated ill the 

 conditions of the challenge, the America Cup is even now in 

 bad repute. If foreign yachtsmen have the courage to 

 shoulder the handicap these conditions impose, the proba- 

 bility of a challenge hangs only by a slender thread. 



If, in addition, the foreign yachtsman discovers grounds 

 for suspicion that the Cup is to be held at all hazards, even 

 to the artificial garbling of a measurement rule deliberately 

 adopted after long research, and definitely accepted by the 

 New York Y. 0. as equitable in the event of an international 

 challenge, the possibility of a trial between the two types is 

 swept away forever at a stroke, and the possession of the 

 Cup, so far from remaining a proud symbol of supremacy, 

 wdll degenerate into a token of reproach, evidence of the 

 cowardice and unsportsmanlike character of the club which 

 meets every advance for fair competition by the most reck- 

 less and impudent subterfuge, disgraceful to all having any 

 connection with the custody of the Cup. 



History in the past unfortunately supplies to foreign 

 yachtsmen grounds lot well-founded suspicion that the 

 America Cup is to be retained by measurement concoctions. 

 should its tenure seem doubtful in alight fair to both parties. 



Upon the New York Y.C. devolves the duty of pronounc- 

 ing in its official capacity against the outrageous propositions 

 recently advanced by some of its members. 



It is true that no person in his individual capacity can 

 legally compromise a club of which he is but one member, 

 hut il is equally certain that when a prominent yacht owner 

 openly declare* in the public press, "that it is more than 

 probable that a change will be made in the present rule,'' 

 thai the cluli is morally compromised to the extent of the in- 

 fluence that person carries. 



No British yachtsman will be fool enough to take his 

 chances upon an avowed intention to juggle him out of the 

 fruits of his visit by measurement contortions, devised with 

 swindling intent in the eleventh hour. 



As six months preparatory notice is required by the con- 

 ditions, we submit that, if the New York Y. C. is not desir- 

 ous of shirking an international match, its intentions on the 

 measurement question be officially reaffirmed to prevent that 

 picion of foul play, however groundless i[ nuty iu reality 

 be. which the ree»ut expressions in print of some of the 

 club's members are certain to arouse in foreign sporting 

 circles. 



What the New York Y. C. may choose to do after the ex- 



pected international match, is foreign to the object of this 

 writing. Having accepted a ride, almost identical with the 

 rules generally prevailing throughout the country, and in 

 full consciousness of all the rule carries with it, an effort to 

 escape a just accounting, induced by fear of defeat, would 

 be such barefaced sharp practice that there is not even the 

 ghost of a probability that the New York Y. C. can be in- 

 duced to tamper with its present measurement rule, however 

 much single persons may compromise the club's fair name 

 by unauthorized announcements of impending bad faith. 



For the sake of promptly setting suspicions abroad at rest, 

 it is the plain duty of the New- York Y. C. to take official 

 cognizance of the expressions of some of its leading mem- 

 bers which threaten to end all prospects of an international 

 match and to sacrifice the good fame of American yachts- 

 men as a whole through the hasty recklessness of their im- 

 plications. .^_^^_^^_^__^^__ 



\lu Sporfatttm ganrigt. 







OCTOBER. 



CTOBER'S here: U-t us away. 



mum n colors, bright autl gay, 



Adorn the woodlands fair ! 

 With dog and 'gun we'll range afar, 

 Leave all our troubles where they are. 



And seek relief from care. 



On sunny slope, where matted vine 

 Among the birches loves to twine 



And wander o'er the ground. 

 The woodcock hides with folded wing, 

 Aud springing upward loud doth ring 



His startling, whistling sound. 



And, where more sheltered groves appear, 

 Of chestnut, oak and maple, near 



Rome quiet, sunny vale, 

 The wary grouse, of pinion strong. 

 Disturbed, affrighted, darts along. 



As swift as summer gale. 



Or. where again sweet briars grow, 

 And fields the. yellow stubble show 



That bore the golden grain, 

 Bob White resorts, his mellow note 

 Resounding from his mottled throat, 



A clear and sweet ref rain. 



And, yet once more, where mead«ws bare, 

 Willi pool and streamlet here and there 



Diversified, lie brown, 

 The dainty snipe in zig-zag flight. 

 When hunted, hastes away from sight. 



And, distant, settles down. 

 ' .Slid scenes like these Hlfi sportsman 's flays 

 Shall pass in pleasure, while he pays 



His vows at Nature's shrine. 

 The ripened glory of the year. 

 October, queen of months, is here I 



Oh. queen, our heart's are thine! 

 October, 1883. 0. T. I>. 



OUR FIRST AND LAST CRUISE. 



TWELVE months ago four of us, ignorant enough to 

 think that we knew all about sailing, went for a 

 cruise. A 0-ton, sloop rig, open cockpit "punkin seed" had 

 fallen to our lot, and we determined to take advantage of its 

 being Saturday to try her. Business kept us at our offices 

 till 4 o'clock P. M., and then down to the wharf we went. 

 Everything was soon in readiness. The moorings were cast 

 off, also our coats, slippers and socks. Our captain knew 

 the most, or rather the less little, about navigation and sea- 

 manship, for any phonographer could write on his thumb 

 nail all that he knew on the subject. The breeze was fair, 

 but only in direction, not in force, for there was none; by 

 this I mean if there had been any it would have been called 

 a fair wind. I have, however, rightly named it, for it was 

 indeed "fair" for such a crew. The mainsheet is hauled ail- 

 aboard, as is usual, I believe, with such men, who not see- 

 ing the canvas belly out, do their best to make it. The 

 yacht is found to be unmanageable at once, and her nose 

 points back to her moorings. In our dilemma some kindly- 

 disposed sailors on the neighboring craft seeing with their 

 keen eyes that either they must lend a hand or receive a 

 "dig in the ribs" with our boom end, or perchance a fouling 

 in their chain plates, prefer the former course, and with :i 

 most dexterous whirl of a heaving line — which, by the way, 

 our second mate (all were officers) endeavored to "catch with 

 his nose— took a turn round that said officer's leg, but before 

 he went overboard our two senior officials had him secure, 

 also the line A few minutes' towing was indulged in, and 

 the yacht passed, from schooner to barge till clear of the 

 shipping, in perfect safety. 



Quite enjoyable were the quiet laziness, the tobacco and the 

 yarns that evening. No wind to disturb one's anxiety. The 

 jibes of the main boom were frequent, hut quite harmless. 

 The steering, although a nine qua nnn, was also a sinecure 

 office for many reasons— such as the absence ot wind, of any 

 sailing orders, or any compass; the yacht, however, endeav- 

 ored "to make up lor the lack of the latter instrument by 

 turning round and round, as if on a pivot, and desirous of 

 acquainting us with the different points of the compass. 

 The darkness which crept on apace, did not disconcert, but 

 rather brightened us up, for it brought to our view the light 

 at Point Abiuo and made us anxious to reach it, the exploit 

 forever to stamp us as great seamen. Then our noble craft, 

 as if tired of baulking so long, made up her mind to go. and 

 soon we reached Point Abino, having been some seven hours 

 out from Buffalo. Here we put in a night, in company with 

 some brother yachtsmen from our city, and in order not to 

 oversleep ourselves we refused to go to bed. 



Ou Sundav morning began our voyage home. No thought 

 of caution pervaded our minds, for having voyaged I here SO 

 safely, why not in safety return, and I think had not a sud- 

 den squall buried us half under water we would have been 

 of that opinion still. But now real work commences, now 

 common sense and true bravery comes to the fore, and 1 

 have no doubt it did, but I either did not take the trouble to 

 see or I have forgotten. I do know, however, there was a 

 general scramble, an awful shaking of canvas, and some 

 convulsive spluttering. I have u vivid recollection of seeing 



a fearful tphrit of ropes bathing both, in and out of the yacht 

 and our noble captain pulling and hauling at their executives 

 which seemed to me to be the most obstinate cordage that 

 was ever belayed on a pin. Something must, have given way 

 to his strength, however, for I suddenly felt myself envel- 

 oped in what felt like a mammoth disli cloth, and on bur- 

 rowing my way out I missed the sail aloft. 



We were now set to work hailing, ami during this occu- 

 pation explanations were exchanged 'and each of us had his 

 tale to tell. On counting the missing, we found one coat, 

 three stockings and five boots, the remainder of our victuals 

 aud sundry small articles had been washed overboard. The 

 son, which' had previously been playing up and down our 

 bows like a kitten, had now, in so short a time, grown like 

 a lion, which came leaping and tearing at our stern, trying 

 to keep pace with the wind, and both doing their level best" 

 The squall was hut a herald of the gale. Prom which quar- 

 ter we knew not, neither did we trouble to find out, suppos- 

 ing it was from the same direction as. -before, and being 

 ignorant of the fact that the yacht had run right up into the 

 wind, and thus had not only saved us from capsizing en- 

 tirely, but made us lose our bearings. All canvas was stowed 

 as neatly as our knowledge and circumstances a) lowed; ropes, 

 however, being left to themselves, as we could lind no end 

 to any of them, and if we could, it .would have occupied a 

 colony of Davenport brothers sometime to have disentangled 

 them; 10,000 fish worms in a can never could perform more 

 intricate and acrobatish problems than these wet ropes did. 

 Never mind, we fell happier, because the boat went steadier, 

 yet the seas as they followed looked just as if they wanted to 

 come in to us. Now and then a big fellow would rise up 

 like a giant with his mouth open, and his white teeth just 

 going to take a bite out of our counter, and then thinking 

 better of it, would tumble and roll under and around us, then 

 carry us on its back with lightning speed, and in leaving urive 

 us a shove that seemed to send US astern. Bravely did 

 our skipper hold his tiller amidships, and right, before the 

 increasing gale we went, but no "welcome Buffalo spires, nor 

 elevators, could we see ahead. This puzzled us. All day we 

 scudded along, only showing a tiny portion of our peak ; Lake 

 Erie looked like the Atlantic, and when compelled to take 

 those many involuntary dips, I was astonished to find the 

 water was "not brackish". Afternoon came, so did hunger. 

 Evening came, so did sleepiness, but the stern command to 

 cry "watch" every five minutes, kept us employed. All 

 this got very monotonous till a big, strong, heavy, wet wave 

 came climbing over the stern, and seemingly wbb not con- 



tent the 

 frightened dog looking I 

 the lockers or down the <• 

 out the sleep, which this 

 I don't like to say how 7 



tils swell round and round, like a 

 ir a hole to escape, either through 

 mterboard bos. More bailing kept 



isitor expelled. 



inny hours there were in the night 



that followed; if I said there were 330 1 shouldn't be be- 

 lieved, but yet ( fancy this number must be short of the 

 mark; at any rate, we bad plenty of I iuie In think over every- 

 thing done.' left undone, thought of doing, wished we had 

 and wished we had not done, sins of commission and omis- 

 sion, relatives, friends and employers, obituary not ices, epi- 

 taphs, coroner's inquests and many other cogitations, extend- 

 ing over a space of four times twenty-five years. 



Amid the awful gloom lhat 11 o'clock on a stormy Septem- 

 ber night brings generally we spied a light dead ahead. Oh ! 

 I have seen several lights in my day. but. none like this one. 

 Edison could not hold one of his candles to it. Its glare lit up 

 our homes, and photographed our people's anxious and wel- 

 come countenances. Its glare was u prophet, telling us how 

 soon we should be with them. Its glare was a telescope, 

 through which we could discern a sale harbor. Its glare 

 told libs, for it fulfilled nothing of the Kind. We bore 

 down on it and found Unrepresented a huge, heavy propeller 

 liying to hold its own against the tempest, Bnd apparently 

 quite" disinterested about us. We shouted. "Take us 

 aboard!" (How quickly the unlearned will show their igno- 

 rance when the opportunity arrives.) We heard, indis- 

 tinctly, a reply containing the words, "dark"— "sea on"— 

 but as we were just passed, more distinctly and a kindlier 



voice saying, "Steer S. W. by S,, and make for ;" here 



the speakers voice was lost "in the howd of a larger zephyr 

 than common, and increased distance. It might have been 

 a great pity, but since we neither had a compass, nor could 

 we read it 'if we had, it was not. Our advisers might just as 

 well have asked us to swim ashore, or to go home and to 

 bed for all the good it was to us; so, as we scudded along 

 we waxed wrathy at the steamer's inhumanity for not chas- 

 ing and capturing us, but then after a while we concluded 

 that, perhaps, since we carried no light, the steamer had 

 never seen us at all. and that being the ease how was this 

 feat to be performed. We did think that we saw an attempt 

 made by her to come round and thus show her will, and we 

 were more content. 



What a noise the wind can make when it iik»s. The gal- 

 lery-gods of a variety theater could not equal it, even if the 

 curtain failed to rise" half an hour after time. It was per- 

 haps a good thing, too, for although very sleepy, I will defy 

 any one to take a nap in it. 



At 6 o'clock it began to get a little lighter, and we could 

 make one another out, and what was still better, the dark 

 outlines of land. Our hopes revived. Land is dear to the 

 greenhorn sailor, whether a lee shore or not, it does not 

 matter. We were fast nearing some land aud we should be 

 int, of 



safe. W 7 e never dr 



tow," yet, strange to say, w 

 must have crossed a ••bar" v 

 winch bears N, by W. for fr 

 I suppose a big sea carried t 

 directly for Ejerson Island, 



" "breakers." or "under- 

 wer'e told afterward that we 

 i only two feel of water on it. 

 miles from Long Point, but 

 rver, and on we went heading 

 , _ promontory of Long Point. 

 Had w"e touched lhat bar nothing could have saved us. With 

 a steady hand our captain steered bow on to the beach, and 

 with two or three spasmodic jerks the yacht stuck fast, the 

 chasing waves piled in and we piled out. and as if shod with 

 ten-leagued boots, strode ashore. The yacht swamped; but 

 being of light draft, hail been carried well up on to the beach. 

 far above ordinary high waici mark, which fact alone enabled 

 us to escape the strong undertow. 



One would imagine that with our safe lauding on terra 

 iirnui our troubles or at least our dangers were ended, but 

 not so: they were but in their infancy. 1 must confess, 

 however, that as we lurned on the beach to gaze upon our 

 late ark, partly submerged as she was, there was plenty of 

 room for sentiment in its. poor empty things, having eaten 

 nothing since si\ the morning before, and then only a hasty 

 mouthful, just twenty-four hours back, aud having had no 

 sleep since we turned' out of our beds in Buffalo the Satur- 

 day previous, now forty-eight hours behind. Although 

 sentimentalism was entertained it was not long nursed, for 

 we were on an unknown shore. We thought this must be 

 either the State of New York or Pennsylvania, and were 



