= 
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70 s 
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i POEL Ore Lee CEL PEER Els ugh antes Gos edie eh 7ft. 4in, and pleasant an occupation as any boy should want, and the danger 
Maen eatin OUUD DSS sistent seeectt tales esse Qf. Gin. not excessive. Those who have the care of boys, however, should 
BOW Spiter OHEMONI ese ce Souris a grate ie tak 5ft. Yin. see that the boats in which they are trusted are of proper model and 
Spinaker boom. Ph tabtg 630 Sets beet ae ie ie ASAE 10ft. 6in. build and suitably equipped, There is no reason why the canvas 
boat, of home-made build, should not be a safe and serviceable craft, 
while if is within the reach of many who cannot afford a more ex- 
pensive boat, and for their benefit we will give shortly the plans of a 
canyas canoe designed to be safe under sail or paddle, for beginners. 
To those in charge of boys we advise a careful examination of the 
boats they use, and a condemnation of all that are inany way unsafe, 
Besides the work of amateurs there are canoes built and sold by 
builders that are unsafe for any purpose, and others which, while 
sate in the hands of experts, should never be entered by a novice, and 
purchasers who are not familiar with the various builders and models 
should ask the adyice of some old canoeist in their selections. 
Tonnage, ‘one ton and an awful fraction.” 
Her well was 5ft. 6in. long, and 2ft. 6in. wide, with a locker aft for 
stores, open lockers along the side, and two shifting thwarts, steering 
with a half yoke on the rudder, and a rod hinged thereto, the motion, 
te course, being fore and aft. The well was covered completely by a 
ent, , 
She was built by Mr. McWhirter to her owner’s specifications, 
which, as he gives them, called for ‘‘a jolly big canoe; one that will 
take two people, and sail, and row with a pair of sculls, and look after 
herself a bit, and one thatI can sleepin with alow tent, and move 
about in without looking in the glass first to see if my hairis parted 
in the middle.** Tn her, two vacations were pleasantly passed, knock- 
ing about the Thames and neighboring waters, before she gave place 
to a similar but larger hoat, the Viper. 
The Viper, also from Mr. MceWhirter’s shop, was built in 1881, for 
a cruise on theZuyder Zee. Her sheer plan and rig are shown in the 
drawing. Her length is 20ft., beam 5ft, 5in., depth to gunwale amid- 
ships, 2ft. 6in. Deck has a crown of 5in. and is of light wood covered 
with canvas. Her keel has 19 cwt., 2 qrs., 19 lbs, of lead, with 2cwt, 
1 qr., 18 lbs. inside, and an iron keelson of 75 lbs. The depth of keel 
is ift, $in,, and the total depth 3ft. 4in. Her cruises were in the 
Thames and along the south coast of England. 
=The larger drawing shows a boat of the same class as the Water 
Rat, known as the “Mersey canoe’ or ‘canoe yawl.’”’ described in 
Kemp's “Yacht and Boat Sailing.”’ Such a boat would meet the 
wants of many who desire something larger than the ordinary canoes 
but with the good qualities of the latter. Her dimensions are, length 
17tt., beam 4ft, 6in., depth 2ft. Oars are used as the beam is too 
great to admit of paddling. The deck and wellis similar to a canoe, 
Lead ballast is stored under the floors, The rig consists of two lugs, 
main and mizzen, the dimensions being: 
THE INVENTION OF THE DROP RUDDER. 
es following letter explains itself, and settles the question so far 
as Mr. Stoddard is concerned. Mr. Steddard assures us that the 
idea of a metal drop or “‘centerboard”’ rudder, to coin an appropriate 
name, was original as far-as he was concerned, he not being aware 
that such a deyice had been described or used previously: 
Mr. S. R. Stoddard: 
DrsrR Sir—Yours of even date, calling our attention to the construc- 
tion that may be put on our claim in relation to our sail and drop 
rudder, as shown at the A. ©. A. meet at the Thousand Islands last 
summer, printed in the ForaST AND STREAM of Sept. 11, is received. 
In reply we beg to say that the combination of the well-known lateen 
sail with the batten lug, and the rudder with the blade to raise and 
drop below the keel, was, so far as we know, original with you, The 
idea of a drop rudder had occurred to us before, but had neyer been 
put into practical use. What we meant to protest against in the let- 
ter referred to was that our adaptation of the idea, differing essen- 
tially from yours, and containing also our latest improyements, 
cing Cruisin : should be called by your name. p 
mainsail. maainsail Mizzen The sail of the Atlantis differed from ours in shape and also in hay- 
Ft. In. Ft. In, Ft. In. | ing a long, jointed gaff, while the spars in ours were of a uniform 
URSIN a thon pce loos Ie eee 10.00 6.06 4.06 | length. Our rudder, as shown at the A. C. A. meet, differed from 
Jha 8 yp ARERR oe tol et 10.00 7.06 2.06 that of the Atlantis in material points devised by us, which we con- 
LVI A Sie Se as Re eR OE eS 5.00 2.06 204 | sider yery great improvements, making it practically a new inyen- 
ROCCHI Hira at ee er Tee. eee 14 06 10.00 5.00 tion, for which we should have the credib. T. Joyner & Son. 
RACIAL SpPOAes 1 Wee selene soenene 14.08 9.00 5.09 GLENS FALLS, Oct. 23, 1884. 
Clew to throats. 2... see eerie as 10.09 7.00 4.09 
As there is no centerboard the interior of the wel. is entirely unob- 
structed, and there is room for three persons, though on a cruise two, 
with the necessary stores and baggage, would be enough. Beds for 
two might easily be made np on the wide, flat floor, a tent being 
pitched over the well, while the seats may be removed entirely at 
night. Under the fore and after decks is ample room for storage of 
all stores. The steering is done with a deck tiller, as in a canoe. 
In building such a boat, the stem, sternpost and keel would be of 
oak—or the former of hackmatack—sided 14in.; keelson of oak, 
3xigin.; plank of cedar, 5-16 or $gin. lapstreak; gunwale of oak or 
mahogany, deck of $gin. pine, covered with 6 to 8oz, drill laid in 
paint; coamings of oak, 3gin. thick. The ribs would be 3¢x54, spaced 
$in,., with floors at every alternate frame. 
The sails are rigged as ‘standing lugs” or a yawlrig similar to the 
Viper may be carried. The sails will be of 6oz, drill, double bighted; 
rigging of ‘small 6-thread’’? manilla; blocks of wood, iron or brass. 
Next week we will give plans of two similar boats, one of 14ft. and 
one of 18ft, length. 
SAN FRANCISCO.—Uasco, Spray, Nautilus, and Nellie have been 
laid up, Lurline may stay in commission all winter. The lead keel 
of the Carmelita was cast successfully at Driscoll’s yard. Greenpoint, 
New York, on Oct. 16. 
BUFFALO Y¥, ©.—Mr. Geo. C. Smith has lately purchased the sloop 
Ripple, of New York, and she has been taken to Buffalo in tow of a 
Steam canal boat. The Ripple is 37ft. over all and 14ft, beam. 
ATALANTA.—The sloop Atalanta, advertised for saleat auction on 
Oct, 20, at Belleville, was not seld, owing vo there being no bidders, 
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? 
wr the exception of Okeechobee,” “‘Windward,” ‘‘Tarpon,” 
and a few others who are able to escape the half year of inac- 
tion enforced in most canoeists, the cruisers have “laid up’ except 
so far as an occasional paddle is concerned, and the season of 1884 is 
atan end. Hundreds of cruises varying in length have been made 
this season, on eyery one has some information of value been ob- 
tained which would benefit other canoeists, and nearly every cruiser 
desires similar information in regard to some route proposed for next 
summer. Now the best way to obtain such information is by no 
means difficult; an account of your own cruise, told plainly and con- 
cisely, or if the writer is able and the details of interest, written up at 
greater length, will give some one else the facts they desire, and will 
set an example to them to do in turn what you haye done: to contri- 
bute their leaf to Forrest AnD SrrREAmM’s ‘‘Log Book,”’ It has been 
proposed to collect the logs of all members of the Association, and 
publish them in pamphlet form for the benefit of cruisers, but sucha 
plan is hardly possible yet, and besides such a record can answer no 
new questions and is soon out of date, but -the ‘Log Book” and 
“Chart Locker’ of Forrest AND StRHAM are always fresh, always 
ready to answer any questions, and to record the latest changes in 
water courses. 
We want now a few words at least from every canoeist in or out of 
the Association, who has cruised this year; if nothing more, a postal 
card, telling as much as possible of his wanderings and what he has 
learned, and also what he wants to know for future cruises. 
CAMP STOVES. 
Editor Forest and, Stream: 
Noticing your account of a simple form of camp stoye shown in 
this week’s issue, and haying for some years used one of similar con- 
struction, but which, I think, has some advantages over the one 
shown, I send you a description which, if you see fit, please giye to 
our fellow craft, for I believe in each doing what he can to impart 
information. 
My stove is essentially the same as shown in ‘“‘Amateur Canoe 
Building,” with the decided advantage that the body of stove is all 
hinged together, and that when not in use the stove, covers and fun- 
nel all go into a canvas bag, two feet long, one foot wide and about 
three-quarters of an inch thick, which can be stowed under floor of 
canoe, and is entirely out of the way. Made of sheet iron, the top is 
24x12, with two holes &in. diameter, with sheet iron covers, and a 
small 2x3in. hole at one end to hold chimney or funnel. Sides are 
24x10, hinged to top, and ends 12x10, hinged to top in same manner; 
small strips uf heavier iron, }4in. thick, are riyeted on sides and one 
end in such a manner as to project below bottom of stove, and being 
pointed, can be pushed into the ground in setting up stove so as to 
hold allfirm. The front end does not haye these projections, so it 
can be propped out from stave, thereby acting both asa door for 
fuel and to create a draft. ‘ 
The funnel is made of four pieces hinged together, two 23x3 and 
two 2814x234, the additional h inch projecting below and fitting 
into the hole cut in top of stove. 
This gives a stove which can be shut up like a schoolboy's dinner 
box, the sooty side always in, and the covers and funnel, folded and 
put inside, the stove can be taken out of bag and set up ready for use 
In one minute, and is altogether the best camp stove I have ever 
heard of or seen. M. E. Crocker. 
Boston, Mass., Oct, 24. 
Editor Forest and Stream: : . ; 
Seeing in the cancel Uaparimeane of the last week a suggestion as 
to camp stoves I feel called upon to describe a yery simple and useful 
one I have used and still cling to. 
Tt consists of a large sheetiron cylinder about 10 to 12 inches in 
Ganaeing. 
UNSAFE CANOES. 
A WALK along shore in search of information concerning the 
drowning of Mr. Conkling, brought us face to face with an un- 
pleasant feature of modern canoeing in the shape of two so-called 
canoes hauled upon a bank, both being of the home-made, canyas- 
coyered variety, about as dangerous traps as can readily be found 
among small craft,the catboat of our daddies not excluded. In 
model they were all a canoe should not be; low, little sheer, flat deck, 
no floor or bearings to support them, In build they were equally bad, 
the sides were not alike, the framework light and flexible, and the 
coyering was of thin duck, while the fittings were clumsy and unreli- 
able to the last degree. — ‘ 
No experienced canoeist would care to vehture for a short paddle 
in such a craft, much less on a cruise instrangé waters, while to essay 
to sail would be rank folly. And yet such boats are built and used 
syery where by novices, ignorant of the art of sailing, of the manage- 
ment of a boat, and often unable to swim; and worse yet, it is not un- 
usual to see two in such a craftat onetime. The drowning of two 
children, six and nine years old, at Cork, Ireland, this summer, from 
such a canoe (7), 9ft, long, is an example, and the only wonder is that 
there are not more such. 
We have already laid down the rule that persons who are unskilled 
in sailing and handling a boat, and who cannot swim, haye no busi- 
ness in any boat, unless in charge of some competent hand, but even 
if a person be competent, the boat itself should be safe. 
With a little mstruction and practice a sufficient knowledge of 
handling and sailing a boat may be acquired by any boy, and swim- 
ming is an accomplishment that should be taught to all, that is the 
ability to keep one’s self afloat and to remove coat, shoes, etc.. in the 
water, not merely to swim when undressed. 
With such knowledge. boating in its various forms is as healthful 
diameter and the same in length, open at both ends. Across one end 
are stretched several stiff wires upon which rest the cooking utensils. 
At the other end, whichis the bottom when used as & stove, an open- 
ing about 6x7 from the bottom edge is cut to serve.as adoor and di aft, 
At the same end, opposite the door, another small opening is cut to 
give a draft to the other side. " 
When not used as a stove it is reyersed, the wires serving as a bot- 
tom enables it to hold all the utensils, plates, ete., as a bucket, and a 
wire handle being fitted to the bottom for that purpose. ; 
Tis advantages are that a fire can be made yery quickly, even with 
oor wood, as the draft is tremendous; it confines the heat and saves 
uel, enables one to have a good fire of wood too small to use in an 
open fire, and renders the hunting and cutting of the usual cross 
piece for hangin g@ the pots by unnecessary, and it.is also yery cheap. 
New Yor«x, Oct. 27. 
THE LOG BOOK. 
THE DELAWARE RIVER. 
FROM COOGHETON FALLS TO PORT JERVIS—II, 
A ee riyer widened into a large quiet eddy above the falls. On the 
Pennsylyania shore stood an old sawmill and piles of lumber, 
near which the party landed, with the intention of examining the 
channel, They ciambered over the great boulders of granite which 
lined the fall on either side, eagerly looking for the safest road 
through the rushing waters, There were three successive rapids 
over long ledges of rock, the last one being the highest and white 
with foam. Here and there boulders obstructed the fall, giving 
promise of disastrous shipwreck to any unlucky canoe venturing tou 
near, The main yolume of water was on the east, close to the New 
York shore, but appeared toosrough and dangerous, and it was dé- 
cided to make an attempt down the Pennsylvania channel, which, 
through crooked and full of rocks, seemed more practicable. 
Several of the party unpacked their boats in order to run the falls 
light, O., however, taking the lead with his loaded canoe, and, bracing 
himself for a tussle with the waves, shot into the first dip, his heart 
in his mouth. Precaution had been taken to tie the stern painter to 
the paddle, so thavin case of a spill he might haye more than a 
“straw to cateh at.” On sped the Marion, and with a rush and a 
roar, a tremendous splash and a whirlwind of foam it was all over 
and the little boat was floating quietly in the eddy below, with no 
damage except a bucketful of water in the lap of the crew. She 
was speedily hauled up on a sand beach under a boulder in full yiew 
of the falls and bailed out, and her crew amused by watching the 
others as they came plunging through the wild waters one after 
another in safety. They gathered together to set things to rights, all 
talking at once, each and every one eager to describe how he did it, 
and ‘‘not so much of a fall after all’ was the general remark, though 
there is little question but that before the eyent every man was at 
heart a good deal demoralized, 
For the next eight miles the scenery was very beautiful, the river 
winding through a hilly country heavily wooded with pines and 
maples. The current was fairly swift with an occasional sharp rift 
just rapid enough to keep up the fun, Above Narrowsburgh where 
the river forced its way through a narrow gorge between high cliffs 
of granite, was a large quiet basin. The day was perfect, and the 
water looked clear and cool, tempting the crews to a bath. A jolly 
half hour was passed in splashing about and frolicking in the limpid 
lake, All hands tried the small neck life preservers which had been 
carried with great care, and upon which they had placed implicit 
reliance. Great was the disgust when it was found thatthe ridiculous 
little rubber affairs were not buoyant enough for any practical pur- 
pose. Soon hunger brought all ashore and a short paddle carried 
them under the quaint old bridge which spans the river from cliff to 
eliff high in air. 
Landing under the boulders they scrambled up to the steep bank, 
down the main road, aud across the railroad track to the depot 
restaurant. They had stopped there on their journey by rail and 
knew that mine host fed travelers well. and verily he lived up to his 
reputation, for then and there was stowed away a dinner fit for a 
king, The passengers on the waiting train stared in open eyed wonder 
ab the yoracious gray-breeched sunburnt tramps. And well they 
might, even the clerk at the desk was so much impressed with the 
prowess of our heroes that he insisted on treating all hands to most 
excellent cigars. So our party departed in high feather with con- 
siderable good beer on board, and an additional cargo in bottles.for 
afternoon delectation. 
By 2 the cliffs of Narrowsburgh were hidden bya sharp bend of 
the river, and an eventful afternoon began. Soon the rapid current 
bore them along to the Erie Railroad bridge and beyond it into a 
heavy rapid full of boulders and white water, whirling in a curve 
close under a rocky, pine-coyered cliff. It was an ugly bit, but was 
passed with hardly a bump. Rift succeeded rift, and the pace was 
yery fast as the canoes swept by Masthope on the right bank, the site 
marked by 4 noble groye of stately pines. The scenery grew very 
wild, the shores high and rocky, coyered with forests of spruce and 
pines, and the river roared ominousiy over its stony bed. 
Beyond Masthope was one continuous rapid for at least a quarter 
of a mile, and nothing but the most careful work saved the boats 
from shipwreck, as they fairly flew down the tortuous channel, men- 
aced by rocks on eyery side, The foot was almost reached, when O., 
turning around in his boat to warn the others of hidden rocks, was 
himself brought to a sudden standstill on a ledge in the very middle 
of the channel. In a moment, despite all his efforts, the Marion 
broached to, the angry river pouring aboard, filling her to the gun- 
wales. The others dodged by her with difficulty, while he worked 
frantically to push off into deep water. Sitting with the water up to 
his waist, he finally came down endwise, sidewise, anywise, and pad- 
dled the water-logged craft to the land. There was nothing to be 
done but unpack and go into camp. Fortunately just at the spot was 
a heavy drift of warm, dry sand covering the shore for quite a dis- 
tance, and innumerable stumps of dry dead pines strewn about in 
every direction, A great fire was quickly kindled by sympathizing 
comrades, while the Marion was unpacked with many groans of dis- 
gust. Hyerything was wet, The treacherous water had soaked 
everywhere; and O. was a sight, walking about the fire minus every- 
thing but a very much curtailed flannel shirt, and surrounded by all 
his worldly goods spread on ropes and branches to dry, like an im- 
mense ‘wash,"’ Many things were spoiled, and greatest loss of all 
was the dry plates and negatives of all the views already taken, The 
camera was useless, and had to be put aside till it could be repaired, 
80 that from this point to Port Jervis, the most picturesque part of 
the river, not a view could be taken. 
By night all had dried fairly well so that he had a decent bed. A 
good night's sleep and the bright morning sun smoothed out his sor- 
rows, and he was ready bright and early to tempt fortune once more. 
They had not been afloatten minutes before they were in the midst 
of another and heavier rapid than the one of the previous day, For- 
tunately it was run successfully, though O. was as nervous asa eat 
from his recent experience and surrendered the lead to an ambitious 
junior. Thescenery was wild and beautiful beyond description, the 
river being almost gloomy at times with the shadows cast by the pre- 
cipitous cliffs. There seemed to be no end to the rapids; the low 
stage of the water rendering them more than ordinarily difficult on 
account of uncovered boulders, 
All went well until just above Narrows Falls, at the head of Lacka- 
waxen Pond. In the rapids there several took the wrong channel, 
ran aground, and were obliged to get out and wade, FP. bee out of 
his boat and not having hold of his stern painter, was left standing 
solitary and alone, his paddle in one hand, and the other stretched 
out in vain toward his treacherous cance, which quietly slipped away 
from him, and ran the balance of the rapid quite empty and ‘‘on its 
own hook.” F. had to wade ashore, and it was no joke with the rapid 
current boiling about him nearly to his waist, doing its best to upset 
him, The bottom was coverea with sharp rocks, and as he floundered 
along, now ina hole, and now stumbling over a hidden boulder, he 
presented a most amusing spectacle to all but himself, He finally 
reached land quite exhausted, his feet cut and his stockings in rags, 
his shoes, which he had carelessly left off, quietly reposing on the 
deck of his canoe. A good rest and a pull at the Hask soon revived 
bim, however, the truant canoe was caught, and once more the fleet 
was headed south, 
At Lackawaxen the Delaware and Hudson Canal crosses the river 
on a bridge, a few rods below the great dam. The water being very” 
low the brackets were up along the edge of the dam, thus making it 
impassable, as the whole stream was forced in a great torrent between 
two piers. Canoes might succeed in running at that point, but the 
rocks and stakes at the foot promised certain disaster. The party 
disembarked on the Pennsylvania shore and went up to the liitle 
town after carefully reconnoitering the fall and deciding that a carry 
must be made. It was but 10 o’clock, too early to dine, and learning 
that good foad could be had a few miles below at Barryville, they de- 
cided ta push on at once, The boats were easily lifted over the apron. 
of ie dam close to shore, and the short rapid at the foot run without 
mishap. 
‘Two miles above Barryyille, after a very fast run, the Big Cedar 
Rift began. Therapids sofar had been child’s play to this;and as 
the canoes plunged into the roaring waters eyery man’s heart was in 
his mouth. Near the foot the current swept in great waves under the 
retaining wall of the canal, the deep water being close in shore. 
ean went the boatsat breakneck speed, the great seas breaking over 
the decks and deluging the crews, and ic seemed as if they must come 
to grief eyery moment, Fortune favored our heroes, however, and 
With the exception of a few hard knocks and a bucket or two of water 
in O.’s lap all went well. That day he ‘‘sot wet,’ forthe Marion was 
Guo. H. SULLIVAN. 
