5168 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[TaN.. 22, 188. 
anything achieved by inordinate beam, flounder bottem, hixh bilge, 
and teatherweight disnlacement. The Carmetlitais thoroughly a sail- 
orman’s fancy, and as asailorman I write this ia admiration, and to 
give full credit to her (designer for his ineeption of the scheme, and the 
builder forthe splendid manner in which he has given enrily to the 
outline en paper. Carm-lita is expected to sail by the middl+ of next 
month, Yacutsmen will do themselves 4 good turn and escape the 
harrow prejudiced arguments of jack knife qiacks by climbing 
aboard the ew schooner and sezing for themseélyas. For seeing is 
believing, and believin= is to go and do likewise. 
CG, P. KunHArpDr. 
THE LENGTH AND SAIL AREA RULE. 
‘yee fillowing letfer from Mr. Colin Archer, the eminent Norwegian 
naval architect, to Mr. John Hyslop, of New York, was read by 
the latter gentleman hefore the last meeting of tha S-awanhalka Cor- 
inthian Y.C, Mr. Archer’s letter adds still further testimony to the 
#reat yalue to yachting of the work done by the Measurement Com- 
mibttees of the New York and Seawanhaka clubs, and especially of 
Mr. Hyslop’s part in the matter: 
Laurvra, Norway, Feb. 27, 1884. 
DEAR Sirn—Allow me to offer my yery best thanks for the great 
trouble you have tak nin giving me a full and clear an<wer to tke 
questions I yentured to put to the Seawanhaka Corinthian ¥. GC. on 
the subject of yacht measurement, and I beg thatyou willalso conyey 
to the members of the club my grateful acknowled=ment of the ecr- 
dial manner in which they hive received and acted upon my letter. 
While Leertainly could not haye expected or asked that you would 
bestow so much time and trouble on the subject, Tam confident that 
your exhaustive treatment of it will be of tie greatest value to the 
comonttes in making out their report, 
A club has lately been formed here which. it is hoped, will be able 
toassume somewhatof a uational characte, and form a band of 
mgjiim between the local clubs along the coast, and as none of the 
measurement rules now in use seem to have given unqualified satis- 
faction, 4 committee has been appointed to consider the matter, and 
this is the committee to which I have been nominated. 
Personally, I quite indorse the opinion you express in these words, 
“Tf adaptation to cruising fitness is not to be lost sight of. and if ex- 
eellence of model is to have any fair share in determining success in 
our races, [see no alternative but to take sail area into avcount,” 
and I sincerely hops our Norwegian Yachting Society wiil give the 
system a fair trial. ; 
No doubt there are practical difficulties connected with measuring 
the sail area fairly for different rigs, and also devising a rule which 
does not admit of being evaded by tmcouth sail plans; out if the prin- 
ciple is once acknowledg d to be right, these difficulties will no doubt 
be overconeintime. * * * 
Thariking you again for your letter, I shall only add that T take a 
Ereat interest In American yachting matters and watch with pleasure, 
andi hope profi’, the change now going on in your yacht fleet, and 
the expressions of opinion called forth by late events, 
lam, dear sir, very truly yours, 
CoLin ARCHER. 
John Hyslap, Esq., New York. 
THE AMSRICA’S CUP.—Kirby, of Rye, Westchester county, N,Y., 
has got out a new model for a yacht of sufficient size to compete in 
the prospective intel national vial. The builder writes that he has 
long becn 4 believer in weigzhr for speed and able qualities and in ali 
his boats has sought to combine good displacemeut with moderate 
draft as far as possible, The Arrow was a well Innown and success- 
ful illustration of this policy. He also states his conviction that the 
day Nas pa-sed for imitatiog the requirements of our coasting trade 
and that yachts shoul be produced «a specialty without regard to 
the features miost prominevt in trading vessels. This we deem sound 
logic, and also “nm additional remark, that the Huglish have long ago 
ent adrift in ti eir yacht building practice from the leading stri gs of 
the m rebant feet. The perfect yacht should be built 1o attain the 
highest sailing qualities independent of cramping coudiions ta meet 
Some minor or special consideration. Ihe time has gone by for 
building a bout arvund a cabin or around a woman's petticoat. Build 
the be-t style of boat and aecept such draft and such accommoda- 
tions as that kind of a boat way possess without further hesitition. 
Uatil that is conceded boats mast reniain compromises of antagon- 
istic demands and suffer pruportionately in their sailing. 
BROOKLYN BOATSAILORS.—We call the attention of the owners 
of small eratt wlio reside in Brooklyn to the notice im another eulumo 
of toe formation of a new boating association, the Brooklyn C. ©, 
While m stof the members thus far are canveists, the club wll! be 
devoted to the iuterests of sma.l cruising craft generally, and all are 
invited to attend the » eetings. A club house will probably be ob- 
tained near Bay Ridge, with a conimodations for canoes and boats, 
Shell rowing is on fT -€ Wene in Brooklyn. but there are many ol oars- 
men whose fondness for the water would still keep them afloat, if 
suitable craft and Louse facilities were available. We advise all of 
the:e to visit the canoeixts aud learn something of the various craft 
iii which t ey amuse thems: lves: \lahoes, siuglshanders, sncakboxes 
and obaer cruising 90403, Mr J. °. Newman, No. 19 Jobn street, New 
York, will gladiy answer any inquiries. 
THE CONCLUSIONS IN GERMANY.—Our able German contem- 
porary, Wassersport, announces the tolluwing as the result uF trial 
Deiween extreme cutter, compromise and shoal centerboard, It co- 
Iciles exactly with experiéneein Americdand elsewhere. “lt has 
beeu proven on the river Wibe. at Kiel and elsewhere, |hat the extreme 
etter wins against all other forms of boatin quiet or rough water. in 
light as well as in heavy breeze, Vhe middle type is powerless against 
the eutter, and the flat-bolttoms (flounders), can only accomplisi 
SoWething when sailed wilh suiftiny .allast in smooth water, Under 
ali miles of measurémcnt, the advantage -eems tu rest with the cuiter. 
The only formida which seems to fully rate the cutter is Lae length 
ani sail ared rule, wow being distussed in Englund, and already 
adopted by the plincipal eluvs of Ainerica,”* 
COaT OF YACHTs IN GeRMANY.—The celebrated narrow beam 
Lol y, a Baltic 10-tonner, buile im Kiel, 1882, from line; by the well- 
known engineer Saeticow, cust $3,000, piain finish. Built with oak 
frame, natural crook, iron Moore aud knees, lead ballast, teak hal ches, 
deck in bwo layers wit tarred fele between, ana very full equipment, 
The Loliy is ft. long, Vf. tiv, beam; wratt, Sct. 9in.; 18.7 tous dis- 
Placement, 11.25 of whica areip leau ballast; area lower sails, 1,330 
sq. 15,5 mas-t, deck to hounus, 27ib.; boom, suft.; gaff. 25ft.; bowsprib, 
Gubboard, 1$if. She isadry and very able yea boav, surpassing her 
Dbeaniiér sisters in these respects, Raced five times, winning five 
prizes, Is Spoken of ighly as a eruising boat, 
“LE YACHT.—This bright littla French paper celebrates its 
seventh birthday with & nev title piece.. The number contains an 
illustrated arucle on steam launeles, with designs of engines; an 
arliclé on the French toipedo boats, Bombe and Condor; also illus- 
tration and several sketches of a little 5-ton cutter, Tjamla. The later 
is 87i\t, Gin. over all, daft. din, on waterline, 6ft beam, and 6ft, 2m, 
draft; but hasa laree lorecastle with one bunk, roomy cabin with 
two lockers, snd also an after cabin, abaft which is a small cockpit, 
A YOUNG CORINTHIAN.—Editor Forest and Stream: Will you 
pleage give through PoREsT anpd STREAM the size of a hoist sail for 
miy boat, which | use in Lhe summer at Sea Isle City, N, J. She is a 
dead rise batteau, 14)4ft. long anil 4ft. beam, the sailon now is a sprit 
about 8yds,, and wheu it is low water I cannot beat up the thorouzh 
fare againss wind and tide. Please excuse this writiog as I am but 
eleven yeal's old and not in the grammar school yet, Papu says 1 
think o ore about boats than my lessons. 
HULL Y. C —This club held their annual mecting on Jan. 10, at 
which \he followiug officers were elected; Commodore, C. W. Whitten; 
Vice-Commodore, G. $. Morbush; Rear Commodore, G. R, Howe; 
Sceretary, Pelee Aborn; Assistanb Sevretury, F, ©. Brewer: 
Treasuver, C, C. Hutchinson; Measurer, W. H. Litchfield. Tne club 
has increased by 17 members over 1888, making 454, with 178 yachts. 
PREPARING FOR CARMELITA.—Mr, P, J. Donohue, of the 
schooner Neilie, has lately returned from Eurape,a.d has had his 
“cht hauled out ror alterations in order to fit her to meet the new 
Jarmelita. Nellie will have her cabm eut down, flush decks laid, tive 
feet added aft, and larger sails and spars, 
ENICKERBOCKER Y, C.—The following board of officers has been 
elected by the Kuiekerbocker Y,©, for 1885: Commodore, Geo, R. 
Hobby; Vice-Commodore, W,T Oaderdonk; secretary, W. R, Morse; 
Treasurer, C, W. Lamb; Measnrer, 2, P. Mowton; Fleet Surgeon, 1. 
Ringer, M. D.; Steward, J. GC. Mar, Jv. 
CUTIBR FOR SALE.—We call the attention of yachtsmen to Mr. 
A. Cary Suiiti’s advertisement of the cutter Daisy. for sale. This 
little Gay is already well known here and will be an aequisition to 
any of our yacht clubs. 
ROVAL CANADIAN Y. ©.—This club gave ballon the nizht of 
Jan. 15, ab the Horticultural Gardens Payilion,in Toronto, A large 
huhber of guests were present, and the aftair was a great success, 
A FRENCH CORINTHIAN.—Mr, Voizot, of the Paris Sailing Cirele, 
and owner of the Murre, has lately passed his examinations for a 
Master's certificate, at Southampton, 
THE SNAKE, 
Canaecing. 
A HISTORY OF THE SNAKE, 
J Ree steady and rapid rise ta prominence among American sports 
which canoeing has accomplished has been a cause for con- 
gratulation among men who. io these days of money getting and 
politics, have felf, with Spencer and Freeman and many another 
philosopher, that life gave time for other things. Especially is it 
ratifying to note that this form of relaxation and exercise is not 
allowed to dezenerate, as so many others have done, inta contests of 
highly frained professional skill, at which those who stand most in 
need of physical recreation find thems+lves relegated to the position 
of merely interested observers. Kvery beginning of sucn a aecline 
has been met and counteracted by wise regulation und enthusiasm 
on the part of tne American Canoe Assuciation, echoing. of course, 
the sou id common sense of its membership: so that canoeing now 
holds an enviable position in the pastimes of the country as one of 
the truest kind, enjoyed and controlled by amateurs, 
And this happy conservatism has not by any means checked prog- 
ress. There ognition that theevolntionof racing machines and pro- 
fessional sportsmen would destroy the aims of the sport has only 
diverted lis energies into amore profitable field, namely, that of ihe 
legitimate erui-ing, health-séeking, amateur cancveist eagerly contest- 
ing among his fellows for the plea-ure and honor of *all-ro;md” ex- 
cellence of his craft fo. these purposes. Naturaily in this movement, 
full of life and progress, many experiments have beeu tried and noy- 
elties have beeu vumerous; and also naturally, certain clubs and 
certain craft haye come to the front in the rivalries. 
Latterly the Mohican U. C., of Albany, haye maintained a decided 
supremacy iv the production of canoes and men equipped as well for 
the adventurous urnise as the nearly equally exciting race course. 
Not ouly one or two champions buia good even fleet enable the 
Mohicans to meet bobh pioneers of the brotherhood and novices with 
competitors who can carry their turtle and s‘ars to the front rank, 
One of these is the Snake, owned by Mr. R, W. Gibson. Although 
her recorc is brief compared bo some, ibis good, and itshows her to 
be essentially un “all-round” boat. Sie was built by My, J. H. Rush- 
ton in the fall of TS82. to an order given by Gen. R §, Oliver. At this 
time Mr. Rushton had already attained that exe: llence of light, deli- 
catrly-finished workmanship which he ean hardly hope to Surpass, 
although the questions of model and fittings are still getting much 
of his atten 10n, and no doubt will For sone time. 
The Snake is clinker pull, 14ft. Gin, lone. 80i4iu. beam and 1224in. 
deep, a. C, A. meusurement, She is 10M4in. deep from gunwale vo 
bottom of keel-on amiiships, 1sin, high at stem and 16)4in. at stern, 
having, therefore, a good sheer, She has no keel, only a flat keelson, 
very slightly rockered and fitted with an Atwood centerboard with 
five nickel-plated blades, I'he well is 5ft, 6m. long, the ends are of 
course alright, without hatches aud there is a small hoid with water- 
uiguthateh. She is asheht depariure from the Bliard m model, her 
ebief charact- ri-lic being a flat floor, carried well forward te a rather 
fw bow, ‘lhe entrance is fine, but the hollow wateyline by which 
her full bow is reacded is probably capable of improvement. Tne 
stem und stern were both rounded, but without much lessening her 
length on waterline, 
She was launched as the Acorn No, 2. and being then the bigzest 
boas, in the club, was cousilered alittle too big. Another canoe, the 
Marion, was therefore produced during the winter, and in April of 
83, Mr. R, W. Gibson purchased the Acorn, becams a Mouican, 
and painted Snake on her nameplates over the name she had so 
bnietly borne. 
The club held no regular regitoa or sailing races before the A. G. A. 
meetin that year, but a good deal of lively sailing was done in trips 
up and down the Hudson, and yery few were the evenings when three 
or four cinoes were not afloat for an hour or twoat least. Very soon 
the Snake began to show bnne weatherly qualities, which almost 
always put her to windward of the fleet when she wanted to go there, 
while before the wind she was to no disadvantage except fiom the 
inexperience of her master, and this fault lessened steadily. 
The first race, however, was a paddle. The M. GC. C, eommodore 
presented a challenge tlag tor paddling over a mile course, to be h+ld 
against all cumers in the Club, and on Aug, 18 the flest turned out in 
forve to see Annis O., Thetis and Snake compéte forthe honor, 
Aunie O,1s an Everson Snoidow, Thetis was a 28-inch Lansinghure 
smooth skin. It was.a hard strugele and very close indeed, but Snake 
secured the trophy, and has held it ever since, 
In August the Snake, in good company, made her way by road and 
rail, and steamer, to Lakefield, Ganada, and thence cruised by the 
river and Clear Lake to the meéct ab Stony Lake, arriving at camp a 
stranger and alone, for a few minutes that is, until the otter Mohi- 
caus Came up tointroduce her, She waa rigged with the two lateens 
originally fitted and a small jib, which her owner had added with 
very good eifect, the mast tubes being about 2ft, 6in. from stem and 
stern. Her mainsail area was d6ft., and total only 65, and she was 
habitually sailed without ballast, several experiments with it havinz 
always resulted in hér sulking or otherwise rebelling against any 
needless burden, for the Snake, though docile and willing enough at 
Most times, seers to have sume litile ch racter of her own, and one 
of her ideas is that ballash, whether forward, aft, or amidships, 
is unpleasanttoearry. Yet she likes to be kept upright and to be 
rimmed as evenly as if on a floor, and these and a few other things 
being arranged, she will behave well in any weather. Even if cap- 
sized, as she has been more than once through no fault of her own, 
she vonducts herself admirably; buoyant enuugh to ca ry a well full 
of water, She will often consent to gel up again and sail without in- 
sisting upon the ejection of the Jonah who cansed. the catastrophe. 
So she was well received af Stony Lace. 
One breezy afte;noon when she had run away from the Mohican 
Henrietta, 4 stranger in a lug-rigged Shadow challenged the Snake to 
a sail home, Ttwas glorious sajline weather, and a wind on which it 
was just possible to lay a course direct for the bay, where the camp 
teuts and flags gleamed in the sun. The lug-rigzed canoe had the 
best view of the rave all along, because both looked ahead, and when 
they got there the Snake stopped to see who the stranger might be, 
and made the acquaintance of the veteran Dob. Her captain pro 
tem, (Mr. Vanx did not go with his canoe to Stony Lake), conceded 
the victory, and the Snake grew ambitious, 
On Tuesday. Aug, 21, the second race called was the Novice Sailing 
Race, Hight siarced; the breeze was fresh enough to dake sajlin, 
6xciting, and the bepinners of ‘83 went off befora the wind in goo 
Spirits, The course was triangular, and on the beat to windward on 
the second side the Snake got so fur away from her competitors that 
she ran home and finished just as they appeured rounding the island, 
winning by neatly 4 mile, In that year the distinction between juni- 
ors and seniors was still muse, but the Snake went from the novice 
race into the senior, enteriug next the Ulass B, sailing limited weight. 
In these she bad to meet experienced opponents, The start was 
fairly even, the Dot, sailed by Wr, Whitlook, and some others were 
ahead of the Snake atthe end of the first run, bat on luffiug up after 
her rivals, she pointed closer than any of them and sailed the way she 
pointed, and finished firstagain, Theconsiderably bigger sails gained 
on her before the wind until the helm was put up, and with a jibe 
and luff as rapid as the movement of a weather yane, the Snake hauled 
me a and got away for home, winning, however, by only a slight 
ead. 
The next day brought more moderate weather, but the no ballast 
sailing race was very much like the limited race, : 
The Snake made a good start, and on the windward work stood out 
beyond a second island. losing sight of the fleet and finding 4 channel 
less favorable than the main one. On rejoining the fleet, however,, 
the Dot, who led them. passed astern of the Snake as they met on 
opposite tacks and thy slight lead of the latter was increased to the 
finish. On actual time the Snake won by 4 minute and 4 half, thoush 
her official time was considerably hetter, the Wot having starved 
badly, The Snake’s next event was the combined paddling and sail- 
ing race, Jt was contested in a very light wind, As she anticipated, 
two or three canoes of lesser beam gotaway from her on the paddling 
part of the race, but hoisting one lateen only the Snake slipped over 
the secoud round to moré advantage, passing the Jeaders and 
weathering the turning point without going about, which most of 
them failed todo. The Snake won easily. . 
The records do not give the numbers wf entries in these races, but 
as paely 48 can be remembered there were from 5 to 8 started io 
eac 
The Snake was entered in an upset paddling race against fhe re- 
doutable M F. Johnstone, simply to make a race of it, which she 
adinittedly aid. Of course fine racing ca.108 went far ahead, but upon 
capsizing one leap over the side re-established the crew of the Suake, 
while it was a tedious crawl over the stern into the ‘‘darning neeriJle,”’ 
but a is hopeless, the Snake was a good second though there was 
ne third. : 
The senior unlimited ballast race (sailing) inyolved the Snake in 
difficulties in common with others, It was started in a gale of wind 
such as canoes rarely face except for racing, Five eanoes pluoged 
and yawed before if fora few exciting minules, and then there were 
only jour. The Dot was down. A féw minutes more and anofher 
white sail slipped out of sight into the white caps. The Snake held 
on until near the first island (a half mile), tearing along and rolling 
gunwale under, but congratulating herself upon having parsed the 
worst. Then down with the board and helm for the windward work, 
Bul a waye that fhrew her stern and rudder out of the water and a 
gust that almost lifted the rest of her out, brought her roind abruptly 
on h+r beam ends, It was some distance froin shore, and by the time 
the paddler, who came to the reseue, arrived al the spot, the ~natre 
was righted and crew aboard and the well nearly dry again, but the 
sail had disappeared; the canoe drifting of course vapilly Lo lee- 
ward had left it away off in the wilderness of yer as to be picked 
up by another boat, Hailing was futile, the wind blew ane’s voice 
down one’s throat, and after a short struggle to overtake the salvave, 
the Suake ran into the les ofaroeck and spread herself out to dry ia 
the sun. Her hold yielded up a never-lorgotten flask and a stray 
lemon rolled out of her pocket. and philosop.\y got consolati n there- 
trom. Had her master not so carelessly Just the sail the Snuke was 
food to win that race after all, for not one of the tive escaped cap- 
size, anil few ¢ot out of it so well as she did. 
As will be rememher-d by soine, the paddling races at Stony Lake 
were not favorable to the “all-round” canoe, and the Snako was not 
entered for ‘ny except the pset race already mentio 6{!. Her repn- 
tation there was made as a sailor, yet at other times she proved to be 
sood wider the ‘spruce 'reeze” as well. From tae A. CG. A. camp the 
Wohicans erui ad back through Clear Lake and the Otoaahee River, 
and across Rive Like to Harwood, a delightful trip, and the Suake 
was 4 food boat to enjoy itiu. Thenee rail and steam conveyed her 
to Clayton anid she was launched for a few days im the Thovsand 
Islands, after which another trip (on afreight tram this time) brought 
her back sound and pretty as ever ta home. Duriig this excursion 
she Was transferied trom wagon tocar and car to wagon and steamer, 
ete,, nineteen times; so that her strength and portability were pr try 
weiltested. She weighrd about 100 pounds in piddJivg trim (iuclid- 
ing equipment) and about 140 in complete sailing trim, snd was ofren 
shipped loaded with 40 or 50 ponnds vf duffl+ besides, 
After the meet the Snake entered bhe Bsts at home with equal sue- 
cess. On Uct. 3 a sailing race was appointed for a prize eiyen by 
Commodore Thomas. Besides the Snake the starters were Marion 
(Rushton Grayling), Thetis, Hilton and Fleurietta, all Lansingburg 
boats. Ths course was three milés up ani down the river, with a 
beam wind from the west, squ«lly and cold. Theother. anoes pusned 
the tnake hard, she missed sadly that working to wmdward in whieh 
she exce led, Annie O. got a long lead, Henrietta next. Misbups 
befel nearly all, Henrieita got ber board jimmed on a sunken buoy, 
Annie O, had to dedge a ferryboat, Thetis broke a viller, and Sualke 
was nearly capsized when nvar home by an awkward back gust from 
the abutment in rushing under the railway bridge. At this time 
Annie Q., Henrietta and Spake were all less than a lengvh apart, the 
last-named a quarter full of water from her upset. ‘There was a most 
exciting dash over the last 00 yards. A good-sized room woild have 
held the group, so close were the three boats. But in some mystert- 
ous way the Snake pushed her nose some five feet ahead of thé o.hers 
and crussed the line winner 1m 37 minutes. 4 
One more paddling race closes the recerd for the year 1883. Thetis 
and Annie O. challenged again, and as no others offered the sume 
tussle was pone throuzh as before and with the sale resulf, The 
Snaks wou and was left to undisturbed Popeeesiee of the paddling 
challenge fag. Duting the auboom the Shake made some five or six 
thrée-day cruises in home waters, always hauled up ashore at nigh 
to serve as lodging for her crew, and never very tenderly hanelrd. 
sometimes, indeed, the heavy hands as-isting to board or launch 
from steamers put her in peril, but nothing more than a fewseratehes 
remain to snow ib. 4 
It was during the year 1883 that the Lansingburg boat came before 
the canoemg world, One, the Thetis, appeared in Lhe spring, but 
was not found very satisfactory in model, although she has since 
been altered into an excellent boat. The next Mohican order in this 
direction, howéver, was for a can ve reproducing as nearly as possilile 
the lines and model of the Snake by means of careful measurements. 
Thus originated the North River model, and the canoes (about a half 
dozen) which were built to it are all excellent in design, whatever 
may be their weaknesses in ofher respects. ‘ 
After a long spell of enforced idleness the Mohicans were once 
more afloat on {he freshets of 1884. During the winter a new rig had 
been prepared for the Suake and experimented with, and altered until 
it looktd old before it was used, It was like the previous one, a suit 
of three sails, but the main was made to re-f upon the newly adopted 
plan of battened settee. It had about 5ft., with dandy of 17 and jib 
of 18: total 80. Atthis time it seemad that the Snake’s prowess was 
lessening the intere-tin racing at Albany, and as she was now fiying 
the Hag of captain of the M, C. C,, she was content lo rest awhile on 
her laurels. But there was one event to be attended to. The Dot, by 
the hand of her own master, Mc, G. B. Vaus, challenged the Snake to 
single contest, and the match was arranged to tuke place av the 
spring meet at Newburgh-on-Hudson. hither many canoeists were 
congregateu af the delizhifully successtul camp “Nabe Smith,” and 
for three days the good time was kept up, - 
A programme of races was prepared, and Snake and Dot were ap- 
pointed to carry it out. Hence it-happened Se Ee 
(xcept in one race), both were willing to wait for th Se Te kcal’ 
pa i 2. 4 ur 
stirred: a gale of in- 
= 
inted day began inauspleiously, scarcely a 
nt later a breeze & DE up and freshened to 
a is 7 b 
