Feb. % 1885. J 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



37 



to see what canoeing really is. It is desirable, as soon as possible, to 

 know about how many to- expect, so those who intend to be present 

 are mvited to send their names to Forest and Stream. 



Several plans have been proposed for the organisation of the West- 

 em Branch, but nothing definite has yet been decided on. The sub* 

 jeei is still open for diseussiou, as some time will elapse before any 

 action is taken. 



Besides these two Association meets are the local camps, of which 

 several were held last year wiih great success. This Year others 

 will also be held, tht largest being that on the Hudson. The date of 

 this camp will he May 30 an 1 31, and the site proposed is that of last 

 year's camp at Plum Point below NeWburgB, The Newburgh canoe- 

 ists have extended a hearty welcome to all to meet again there, and 

 have secured the same ground from Mr. Verplanek. They will lay 

 out a new course above the old one, and expect to be able to make 

 better arrangements for landing and launching than those of last 

 year, The sentiment of canoeists generally, we believe, is in favor of 

 returning: to this point; but the Readout C. C. are anxious to have 

 the meet there instead of below, and a good sits and sandy beach can 

 be had at Esopus Island, but tne sailing course would be poorer than 

 at Newburgh. 



We suggest that Commodore Oliver's idea of a cruise be adopted, a 

 rendezvous being made at Ronrlout by all wao can spare the time on 

 Thursday night, "camping at Esopus Island, and continuing to New- 

 burgh next flay, arriving Friday night.- Which could easily be done. 

 The decision as to a site should "be made immediately, so as to give 

 citlier club time for all preparations, and we invito opinions on the 

 subject from canoeists who will attend, in favor of a camp at Kou- 

 (iout or Newburgh, as it is desired to accommodate the majority. The 

 matter is one that is outside of the Association, and those interested 

 must settle it themselves. Wherever the camp may be, a full attend 

 ance of canoeists is expected, and clubs at a distance are invited to 

 send at least one member. Springfield, Hartford, and other places 

 that have their local meets, can send one delegate to the Hudson, and 

 perhaps a man from Albany aud one from New York will find his way 

 to the Connecticut or Merrimac. 



We have heard nothing yet from Springfield aud Hartford, but we 

 know they will have a jolly gathering early in the season, as they 

 fully appreciate the value of such meetings. Lowell reports in alet- 

 ter this week, to which we call the attention of all Eastern canoeists. 



The growth of canoe clubs has been rather slow until the past year 

 east of the Connecticut, and the attendance at the first meet, on the 

 Merrimac, was smaller than it should have been; but now there arc 

 a number of clubs and canoeists, and this year they should turn out 

 le matter should not be left; entirely to the Lowell 

 their club are. not canoe sts; but we suggest thatthe 

 nit Boston take the matter in band at once, calling a 

 cussing the question, and then corresponding with 

 tber clubs. Lake George, Toronto, Peterboro, Roch- 

 ester and other Localities w-ii), no doubt, have similar camps in May 

 and June, though nothiug has as yet been done. 



These local meets serve a purpose that is attained by no other end; 

 as, being smaller than the annual meet, the men become better 

 acquainted, and they attract many outsiders and give a great im- 

 petus to canoeing over a large range of territory, and this feature 

 should be kept prominently in view-, m organizing them, to bring in 

 as many outsiders and novices as possible, to give them a chance in 

 the races, and to create a favorable opinion of canoes and canoeists 

 wherever held. Under the present conditions the management of 

 local meets is in no way an Association matter, and there is no one 

 to whom the government be ongs, but it. must be done by some club 

 or individuals, as at Newburgh. who are willing to take a great deal of 

 trouble on themselves. The labors of these gentlemen, to whom so 

 much is always due, may be greatly lightened by timely aid and co- 

 operation of all canoeists, and now is the time when it will be most 

 valuable in arranging the preliminary details. 



in full for 



men, as 

 various 

 meeting 

 the Vespe 



A CRUISE DOWN THE ST. JOSEPH RIVER. 



JUNE 9,1884. Rail to Mendon, Mich. Launched tbe canoe at 1:45 

 P. M. ; weather cloudy, windy and threatening rain ; river appears 

 to be very rapid and shallow; one mile out, severe rainstorm came 

 upon us; anchored under overhanging boughs; intending to remain 

 until cessation of rain, but at 8 o'clock it rained still harder and my 

 wife beeom ng somewhat chilled, we determined to move on until a 

 more desirable camping spot was reached. The wind blew a canoe 

 gale; tne rain poured down without any respect for our feelings; the 

 river was rapid and foamy, with head wind and waves; a very mad 

 and dangerous looking rapid was leached and passed by hard work 

 by myself and good management of the tiller ropes by my wife. 

 During the struggle here, and just as we, were about over the rapid, 

 the rudder was accidentally unshipped, which made the matter of 

 a safe landing in the current a little risky. It was, however, accom- 

 plished without any harm, excepting some hard knocks received by 

 the canoe striking some partially hidden boulders. At 4 o'clock 

 camp was all snug in the dooryard of Mr. Lewis Downing and his 

 estimable wife. At this time the rain had slackened some, but the 

 wind had increased its force and the air changed, becoming tmeom- 

 ortably cold. The canoe cook soon had the first camp meal ready, 

 fandthe tired crew dispatched it with alacrity and relish, and the only 

 smoker in camp enjoyed his inevitable pipe and tobacco. The wind, 

 rain and cold increasing; at 10 o'clock we accepted the hearty and 

 earnest invitation of Mr. and Mrs. D. to camp inside of their house 

 for the night, and we enjoyed a sweet, refreshing sleep after the 

 hardest and shortest cruise of cm- experience. 



Jun« 10. The weather still unsettled, cold and disagreeable, we de- 

 cided to remain in camp for the day near the ''radish and strawberry 

 patch " Rode to Mention with Mr. D., and from many questions put 

 to people about the river, its habits, form, shape, etc., we anticipate 

 and conclude as follows: That the river is or is not rapid : that itdoes 

 or does not increase in rapidity; that there are or are not many shal- 

 low riffles, rapids, rocks and snags; that the river will be 100ft. deep 

 or we will be paddling on dry land before our journey ends; that it 

 will take us six days or six months to reach the harbor; that the dams 

 are easy or hard to get over; that the river is or is not crooked or 

 winding; that it is less than 1,000 miles to the end of the river, and 

 lastly, that we will depend entirely upon our personal experience as 

 we move along to learn about it. One thing has been discovered m 

 an hour's paddle, that the river is a very rapid one, stone and gravel 

 bottom, and indicates so many riffles as to warrant in calling it shal- 

 low ; however, everything points to a delightful cruise. At this writ- 

 ing w r e have a beautiful sunset. 



June 11, The cruise begins in earnest. Lef t Downing's at 7:45 A 

 M. Weather still cloudy. River rapid, stony and shallow, in the 

 first five miles six dangerous looking- rapids tilled with boulders were 

 passed, al, hough several times the keel settled upon rocks, but was 

 soon released with the aid of the boat hook and swift current. Went 

 into camp for an hour and a half for dinner and rest. Reached Three 

 Rivers at 1 o'clock; had canoe portaged arounu dam to Lockport, one 

 mile distant: arrived at Constantino at 5:30 o'clock pretty well used 

 upfront the hard day's work, sunburned to perfection." Saw some 

 G. A. R. badges worn by strangers standing on the corner; we ap- 

 proached, made ourselves known as comrades from Sion'S. Bass 

 Post No. 40, Department of Indiana, the largest in the State. In a 

 short time we were friends; they kindly took charge of the Idlewild 

 and housed it for the night. The weather has been intensely hot to- 

 day. The river is a continuous twist, and deceiving as to 'distance 

 It is filled with beautiful islands, and remarkably free from obstruc- 

 tions except shallows stony spots. 



June 12 Pulled out of Constantiue at 8:40; passed Mottville at 

 10:3-1. Atll:30 went into camp for dinner and rest from intense heat. 

 Started again at 8 o'clock, passine Bristol at 2:80, Here we experi- 

 enced our first severe work in making a portage, and the only one 

 in which my wife had to assist. No one being in sight that' could 

 render a sistance, the - 'tug of war" was begun, the car-y being a 

 long one, occupying an hour. Arrived at Elkhart at 7:10. feeling 

 splendid and in good spirits. Here we expected to experience some 

 difficulty hi getting the canoe housed, but were happily disappointed, 

 for we met a gentleman, Mr. C. L. Dean, who courteously gave us 

 the use of his fine boat house, and rendered other valuable assistance 

 not soon to he forgotten. Di -appointment, however, came in finding 

 the telegraph aud post office closed, and the telephone service iin- 

 pe'fect. Were onciled ourselves to the situation, feeling positive 

 that morning would bring us good news from home, but again we were 

 disappointed. Another effort made at the telephone proved more 

 satisfactory, but an answer to telegram failed to reach us before our 

 departure. The cruise of yesterday was exceedingly delightful, ex- 

 cepting about two hours of mtense'heat. The river from Constan- 

 tino to E'khart is broad, dear, winding, rapid a^d free from obst uc- 

 tion, excepting some half dozen swift, shallow riffles, several of 

 which necessitated wading. The scenery is beautiful, and behg less 

 tired, sore and sunburned, the cruise was more enjoyed, Paddled 

 about thirty -one miles. 



June 13. Weather very cool. Lef t Elkhart at 10 A. ML Dinner at 

 1. Left camp 3:10, passed Mishawaka at 4, arriving at South Bend at 

 5, Mr. Adfams, superintendent of the water works, kindly stored the 

 Idlewild in the pumping house, his men freely doing the carrying for 

 us. The cruise to-day has been most delightful; cool, strong stern 

 wind, rapid, clear, deep and winding river, and scenery lovely. Pad- 

 dled about twenty-three aides. 



June 11. Paddled away from South Bend at 9:50. About half a 

 mile out, in crossing a riffle, broke the rudder pin, which caused half 

 an hour's delay to repair. Stopped at 12 for dinner; started again at 

 1:10. A strong head wind to-day made paddling laborious. Getting 

 in sight of Miles, wind and waves very high and increasing iu strength 

 and height as we neared the dam ; my wire, feeling rather nervous, in- 



sisted on getting out and walking. She lost her way in the woods, 

 and when she was shown her course by some ladies that she met, she 

 reached the canoe pretty we'l used up with fright. Beached Niles at 

 3:'0. Cruise delightful; "river clear, winding, deep, slackened current 

 and free from obstructions, excepting one riffle near South Bend. 

 Paddled about twenty-One miles. 



June 15. Spent Sunday in Niles resting, for we anticipated a two 

 days' cruise to Benton Harbor. 



June 16. Many friends met us at the river to see the little boat and 

 its load start, which it did at 8:10; passed Buchanan at 8:50, andBer- 

 rien Springs at 12:20. Laid off one and a half hours for dinner antl 

 rest. Reached Benton Harbor at 7 tired and worn, the beat being 

 almost unbearable, the water over half the time at almost a stand- 

 still, and the distance made entirely by paddle, 50 miles accurate. 

 We had been led to believe that this portion of our cruise would be 

 easy; that we would find here the most; rapid and stead v current on 

 the river, deep and no riffles or shallow places. On the contrary, we 

 found very little current a numbei of shallow spots and riffles, and 

 more snags and dead timber than on any portion of the river we had 

 traveled. The river is a succession of short curves and twists In a 

 single mile we had paddled east, west, north and south. We admired 

 most that portion of the river from Const an tine to Elkhart. There 

 are many beautiful spots all along the river; it is a delightful cruis- 

 ing ground to be gone over with leisure, say an average of 20 miles 

 per day. The Idlewild was much admired by many, and while built 

 tor but one, did her work nobly for two, receiving many hard knocks. 

 She carried 160 pounds of baggage and two passengers. She is a 

 "Racine Shadow," 14ft. long, 28in. wide and weighs 1)5 pounds. My 

 wife did bravely, enjoying the cruise hugely, and is ready for an- 

 other, notwithstanding she has great fear of water, snags, riffles, 

 rapids, etc. We were five days on the cruise, making at the lowest 

 fair estimate 105 miles. Willis D. Maier. 



THE EASTERN MEET. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



"Senorita," of West Somerville, Mass., is disappointed in the 

 amount of canoeing matter which he finds in the Forest and Stream. 

 That is quite natural, and would probably be the case if the whole 

 paper was devoted to the sport, for who ever got enough of canoeing? 

 My canoe has been idle most of the time since last September, 

 when I had it at Ipswich Neck, and used it in shooting ducks in 

 Ipswich Bay. She is 13ft.x2tiin., open. A friend and myself used her 

 in all sorts of weather and water, he sitting a little forward of amid- 

 ships and I in the stern. He used a 0£t. double paddle and I a single, 

 and the way we made her skip was a caution to the natives. We had 

 an audience of a whole schooner's creW one day, as we put her across 

 from the Neck to Plum Island in the teeth of a strong ebb tide with 

 the wind kicking up an ugly chop. I believe now that our courage 

 was born of ignorance rather than skill, but we did it not only 

 once but. many times, I never had any better fnu, however than 

 We enjoyed shooting coot inside the bar. My friend forward used 

 the gun, and the tossing about on those long swells, while stealing 

 up to a flock of birds or chasing a wounded one, was certainly excit- 

 ing sport. After bringing her home, business demands became 

 pressing, the weather became cold and the river closed with ice, so 

 that the canoe has lain in the boat house for a couple of mouths 

 without much attention from anybody. 



I shall await with interest "Senorita's" promised account of cruise 

 in Maine, and hope when he writes he will tell us what the sentiment 

 of his shipmates is in regard to a meet of canoeists in this vicinity m 

 the spr ng. We had a very interesting meet at Deer Leap, on the Mer- 

 rimac. last June, but canoeists from "Senorita's" vicinity did not 

 muster in very large numbers. If the canoeing members of the 

 Vesper Boat Club, of this city, had not turned out in force, the suc- 

 cess of the meet would not have been very flattering to its promoters. 

 I have no doubt that canoeists in Boston, Salem, Somerville, Haver- 

 hill, Lawrence Manchester, etc., would like to gather around a camp- 

 tire about next Decoration Day; but the thing must be started now if 

 such a thing is to be. The Vesper Club, of this city, is not a canoe 

 club, and there is some opposiiion, especially among its older friends, 

 to allowing it to become such. Uud r the circumstances I do not 

 much blame them, for, having facilities in boat house, equipment and 

 river for occupying a foremost place among amateur rowing clubs in 

 the country, the opportunity is too valuable to be lightly discarded. 

 I think there La nothing like canoeing, but this is a world of 

 many minds and freedom must be given to all. It is possible, how- 

 ever, that this club will undertake the management of a canoe 

 meet, considering the interest which a large number of members 

 have in the sport. But I cannot answer tor this. The club will 

 have no meetiug until their annual, in March, and it is rather late 

 then to organize and carry out a successful meet, even if the project 

 should have a majority in its favor. The two members of the club, 

 who relied upon their A, C. A. connection largely to interest outside 

 men, in last year's meet, are not inclined to undertake the manage- 

 ment of one this year. And in fact, 1 do not think it wise that they 

 should do so. Some, plan of arraugementshould be adopted in which 

 all the clubs in this vicinity should have a voice. I assume that not 

 many canoeists north of Boston are likely to attend the meets on tl e 

 Connecticut, and 1 suggest this : If any interest is felt in the matter, 

 lei some one in Boston and viciuity call a meeting of canoeists to 

 make arrangements for a meet. Let representatives of clubs and in- 

 dividuals who can come with suggestions as to place, number who 

 will attend, routes of access, rates of fare, etc., and with a small sum 

 to pay or guarantee for general expenses (I think the general expense 

 of the Deer Leap camp did uot exceed $10). Last year's location can 

 be had if desirable, or there are other places on the Merrimac. both 

 above Lowell and below Lawrence, while Wmnipeseogee is not en- 

 tirely impracticable. One thing is certain, if there is to be a meet in 

 May, it is time tiie thing was talked up, and I have written this to 

 show something of the sentiment in this vicinity. Sis. 



Lowell, Jan. 17, 1885. 



THE LAKE ERIE MEET. 



AT a joint meeting of the Cleveland Y. A. and the Cleveland C. C. 

 held Saturday evening, Jan. 17. it was decided to hold a reunion 

 at the islands about the 20th of July next. 



Invitations will be extended to canoe clubs at Buffalo, Erie, Cincin- 

 nati, Sandusky, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Racine, Milwaukee, and 

 other poiuts to join with the Cleveland C. C. in forming a Western 

 Branch Association. 



The islands referred to are known as the Bass Islands, of which Put- 

 in-Bay or South Bass is a popular summer resort, and during the sea- 

 son is in direct communication by daily lines of elegant steamers from 

 Cleveland, Sandusky, f oledo. Detroit.' On these inlands are excellent 

 facilities for camping, especially Ballast Island. This little gem is 

 perhapstbe most delightful of the whole group, a miniature Gibral- 

 tar containing about twelve acres of ground, and upon it is located 

 a large dining halt and some dozen cottages. I understand through 

 Commodore Gardner «f the 0. C. O. that this island will be made 

 headquarters during the meet, and arrangements will ba made to ac- 

 commodate such canoeists as desire to camp there. There will be 

 no difficulty whatever about accommodation, especially for ladies, 

 who can occupy the cottages, The boatand icehouseon Ballast Island 

 will shelter a large number of canoes. 



The waters surrounding these islands contain numerous excellent 

 grounds for paddling and sailing races. Put-iu-Bay is itself a large 

 landlocked harbor affording shelter from any storm. During the' 

 season of the proposed meet the wind blows steady and direct gener- 

 ally all day. 



I hope to hear of our Western canoeists taking an active interest 

 in this proposed meet and make it a success. I have been all over this 

 territory bass fishing and canoeing and yachting, and know what I 

 am writing. Long Shanks. 



Cleveland, O., Jan. 28, 



committee was given large powers in preparing a programme, decid 

 ing upon the details and issuing the necessary circulars and invita- 

 tions. The committee is appointed to meet on Wednes lay next. 



Judging by the spirit manifested aud the t-nthusiasm with which 

 (he proposition was received and acted upon, a success is guaranteed, 

 so far at least as the management can make it so. invitations will be 

 sent to every canoeist in the United States and Canada'so far as then- 

 add resses can be ascertained , and canoeists from every quarter are 

 requested to correspond with the commodore or secretary of the 

 Cleveland Club. Suggestions will be gladly received, aud all inquiries 

 will be promptly responded to. 



The formation of a co-ordinate Western Canoe Association will be 

 broached and considered, not in any spirit of antagonism to the 

 mother association, but wholly with a view to a Western revival, and to 

 give a better tone, increased vitality and a stable foundation to our 

 organization as a national, or rather international association. That 

 there may be some opposition to this proposition on the part of East- 

 ern men is not doubted, but we of the West feel quite assured thatthe 

 gentlemen will meet us fairly, giving us the benefit ef their rife ex- 

 perience and profound study," and the announcement of the proposed 

 meeting is made thus early to the end that the question may be dis- 

 cussed in advance, and that our Eastern brethren, the veterans of the 

 Association, may so arrange matters as to give us a day or two pre- 

 vious to setting up their wigwams on Grindstone Island in August, 



In my next I will furnish you with a full description of the locality 

 selected for the meeting. W. H, E. 



Cleveland, O., Jan. 19. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



1 have been waiting for just such a stir in canoe matters iu the 

 Forest and Stream as "Corinue" has given us in his letter. Now r 

 that the ball has been started, we in Toledo are ready to lend our aid, 

 and I think a dozen cati be counted on from here. With such veteran 

 paddlers as Com. Gardner and the Cleveland canoeists at the head, 

 the enterprise must be a success. No better place than that men- 

 tioned by "Corinne" cau be found. Let us now hear from other 

 Western canoeists. Helping, Hand. 



Toledo, Ohio. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



For a Western meet, I think Chautauqua Lake would be preferable 

 to Putin-Bay. This place has already been talked of by the Pitts- 

 burgh, Rochester and Warren clubs, and I have no doubt but that 

 Cleveland, Buffalo and other canoe clubs would join in selecting this 

 or some other suitable place for a meet. L. 



Washington, D. C. 



BALLAST IN CANOES. 



IT is rather signiilant that the two clubs whose sailing men use 

 ballast more than other clubs, hail from New York and Toronto. 

 I know other clubs do use it. Shot bags not made in either of the 

 above, places were to be seen at the last meet, and a good many 

 inquiries were made as to where sandbags could be filled. Stones 

 were used also, but so far as we can judge from reports of races the 

 N. Y. O. C. arid T. C. U. men carrry more thin others. Iu both cities 

 the sailing is carried out ou large sheets of water where a heavy sea 

 can get up. In Toronto I cannot remember a single race having 

 been won by an unballasted canoe. If the weather will permit iu our 

 races for the all round sailing cup the course is around the island. 

 If the wind is in any direction but due north we must have a big sea. 

 If from the east we have a sweep of nearly two hundred miles, and 

 from any other direction not less than thiftv. As a matter of fact, 

 however, the sea that soaks us, and stops the unballasted boats is 

 met with in the bay. The seas are short and steep. A canoe may 

 get along nicely for a few waves but sooner or later she will tumble 

 into the hollow of a big one, aud receive a slap that shakes her from 

 stem to stem, and if unballasted or improperly handled she will stop. 

 To go about in such a sea is a very difficult operation with a light 

 craft. 



I have never sailed on tidal waters, hut I cau understand that sail- 

 ing a light, canoe in rough water and against a tide would be a very 

 unpleasant proceeding. 



1 write the foreging, not because I think every canoeist should use 

 ballast, but to show, if possible, that circumstances alter cases, and 

 that while it may be foolish for a canoeist doing his sailing on a river 

 or small lake to carry shot bags, it may be quite the proper tiling 

 for the members of other clubs. Boreas. 



KNICKERBOCKER C. C. WINTER CAMP-FIRE. 



n"UIE Knickerbocker C. C. have begun work in earnest for the com- 

 JL ing season by inaugurating a series of club camp-tires, the first 

 of which was held on Feb. 8, at the residence af Prof. Fowler, No. 100 

 W. 42d street. Five meetings will be held, at each of which a paper 

 will be read, the programme being: 



Feb. 17— "The Canoe and its Models," Mr. E. Fowler. 



March 3— "Paddling and River Canoeing," Mr J. L. Greenleaf. 



March 17— Canoe Sails and Rigs," Mr. W T m. Whitlock. 



March 31— "Canoe Navigation," Mr. C. B. Vaux. 



The subject of the first lecture on Tuesday last was "The A. C. A, 

 Regatta Rules." Mr. R. J. Wilkin, of the A. C. A. Regatta Committee 

 read a very interesting paper, which brought out some important 

 points for discussion. Mr. Wilkin divided the subject into three 

 heads— classification, preparation and navigation. Under tbe first 

 head he reviewed the Association rules and their amendments. 

 Und.-r the second Mr. Wilkin spoke of the necessity of a thorough 

 familiarity with the rules before entering races: of the preliminaries, 

 such as starting, distinguishing signals, etc.. and under the head of 

 navigation he reviewed the rules of the road as laid down in the A. 

 C. A, book, in the course of which a-very interesting discussion of the 

 various combinations of meetiug and passing which Occur in all races 

 were thoroughly discussed by those present. Many interesting 

 points were brought out and elucidated by diagrams. ' At the con- 

 clusion of the. lecture a vote of thanks to Mr. Wilkin was passed, 

 after which the meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be at the 

 same place, on Feb. 17, at 8 P. M. 



PERSONAL.— Mr. S. R. Stoddart. of Atalan lis fame, spent a half 

 hour with us last week. Mr. Van Dalfsen, of Newburg, called ou us 

 on Monday ou his way to Florida. He reports that Newburg canoe- 

 ists are very enthusiastic over a spring meet, and are now refitting 

 their canoes iu good time. Mr. Van Dalfsen himself has a new No. 2 

 Mohican canoe. We have had a pleasant lettt r from Mr. Gtulbert 

 C'Camarada"), who has been in Mississippi since last fall on account 

 of his health. He has done no canoeing, but is just as enthusi 

 astic as ever, and hopes to resume the paddle soon. 



BROOKLYN C. C- The officers of this club, elected last week, are: 

 Commodore, J. H. Hull; Vice-Commodore, J. F. Newman: Secretary, 

 M. V. Brokaw. 



CEMENT FOR CANOES— See article on "Snell, Snood and Gimp," 

 in Sea and River Fishing columns. 



MOHICAN MODEL.— Com. Oliver's new boat will be toft, long 

 instead of 14ft., as given last week. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



At a joint meetiug of the Cleveland C. C. and the Cleveland Y. A 

 held in the rooms of the latter, the question ot a summer meet at the 

 Lake Islands was considered as the special business for which the 

 meeting was called. The project of a canoe meet, which, by the way, 

 originated with Commodore Gardner, who is chief in command of 

 both organizations, had been informally discussed for s.me months 

 previous, and the members ot the club had become so thoroughly 

 convinced that a revival of the waning interest in canoeing and a fresh 

 inspiration could be aroused m no other way among Western men than 

 by such a meeting, and the co operation of the Yachting Association, a 

 strong organization, was sought to give an added interest to the occa- 

 sion. 



The Saturday meeting was largely attended, notwithstanding the 

 bitter cold which suggested cosy indoors rather than an open sea, aud 

 the summer meet crystallized, after a thorough discussion, iu a unani- 

 mous vote in its favor, and action was had at once. The date of the 

 annual 4th of July regatta was postponed to tho 16th, and the week 

 beginning July 20 was agreed upon for the Island meeting. These 

 dates will enable the home and foreign yachts taking part iu the July 

 regatta to reach the islands in ample time after the race, aud such 

 canoes as expect to attend the August meet of the A. C. A. can attend 

 both, as the local committee propo.-es to make airaugements for the 

 transportation of canoes and their boats direct from the islands by 

 propeller to the A. C. A. camp, and no doubt is entertained as to our 

 being able to secure most reasonable rateH. The entire subject was 

 referred to a special joint committee, as follows : Commodore G. W. 

 Gardner; for the C. Y A. Messrs, Downev, Gerlach and Williams; 

 for the C. C. C. Messrs. Eckman, G. H. Gardner and Robison. The 



W. R„ Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.— Yes, you can build and sell from the 

 plans. 



H. L, Brooklyn.— The scale is a little less than 2in, to the foot. 

 The canoe is 14tt. long. 



R. T., New York.— Yon can get Coast Survey charts of D. Eggert, 

 73 Wall street, New York. 



G. B. Boston.— The price is $1.00 per year or 10 ets. each. Brentano 

 Bros., No. 6 Union Square, are the publishers. 



Constant Readee.— We will forward any letter for you. Tbe boat 

 would sink if stove in. She has never met the other boat. 



Dick, Chester, Conn.— We have a duck here in Connecticut that is 

 cotnmouly called by the gunners on the river, whistler. I would 

 like to know its true name in English. Size about the same as what 

 they call raft duck in the South. Drake has dark green head, white 

 breast, neck, black spots on back and wings. Duck has seal browm 

 head, white ring around neck, grayish baek with some black. In the 

 neck of the birds, about half way from threat to breast, there is a 

 knotty bunch of windpipe that seems to be different from any other 

 duck I have ever seen. They seem to stay around the mouth of river 

 all winter, and have certain feeding places where they dive to the 

 bottom in five or six feet of water. Short, wide bill, yellow web foot. 

 Flesh is yellow, and, I think, preferable to black duck. I have shot 

 nine of them this winter. Don't think they would eat grain like 

 other ducks. Please tell me if you can what I am killing, and if they 

 are considered eatable. Ans.— Your bird is the golden eye duck, 

 usually called "whistler" from the noise made by the wings in flight. 

 Its Latin name is Gtangula glaucium americana. It is common in 

 winter along the Atlantic coast. It does sometimes eat grain. 



Millions of Dollars were lost by men who were accidentally in 

 juredinl883, and not insured m the Travelers, of Hartford, Conn, 

 The wise ones insured and drew $864,000 in cash benefits,— Adv. 



