March 5, 1885.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



117 



THE A. C. A. IN THE WEST. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Let me second the Commodore's idea as to the A. C. A. in the West. 

 I believe that more is to be gained for the paddlers of the East and 

 West, individually and collectively, by forming one unbroken asso- 

 ciation, than by dividing up into the Western Canoe Association, the 

 Order of Cruising Canoeists, etc. "In union is strength" applies 

 here. There might be twenty separate clubs in as many different 

 cities, and the railroad companies would perhaps never know it or re- 

 spect them ; but when these separate parts coalesce and form an amal- 

 gamated body, this body has a weight and an influence. By all means, 

 Western men, come into the association. The advantages are many. 

 I do not know what the objections are that cannot be overcome. I 

 am heartily in favor of the plan proposed, and second the motion. 



I also approve of the plan of officering the A. C. A. , a commodore 

 and three vice-commodores for the West, Canada and East, and pos- 

 sibly later on another one for the South. 



The great advantages to be gained number amoug them, of course, 

 first in importance, unity of action on any subject of interest to our 

 sport, and with a united association, a power can bo given by such 

 action which will carry all respect with it. Another point would be 

 the excellent opportunity of working out a thoroughly practical sys- 

 tem of "canoe pilots," and thus solve the problem so long discussed. 



I shall endeavor to go to Putin-Bay this summer, and for one would 

 like to hear any objection, if any may exist, to the carrying out of 

 this excellent idea of Commodore Oliver. Robert J. Wilkin. 



Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1885. 



THE CHILDS FOLDING CENTERBOARD. 



THE first attempt to sail a canoe to windward brought out the 

 fact that some radical addition was needed to prevent her slid- 

 ing off rapidly to leeward. The requirements of cruising, light draf t. 

 a floor on which the boat could rest upright when ashore, made a 

 deep keel objectionable, while on the other hand, the center of the 

 boat, near which a centerboard must be placed to be of advantage, 

 was required for sleeping purposes and also to give room when 

 seated. An ordinary trunk in the proper position entirely filled the 

 well, and left no room for the crew. To obviate this has long been a, 

 study with canoeists, and many plans have been tried. The center- 

 board has been moved forward, iu some cases a dagger board being 

 used, but this has affected the sailing power of the canoe Two 

 boards have been used, one forward and one aft, with space between 

 for crew, at the expense of extra weight and complication, besides 

 increased first cost, and finally fan boards of various degrees of merit 

 have been tried. 



The board here shown, made by Childs & Co., 114 Water street, 

 New York, has within two years come largely into favor with canoe- 

 ists, as it enables them to nave a thoroughly efficient board for sail- 

 ing without any interference with the room in the boat, either amid- 

 ships or forward. 



In construction, the board itself is composed of eight leaves, like a 

 fan, all hung on a pivot at the forward end. The lowest leaf is of a 

 single thickness, and to it is hinged a flat rod, MxB-16in., by which it 

 is raised and lowered. The other leaves are in pairs, the first pair 

 being above and outside of the lower leaf, and the second pair out- 

 side of them in turn, so that when raised they fold together closely. 

 Each pair is united at the after end by a piece of brass, which causes 

 them to descend together, and also keeps out dirt. When raised, the 

 depth of the board is but 2ins., which will allow it to house entirely 

 in the keel, or in a canoe with a keel of but lin., a trunk is placed 

 inside. This is simply a piece of oak, about 3in. wide, l^in. thick, 

 and a little longer tfian the board. The ends are riveted with copper, 

 to prevent splitting, and a wide groove is cut in the bottom by a cir- 



cular saw, in which the board houses. This trunk is firmly riveted to 

 the keel, serving the double purpose of stiffening it where weakened 

 by the slot, as well as making a covering for the board. On top of 

 the trunk, at its after end, is a stuffing box through which the lifting 



rod runs. This box is fitted with a gland and follower, in which is 

 packed cotton wick, making a perfectly; watertight joint, through 

 which the rod works easily. The latter is jointed close to the box, 

 and folds down on the floor when the board is raised. In most canoes 

 as now Duilt, tne floor is not only abope the top of trunk, but above 



the rod and stuffing box as well, leaving an unobstructed space for 

 sleeping. The entire board is made of brass, thus avoiding the rust- 

 ing and clogging inevitable with an iron board. The usual weight is 

 but nine pounds for a board of \%(t. area, or sufficient for any ordin- 

 ary canoe. Larger boards have been made for special boats, and the 

 idea is applicable to sailboats and skiffs as well as canoes. 



For several seasons past it has been the custon to build the larger 

 canoes with flat keels from 3 to 4in. wide, and these are excellently 

 adapted for the Child's board, but for the older boats with outside 

 keels, a special form is made which may be fitted entirely outside of 

 the boat, projecting Sin. below garboards. This form of board will 

 be admitted by the A. C. A. to the races, although not technically 

 within the limits. Messrs. Childs & Co. have furnished boards to 

 many of the leading canoeists, and this season a large number are 

 being put into boats of all makes. They seem to have solved per- 

 fectly the problem that has so long vexed canoeists, and they have 

 made it possible to combine a high degree of excellence as a sailing 

 boat, with the qualities essential to all cruisers. 



The workmanship of the board is noticeably excellent, the mechan- 

 ism being simple, strong and well designed. Besides center boards, 

 Childs & Co. are dealers in canoe rigs and fittings of all kinds, and 

 purpose to furnish everything required by canoeists. 



PITTSBURGH C. C— On Feb. 27 was hold the annual meeting of the 

 Pittsburgh C. C. and the following officers were elected for the ensu- 

 ing year: Captain, Iteade W. Bailey; Mate, W. Howard Nimick, 

 Purser, William P. Lawrence. Committees were appointed to select a 

 new design for a burgee, to select a club uniform and to arrange 

 for the annual dinner. A trophy was offered by Messrs. Howe and 

 Nimick to the canoe making the best record this season in certain 

 contests, the details of which are to be decided upon later. Other 

 business was transacted not of general interest. This club is looking 

 forward to a lively season, and its interest in canoeing is as strong as 

 ever. Several new canoes will be put in commission and it is probable 

 that the club will be rex>resented at all the local meets in this section 

 as well as at the A. C. A. meet. 



CRUISING OUTFITS.— Editor Forest and Stream: Some of your 

 readers are no doubt wotidering why "Seuorita" does not practice 

 what he preaches, and send his promised cruise, but in the meantime 

 I send a list of the outfit taken by a party of seven. Seven canoes, 3 

 rifles. 1 shotgun, 3 revolvers, a stove (a piece of sheet iron 12x2fin., 

 with 3 holes, to be laid on a few stones), 3 tiu pails, 2 kettles, 2 fry- 

 ing pans, 1 coffee pot, 8 knives and forks, one dozen each tin plates, 

 tin cups, large spoons and small spoons. We also carried about 100 

 pounds of provisions, mostly canned goods. The cruise cost us $105, 

 or $15 each. Our outfit next year will be better, as some useless arti- 

 cles will be left behind. Our ridge pale for the large tent was jointed 

 and could be lengthened.— Senorita. 



COASTING CANOES.— Mr. F. Joyner, of Glens Falls, Now York, 

 has given this name to a large boat, which he builds for two or more 

 persons, of canoe model, but outside of the Association rules, being 

 1(3x30. This boat is similar to Mr. Stoddard's Atlanta, bub is smaller. 

 One of these boats, the, Rambler, has been owned for some time by 

 Mr. L. R. Ingrahain, of the Hartford C. C, and has proved herself 

 very speedy, having made a number of trips on the Connecticut River 

 and Long Island Sound. She is fitted with a centerboard and drop 

 rudder, and rigged with two of Joyner's settee sails and rowlocks, as 

 she is too large to paddle comfortably. She also has deck hatches 

 fore and aft. 



PERSONAL.-Mr. Chas. Penrose, R. C. C, writes us from Sydney, 

 N. S. W., under date of Jan. 24. He says that the waters there are 

 suitable for canoeing, but that little is done, open boac sailing being 

 more popular. Mr. Penrose may return to England by way of .San 

 Francisco and take a look at American canoeing by the way. 



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