1885.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



297 



In the other STents, Mr. Eager stood first eleven times, second oucei 

 and third four tiroes. 

 THE FOURTH OF JULY MATCH .-The manager of the National 



Esq.. Hwaiiwiek. IHo Kir— In reply to vom uvm m.m^m » 

 received this A M., inquiring as to the 4th ot July telegraphic match, 

 please iiorv conditions on page 73 ot the handbook, alt National f, A. 

 Rules besides Art, IS, Rule 60 will gtrVertl the contest. Hes Will hke- 

 , shot off per telegraphic match. Fame conditions, on the 30th 

 Week day thereafter. As to enforcing the rules rigidly, the honesty 

 of each, member contesting is relied upon to secure this end.— the 

 National GiiS Association." 

 HARRY 6 MILLER.— This popular keeper of the Fountain Gun 

 :.h) club house, died on the eve of April 80 from an attack of 

 apoplexy. He kept the club house for the past sixteen years, a lavor- 

 ite resort of the lovers of pigeon shoot ing and Ashing. He was one 

 of the organizing members of the Fountain Club, and was also a 

 member of the Prospect Club. Coney Island Club and of the State 

 Sportsmen's Association. He furnished large quantities ot the 

 pigeous used in the various shoots. "Harry," as he was familiarly 

 called by sportsmen, was a genial host and an ardent admirer ot the 

 sports pi the field, forest and stream. 



Send ten cents for handbook of The National Gun Association to 

 F 0. Bishop, Secretary, Box 129,3, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

 testimonials: 

 "The verv best and most complete rules." 



April 3, 18W. (Signed) Gancko. 



Very satisfactory comments from different parties 



April 13. 1883/ , M (Signed) Gloam. 



-■We want a national law and national officers to enforce it. 



Anvil 37, 1885. a „ (Signed) Almo. 



"Fairly started and its future success depends entirely upon the 

 maimer in which the sportsmen throughout the country respond." 

 April 18, 1885. [Adv.] (Signed) C.M.Stark. 



(^mating. 



FIXTURES. 



May 29, 30— Pittsburgh O O, Camp on Monongahela. 



May 30, 31— Hudson River Meet. 



May 30 to June 1— Connecticut River Meet. 



July 18. 38— Western Meet, Ballast Island, Lake Erie. 



July W to Aug. 8- A. C. A. Meet, Grindstone Island. 



AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION. 



QECRBTARY— C. A. Neid<5, New Orleans, La, Candidates for mem- 

 O bership must lorward their names, with $3 for initiation fee and 

 first year's dims, to the secretary, who will present the names to the 

 executive committee. Money should he sent by registered letter or 

 money order. __ 



NEW ENGLISH CANOES. 



THE new Pearl, No. 7. built under the amended rides of the Royal 

 ('. C , which limit weight of canoes and fittings to 200 pounds, 

 sailed her first race on Saturday, April 4, only ten days after ner keel 

 was laid. She is 14ft. 6ib.XS3W, and is I5iu. deep at gunwale amid- 

 ships, her sheer being only Sin. at bow and lin. at stern. In model 

 and fittings she is very like No. 0, the moulds being spaced a little 

 further apart to give the extra (Sin. length, while her beam is reduced 

 %in. The mainmast is Sin. further aft than in No. 6, and the boat is 

 lighter, being built of planks barely J<4in. thick, her weight being 

 under 105 pounds. The new Nautilus, No. 10, we believe, is of ribbon 

 carvel build, planking %m., with mahogany ribbands. Her frames 

 are of sawn oak spaced' 18m , and her weight is 125 pounds for hull, 

 156 pounds in cruising trim, and centerboard and ballast together 44 

 pounds. Her mainsail is 00ft and mizzen 10ft. 



CANOEING ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 



THE following letter from a correspondent m San Francisco gives 

 some interesting particulars of the weather and waier which 

 eanofcbts have to contend with. A comparison of speed with Eastern 

 boats is difficult, as the craft mentioned would not be considered a 



in a good breeze, with little ballast but with crew on deck. 



"The last noteworthy event, was the trip of our Oaklaud fleet to Sau- 

 celito about Washington's birthday. -Folly,' of the San Francisco 

 club, gave you some items relative thereto. We have had many dis- 

 cussions since as to the advisability and safety of &uch expeditions. 

 Saucelito is located on Richardson's Bay, formed by a peninsula of 

 the mainland on the northern side of the Golden Gate, while San 

 Francisco is on the southern side, Alcatraz Island lies in the Straits 

 about a mile and a half from San Francisco. It is about four and 

 three quarter miles direct from San Francisco to Saucelito. The 

 fresh westerly breezes blow direct from the ocean through the Golden 

 Gate and through the Straits and across the bay. Angel Island, 

 which forms part of the easterly side of Richardson's Bay, is sepa- 

 rated from the mainland by Racoon Straits, a narrow pass perhaps 

 a half mile wide. Goat Island, which is well over to the Oakland 

 shore, is about eight miles from Saucelito, and I should judge about 

 three from Alcatraz. As the tide sweeps in it breaks to the north 

 and south, up and down the bay of San Francisco, scurrying through 

 Racoon Straits, and eddying around these various islands, forming 

 great tide rips, which seethe and boil with vicious strength. All the 

 islands named and the mainland are very high ground, from 100 to 

 300 feet elevation, and more or less broken by canyons aud gulleys. 

 When the breezes blow the wind comes sweeping down in ever-vary- 

 ing puffs and flaws, and one never knows how to prepare for it. 



"These tide, rips too are apt to bubble up at any time and locality, 

 and when there is a strong breeze it makes desperate sailing tor light 

 boats. The commodore of the S. F. Y. C. only a few days ago said 

 we would run much less risk on the broad ocean than cruising around 

 that part of the bay. Of course these conditions are not always to 

 be encountered. In the winter months the weather is mild, and ex- 

 cept during a storm the winds are likely to be gentle. Then, too, by 

 proper calculation as to the tides we can time our start so that we go 

 under favorable conditions, 



"Our party left Oakland about 5 o'clock Saturday evening, Feb. 21. 

 in the face of a strong westerly breeze, and under escort of the sloop 

 yacht Gracie. It was after 8 o'clock when we east anchor, having 

 beaten about half way down Oakland Creek. After supper the. 

 Talisman and Undine "kept on to Goat Island, the Sunbeam (the 

 smallest canoe in the fleet) having missed it in the dark aud paddled 

 out into the bay. and presumably on to Goat Island. W r e (that is the 

 crews of the Gracie, Mystic and Zephyr) slept iu our boats and made 

 an early start next morning, and about 9 o'clock the whole fleet 

 rendezvoused in the cove at Goat Island. But you have already had 

 the details of our trip from that point. The Mystic was obliged to 

 leave the party at Saucelito and return a day before the time set, It 

 is more particularly in regard to this return trip that I wish to write, 

 that comparisons may be made with some of the canoes in the East. 

 The Mystic is a Racine, Saranac model, 15ft. long, 30in. beam, well- 

 rounded deck, and with a good flat floor, earned well forward and 

 aft. Her mainsail, cut after the Mohican pattern, had about 48ft., 

 and the mizzen a lateen, 21ft., say 70ft. in all, 



"We had a fair wind and as much as we needed of it— strong tide in 

 our favor— and we made the trip, say about thirteen miles, in two 

 hours and seven minii Les. which would represent about six miles an 

 hour. I was very particular in taking the time and the distances I 

 have measured on a coast survey map. Now then, I read of the per- 

 formances of certain canoes in the East, but generally there is some 

 factor missing to make a fair comparison. 1 note that some of the 

 larger canoes are carrying 100 to 150sq. ft. of sail. Last Sunday we 

 had a pretty stiff breeze, and the Mystic under reefed mainsail 25ft, 

 and driver 10ft., had plenty of sail— plenty. The Eastern boats are 

 generally much less beam, and I am at. a loss to know how they man- 

 age it to carry so much sail on less beam. 1 am taking it for granted 

 that the winds do not vary so very much. I will endeavor to ascer- 

 tain the average velocity of our regular trade winds, and Ed bo glad 

 to have you note the velocity of the winds about New York. I find 

 there is a great deal of science needed to determine just the right 

 amount ot sad to get the most; speed, as too much sail (even although 

 the boat will carry it) does not seem to conduce to speed. 



"The Government is still at worlc dredging and enlarging the Oak- 



land Harbor. I will some time send you a diagram of the whole lay 

 out, It, is the prettiest canoeing ground about the bay. 



"A gentleman of the Mosquito fleet has lately presented two very 

 pretty champion pennants to be contested for; one specially Eor 

 .Mid tlie other for the yawls. The suggestion is that a con- 

 tent must- take place at least' once a, month, and whoever wins the 

 most races shall own the flag at the end of the season, the Winner 

 of eaoh race to fly the pennant until the next race. The flags are 

 about three feet long and five inches wide, two stripes of red and one 

 of white: the material satin. r !'he word champion is worked in blue- 

 rustic letters, and 168S in red. The club pennant is also worked on 

 the white stripe for trie yawls, simply a red field with a white star, 

 the canoes a red field with a white circle and a blue star iu it." 



THE EXTENSION OF THE A. C. A. 



IT It AS long been apparent to all who have watched the rapid 

 spread of canoeing from the vicinity of New York, first to the 

 Nortn and East and then to the West, that it wotdd be impossible to 

 cover so great an extend of territory by one meet at any point, how- 

 ever central. This year sees the first effort of the Western canoeists 

 to organize a meet at a, point practically accessible to the majority of 

 them, the general plan of the meeting being similar to the A. C. A. 

 Although the promoters of the scheme are mostly A. C. A. men. the 

 meet is not under the direct auspices of the Association, but It will be 

 left to those present to decide on a plan of organization, either inde- 

 pendently or as a part of the A. C. A. The. advantages of unity are 

 well shown bv the rapid growth of canoeing under the influence of 

 the Association, as after ten years of hard work on the part of a num- 

 ber of individuals it hardly obtained a foothold in this country; while 

 five years uuder the care of the Association has put itin the foremost 

 rank of outdoor sports. 



There is no doubt that some organization is necessary to aid itin the 

 West, and the present system does not meet the.reeent needs. Several 

 plans for the extension of the Association to meet new requirements 

 have been proposed of late, the details of one of which, embodying 

 the main ideas of all, we give below. This plan will divide the 

 National Association into such branches as may in time be necessary, 

 placing them under such general laws as will conduce to a healthy 

 growth, but leaving the details of government to each branch, all 

 being on au equal footing in every way. We submit the plan to 

 canoeists, especially the Western men who will attend the. Erie meet 

 and will be called on to decide the question in July next, and we 

 invite comment aud suggestions from all interested. 



CONSTITUTION, 



Art. T. This Association shall be called the American Canoe Asso- 

 ciation, aud be composed of such geographical divisions as may he 

 deemed advisable by the Executive Committee, 



Art. II. Same as now. 



Art. in. Same as now. 



Art. IV. Same as now. 



Art. V. The officers of this Association shall be a Commodore and 

 a Secretary and Treasurer, and to each geographical division a Vice- 

 Commodore, a Rear Commodore, and a Secretary and Treasurer, 

 The Commodore and Association tecretarv and Treasurer shall be 

 elected by the Executive Committee at their annual meeting. The 

 Vice and Rear Commodores and Division Secretaries and Treasurers 

 shall be elected by the members at the annual meetings of the. respec- 

 tive Divisions. All officers shall be elected by ballot and shall hold 

 office until their successors are elected. 



Art. VI. The officers of the Association and three active members 

 elected at large from each division shall constitute the Executive 

 Committee of the Association. They shall have the general govern- 

 ment of the Association, and power to elect members and to fill 

 vacancies until the next annual meetings of the Divisions. They shall 

 bold the annual meeting before Oct. 15. at such time and place as 

 shall be specified by the Commodore. 



Art. VIE It shall be the duty of the Commodore to visit, if prac- 

 ticable, each of the Division meets during the year, to assume com- 

 mand of the same during said visit, and to see that all rules aud 

 regulations are properly enforced. He will also preside at the. melt- 

 ings of the Executive Committe, and within thirty days of his election 

 appoint a Regatta Committee of three for each Division. 



Art. VIII. The Rear Commodores shall organize and in the absence 

 of the Commodore preside overlive annual meetings of their respec- 

 tive divisions, and perform all duties pertaining to the Commodore 

 in bis absence. In the absence of the Viee-Commodores the Rear 

 Commodores will act in their stead. 



Art. IX. It shall be the duty of the Association Secretary and 

 Treasurer to keep a, record of the proceedings of the meetings of the 

 Executive Committee, to keep a correct roll of members, to notify 

 each member of his election, to print each year the Association Book, 

 to receive all moneys due the Association, to pay all bills passed by 

 the Executive Committee, and to make an annual report, of finances, 

 and to pay to the Division Treasurers one dollar for each member 

 duly elected and assigned to his Division. Division Secretaries and 

 Treasurers shall receive and expend for Division meets, subject to the 

 approval of the Division officers, the money received from the Associ- 

 ation Treasurer. They shall also forward to him a record of the 

 canoes iu their Divisions, and shall publish annually a list of the 

 cruises made by the Division members, and make an annual report 

 to the Executive Committee. 



Art. X. Substantially the same. 



BY-LAWS. 



Art. I. Substitute two dollars for dues. Substitute payahle 

 annually before May 1. 



Art. II. Same as now. 



Art. in. Meetings for business, camping and racing shall be held 

 in each Division annually, the date and plaue to be fixed by the Execu- 

 tive Committee. 



Art. IV. Same as now. 



Art. V. Same as now. 



Art. VI. Same as now. 



Art. VII. Same as now. 



Art. V1H. Same as now. Conservative. 



NEW YORK C. C— The first dip of the season befell an unwary 

 canoeist who slipped overboard this week. The Tramp has the finest 

 suit of sails yet seen in the club, a mainsail of 105ft., rigged like the 

 Pearls with 3 reefs and reef gear, and a roller mizzen also fitted & la 

 Pearl. She has not yet tried her new after centerboard. Sea Bee 

 made her first essay under sail this week, starting out with a mizzen 

 forward and smaUer mizzen aft. Her rudder not being hung, she 

 was worked by the sails only, coming about and wearing easily and 

 showing good speed under the small rig she carried. Her new sails 

 are extremely handsome, and though somewhat "angular" are also 

 "flat" enough to suit the most particular sailor. Four new members 

 have lately joined the club. 



DEATH OF MR. DELANY OF GRINDSTONE ISLAND.— New 

 Orlei us, La., May 12— Editor Forest and Stream: I have received 

 notice of the death of Mr. J. J. Delany of Grindstone Island, Sunday, 

 April 12, the result of blood poisoning from a wound in his hand re- 

 ceived while opening a stone quarry, I do not believe this will make 

 any difference in our camp arrangemeuts. as his sons will probably 

 carry on the farm for Mrs. Delany. I have written to the latter, and 

 as soon as I learn who the executers of the will ore, will open a cor- 

 respondence with them. On April 25 I sent Tiffany & Co. a list of 

 fifty-one members of the A. O. A. who had ordered badges. I have 

 receivedno additional orders.— Chas. A. Neide. 



BROOKLYN CANOE AND SAILING CLUB.— A new house has 

 been contracted for and will be ready in about two weeks. It is built 

 on a raft composed of four large spars, and will be moored at Bay 

 Ridge, The membership of the club is increasing, and additions are 

 expected when the house is once opened. 



"NESSMUK" is cruising in Florida with "Tarpon," who was erst- 

 while known as "Barnacle." the captain of the Comfort, on that trip 

 down the Mississippi with Dr. Neide iu the Aurora. "Nessmuk's" ac- 

 counts are given in our Sportsman Tourist columns. Don't miss them, 



SHATEMUC C. P.— We have received a neatly printed copy of the 

 constitution of this club lately formed at Sing Sins, N. Y. The roll 

 shows a membership of nine, the officers being: Commodore, J. H. 

 Carpenter; Captain, W. M, Carpenter; Purser, T. J. Hand, Jr. 



GOLDEN STAR C. C— Will "Senorita" send us his name and ad- 

 dress, which has been mislaid . 



fachting. 



MONTAUK AND POCAHONTAS. 



ABOUT one hundred yachtsmen were present at the salesroom of 

 Brown & Lecomb on May 0, presumably in search of bargains in 

 shoal draft property, as the schooner Montauk and sloop Pocahontas 

 were advertised to be sold at auction. No response was made to Mr. 

 Brown's call for bids or to an attempt to start the Montauk at $ 30.000, 

 and it was some time before a bid of $15,000 was offered. This ran un 

 slowly, aud after half a dozen bid* Montauk was bought in by Mr, E, 

 Houghton for 824,000. 



Pocahontas was started at $1,000, Mr, Brown informing the audi- 

 ence that she cost over $14,000, was as good as new and fast. After 

 some slow bidding she was disposed of to Mr. J. F. Tarns for 82,950, 



THE FUTURE OF LAKE YACHTING. 



WITH as fine natural advantages as can be found anywhere, and 

 with ports and havens at convenient distances along their 

 i he threat Lakes are fitted in every way to be the home of a 

 large pleasure navy. On none of them, however, except perhaps 

 Ontario, has yachting yet found a secure foothold, or any firmer 

 foundation than a number of independent clubs in Chicago, Buffalo, 

 Cleveland, Toledo. Detroit and some other places, all in a more or 

 leps healthy condition, out entirely disunited, and doing nothing to 

 aid each other or the general prosperity of yachting. On Lake On- 

 tario matters are somewhat more promising. For many years yaeht- 

 iiie- has been popular on both shores, and a number of small clubs 

 have existed independently but with no very startling growth. The 

 conditions of their existence have not been such as to build up a 

 firmly established system of yachting which should be successful and 

 wwressive a self -sustaining body, not depending on any one club 

 for its support, such as the Yacht Racing Association in England. 

 The lack of any policy or government, the difference m sailing rules, 

 and above all, measurement rules not only bad in themselves but. 

 differing m each club, have made aoy concerted action almost im- 

 possible, and hindered greatly the advancement of yachting, Last 

 year a successful effort was made to secure unity of action, and as a 

 result, the Lake Yacht Racing Association was formed, composed of 

 toe principal clubs on Lake Ontario. Officers were elected, rules 

 were adopted for the government of the Association, a round of races 

 were planned, and most important of all. tne old length and breadth 

 rule was thrown aside, and the Seawanhaka C. Y. C. rule— length 

 plus square root of sail area divided by two -was adopted by the As- 

 sociation. The programme was followed out, the cruise and races 

 were successful, the new rule worked well, and though the change 

 has been iu operation bare.lv a year, it has exerted a highly beneficial 

 effect on the yachting of Lake Ontario. At the formation, of the 

 L Y.R A, invitations were sent to* all the other clubs on the Lakes 

 to join, in fact, the name Lake Y.R. A. was chosen so as to include 

 them, but none accepted the. invitation, Some made no reply, and 

 some o! jected to the distance, so thus far the Association is confined 

 to Lake Ontario. 



The situation we have sketched exists now on all tne other lakes, 

 lack of uuity or definite purpose, diversity of rules, with the accom- 

 panying absence of vitality and backbone in the yachting system. 

 Under such a state of affairs yachting may and probably will in- 

 crease slowly, but it must be years before it is in a position even to 

 begin a healthy and vigorous growth. At present the evils are hardly- 

 apparent, the yachts arc mainly of one type, and races between the 

 clubs are so tew that the clashing of rules Is little regarded; but if 

 the presentstate of affairs continues, each club will build up to its own 

 rule, the difficulties of inter-club racing will increase, and all influ- 

 ences will tend to disintegration. When the time does come— as it 

 must some day if yachting is to reach its full development— that an 

 effort will be. made to organize, eaeh club will be loath to submit to a 

 common rule, however good it may be, wbieh taxes their peculiar 

 boats. Vested interests, an infant now, will be a strong and power- 

 ful giant in the path of all improvement, as it has been for years 

 abroad. 



The functions of a rule are not merely to rate boats fairly, but to 

 offer a standard and safeguard in building, taxing excessive develop- 

 ment in any direction, and enforcing a certain equality, while allow- 

 ing full liberty in desigu. Under a suitable rule boats of all types 

 will exist according to their qualities; keel or centerboard, wide or 

 narrow, deep or shoal, should each have its fair chance for existence, 

 and survive or disappear according- to the manner in which it stands 

 the test. To-day the entire yacht fleetof the lakes is nndeveloped and 

 plastic; though "mainly of the beamy centerboard type, the boats are 

 mostly small and comparatively few in number, and would soon fit 

 themselves to a common rule of measurement on all the lakes. We 

 cannot tell what types may be prevalent, five years hence, or which 

 will be the most powerful; but it is certain that yachts will increase 

 greatly iu size and numbers, and that then any attempt to enforce a 

 common rule will meet with powerful opposition. 



The present year promises to be a remarkable one in American 

 yachting. Not only will the coming international races give an im- 

 petus greater than ever before to all yachting on the coast or inland, 

 but the question of type is involved to an extent that it never has 

 been in the previous contests for the Cup. In any event, great 

 changes will be made in ouryachts, following the impetus of the move- 

 men tin favor of deeper boats; but in. the event of a cutter victory, 

 such as is now extremely probable, we may see the evolution or adop- 

 tion of a type radically different from the well-known sboal center- 

 board sloop. We are, in all probability, at the commencement of a 

 thorough change of type, and no more favorable moment could be 

 found for the adoption of new rules. A year or two and a fleet may 

 be formed that, whether of good or bad design, will be very hard to 

 bring under any rule; but now, on the lakes at least, such a~diffieulty 

 exists in a comparatively slight degree. The general interest in 

 yachting affairs created by the coming races is in itself an aid to any 

 effort at improvement, inducing men to take an active part, and an 

 additional opportunity is offered just at this time in the meet at Bal- 

 last Island, in Lake Erie, in July next. The promoters of the plan 

 have prepared for the reception of a large number of boating men, 

 yachtsmen, canoeists, and "all interested in water sports. Provision 

 will be made for their amusement by various races, and further, an 

 opportunity will be given them to form organizations. Of the action 

 of the canoeists there is little doubt; an association, either indepen- 

 dent of or in union with the present national body, will be formed 

 there, and arrangements will be made for annual meets and for suit- 

 able government. The machinery is at hand, either to adopt and 

 improve, or to imitate as they see fit, and as a body they are fully 

 awakened to the benefit of co-operation. The action of the yachting 

 contingent is more uncertain, as the idea of union has not been as 

 thoroughly canvassed among them and its importance so clearly 

 demonstrated by actual practice. The opportunity, however, lies 

 open before them, and in a form which they may not have again for 

 years. 



The most important question is, What is to be done? We suggest, 

 first, the formation of an association which shall have entire control 

 of the yachting interests of the lakes, the power to be vested in a 

 general government, with sub-divisions (probably one for each lake) 

 having control of local matters. The details of such a scheme are 

 easily arranged; in fact a similar one is outlined in our canoeing col- 

 umns this week. Secondly, a definite policy of development, looking 

 to the firm establishment of yachting on the lakes and for its future 

 growth. No one man or club can grasp the entire question. The 

 area covered is a large one; the possibilities of yachting, in even a 

 few years under proper management, are immense, and require to 

 be treated liberally and without petty local considerations. What is 

 required is a body composed of the leaders of lake yachting, chosen 

 from all localities, who shall consider what is best, not for to-day or 

 to-morrow, but for the future. Such a body canoeists have already 

 found, and certainly yachtsmen must be able to do as much. Thirdly, 

 or perhaps as a part of the second proposition, the question of sailing 

 rules and measurement must be dealt with broadly and liberally, 

 dealing as fairly as possible with existiug boats, but not deterred by 

 mere local considerations from adopting and enforcing a broad and 

 comprehensive scheme that shall at once tend to develop good boats, 

 and shall be at the same time capable of adaptation to future needs. 

 The advantages to yachting of such a liberal and well-arranged 

 scheme must oe apparent to all. A body constituted as above could 

 survey the entire field of operations and work intelligently with a 

 definite end in view; now we have a few clubs stumbling along with- 

 out any special aim or policy. The results of the deliberations of 

 such a body, arrived at after thorough discussion and embodying the 

 ideas of many, would certainly be better than the crude regulations 

 which hinder rather than help most young clubs; and the healthy 

 sport of rivalry between the various branches, as well as between the 

 clubs composing each branch, would be far more effective than any 

 similar feeling that now exists between neighboring clubs. 



Two objections only stand in the way of the successful carrying out 

 of such a scheme, distance and the apathy or inertia of the interested 

 parties. The former may seem at first sight a serious difficulty, but 

 it is not with such a plan as we propose. For the fleet of Lake 

 Ontario to visit Lake Superior for a raco would be impracticable, or 

 even for shorter joint cruises, but the interests of all are identicaland 

 best subserved by a general government. With such an arrangement 

 of fixtures as may readily be made, it will be possible for some yachts 

 from each lake to join the cruises of the other branches each year. 

 At the termination of the Ontario cruise and round of races, some of 

 the yachts, perhaps with some Erie yachts that have cruised with 

 them, will proceed to Lake Erie for the races there, while others from 

 the West will also join the Erie fleet. All are under one rule, races 

 are sailed and yachts measured as in the home club wherever it may 

 be, and yachtsmen are as much at home on one lake as another. 

 Those whose time is limited can confine themselves to their home 

 erui*e, but even they reap the advantage of additional entries by 

 visitors, enlivening races, and the competition and exchange of ideas 

 between them and their neighbors. In purely local affairs the 

 division or any club must decide for themselves, but in general mat- 

 ters they have the benefit of wiser and better councils than any one 

 club can command. 



The second obstacle is rather more intangible, but still more potent 

 than the first. Yachting in any locality goes through several stages 

 in its development into the grandest of sports. First the era of sail- 

 ing and cruising in such craft as the locality affords; second, the 

 racing between these craft and their immediate successors, and third 

 the improvement of boats and refinement of racing rules, as racing 

 becomes a more important feature. All clubs at some time pass 

 through these stages, but many American clubs have as yet only 



