358 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Mat 28, 1885. 



A NEW CENTERBOARD FOR CANOES. 



ANEW form of centerboard and rudder for boats and canoes has 

 lately been patented by Mr. J. W. Rough, of New Kochelle, N.Y., 

 under the uame of the "Perfection Centerboard and Rudder Attach- 

 ment." Iris j ii tended to be applied to any boafsvithout cutting or 

 altering the hull, the only fixed pieces beiug four hooks on the gun- 

 wale. The board, which is shown in the accompanying cut, is fitted 



with a shoe piece which lies flat outside the bottom of the boat, to 

 which it is securely fastened by two brass bands or straps, adjust- 

 able for length, which are hooked over screw hooks in the gunwales. 

 By releasing the bands from the hooks the oenterboard is detached 

 and floats to the surface, and may be stowed below. The rudder is 

 tiling on the. after end of the centerhoard nearly under the middle of 

 the boat, and is worked by lines to each side. The entire device is 

 cheap and simple and easily adjusted to auy canoe. 



KNICKERBOCKER C. C. RACES. 



THE aunual spring regatta of the Knickerbocker O. C. took place 

 at the club house at the foot of 152d street and North River, on 

 Saturday, May 23. The rainy morning prevented the attendance of 

 many canoeists that were expected to attend from other clubs and 

 enter the races open to all. The first race for sailing was called at 4 

 P. M Course from K. C. C. dock around stakeboat across the river. 



Enl res: 



Inertia. Glass B. E. W. Brown; time Jh. 



Ciienti, Class R, W, Whitloek; time Ih. Im. 



Lorelei. Class B, E 0. Griffin; time Ih. 4m. 



Nettie, Class B, Trot". E. Fowler; withdrew. 



Nettie, Class A. A. W. L. C-reen; time Ih. 7m. 



Manehe, Class A, A. Doruiitzer: time Ih. 1 tin. 



The first, part of rhe race was confined to drifting with the tide 

 toward the Mohican Club House: however, a light wind arose which 

 i.-nable.d the canoes to sail over the course with the result that E. W. 

 Brown, in the I tier ia, received the first prize, and William Whitloek, 

 in the Guenu, the second. After the finish of this race the time re- 

 maining being too short for the two paddling races only the Tandem 

 race was called. Course, from half a mile up the river down to the 

 Clubhouse- Entries: 



Laura, Iff. G. Foster and P. W. Foster; tune, 6m. 



Lorelei, E. C. Griffen and E. A. Gardner: time, dm. 2s. 



Freak, W. Whitloek and E. Gould; time. 8ro. 2s. 



E. Adele, Or. Chas. A. Neideand Col. C. L. Norton; time, 8m. 45s. 



Lackawana, L. W. Seavy and R. B. Bur chard; time. 9m. 



One of the K. O. G. members has recently presented to the club a 

 medal to be held by the winner in club races, subject to challenge 

 from any club member when two weeks have elapsed from the race. 

 at which the wearer won it. The first race for this medal took place 

 at the ree-atta. when Mr. Brown won the right to wear it. In spite of 

 tiie discouraging morning many ladies attended from the Heights, 

 and added to the enthusiasm of the contestants. 



N. Y. C. C— Mr. J. F. Newman has resigned his office as secretary 

 in consequence of his active connection with the new Brooklyn club, 

 of which he is vice president, requiring all his time. At a meeting on 

 Monday, May 18, Mr. Vaux, formerly commodore and also secretary, 

 was elected in his stead to the position of secretary-treasurer. The 

 club have purchased a new scow, and the old c\ub house at New 

 Brighton has been torn down and a new one built on the scov.'. This 

 house, which will he ready in a week or ten days, will be 50x20ft. be- 

 low, with dressing room and racks for 30 to 40 canoes, as may be re- 

 quired. Above will be a meeting room 20ft. square, opening out on 

 fore and after decks each 20x15ft. The new house, which will be 

 moored near the site of the old one, will give the room so long needed, 

 and being only a few hundred yards from the new ferry, on which 

 boats will run every 20 minutes, it will be readily accessible, as ih can 

 be reached from the Battery in 25 minutes. The upper portion will 

 be reserved on race days for the guests of the club, beiug entirely se»ar- , 

 ated from the boat and dressing rooms. 



A PARISIAN ESTIMATE OF DR. NEIDE'S BOOK.— -'The Canoe 

 Aurora : a Cruise from the Lakes to the Gulf" (2). L'Amerique est >e. 

 pays du •'canoeing*' par excellence; ses lacs, ses fleuves immenses y 

 eotivient aux grands voyages et. avec leur esprit aventureux, les 

 Atnericains qui out des loisirs prcferent aux moyens de locomotion 

 vulgaires et rnpides, steamboats ou railways, la flanerieau fil del'eau, 

 dan* une pirogue oil ils ont juste la place de transporter leur per- 

 sonne et leur mince baggage, e'est a dice une couverture, une tente, 

 tin rifle, et quelques ustensiles de cuisine. Le voyage raconte dans 

 le petit volume que nous signalons a nos lecteurs n'a pas ete de moius 

 de 3,01)0 rallies, ou de pres de 5.000 kilometres, des lacs du Nord a 

 I'embouchure du Mississippi, u a ete accompli par deux amateurs, 

 uaviguant de conserve, chacun dans i on can^e, et e'est l'un deux, 

 M. O A. Neide, secretaire de r"Amencan Canoe Association," qui 

 en a fait le recit Ce recit, tres varie et qui depeint avec une sincerity- 

 pittoresque les incidents, ies tribulations, et aussi les satisfactions et 

 les joies d'une s.emblable expedition, a ete extrememeut goute en 

 Aroerique. Nous sommes persuades qu'il le serait egalement de ceux 

 de nos lecteurs qui ont une eonnaissunce suffisante de la langue 

 atiglaise, et qui. s'iis etaient plus familiarises avec ee genre de sport, 

 pourraient le pratiquer, dans des proportions plus modestes, mais 

 tout aussi agrcables, sur les rivieres de notre vieux continent.— Le 

 Yacht. 



CANOEINC IN LOWER CANADA. -A largely attended meeting of 

 the Lake St. Louis 0. C. was held at the club house at Lachine, on 

 Wednesday evenine, May SO, for 'he election of officers for the en- 

 suing- year. The club consists of 48 members. "2 of whom are actual 

 canoe-holders up to the present lime, but doubtless others will Join 

 before the reason is very far advanced. A cruise has been organized 

 for May 23. 2-1 and 25, up the Chateauguay, one of the most historic 

 rivers in Canada, runeing into the .St. Lawrence a few miles above 

 Lachine. On the south shore it is navigable at present about 70 

 miles from its mouth. The secretary would be very pleased to an- 

 swer any canoeists making inquiries relating to navigation of rivers 

 or distances around Lachine, or in the vicinity, and would welcome 

 any brother canoeists passing their boat house. By writing the 

 secretary treasure? advising him of the probahle time of arrival, he 

 would look up suitable accommodations and make any canoeist as 

 comfortable as possible. The. officers are as follows: Commodore, 

 W, H. Kintoul: Vice-Commodore, M. R. Grahame; Secretary-Treas- 

 urer, George Auldjo, Lachine. or Box 2141, Montreal: Committee- 

 Gordon Brock, Chas. E. Howard, H, W, Shearwood, C. L. Shaw. 



BROOKLYN CANOE AND SAILING CLUB. -This new club have 

 lately built a house, and on Wednesday of last week it was towed 

 from the foot, of Rutgers street. East River, to Mumm's Basin, at 

 Bay Bidgfi, where it will be permanently moored in smooth water just 

 inside the basin. The float is a raft of large spars, the platform being 

 22x?0ft. The house, winch is near one end, is 50xl9ft„ the second 

 simy being 10ft. square. Below is a flue boat room with space for 

 nearly Fifty eiuoes, and upstairs is a locker and dressing-room. On 

 the front end is a platform. 22tt. square and about Sin. above the 

 water, from which the canoes can be launched directly, no float being 

 required This platform is fitted at each corner with a mast step for 

 rigging sails. Tue club now numbers eighteen active members and 

 nearly as many canoes. The will send a delegation to Newburg and 

 also to Grindstone. 



VESPER BOAT CLUB —This club opened the season last week with 

 a cruise on the Salmon and Merriinac rivers. Sixteen went by barge 

 to Dunstable, where eight others were awaiting them. Half the dis- 

 tance was quickly run, as the Salmon is narrow and rapid. A halt 

 was made at Nas'nua for dinner, and the group was photographed. 

 including an instantaneous capsize. A halt was made at the site of 

 the spring meet, Winn's Bluff, the party reaching home by evening. 

 Rowing na= declined of late in the Vesper Club, but on the contrary 

 canoeing has grown rapidly in favor, and the old oarsmen are becom- 

 ing converted to the paddle. The club is greatly interested in the 

 coming meet, and will have a large representation at Winn s Bluff. 

 A number of new canoes of various models have been added to the 

 fleet. 



CANOEING NOTES — Ex-Corn. Longworth has lately built a little 

 steamer in Cincinnati for his own use. She is 80ft. long. 20ft. beam, 

 and has a cabin 28x16ft. with 8 folding berths .. .Dr. Neide has re- 

 turned home and called on us on Saturday on his way. He is look- 

 ing well and hearty after his winter in the South. . . .Tfie many mem- 

 bers of the A. C. A. who have met Mr. J. L. Weller, of Peterboro. at 

 the meets of the Association, will be interested in hearing that he is 

 at present in the field, being Staff Adjutant to Gen. Laurie, with 

 headquarters at Qu'Appelle, N, W. T., Canada. He will probably be 

 absent from Grindstone this year, but we hop;: to meet him in 8b, 

 and near something about canoeing iu the far northwest. 



MR. ROBERT W. GIBSON writes to Mr. C. B. Vaux concerning the 

 latter's "Canoe Handling" as follows: "I have read it with more 

 pleasure than 1 would a novel, and the only criticism I have to mi ke 

 is that there U not enough of it. I see you hive intentionally kept 

 it down in size, and I suppose you and your publishers know best, 

 but I should have, liked to read mora of your views than I did. I 

 think the arrangement of the different subjects is first-rate, and as 

 to the instructions given, all that I knjw agrees with them, and all 

 that I don't know will be supplied bj' them." 



Inchting. 



May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 May 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June. 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 Juno 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 ,1 une 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 June 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July- 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 

 July 



Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 

 Aug. 



Aug. 

 Aug. 

 4.ug. 

 Aug, 

 Aug. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 

 Sept. 



FIXTURES. 



30— Atlantic Y. C, Opening Sad. 



30— New Jersey Y. 0., Opening Sail. 



30— Oswego Y. C, Opening Cruise and Pennant Matches. 



30— New Haven Y. (!.. Opening Sail. 



30— South Boston Y. C, Regatta, City Poiut. 



30— Knickerbocker Y. C, Regatta. 



30-Newark Y. C.. Regatta. 



30-Dorehester Y. C. Club itaee. Dorchester Bx.; 



80— Fall River Y. C. Open Regatta. 



30— S. C. Y. O, Opening Race. 



31— Harlem Y. C, First Regatta. 



1— Williamsburg Y. C, Openiug Regatta. 



2— Atlantic Y. "'., Ladies' Day, 



6— Larchmont Y. C, Spring Pennant Regatta. 



C Quincy Y. O. First Club Race. 



8— Quaker City Y. C, Annual Spring Regatta, 



9— N. J. Y. C, Annual Regatta, 



9— Atlantic Y. C. Annual Regatta. 

 11— Brooklyn Y. C, Annual Regatta. 

 11— New York Y. C, Regatta, 

 13— Boston Y. C, First Club Race. 

 13— 9. 0. Y. C Annual Regatta. 

 13— Winthrop Y. O. Sweep-takes Race. 

 16-Harlem Y. C. Annual Regatta, Oak Point. 

 17— Qutacy Y. C Review. 

 17-East River Y r . C, Annual Regatta, 

 17-Pctucket Y. C. 

 17— Dorchester Y. C, Open Regatta. 

 18— New Haven Y. O, Au.-.ual Regatta. 

 20-South Boston Y. C, Annual Regatta. 

 20 -Boston Y r . C, Second Club Race. 

 20— Hidl Y. ( !., Pennant Matches. 

 21— Quaker City Y. O, Review and Harbor Cruise. 

 25— Jersey City Y. C Annual Regatta. 

 25— Oswego Y. C Ladies' Day. 

 27— Brooklyn Y. O, Opening Regatta. 

 30— Eastern Y. C. Annual Regatta. 



3, 4 and 5— Quaker City Y. C., Corinthian Cruise and Regatta. 



3— Knickerbocker Y. C, Annual Cruise. 



3— Quincy Y. C, First Championship Race. 



3 13— Newark Y. C, Annual Cruise. 



a_R. O. Y. O. Squadron Cruise. 



4— Carolina Y. , Regatta. 



4— Larchmont Y. C, Annual Regatta. 



4-11— Pentucket Y. O, Annual Cruise. 



8— Beverlv Y. C, Nahant, First Championship Regatta. 

 11— Hull Y. C, Cruise. 

 16— Boston Y. O., Third Club Race. 

 16— Cleveland Y. R. A., Annual Regatta. 

 16-17-18— American Y. C, Cruise and Races. 

 17— Cleveland Y. R. A., Cruise to Ballast Island. 

 18-28— Camp at Ballast Islana. 

 18-Hull Y. C., Club Race. 

 25— Hull Y. C. Ladies' Day 

 25— Pentucket Y. C, Club Race. 



25— Beverly Y'.C Marblehead, Second Championship Regatta. 

 30— L. Y. R. A.. Cruise to Niagara. 

 3J— Quincy Y. C, Second Club Race. 



1— Hull Y. C, Club Race. 



2— Quaker City Y. C, River and Harbor Cruise. 



3— South Boston Y T C, Regatta. 



3— Newark Y. C. Open Regatta. 



4— L. Y. R. A.. Cruise to Oswego. 



5— Pentucket Y. C, Championship Race. 



7— L. Y. R. A., Cruise to Kingston, 



8— Beverly Y.C .Marblehead, Open Regatta. 



8 -New Haven Y. 0., Annual Cruise. 

 12— L. Y. R. A., Cruise to Belleville. 

 14— Quincy Y. C, Second Championship Race, 

 15-30-Quaker City Y. C, Annual Cruise, Delaware. and Ches- 

 apeake Bays. 

 15— Hull Y. COpen Race 

 25— Miclu'gan Y. C, Open Inter-Lake Regatta. 

 3tf— PentueTtet Y. C , Club Race. 

 29— Quincy Y. C, Third Club Race, 

 29— Beverly Y r . C. Swampseott. Third Championship Regatta. 



5— Hull X. C, Champion Race. 



6— Larchmont Y. C, Fall Pennant Regatta. 



9— Beverly Y. C, Nahant, Fall Regatta. 

 12— Quincy Y. C, Third Championship Race. 

 12— Boston Y. C. Fourth Club Race. 

 19— Hull Y. C, Cham mon Race. 

 19— Pentucket Y. C, Uuion Regatta. 

 28 -Pentucket. Y, C, Championship Regatta, 



THE CUP RACES. 



ON Thursday last, early in the morning, before work began in the 

 yard, the new yacht built for the New York Y. C„ was launched 

 by Messrs. Harlan & Hollings worth at their yard in W ilmiugton. She 

 yvas christened Priscilla by Judge Houston, She was taken in tow by 

 the tug Ocean Kine on Saturday and started down the Delaware, 

 making an easy passage, as the weather was rather bad. and putting 

 in an appearance here at noon on Tuesday. She was at once towed 

 to Poillon's yard where her spars are waiting for her. Her dimensions, 

 as previously given, are 95ft. over all, Sift, waterline. tf&Et, Sin. beam, 



The Puritan was also launched f rom Lawley's yard on Tuesday 

 last at 10 A. M. Sails, spais and rigging are all ready, and she will 

 beta the Eastern Y, C. rega ta. after which she will come . tn New 

 > ork for the trial races. 



The dates for the latter are not yet fixed, but the following circular 

 has been sent out by the committee: 



Mr Deab Sir— a series of races under the auspices of the New 

 A ork Y. (\, will take place at New York in the latter part of June or 

 early in July. These races will probably be completed within the 

 period of one week. They will be open to all single-masted vessels of 

 not less than 60ft. in length on the waterline belonging to any duly 

 organized yacht club in the United States, with the condition that 

 afty vessel taking part therein shall be subject to selection try the 

 committee in charge as the representative of the Sew York Y. C. in 

 Ithe coming races for the America's Cup, the committee reserving to 

 themselves the tight of forming their own jti Jgment as to the fitness 

 for the purpose in view, irrespective of the actual result of the races. 

 The dates of these races will be fixed as far as possible to suit the 

 convenience of those taking part in them, and owners who intend to 

 enter their vessels are requested to place themselves in communica- 

 tion with the committee as soon as possible by addressing the secre- 

 tary of the committee, Mr. Charles L Minton, New York Y. C. House, 

 No. 07 Madison avenue. New York city, 



iron 3^X2J^in., spaced 21in. except for five frames abreast the mast, 

 which are doubled. The deck beams are also of angle iron 3x2 double 

 on double frames and 2J^x2J4 on the othtr.s. Thev are joined to each 

 frame bv gusset plates of 3 tOtn. iron, no Jfcnees being worked in the 

 length of the ship. The shelf is 'Jim. wide and of 5-l6in. plate. The 

 centerboard trunk is 25ft. long and 7in. wide, of 5 16in. iron, lined 

 inside with wearing pieces of half round i«m on the sides to take the 

 wear of the board. The latter, gift, long .and 4in. thick, is of yellow 

 pine, heaviiy banded with plate iron. Special hand holes are pro- 

 vided in the case for lowering the board when it is necessary to 

 remove it. The deck is of white pine. 2}4x2^j, strengthened by iron 

 plates wherever bolts or fastening, for fixtures ou deck are neces- 

 sary. 



From the forehatch to the centerboard trunk a. plate of 5-1-6 iron, 

 4ft wide, is laid on the deckbeams, through which the mast is 

 stepped. The partuers are made of two rings of angle irou. one 

 above and one below this plate, to which both are riveted, making 

 together a ring 2iin. diameter and 7in. deck. Tne rudder stock is 

 2Uin. diameter. Below nothing is done beyond ceiling the forecastle 

 in"wdiite pine and laying an ash floor for the whole length ; but Mr. 

 Vandeveer, the joiner, has already started m with the fittings. The 

 waterways, of oak. are Sin. wide, rail 5}.gx3in., and iron bulwarks 

 15in., or 18in. to top of rail. All cleats, eyebolts, chain plates and 

 similar fittings are in place. Forward is one of the American Ship 

 Windlass Co.''s yacht windlasses, and with it patent iron bites, form- 

 ing step for the heel of the bowsprit, as well as two oitts, both of 

 which are fitted with screw caps, serving as ventilators to the fore- 

 castle. Aft of the windlass is tne forecastle hatch, then a small sail 

 hatch forward of the mast, then a large sail hatch, while over the 

 trunk are two skylights, and aft of them the main companion. She 

 is fitted with a Welles patent steerer and 3£iiu. wheel. On each side 

 of the deck amidships is placed a post and kevel, and also one ou 

 each quarter. About the mast is a handsome pinrail of mahogany, 

 on locust stanchions, 'he holes for the puis, both here and iu the 

 rails, being bushed with brass. The chain plates are four in number 

 on each side, with plate iron channels 1ft. wide. 



Mr. Phillip Lew has the rigging ready to set up. and will step the 

 mast in a few days; the sails are ready at Wilson A Griffin's; part of 

 the lead ballast Is now on the dock, and there is apparently no reason 

 why the Priscilla should not be fully ready before the tune set for 

 the trial races. Captain Gibson, of the Vixen, will command ner. 



THE COMING SEASON. 



ALTHOUGH owners advance or delay fitting out accordiug to the 

 prevailing weather, and each March or April sees some of the 

 hardier ones afloat, it has of late come to pass that by common con- 

 sent Decoration Day, May 30, is the real commencement of the sea- 

 son, and the most tardy make it a point to he in commission by that 

 tune, Nearly all the clubs celebrate the day in some manner, either 

 by a scrub race or a sail for the ladies, with a repast of some sort at 

 night, and this year the usual events are announced. Some of the 

 clubs have supplanted the usual aimless squadron sail by a race, all 

 the fleet being expected to enter, and regular prizes being offered. 

 While not approaching the dignity of the June contests, these little 

 races f urni-h a pleasant diversion, and afford the Corinthian, ambi- 

 tious of a well-tanned cheek and horny bauds for the June races, a 

 chance to raise a few blisters and renew his acquaintance with the 

 smell of tarred rigging. While the cry of bard limes is still heard, 

 and some doubtless have flown their kites too high in Wall street to 

 spread much canvas this summer, the prospects are good for a lively 

 season in yachting all over the country and in all classes. The glory 

 of large tonnage and twostickers has evidently departed when Mou- 

 tauk begs an owner and goes off at a low figure considering her age 

 and reputation, and we shall not see off the Forts or at Newport or 

 Greenport, any such fleet as took part in the former races for the 

 America's Cup. The pereuni'l flyer that first won it is still afloat in 

 a hale and nearly old age, and ready, under the pennant of her bold 

 skipper, to defend U if need be, and Columbia and some others will 

 be on hand to witness the combat; but the day of these ancient 

 beauties have passei, lpad and iron have, helped their younger rivals 

 to first place at the line, and they must perforce play wall flowers. 



While the fleet of to-day is smaller in length and tonnage than the 

 famous ones of fifteen years since, it is no sign that yachting has 

 degenerated or even stood still: bur., on the contrary, in ail respects 

 but size we are well ahead of the former generation. Great as was 

 the interest taken by ail classes, the actual points of the contest are 

 far more generally understood to-day. and the results will be more 

 correctly appreciated; while, in place of the many who looked at the 

 tieet of big schooners with patriotic pride but no very clear idea of 

 what it was all about, there is to-dav a host of yachtsmen, owners of 

 their own craft, large or small, who feel an intense interest in the 

 coming struggle and are ready to weigh every point and glean every 

 idea that may aid them in their sailoi iziug. Not only about the scene 

 of the struggle is this so, but in the Wett and throughout the country 

 a deep interest is awakened, and all yachting feels its influence in a 

 revival m spite of the condition of business generally. 



About New York the clubs are generally in a prosperous condition. 

 The New York, while still without such a headquarters on the water 

 as becomes the first club iu America, retains ils large membership, 

 though owners are dependent on the smaller clubs for anchorage or 

 clubhouses. A large yacht ciub, on such water as New York Bay, 

 without any quarters for yachts, is rather an anomaly, and the only 

 WOnder is that the N.Y.Y.C. has prospered so well. Its age and stand- 

 ing have kept it thus far ahead of younger rivals; but it is time to look 

 out that some of them with more life and enterprise and offering bel- 

 ter facilities, do not step into first place. By then- policy of encour- 

 aging Corinthian yachting, and of keeping up a really live interest, 

 the Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C, have in a few years won a place of 

 their own in New York waters, and a reputation widely extended as 

 active sailors and thorough sportsmen. Thus far the difficulty of 

 securing a permanent, anchorage has somewhat hindered them, but 

 that is now removed, a good house and basin have been secured in a 

 location that is easily accessible from the city, and the club is still to 

 the fore in prizes and racing programmes for all classes of Corinthians, 

 from the owners of large cutters and schooners to those budding 

 yachtsmen, the canoemen, for whom a race is provided each year. 

 A new feature this season and one that protnises'to become popular, 

 and to work good results on the personnel of the club is the establish- 

 nieut of a club yacht, owned and kept in commission by the club for 

 the use of non-owning members. The plan gives to this class, that 

 up to this time has been rather neglected, an opportunity to sail at 

 any time throughout the season, and should prove valuable as an in- 

 ducement to join the club. As now located and under the manage- 

 ment that has thus far made it so successful, the club has every 

 promise of a brilliant future. The fleet is large and constantly im- 

 proving, and not only in numbers, but in the class of boat. 



Across the bay at Bay Ridge, the Atlantic Y. C, are still at their old 

 quarters. The portion of their grounds formerly occupied by Mumm's 

 yard is now vacant, as Mr. Mutnm has removed to a new site just 

 outside to the north, which property he has purchased, and where be 

 has laid down a large set of ways. The club is in a prosperous con 

 dition, with a large membership of men and boat*, and with every 

 •outlook for a successful season. This season, for the first time in 

 many years, the red flag of the once famous Brooklyn Y.C, will 

 float over their new quarters at Gravesend Bay. Atter lying dor- 

 mant for so lone, the club has been revived with the avowed purpose 

 of encouraging tne smaller classes of yachts. Starting out with fixed 

 ballast and limited crews, they should find plenty of! the little fellows 

 to gather under tbeir flag, and a continuation of the same policy, 

 without ambitious bids for the presence of the big ones in the lists 

 and races, will leave them with a large field to work in and a good 

 chance to establish themselves once more. At the other end of the 

 city is another club devoted to the smaller boats, the Kmckerbocker, 

 now firmly settled with a first rate anchorage and good sailing ground, 

 and a large and growing fleet. Here the iutluence of modern ideas 

 and a fair measurement rule have operated iu favor of a class of 

 staunch and handy little boats of good depth, many of them keel 

 craft, w bile the once despised cutter, an extreme narrow lead mine, 

 has not only found recognition, but has enforced respect. The club 

 still number some of the open boats whose speed has made them fam- 

 ous, but the general movement is into craft of greater accommoda- 

 tion, even at the expanse of speed. 



On the North River the New Jersey Y. C. are still at their old home 

 at Hoboken. but of late have moved the starting point of their races 

 down to Bedloe's Island, avoiding the tedious work among the numer- 

 ous ferry boats. With fixed ballast; and limited crews they art doing 

 good work among the small open boats, which class they chiefly 

 favor, whi.e they have extended their aid and protection also to the 

 catamarans, and will doubtless enjoy some fine sport with them this 

 season. Several new ones nave been built and a number of matches 

 are on, and the owners of these peculiar nondescripts are highly ex- 

 cited over the result, It might be thought that beinglackingin many 

 of the good points of a yacht they would be equally free from tne 

 questions that vex the latter: but alas, the never ending problem of 

 iteel vs. centerboard strikes the catamaraner with double force, as he 

 has not one but two keels or boards. 



Further down, by Commnnipaw, is the Jersey City Y. C, also de- 

 voted to small yachts, but numbering a lot -of small cabin craft In 

 their fleet, whose owners are apt to prefer a trip to the Hook of a 

 Sunday or a run with the trolling lines ont, to much spreading of 

 kites and sweating over maiusheet. However, they will nave a race 

 in a week or so and have in vittd the mosquito fleet, or that portion 

 who wield the double paddle in a calm, to have a try for a prize in a 

 separate class of their own. 



While the many smaller clubs about the city are generally flour- 

 ishing, and have every prospect of a lively season, the interest in the 

 sandbag fleet is each year decreasing as rules are changed favoring 

 fixed ballast and limiting areas; and this feature, once so prominent 

 and potent in yachting, is disappearing more rapidly each year. No 

 one can say that it will be an3' loss to yachting in general, or that the 

 supplanting of the wide, shoal and dangerous traps overloaded with 

 men, sand, and often a ca go best, carried m kegs rather than tags, 

 by deeper and safer boats in which skill is required in the crew as 

 \vell as the skipper, rather than mere gymnastics and weight ; is other 

 ihan a gain. Just outside of New York is one of the most pi osperous 

 of our country clubs, the Larchmont, whose beautiful grounds and 

 convenient anchorage offer especial advantages to yachtsmen in the 

 shape of pleasant country villas and good sailing ground close to- 

 gether. It is quite tne fashion to belong to the L, Y. C and many 

 large yachts are enrolled, but the mainstay of the elub is the small- 

 boat contingent with its Corinthian sailors. 



This year the small keel class will be a noticeable feature in the 

 races, there being boats enough in it tej make good sport. The in- 



