OoT. 89, 1885,1 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



273 



Address all communicatifms to the i^rmt an4 Strmni Ftibltah- 

 ing Co, ^ 



Canoeists ara invited; to send us notes anil full reports of cruises, 

 chtb meets, information about fsanombU waters, wnd other comm u- 

 nicatlom of interest. 



Secretaries of canoe clubs are requested to send to Forest and 

 Steeam their addresses, witli invme. membership, signals, etc . of 

 their clubs, an<l also notices in ad ranee of meetings and races, and 

 report* nf the same. Conocists and all interested In canoeing are 

 rcquestf'd tc,vv.-M-d to Forest and Stream their addresses, witli 

 logs of crnisns. uiaps, aud inlforniation eoneerning their local waters, 

 drawings or descriptions of boats and flU.iugs, and all items relating 

 to ttie sport. 



AMEFJIGAN CANOE ASSOCIATION, 



SECRETARY— Dr. 0. A. Neide. Schuylerville. N. Y. Candidates for 

 membership musfclorward their names, with $3 for initiation fee 

 and first .rear's dues, to the secretary, who will present names to the 

 the executive committee. Money sheuld be semt by registered letter 

 or money order. 



A WESTERN BRANCH OF THE A. C. A. 



THE followins letter has been sent by Com. Eatbbun for publica- 

 tion, and i he circular appended has been sent to all Western 

 members of the Association. It was resolved at the annual raeetiuK 

 to take steps towuvd the formation of a. Western brancli, provided 

 the Western inemiiers of the Ai^sociation desired it, So few were 

 present at Ballast Island that it was I'elt that they did not properly 

 represent the Western canoeists, and Tiefore reco.srniziug the orpani- 

 eation there formed the officers of the A A, desire the opinion of 

 all interested as to what is best for the advancement of Western 

 canoeing. The means were provided at the aninial meeting: for the 

 organization of a Western branch on equal terms with the Eastern 

 branch as the present organization woufd then become, and if the 

 Western canoeists will act promptly in the matter the scheme can be 

 perfected at the meeting on Nov. 7, at Oswego: 



DeseroNto. Out , Oct. 19. To the Western members of the Ameri- 

 can Canoe /l.s'.-ioci'a/jo?!.— Cxentlemeu: The following circular letter 

 has iieeu sent to the address of all the Western members of the A. 0. 

 A. ns contained in the Association Book for 188.5. A number of these 

 letters have been returned by the post oitice authorities on account 

 of the address being iusufftcient. As the executive committee, at 

 their meeting on Kov T, desire to have a full expression of opinion 

 before taking any decided steps in relation to the proposed diviBion 

 of the Association, T would urgently request any Western member 

 who has not received or answered the circulai- to write me fully his 

 opinion and answers to the questions given as early as convenient. I 

 will only add that as a large number of the Western members were 

 among the pioneers in the Association, contributing very largely in 

 the past TO its success, while they now derive but little benefit from 

 its niember.ship, special attention will be given to ihe consideration 

 of their views, and it is hoped that with a full reply to these circulara 

 the executive committee will be enabled to move in the matter so 

 that the Association will be most benefited thereby. It is proposed 

 to malfe the Western .State Unes of New York and Pennsylvania the 

 dividing luie between the Eastern and Western divisions. Youi-s re- 

 spectfully. F. S. Ratrbun, Comoiodore A. C. A. 



[Copy or CrRcciiAK.l 

 Dbsbbonto. Ont., Sept. 7, 188.5.— Dear Sir: It has long been appai'- 

 enfc to all who have watched the rapid spread of canoeing from the 

 vicinity of I^ew York, first to the north and east, and then to the 

 west, that it would be impossible to cover so great an extent of terri- 

 toiy hy one ratet at any point, however central. The advantages 

 of unity are well shown by the rapid growth o£ canoeing under the 

 influence of the A^.sociation, as, after ten years of hard work on the 

 part of a number of individuals, it hardly obtained a foothold in this 

 country, whde five years under the care of the Association nas put it 

 in the foremost rank of outdoor sports. There is no doubt that some 

 organization is necessary in the West, and we have liad this matter 

 brought to our notice by several members of the A. O. A. taking part 

 in a meet held at Ballast island in July last. We would respectfully 

 ask you to fill up the replies to the questions asked on the inclosed 

 sheet, so as to enable the executive committee at their approaching 

 meeting to carefully consider all the points in connection therewith 

 and to decide what steps, if any, are necessary to be taken. It is the 

 earnest desire of the executive committee to meet the wishes of the 

 Western members of the Association as faras possible, and we might 

 add that the executive committee have been emxiowered to make 

 such changes in the constitution and by-laws whereby a Western 

 division of the Association may be formed, such division to hold its 

 meets and elect its own olfleers (who will be members of the execu- 

 tive committee of the Association) and to have administration of its 

 proportion of the funds of the Association, etc. It is hoped that a 

 prompt and full reply will be given.— F. S. Ratiibun, Commodore 

 A. C. A. 



The replv requested is as follows: Give name, residence and asso- 

 ciation number; state if you are in favor of a western division of the 

 Amt^rican Canoe Association being formed; as it will be necessary if 

 such change is made to elect oflicBrs over said division, will you 

 kindly name the parties you would wish elected to the following p9- 

 sitions, these officers to hold position until replaced by those elected 

 at the annual meet of said division: Vice Commodore, Rear Com- 

 modore, Division Secretary- Treasurer. Please fill up the answers 

 to the above questions and return at early coaveoience to F. B. Rath- 

 bun, Deseronio, Can. 



RACERS AND CRUISERS. 



' i Ct ENECA-" has mistaken our allusion, which did not refer to him 

 lO but to another friend of the sneakbox, who after intimating 

 a desire to race with a canoe, promptly declined the two acceptances 

 of his challenge made by canoeists. The main question in dispute 

 then was as to the ability of the canoe and sneakbox in rough water, 

 which it was y roposed to test by a race between them. The question 

 can only be settled by a race, and we hope nest season to see it de- 

 cided. Of course a race of a few miles will not settle the question of 

 cruising qualities, but if sailed In a breeze and under fair conditions, 

 it will he a sufficient index of theh' respective merits. 

 Editor Forest and fifream: 



I have just read "Seneca's" letter telling why he does not race, and 

 while I do not propose to attempt the defense of the racers, who are 

 quite able to take care of themselves, I beg permission to say a few 

 words as to the value of canoes for other purposes which "Seneca" 

 does not seem to Appreciate. He admits that the craft which he says 

 "can never be called canoes" are good enough "for sailing or pad- 

 dling about a harbor of an afternoon." I wonder if it has occurred 

 to htm that there are a great many canoeists whose only chance for 

 recreation, with the exception of ten days or two weeks vacation once 

 a year, is just doing that Fame sailing or paddling around a harbor? 

 That there are, is a fact, and I have no hesitation iu saying that out 

 of the number there is not one who would not be most happy to go to 

 the woods and inland waters, and do all the beautiful chmgs which 

 he so nicely describes as being the only true canoeing.. But if they 

 are not fortunate enough to be able to do these things, are they thwre- 

 foieanythe less canoeists? 1 think not. They have ihe true spirit, 

 being simply denied the means of gratifying it. Their boats are made 

 generally oy the same ijuilders, and are identically the same as used 

 by the most persevering cruisers, with soiitarj' exceptions. '"Seneca" 

 himself says, '•! have cruised in sailing canoes of the best model of 

 Nautilus, Shadow, Pearl and Sunbeam build, etc." Now. if that is 

 true, he has been cruising in the best racing boats, which he after- 

 ward attempts to depreciate. But -I started to give my reasons for 

 liking a ca,noe for use around home. Previous to becoming a canoe- 

 ist I owned and sailed several catboats and combined sailing and row- 

 boats, and I am satisfied after three seasons' experience with a canoe 

 that there is much more pleasure to be obtained from the lattei- for 

 the folio (V in g among other reasons: 



Having the canoe housed when not in use is an immense advan 

 tage. It is protected from extremes of weather, either of heat or 

 storms. Its bottom does not become foul and grass-grown, and it is 

 always dry and ready for use. 



It is an advantage "when becalmed to have a boat which you can 

 paddle pleasantly home instead of having to anchor and wait for a 

 wind. 



It enables one to be entirely independent. There are very few, if 

 any, small boats which one can handle in a sfifiE bree^ia -without 



assistance to ballast them. The canoe is much more under the con- 

 trol of the skillful sailor than a larger boat can possibly be, and with 

 a boat of anywhere near its own size can always give a good account 

 of itself. 



Rowing will bear no comparison to paddling as a means of enjoy- 

 meut. This needs no comment. 



There are lots of nice fellows who own small boats who are as yet 

 quite ignorant of the capabilities of canoes and who regard them as 

 toy boats, tit only for little bjys. The very best way to convince 

 such of their error is to beat them in a fair saiUng race, aud in that 

 way, at any rate, racing is useful. 1 hope no one will be discouraged, 

 by reading "Seneca," from getting a canoe for "sailing and paddling 

 aroiiiul a harbor;" for I think it will well repay hlrn to get one for 

 that express purpose, in the amount of health and enjoyment he will 

 derive from it. ^ Surge. 



Wflitirr Ji'orcai iniil Hiri'iim: 



After ".Seneca's" interesting letter, in a late number of the Forest 

 AND Stream, in which he conti'asts the uses of the canoe and sneak- 

 box iu a manner that has met the approval of many canoeists, I am 

 sorry to see that he still holds the same vie ws in regard to the Amer- 

 ican Canoe Association that he expressed some time since m your 

 columns, that it is merely a gatheritig ot "sporting men" bent on 

 racing. As a cruiser he will himself easily comprehend how dilTleult 

 it is to transfer to paper the many dehghtf ul features of cruising and 

 camp life; how in most cases such a narrative runs into mere statis- 

 tics of distances, etc., and what an inadequate idea they give of the 

 many pleasures of an outdoor hfe in a canoe. 



This, we ttike it, is why it is that the racing is the most prominent 

 feature, both in accounts of the meets and in general discussion. The 

 real charm, the glorious outdoor life, the fresh air, the green grass, 

 the blue sides and the bright St. Lawrence, the hearty greeting of old 

 friends met but once a year, the quiet evenings on the river or the 

 long hours about the camp-fire, when song and laughter gradually 

 give waj' to quiet converse in small groups, finally dying out to 

 silence as the subtle intlueucej of the mi tsummer night and the soli- 

 tude of the wood or hilltop exert their influence over all ; these things 

 cannot be written down as a race can, but they are felt and enjoyed 

 by every one who visits the camp. And yet a'cruising canoeist who 

 has never visited an A. it. A. meet, who mingles httle with the 

 members of the Association, and who evidently comprehends little of 

 its real character, disposes of us all by clasjing us as racing sharps, 

 or, at best, "hotel cruisers." 



The evolution of canoe racing, as pictured by "Seneca," will amuse 

 a uum ber of the older canoeists and racing men. 1 cannot claim quite 

 so long a record as "Seneca," but I know quite well when aud how 

 racing here originated, I have seen all the racing canoes and known 

 intimately their owners, and although they were nice fellows, they 

 are hy no means the class he pictures. I was first att.racted to canoe- 

 ing by the features "Seneca" champions so well, and I think lean lay 

 cliiim" to the "it" that even such a cruiser as he, though he feels it, 

 canuot descril)P definitely ; but I never fully realized what canoeing 

 was until I heard at Lake. George, in 1881, a racing man and cruiser, 

 Ex-Commodore liongworth, speak in its praise. He described, as he 

 could do, this same feature ot canoeing in a manner that astonished 

 and delighted even the old cruisers who listened to him, and taught 

 them that even they knew little of the wonderful world only to be en- 

 tered alone and armed with a double blade. Unfortunately the im- 

 promptu speech was never written down. "Seneca" was not there 

 to hear it, and I doubt whether even he still realizes all the possibili- 

 ties contained in such cruising. 



Racing, properly regulated, as it is in the A. C. A., is the life and 

 backbone of canoeing. I have watched aud taken part in the growth 

 of the sport from the ante-racing period when it was in the hands of a 

 few cruising canoeists, nown to this day, when it numbers thousands 

 of adherents, and I can say that the growth and extension of canoeing, 

 the imju'ovements in boats and rigs, the possibility of obtaining all the 

 small articles required even in cruising, the estabhshment of a liter- 

 ature devoted solely to the sport, and its general and favoi-abie recog- 

 nition as one of the best of outdoor sports, is coiucideut with the 

 growth of racing. Wio are the men who enter the races? Gibson, 

 Weller. Vaux, Ohver, Rathbun. Van Deusen, Wbitlock, West, Bailey, 

 Muuroe, each and every one a cruiser, while nearly all of them have 

 added something of vame to the canoe or its rig. Who are the men who 

 make the improvements in canoes? From Baden-Powell, who wrote 

 one of the first and most valuable books on cruising, and who made 

 from the Rob Roy a really serviceable sailing craft, down to the 

 novice who now and then hits a new idea, they are racing men. 

 "Seneca" gives three instances of eruising canoeists, all well known. 

 Macgregor has the credit of designing a perfect boat of its kind, of 

 course, and of introducing canoeing, but what have the other two 

 cruisers done? Bishop left the canoe as he found it, a very incom- 

 plete and imperfect craft, judged by the boats of to day, "^ess- 

 muk" is contented to cruise in the most primitive form of canoe, 

 and has never made the least improvement in it. 



Not one in twenty of the canoeists of America have the Hme for 

 such work as "Seneca," Bishop and "Ne.ssmuk" have done, and if 

 they are limited to this form of canoeing only, they must cease to be 

 canoeists. The average canoeist in New York, Philadelphia, Albany, 

 Pittsburg. San Francisco, or other cities, must keep his canoe among 

 wharves and docks and his time is limited to afew hours on Saturday 

 afternoon, and perhaps to Sunday, with an evening at times during 

 the week. How is he to enjoy solitary cruising in an outing ot two 

 or three hours? lie may run off, as so many do, on Satm-day after- 

 noon for a ten or twenty mile trip, but near at hand is no suitable 

 cruising ground. He can and does find a stretch for racing, and here 

 he and his fellows meet once a week to try new gear and boats in a 

 pleasant and healthful competition. 



My first and some of mv pleasantest cruising was done in a simple 

 Rob Roy and to day I wish no better sport than to borrow the 50-lb 

 Lark for a couple of days' outing, but I recognize fully that such a 

 canoe IS not fitted for my locality. Must I then take a sneakbox? I 

 have no sympathy with the tandem canoeist or the "hotel cruiser,' 

 I sleep under canvas at sUl the meets and camps, and I am well con- 

 tented to cruise my solitary way, as I have often done, but I know 

 that there ate many times when a few .spare hours of an afternoon 

 are very pleasantly filled by a race, I enjoy to fhe full the excitement 

 and exhilaration of a hard fought battle, whether lost or won, and I 

 like of an evening, when dozing over the fire, to look up at my walls 

 and ceiling where flags and pennants bring back pleasant recollec- 

 tions of some hard fought battles, when 1 can hear again the heavy 

 breath of some valorous competitor, pushing hard for a lead, or per- 

 haps can see his silhouette in front as he crosses the line ahead. In 

 my ten year=i' canoeing I have raced as far as my limited time al- 

 lowed, but I have never won in the aggregate ten dollars' worth of 

 prizes, thoug'i taking first or second place a fair number of times. 



'•Seneca ' mantions the lead keel as a reproach to the Association. 

 Can he mention any canoe on its hst so fitted, or that could race 

 under its rules? As to the tabernacle, it is only a wonder that so few 

 cruisers have adopted it, as it is simple, cheap and easily constructed 

 and allows the mast to be dropped to an inclined position when 

 paddling. In my present location it is an absolute necessity, 

 and if "Seneca" ' houses his cruiser above any of the bridges on 



the River, he would find it of good service too, unless the said 



bridges have changed since my time. The La.ssie, the latest and fast- 

 est canoe in the New York 0. 0. fleet, has double centerboards; can 

 "Seneca" say or prove that she is not, iu model, weight and accom- 

 modation, a first-class cruising canoe? He objects to rudder, sails 

 and other "complications" on a canoe, yet claims that his boat, which 

 has these things, is a better sading craft than the canoe. If they are 

 so undesirable, why does he countenance such features? 



I am willing to admit the excellence of his cruisers, but am not yet 

 convinced of the truth of his assertion regarding Nautilus, Pearl and 

 Simbeam canoes. I contend that the general features of a canoe, 

 narrow beam, both ends sharp, flat floor, good sheer and freeboard, 

 X>artly decked, are found in the best surf boats, whaleboats and open- 

 water craft, and that for any purpose, from the lightest river cruis- 

 ing to coast and harbor sailing, this general type is better than any- 

 thing of the square-sterned rowboat or catboat type. The Barnegat 

 cruiser may be a better boat for rough water than an ordinary 15x30 

 canoe. I cannot say until the matter has been tried, but certainly 

 the canoe is an excellent boat, and if used solely for such work might 

 be enlarged as a "canoe yawl" hke Gassy or Water Rat, according to 

 local considerations. 



It is a pity that "Seneca" declines to race, as he is so near New 

 York that a match might easily be made, and would be very instrtic- 

 tive. There are canoeists and canoeists, and before any one attempts 

 to "read out of meeting " the great majority of tho.se who consider 

 themselves entitled to the name, he should make tiimseK thoroughly 

 familiar with their alleged offenses. Jersey Blue. 



THE CONSTRUCTION OF "DEJA'S"' BOAT. 



WE had decided to publish nothing further relating to the contro- 

 versy between "Di^j'j" and the canoeist.?, but in answer to the 

 request in the following le'tter and others of a similar tenor we publish 

 a communication just lece.ived from "Deja," giving a description of 

 hia boat. If he was familiar with the rules and practical working of 

 the A. C. A. he would know that keels are not prohibited, but that a 

 limit has been fixed out of justice to those who cruise rather than 

 race. While the keel is linuted to '?,m the rule is capable of evasion, 

 as the English rule was evaded in the No. 8 Nautilus, wiihlGin. draft, 

 while the rule limited the keel to Sin. Such a boat, more shapely in 

 appearance than "Deja's," could be built aud raced under our rules, 

 but no one cares to do it, though she would be very last and able. 

 The A. A. races are but a small part of the yearly meet and the 

 inability to enter three or four each year need keep no man, especially 

 a non-racer, out of the Association. " If he comes to trrindstone with 

 a fast boat of any kind, whether outride the rules or not, he will find 

 plenty who will race him every day. All A. (J A. men wiU heartity 

 agree with "Deja's" remarks about racins' for money. The Associ- 

 ation has from the first set itself resoluiely against racing for money 

 prizes, and the leading racers can boast as clean a record in that re- 

 spect as "Deja" himself. The American Canoe As.sociati tn stands 

 li)-day on a fairer and higher plane as far as money racing and 

 amateurs are concerned, than any similar body that we loiow of. 

 Their definition of an amateur is more liberal, and their rules against 

 racing for money are raoi'e sii'ict than any other similar association. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I want to ask a favor of "Deja." Will he please explain fidly the 

 method of construction he hints at? It will no doubt interest many 

 readers of the Forest and Stbbam. Although, as "Deja" says, an 

 amateur cannot hope to equal the work done by professional boat 

 builders, yet there are those who take a delight in work of this kind, 

 and to whom it is more in the nature of recreation than work. For 

 the benefit of this class I hope "Deja" will give some instructions. 

 Extreme lightness is an excellent quality in many small boats, and if 

 %\n. aiding is sufficient, it is folly to use Mi" - in boats which must 

 frequently be carried around dams, etc. I have used this season for 

 fishmg and pleasure rowing a rowboat 12x34, weighing COlbs. It is 

 built of i4in, cedar, aud I have been out in it 68 times, and rowed a 

 total distance of 207 miles, an average of little more than 8 miles for 

 each time out. Have landed on a lee shore where there was notliing 

 but stones with the wind lalowing a half gale, and yet the hull scarcely 

 shows a scratch. I believe the boat would have stood the usage it got 

 if the siding had been only >gin. in thickness. I hope "Di-ja" may 

 not feel as though he had been "sat down upon" by any considerable 

 portion of the readers of Forest axd Stream, and that we may hear 

 more from him in the near future. E. A. Lbopolb. 



WHO IS "DEJA?"— A correspondent in Canada writes : "Who is 

 'Deja ?' Is he really a correspondent or only a fellow called S— who is 

 hoaxing the canoeists? 1 am Inclined to the latter notion." Mr. 

 Rushton writes us as foUows: "Are you having fuu with the boys, or 

 is 'Dej.i' a five man. I have been much interested in the articlts 

 and have only been prevented by the feeling that maybe it was all a 

 sell, from taking a hand in. The steel ribs and 34in. siding are what 

 inade me suspicious, fori certainly never heard of such a com bina- 

 lion. Way dou't you canoeists race with the sneakbox? Are you 

 afraid to? I do noc think that she can beat a good canoe, but she is 

 a mighty safe, comfortable craft, as I found by using one on Cran- 

 berry Lake this August. Why not give her a chance, she wUl not hurt 

 canoeing, will she? There are men who. like myself, cannot swim, 

 and yet want to a^d will go on the water, perhaps to take their wives, 

 and do not dare to trust a canoe, and a sneakbox is perfectly safe." 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I think you sit down on me a little too severely; however, that is a 

 natural consequence of having espoused the cause of the mhjority. 

 The A. C. A., for reasons best known to itself, having resolved to 

 keep keels out of its squadron, ne.ed not be surprised to find a new 

 association coming to the front by and by. 



In aU ray active partictpation, as sportsman, whether rowing 

 canoeing or yachting received ray attention, I have not lost or won a 

 single cent. If any gentleman can exhibit a cleaner record than 

 that he has the floor. For over twentv years, as boy and mm. I have 

 sought to uphold a high standard in all national sports. I have never 

 lost an opportunity, eitner in public or private, to deprecate the 

 absurd habit of betting. It would be preferable to stop racing en- 

 tirely if we cannot restrain the growing tendencies in this direction. 

 It is a poor way to lose money. It is a despicable way to gain, be- 

 cause there is no limit to the' tricks and meanness practiced by its 

 votaries. Ihrouan its pursuit base ball aud the turf have fallen into 

 di.srepute, and yachting, with its kindred amusements, is rapidly be- 

 coming a national disgrace. 



"Didst ever see," asks Byron, in Beppo, my graceftfi little cutter? 

 "E'or fear" vou have "not! I'll describ«'it you exactly." She is 1.3ft. 

 lin, over all and 3(x. extreme beam. She has a deep rocker keel and 

 flying light, that is, with nothiner except her saibmr gear on board, 

 dravi-s l91n. Her weight under like conditions, asWe from ballast, is 

 207 pounds. The ballast is a "sliver of lead" bolted to the keel with 

 quarter-inch copper bolts, three of them, and weighs, copper and all, 

 100 pounds. It ' fills" the deepest part of the keel directly under the 

 cockpit and the greatest beam— af c of the middle part of the boat 

 about one-thu'd— or two-thirds the length of the boat aft of the stem, 

 the idea being to concentrate the weight as near the center of effort 

 as possible. With two men weighing 140 i)0unds each she draws 21in. 

 of water, and three men of average avoirdupois will set her down to 

 23in., beyond which she does not goeasily. The keel, stem and stem- 

 post are in one rdece, having been "worked out'' of a chestnut plank. 

 The keel is 1ft. in average depth. Sin. wiue on top and Mm- thick on 

 the bottom. The stem and sternposts are each :sin. wide and J^in. 

 thick inside. The stem is dressed off outsitle nearly- one-half, and the 

 sterl shoe is drawn still finer from the steei-ing hole to the watei- 

 line. 



After this much of the work wai! ready a moulded form, represent 

 ing the body of the boat, was screwed to the top of the keel with fif- 

 teen small copper screws, the exact size and length of which 1 have 

 forgotten. The form is made of wood pulp and is seamless. It lines 

 the boat and prevents any water coming in, so that the only way 

 leaks ai-e found is by the s'welling of the wood outside. The fining is 

 18in. deep amidships and lain at the ends. Including the "flnibh" 

 put upon it the average thickness is about 3,ijin. On the keel it is 

 3-16in. and along the underside there is a descending shoulder each 

 side of the top of the keel, so that the latter sets tightly up ina groove 

 tnus purposely made for it. The greatest kngth of this lining is 12ft. 

 The balance of the inside space is occupied by pressed tin air cham- 

 bers, extending from the w^aterline to the deck. The ribs were next 

 set up. They are of baud steel, thirteen on each side, aud rake aft 

 instead of standing vertical. The degree of rake can be best under- 

 stood by the average reader wh»^n informed that the widest rib ex- 

 tends from the main section line on the keel to the e-xtreme point of 

 the stern at the deck, and the after air-chamber is held firmly in its 

 place by rivets passing through the tin and steel. The forward air- 

 chamber is secured to the ribbons on which the decks rest, as well as 

 to the stern. Another steel ribbon stiffens the structure at the water- 

 line and "catches" the garboard streak on the rudder well at the be- 

 ginning of the overhang, where most .semi-elliptical, overhanging 

 sterns are weakest. This feature renders her as solid as such a 

 structure can be made without adding greatly to weight. 



What I have styled the main section is in reality the midship sec- 

 tion, although it is placed aft of tlie latter point fer reasons already 

 mentioned. This shape of the body is also most conducive to speed— 

 a long, rtne entrance and a clean, concave run are indispensable re- 

 quirements which cannot be united with suitable stability in any other 

 form so acceptable to the water, which, at rest, is moi'e easily parted 

 by a gradually widening wedge than in the old form of "codfish 

 head" and no tail at all. The strakes are white cedai* an inch wide 

 and one-eighth of an inch thick, exc^pt the first, or garboard strake. 

 which covers in the joints where the lining, ribs and keel come to- 

 gether, and for the purpose of securing the greatest strength com- 

 mensurate with the leas , weight as well as to establish the closest 

 structural aftinity attainable, the first strake is half an inch thick and 

 two inches wide, the rabbet on the keel being an incn below the line 

 laid off for jointing The strakes extend full length and are riveted 

 through the ribs and pulp with copper wu-e one sixteenth of an inch 

 in diameter. The result is a stiff, light, stanch and buoyant little 

 vessel capable of going almost anywhere, on oj off soundings, and as 

 seaworthy as it is possible to make a boat of her inches. The strakes 

 are not lapped but reamed, and caulked with little "slivers" of cot- 

 ton, each seatn carefully flushed with gum shellac and sandpapered 

 till the whole is as tignt as a bottle and as smooth as polished steel. 

 The slight tumble home of her sides has two advantages— dryer decks 

 an':' increased strength. The outside depth is 2ft. 6m., length on 

 loadltne lift., rudder 6in. wide, beam on waterline 3ft. The decks are 

 laid on steel beams spaced five inches. Tne strips are white pine 

 half an inch wide and one eighth of an mch thick. Her spars were 

 workf-d out of pine saplmgs aud the sails are of Osnaburg. The 

 spread for light weather is about 7i5vds,, of which 34 is in the mam- 

 sail, 20 in the foresail and 15 iu the largest jib. 



One of the advantages of a double skm is that it prevents oxidiza- 

 tion of the steel and copper used in construction, and one of its dis- 

 advantages is that it renders a boat too heavy for racing. Mine was 

 built solely for cruising. I would lengthen the same lines to 17ft., 

 without increasiog the beam, or do as they have on the Clyde, where 

 racing is the main feature, built from 19 to .30ft. on 5ft. beam, a*- 

 about 3ft. extreme depth. -le 



We extract from anothei- of '"Deja's" letters an account ^'Oes 

 manner in which his boat stood for once only the test tha "^^ 

 are subjected to many limes iu a season. It speaks for i' , , 

 one e-sential quality of the canoe, portabiUtv: + f 



"It was the first, and shall be the last, time' that my-* with vrxin^ 

 subjected to the humiliation of ridiuff on a railway -'-t , -i^ 



and traveling bags, and I was anxious to get her let her he wuue 

 the effect had been. We shd her in trom the pif ben all was veaay 

 overhauling the riggmg and my fishing tackh-^-'t. which seemea to 

 I discovered a slight leak around the ste^ handling 

 have been strained a httle by some oU some one <>ij^^°™! 

 close acquaintance with liaggage smas'chose mdestructibie, weiga- 

 doubt, imagined her a representativfes caUed canoas. l*ut m. tms 

 nothhag, go-anywhere floating machoeists have ruled ner ouv auu 

 they Svere mistaken, for the lago 



