316 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Hot. 18, 1885. 



Association, and be comprised m siicli seoffraphioal divisions as may 

 be deemed advisable IxT Che Execati re ComTDittee. 



Art. 2. Its object sliall be to iiuKe all amateur canoeists for pur- 

 poses of pleasure, health or explorations, by means of meeting.s for 

 busmess, eampmg, paddlinfc, saUiug- and racing, and bv keeping loes 

 of vo.rages, records of waterways and routes, details, drawings and 

 aimensions of boats, and coUections of map?, charts and books 



Art. o. Any frentleman over the aee of :S years may become a 

 member of this Assoointion whose application for membership has 

 been a.pproved, but canoe owners in -cod standing only are active 

 members, and are entitled w vote at aiiv general meeting of the As- 

 sociation and at the meetings of their resoeciive Divisions, 



Art.^1. Honorary members maybe elected by a unanimous vote 

 ot the Executive Committee. Not more than two shall be elected at 



any meeting, ' ' ■ " ^ 



membe 

 Couimittee.' 



Akt. 5. The ofHcei s of this Association shall be a Commodore and 

 a bee retary -Treasurer, and for each division a Vice-Commodore, a 



Eear-Oommodore, and a Purser. 



^ jj.xv c v wiuLuiuict;. i>oL more Tuau two Snail oe elected at 

 neetiDg Practical canoeists only are eligible. The honorary 

 bership list sball be revised every two years by the Executive 



vacancies so caused shall be filled by the members of the Executive 

 L.ommittee ti om the same Division to which the officers vacating the 

 position beIon.2ed. 



The Vice and Rear-Commodores and Pursers shall be elected by 

 the members at the annual meetings of the respective Divisions. 



All offieers shall be elected by ballot and shall hold office until their 

 successors are elected. 



Art. 0. There shall be annually elected in each Divisiou, at the meet 

 thereof, one active member for every thirty (30) mem tiers in good 

 standing present. The members so elected, together with the officers 

 ot tbe Association and of its several Divisions shall constitute the 

 Executive Committee of the Association. They shall have the general 

 govert^ment of the Association, and power to fill vacancies until the 

 aexl aunnal meeting* of the Divisions. They shall hold the annual 

 meeting- before Nov. 15, at such place and time as shall be specified 

 by the Commodore. 



ArtT. 7. It sbaU be tbe duty of the Commodore to preside at the 

 meetiUKs of the Association and Executive Committee, and to visit, if 

 practicable, each of the Division meets during the year, to assume 

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

 regulations are properly enforced, to pass on ciualification of names 

 submitted for membership by the Secretary. 



Art, .S The Vice-Commodores shall organize and in the absence of 

 the Commodore preside over the ammal meetings of their respective 

 DivLsions, and perform all duties pertaining to the Commodore in his 

 absence, and within thirty (30) days after their election appoint a 

 Regatta Committee of three active members (3) for their Divisions. In 

 tbe absence of the Vice-Commodores the Kear-Commodores will act 

 in their stead. 



Art. 9. It shall be duty of the Secretarv-Treasurex to keep a rec- 

 ord of the proceedings of the Association a'nd of the Executive Com- 

 rnittee; to keep a coirect roll of members; to pass on the qualifica- 

 tion of names submitted for membership two weeks after the same 

 have been published in either of the official organs of tbe American 

 Canoe Association; to notif.y each member of his election: to print 

 each year tbe "A-ssociation Book" and a list of the cruises made b.v 

 members; to receive all moneys due the Association; to pay all bills 

 approved by the Commodore, and to make an annual report of 

 finance-s: and to pay to the Pursers o£ each Division one dollar (§1) 

 per annum for each member dtdy elected and assigned to his Di- 

 vision. 



Pursers shaU receire and expend for their Division meets and other 

 necessai\v e::penses, subject to the approval of the Vice-Conunodores 

 of theii- iiivisions, i lie moue,y received from the Secretary-Treasurer. 

 They stiall also forward to him at least two weeks before the annual 

 meeting of the Executive Committee in each year a record of the 

 canoes m their Division and a list of the cruises made by the Division 

 members, and shall make an annual report lo the Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



Art. 10. A quorum for the transaction of business at the annual 

 meeiB of the Divisions shall consist of twenty (20) members. 



Art. 11- This constitution may be amended at any meeting of the 

 Executive Committee, provided the amendment be recommended by 

 at least two-thirds of said committee. 



B"?-LAWS. 



Art. 1. Anplication for membership shall be made to the Secretary- 

 Treasurer and shall be accompanied by tbe recommendation of an 

 active member and by the sum of $8, one dollar as entrance fee, 

 and two dollai-s as dues for the current year, to be refunded in ease 

 of the non-eleetion of the ajjplicant. The dues of members elected 

 after Sept. 1 of any year shall be credited from the following Janu- 

 ary. Each subsequent annual payment shall be S"2. and shall be pa.y- 

 able before April 1 . If not paid within two months thereafter, the 

 Secretary shaU notify the members in arrears, and if. at the end of 

 one month more, the dues are still unpaid, the membership shall be 

 forfeited and the member's name stricken from the roll, except in 

 the case of absence from the country, or other sufficient reason, 



Art. 2. No assessment shall be levied for any purpose whatever. 



Art 8 Meetings for business, camping and racing shall be held in 

 each Division annually, the date and places to be fixed by the Ex- 

 eCLiti%'e Committee of the A.ssociation . 



Art. 4. Tlie Association signal shall be a pointed burgee, the 

 breadth being two-thirds tbe length, the size for canoes being ISin.x 

 I8in., the field red with a longitudinal white stripe one-fifth the width, 

 bearing tbe letters A. C. A. in red. 



Art. fj. The offleers' flags shall be swallow tailed pennants ISin.x 

 18in. That of the Commodore shall be of blue, on which shall be 

 displayed in white a pair of crossed paddle^, with the letters A. C. A. 

 in the unper ttiree comers and a star in the lower one; that of the 

 Vice-Coin modore to be of red with the same device in white; that of 

 the Eear-CJominodore to be of white with the same device lured; 

 that of the Secretary- Treasurer to be of white with the letters A . C. A. 

 supported by a quill in blue; that of the Purser's to be of white with 

 the same device in red. 



Art. 6. Each canoe many carry a distinguishing signal, rectangular 

 in shape, ISxlSin. The Association signal shall be carried at the peak 

 of the mainsail, the officer's or private signal immediately below it; 

 national and club signals at discretion. (See note). 



Art. 7. The Secretary sliall publish, after each annual meeting of 

 the Executive Committee, "The Association Book," containing the 

 Constitution, By-Law s and Sailing Regulations, lists of officers, mem- 

 bers, their canoe.s and cruises, and shall send a cop,y to each member. 



Art. 8. When the same name has been given to two or more canoes, 

 the one first entered on the list of the Association shall be regarded 

 as the original owner. Tbe others shall be designated by bracketed 

 numbers, [IJ, |2], etc , in the order of entry. Cases of doubt as to 

 priorit.y of entry shall be decided by the Secretary. 



Art," 9. It shall be the duty of the Regatta Committee of each 

 Division to prepare and publish not later than June 1 an order of 

 races for the annual regatta of their respftctive Divisions; to super- 

 intend the laying out and buoying of courses; to provide the prizes; 

 to appomt "juda'e.s. starters and timt keepers, and to decide all 

 protests. They shall post the course and conditions of each race in 

 some pi ouu'nent place, at least one hour before the race is called ; 

 shall furnish to the Purser of their Division a record of the same, 

 and shall ha ve entire control of the races of their respective Divisions. 



Art. 10. Tbe uniform of the officers of the A. C. A. shall be of bhie 

 with the letters A. C. A. embroidered in gold on the collar. The 

 Commodore shall wear three rows of gold lace on each sleeve, the 

 Vice-Commodore two, the Rear- Commodore one. 



Art. 11. Each member \NTil send to the Purser of his Division a list 

 of such cruises as he may have made upon completion of the cruises, 

 noting especially the condition of such water as he may have cruised 

 on, rapids, dams, ehoals, good and bad camp grounds, and all items 

 of value to other canoeists. 



A.RT. 12. Any member who is guilty of ungentlemanly conduct, or 

 of racing for inone.y, sball be liable and may be expelled by a unani- 

 mous vote of the Executive Committee at any of its meetings, but 

 fourte.';!! days' notice shall have been given to the person it is pro- 

 posed to es^pel Any canoeist who shall after this date, Nov. 7, 1885, 

 race for uio'ney. shall be considered a professional, and shall be 

 ineUgiiilo for m'ember-ship in the A, C. A. 



.Art. ifi No changefe shall be made in the classlflcation. measure- 

 ments or F.iiiiug regulations unless sanctioned by the Executive 

 Conmiittee. , - . , 



Art. 14. The By-Laws may be amended by the vote of a majority 

 of the Execative Committee of the Association, except Art. 2, which 

 can only be altered by a unanimous vote of all the Divisions of tbe 

 Assoei&tion. 



Explanatory Note. 

 Note to Art. 4. This arrangement is adopted to secure uniformity, 

 at Ipast in regard to Association signal. Lugs and gaff-rigged sails 

 are tiie only ones which have an available masthead, but every ng 

 Has a peak to the mainsail, and this was selected as the most con- 

 spicuous practicable point, 



By this constitution all is prepared for the formation of a Western 

 Divisiou, all that is needed being the co operation of the Western 

 men either in rpcomraending for Division officers those elected at 

 Ballast Island, or naming others if they are not satisfactoi-y, the con- 

 trary to which is evidently the case. The matter may now be easily 

 arranged in a way that would be satisfactory to all. 



Tlie visitors spent Sunday in Oswego, under the guidance of the 



members of the Oswego yacht and canoe clubs, most of them leaving 

 by the night train. Throughout their stay the gentlemen of Oswego 

 spared no pains to make their visit a most pleasant one, and the fame 

 of Oswego hospitality will spread wherever canoemen meet. 



CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND VISITING 

 CANOES. 



THE committee on a challenge cup lately appointed by the New 

 York C. C, Com. Munroe. Mr. C. J. Stevens and Mr. Chese- 

 brough, have received the following reply to a letter of inquiry as to 

 the entry ot visiting canoes not to be retained in the United Sta tes. 

 Canoes can be shipped to New York, where they will be cared for by 

 the committee of theN. Y. O. C, and forwarded to the meet if de- 

 sired. Favorable arrangements for transportation will also be 

 made for an.y canoeists who may visit New York and wish to attend 

 the A. C. A. meet also: 



TREAStTRT Department, Office of the Secretary, I 

 WASBtiNOTON, I). C, Nov. 6. J885. j 

 Mr. Chas. J. Stevens, 7 Bowling Chreen. Netu York: 



Sm— In reply to your letter of the SIst ultimo, inquiring as to 

 whether duties will be assessed upon three noted English racmg 

 canoes which it is proposed to bring over to this country next sum- 

 mer for racing purposes, in connection with American canoe clubs, 

 and offering to give proper bonds for their return. I have to state 

 that as it is understood that the canoes in question are similar in 

 many respects to small yachts, and that they belong to the Royal 

 C. C. of Great Britain, and will be brought over exclusively for racing 

 purposes, they will be exempt from duty, in accordance with De- 

 partment's decision of Aug. 18, 1831 (8. 4;960), not being considered 

 an importation within the meaning of the tariff laws. 



Very respectfully, C. S. Paibohild, Assistant Secretary. 



THE DOCKRATS' CLAM BAKE. 



THE gentle, modest, unassuming Dockrats have, during the season 

 now so nearly ended, disported themselves quietly, passively, 

 en joyably. No records of extended cruises are to be found on the 

 pages of their log-book, but day after day, the season through, 

 "blow high, blow low," they have launched their little craft end ex- 

 tracted pleasure from the quiet paddle, the lazy drift, the exhilarat- 

 ing sail, or the fierce tussle against a head wind and a strong tide. 

 Home waters, however, have not wholly confined their powers. In- 

 dividual "rats" had found their way to Grindstone. Others sing the 

 praises of Northern Champlain, while still others remember kindly 

 Long Island's eastern shores. So the summer season passed, but too 

 quickly to the water-loving, sailing loving "rats." The days began 

 to shorten, and to each and all it looked as if their long-en joved sport 

 would have an abrupt ending. Then a reprieve, "and suddenly the 

 clouds break and the yellow sun comes out like a bridegroom rejoic- 

 ing, and warms up agam the dull earth and the hearts of man; and 

 the blue vapor is seen again in the heart of the shadowy woods," 

 and the sky and river seem as if they never could be so blue, and a 

 thin haze hangs in the au-. and the nights are cool with frosty stars, 

 and the days humid and hazy, and, in short, Indian summer had 

 come and the ■'rat.a" took a new lease of life and each suc(*eedtng day 

 found them drinking to the full of the enjoyment and pleasure of- 

 fered them by smiling nature. Ah I why could not such perfect days 

 last longer? The big -'rats", the medium "rats", the little "rats", all 

 seemed full of an irrepressible something. The Commodore smiled, 

 the Captain sang, the Purser whistled, the Squaw danced, the Vice 

 was given to poetry— sometimes original, sometimes otherwise, al- 

 ways startling. And this it was that led to the crowning event of the 

 Dockrats' home life. He did not dream the effect such a simjile 

 thing w^ould have, as he muttered to himself: "The soul of music 

 slumbers in the shell." In tbe stillness, however, his brother "rats" 

 distinctly heard the words. Surprise held them mute until the "practi- 

 cal" man quietly whispered— clams I It broke the spell, and as a re- 

 sult Wednesday, Oct. 28, A.D. 1885. stands forth in the Dockrat annals 

 as a red-letter day of a very vermillion hue. 



At high noon on that day *'rats" young and old could be seen wend- 

 ing their several ways to the "retreat," and at 1 P. M. eleven craft 

 with sixteen chuckling "rats" were ready for the start. Once ready, 

 soon off, and away they wehtboimd for well-remembered Plum Point; 

 but alas, "the best laid plans o" 'rats' and men gang aft aglee," and 

 so it was in this case. A strong flood tide and a southeast wind 

 proved too pilainly, after a short effort, that the old camp ground 

 could not be reached within a reasonable time, so under orders they 

 headed in a go-as-you-please manner for Denning's Point, a lovely 

 camp spot, about two mile.s from their "retreat," on the opposite 

 side of the river. The Purser led off under sail, hoping by making 

 a run across the river to be able to work down along the flats. Like 

 all wise meji he soon saw the error of his ways, took in his canvas, 

 felt very Bat, and bad a long, stubborn paddle as a rev.-ard for wis- 

 dom. The Commodore followed his lead, and with his large boat 

 carrying mainsail, jib and dand.y, played the trick the Purser failed 

 to do. The others, trusting to an "ash breeze," were soon straggling 

 all over the bay. The Squaw in the Wenonah, with his usual con- 

 tempt for hard paddling, made fast to a passing tow, and was 

 serenel.y carried to within a short distance of the proposed landing. 

 The Captain, in his large boat Mabel, was the fb-st to run on the sand.y 

 beach; then followed Day Dream, tbe Purser, the Vice, Fred, the 

 captain's son. in the Pixie, tbe Squaw and others, and last the Com- 

 modore, but not least, as he carried the essentials of such occasions, 

 viz., the grub. 



The various craft were quickly hauled upon the beach, the lockers 

 gave forth their contents, the Vice as chef fondly laid the hard-shells 

 in appropriate concentric circles on the sand, bu.sy hands gathered 

 drift, and soon two blazing fires gave hopes that the "rats" would 

 shortly be able to see for themselves that which "slumbers in the 

 shell.'' They had r.ot long to wait. Oh ! Van, what music was in thy 

 voice when you announced "Gentlemen, we are ready now." Soon 

 seated round the many improvised tables the colony of assembled 

 "rats" attended strictly to the business in hand. The sun, partly 

 obscured by gathering clouds, just overcomes the nipping of the 

 fresh breeze, now and then shines full upon the feasters. Tbe strike 

 of steel upou the shells is accompanied by the rustling of ri oenrng 

 and falling leaves overhead, and the tinkle and play of the small 

 surflets at their feet. Laughter and jest, story and song; thus passes 

 tbe time, and a wish is often expressed that the absent ones were 

 there, and the names of Domine, Parson, Doctor aud the Kyd are 

 repeatedly heard. Like everything else, a good time has its end. 

 The last leathery bivalve is consumed, the cry of some insatiable for 

 more is treated with scorn. The gathering clouds and fast ap- 

 proaching twilight call for prompt action. The Commodore 

 orders a departure. Soon everything is packed. The craft are 

 launched. The breeze offers a free run home. Lamps lit, sails 

 hoisted, and they are away. Van, the Vice-Commodore, takes 

 the lead, followed b.y the Captain, Purser, Commodore and— "Hallo! 

 there goes the Captain's halliards," and his mainsail flies around on 

 his bow; a quick luff and around he comes serenely. "All right," 

 he says, and away the others go. The wind freshens. Van gets a 

 long "lead. The Commodore is overhaubng the Purser in fine style 

 when a stiff flaw catches the latter and away he goes after the leader. 

 Then the Commodore comes on again, all the others bunched close 

 behind, and so on to the end. Van m front by a distance, the balance 

 bunched come in together. The little craft are soon housed and 

 everything made snug and shipshape. Poetical fancies still linger in 

 the soul of the Vice, for he is heard to say: 



"Blest be those feasts with simple plenty crown'd, 

 Where all the ruddy family around 

 Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail, 

 Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale." 



And then one of those quiet "rats" next door breaks in on the 

 silence. "Well, we just had a right jolly good old time," and the 

 practical man responds, "You can just bet we did;" aud then all of 

 the gentle, modest, miassuming "Dockrats" lifted up their voices 

 In tbe general chorus, "Right you are;" C. Shell. 



P. S —(To the Editor)- You may do weU to take no heed of the 

 rumor that there have been some Indian shell mounds discovered on 

 the banks of the Hudson not fai' from West Point. It is simply a 

 malicious story circulated for the purpose of injuring indirectly the 

 reputations of certaui of my friends. C. S. 



MOHICAN 0. C— The monthly meeting was held at the rooms of 

 the Secretary. The only important business transacted was a motion 

 by Com Oliver, unanimously adopted- to the effect that the Mohican 

 C. C. favor "Bow and Arro;^•s," on or near South Hero Island, Lake 

 Champlain, as the place for the meet of the A. C. A. in 1886. After 

 adiournment and during a movement upon a small battery of re- 

 freshments Mr. Gibson's proposition, as published in the Forest and 

 Stream lately, was discussed, the general principle finding favor 

 among the Mohicans present in large numbers. Cora. Oliver has 

 disposed of all his canoes— Marion B. to Mr. H. R. Pierson; Marion to 

 Mr. Guy E. Baker and Puck to his son. He is now dehberating on the 

 lines of his next venture —Fernow. 



THE SNAKE FOR SALE.— Mr. Gibson has lately be*n at work on 

 a design for a new canoe which he proposes to build this winter, and 

 his old craft, the famous Snake, is offered for sale. Since the meet 

 sbe has been newly decked aud refitted and is now in perfect condi- 

 tion. She is advertised in another column. 



CANOE COMPLICATIONS. 



Editor Forest and Stream : 



I think your correspondent "Spike" voices the complaint of a large 

 number when he objects to the amount of brasswork and nickel 

 plate on the modem canoe, and I am sorry for him and them bur 

 they have only themselves to blame. His proposed reforms would 

 not help the matter, and his suggestions only go to show that he has 

 not attended the A. C. A. meets, and does not understand the questions 

 at issue. The iiioture be draws of canoes greatly over-canvassed 

 monopolizing all the prizes, while others, tbe honest cnusers, have 

 no chance, are all very pretty, but did "Spike" ever see such a thing 

 at any Association meet? Last year there were five sailing races into 

 which a Class B canoe could enter: one unUmited, one with a limit of 

 sail area, one with a limit of ballast, one sailing and paddling, and 

 one novices. The first allowed as much sail as the canoeist desired. 

 ID the second the sail was limited to TSft., surely bttle enough, the 

 third, with limited ballast, was consequently limited in sail; the sail- 

 ing and paddling had no limit, but a heavy load of ballast would 

 handicap a man of itself; the novices race was unlimited. In these 

 races the odds were in favor of the snugly rigged canoo, .and most of 

 the winners were, conspicuous for stnall sad areas. The men who 

 stay away from th e meets waiting for a limit to be set on all sail are 

 just the ones who. when present, back out because Mr. A. or ex-Com. 

 B. are entered, who are scared off by a name. The man to win the 

 best prizes at the meet next year must be a good all around canoeist 

 m a olass A or Class B boat, well eq.apped. and be must go into 

 every race open to him with a determination to do his best and trust 

 to the chances, sure of the sport of a good race, even though not 

 successful. Swcb a man will not stay ashore because some one else 

 has a bigger sail, or because he is afraid that "So and So" may beat 

 him. AU the rules of the Association favor smaller boats and rigs, 

 and the cruising men. and the tendency to day is toward lighter 

 canoes and smaller sails. Already several of the leading sadors have 

 agreed among themselves to limit their total sail area, main and 

 mizzen, to 85ft. for racing. 



Konly this reason keeps "Spike" away let him come next year 

 and enter the limited sail race and beat some one in that, then he can 

 think of tbe unlimited. It seems to me that he contradicts himself 

 when he says "It is onl.y constant practice with such large areas that 

 gives the necessary confidence and skill to the present leaders of the 

 fleet" : and then continues: "It requires as good seamanship to sail 

 with a small area as with a large one." 



There is some justice in his complaint that the canoe is overdone, 

 but who has overdone it? Not the leaders, not the racers, but 

 "Spike" liiraself in his own case. As a rule the canoes which are 

 weighted down with nickel plate and useless gimcracks, as so many 

 are, belong to the novices who are not content to adopt a thing on its 

 merits or to consider whether they need it or no, but rush into useless 

 extravagance over nickeled drop rudders, clutch tillers, carved deck 

 seats, etc., simply because others use them. I would like to show 

 "Spike" three canoes that have all won prizes in club and A. C. A. 

 races— one a double board canoe, with balance lugs and reefing gear 

 —and let him point out the unnecessary complication. Each is fitted 

 up plainly and strongly for its work, the owner has simply used his 

 judgment as to what was needed, instead of doing what "Spike" has 

 done— putting on a whole builder's catalogue of stuft". for no good 

 reason. A canoe may have many fittings and attach ments, but all so 

 arranged as to be readily worked by one man, and when so fitted she 

 is a most complete boat. Simplicity generally means inefficiency; 

 we do want to sail and not to crab to leeward,' and to do it our boats 

 must be properly rigged, beginning with little in the case of the 

 novice, aud adding with experience. The modern complete canoe, 

 ordered carte blanche from the builder by a novice, is indeed a com- 

 plicated affair, but that does not prove that its various parts are not 

 good in their place. We do not want to go back to the days of 

 MacGregor or Bishop— we wouldnotbe satisfied with their boats; but 

 we need not abuse t e boats we have, for they are better than their 

 predecessors. 



Again, "Spike" complams that his Class B boat is useless in rapid.s. 

 The fault is not the boat's, but his in choosing her. A good Class B 

 canoe should be capable of river cruising and a fairly good boat for 

 itj but she is intended for another purpose, sailing and paddling on 

 wider waters, and of course cannot do both equally well. If "Spike" 

 is to do most of his work on small, narrow streams, with carries, let 

 him choose a smaller and more suitable boat. If only a small part of 

 his cruising is of this descriiitioa, let him get a well-built 15x30 canoe 

 (Class B). she need not weigh over 80 pounds, without board, and she 

 will do for this work at times and for heavier work and racing as well. 

 Because many canoes are too heavy, it is no argument agamst the class. 

 No sneakbox would help him on his carries, no sail area rule would 

 make his boat better in rapids. What is needed is to select a boat for 

 the water» he will generally cruise in, with reference also to occa- 

 sional work of another kiad if it is contemplated, then to build a 

 strong, light hull, which can be done, and to fit it up sensibly aud 

 properly, avoiding useless gimcracks. With such a canoe he can do 

 a variety of racing and cruising that would not be possible with a 

 little navy of sneakboxes, catboats, dugouts and rowing boats at his 

 command, he will have a boat capable of entering the Association 

 races and making a good record, and then of cruising from Grindstone 

 Island to New York city, by way of the St. Lawrence, in better fashion 

 than in any boat or sneakbox. The old hands, those who write as well 

 as race, do not advise or countenance such rigs as "Spike" complains 

 of; the.y do not find that their boats are too unwieldy or too compli- 

 cated. ' The complaint arises mainly from the newer canoeists, who 

 must have novelty at any cost, and after wasting a deal of money 

 only find that they are disappointed in their canoe. Let them begin 

 differently with a plain, light hull, two good sails of moderate area 

 and simply rigged, foi instance, a Mohican mainsail with triangular 

 mizzen, or two moderate balance lugs; a .strong foot gear, aplain oak 

 rudder with wooden deck tiller, and a few brass cleats on deck. 

 When they can handle such a boat they will be competent to judge of 

 the value of extra fittings. They can begin with a good reefing gear, 

 rigging it themselves, then going into deck seats, patent tUlers, drop 

 rudders and other like fittings if the.y find them necessary. By this 

 course a man will save at least 25 per cent, on his first outlay, he will 

 have a boat well within his power to manaage successfully, and he 

 will not be ready to give up canoeing in disgust after one season. 



Brass Cleat, 



SENECA'S" STfi'EA.KBOX.— Editor Forest and Stream.- Some time 

 ago I was very much interested in an article entitled "A Day in the 

 Sneak," by "Seneca." 1 wish he'd write us of some of the other 

 days of that fortnight's cruise. In his article he speaks of the sneak as 

 a 14x4. >Iow, I want "Seneca" lo give me some points. The only place 

 I have to keep a boat is at the head of a creek some eight miles from 

 my house, which creek I reach by horse and buggy. The boat that I 

 have now is something like the famed western boats, you can run it 

 over a good dew. Does the sneakbox draw much water? That she 

 is safe 1 can see. Would a l4x4 be large enough for my chum and 

 me to cruise and sleep in? Could a 14x4 be run by oars in the small 

 creeks and still be large enough to cruise with two persons, dogs and 

 guns? If the 14x4 is too small for two to go in comfort:ably would 

 a 10ft. boat be too big to row easily? About how much stuff' 

 would be required to make such a boat as "Seneca" speaks of? That 

 is how much wood of each sort and how much rivets and such? I 

 have sail, mast, etc., that I can use, already. If "Seneca " can obUge 

 me to that degree I am sure from the way he wTites ttuir he's just the 

 man to know such things, I shall be greatly indebted. -Elk. [We 

 shall shortly publish the lines of "Seneca's" boat, with sail plan.] 



A NEW CANOE CLUB.— Cincinnati, Oct. HO.— Editor Forest and 

 Strmm: The organization of tbe Miami C. C, of Cincinnati, was corn- 



Secretary and Treasurer. Members of the executive committee, J. 

 O Shiras and Thomas McConn. I'^ight clmrter members were en- 

 rolled. By spring it is expected the membersnip wdl reach twenty- 

 five. The club will probably apply for admi'=sion to both the A, C, A. 

 and the W. A. C. A. Some of the club are already members of both 

 associations, and several additional ones will apply. It is hoped that 

 the future meets of both associations will in no way interfere with 

 each other, and that both may be imder one management.— Mlami. 



THE LONG LAKE BOAT.— Ann Ai-bor, Mich., Oct. 2S.— Editor 

 Forest and Stream; Can some of your readers tell me where I can 

 obtain working plana and models or patterns for a boat known as the 

 "Long Lake skiff?" The boats are used in the Adirondack lakes, are 

 very easy rowng, buoyant and light, weighing from 40 to 60 pounds 

 with oars and thwarts! Information on this subject will be ihank- 

 f ullyreceived by— Syntax. [Perhaps some of om- readers who spend 

 the summer in the Adirondacks can furnish us with the lines of these 

 boats. They are built by the guides themselves, but ai-e very strong, 

 light and of fine model.] 



PUBLISHER'S DEPARTMENT. 



Ml-. Frank White, the representative of Messrs. A G. Spalding & 

 Bros.' New York establishment, sailed for Europe Oct. 24. Mr. 

 White while absent will combine business with pleasure by making 

 an extended inquiry into the status of all European outdoor sports. 



