156 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Mabch 18, 1886. 



A WORD FOR THE AMERICAN SLOOP. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Last month while in Boston I had occasion to look at the yacht 

 building for General Paine. She differs little from the Puritan 

 except that the lead keel is carried further aft than in tlie latter. 

 Will she outsail the Puritan? I do not see why the controlling; factor 

 (that of size) should nor wo> k as well in her case as in the other, for 

 In all her victories (except in that of Priscilla and Genesta) over 

 sloops and cutters, in the light of comparison, size and not excellence 

 of model has been the controlling factor. It seems to be the prevail- 

 ing opinion that nothing can be built that will outsail the Puritan. 

 What has she acco-nplished for a one-masted centerboard yacht to 

 sustain them in their opinion? She has not equaled the performances 

 of smaller, thoroughbred American centerboard sloops. Take ber 

 record for the season. Beginning with ber maiden race at Marble- 

 head, where she had nothing to test her but Keel schooners and sloops 

 and cutters of inferior size, and any one acquainted with yachtsailine 

 knows that any fair sailing centerboard sloop can outsail a fast keel 

 schooner of proportionately larger tonnage as these schooners were 

 larger than the Puritan The cutter Bedouin, a vacht vastly inferior 

 in size to the Puritan, defeated the speediest schooner of the lot by 

 longer oads over a shorter course in the same force of wind the pre- 

 ceding season. 



The races for the Goelet cup. where the superiority of size showpd 

 itself over the small sloops, and the handicap of a faulty rig and not 

 the inferiority of model was the cause of the defeat of the rTiscilla. 

 Take the trial races, and the difference even with the handicap of rig 

 is hardly worth menti* ning. The designer and sponsors of the Pris- 

 cilla accepting defeat in preference to victory at the sacrifice of the 

 principles by which we have held the supremacy for thirty years or 

 more. And this c iming season, under an improved rie, the American 

 model will yet show its superiority. In the race with Genesta the 

 victory is of so small a margaiu that it passes into insignificance, 

 compared with the victory of Vixen over Maggie. Type against type, 

 as there is no question but that Maggie is the speediest of her class 

 and tonnage in English water--, while Genes a ranks second or third 

 in her class I understand that there is a one-masted yacht the size 

 of Puritan building at Bay Ridge and modeled by Ellsworth, the firm 

 upholder of American ideas,; which he has so practically demon- 

 strated the superiority of. And now he has departed from the prin- 

 ciples that have made him famous, and joined the army of low- weight 

 theorists and cutter rigs. What have we to show for advancement in 

 yacht designs of original conception, when we have to look to the 

 English for ideas? Our models had their faults which should be cor- 

 rected, but this piling on sail and hanging on lead to balance it will 

 not remedy the defects. D minishing the beam is a step in the right 

 direction, but it is not necetsarv that we should increase the draft to 

 any great extent, as I sincerely believe that an American centerboard 

 sloop yacht can be constructed of the same length of the Puritan, of 

 less beam, less draft and less sail area, with her ballast inside, that 

 can outsail any English thoroughbred cutter or American combin- 

 ation that has'been constructed on borrowed ideas. Loyalty. 



NEW ROCHELLE Y. C — On March 9 the above club held its annual 

 meeting. The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensu- 

 ing year : Chas. Pryer, Commodore; J. H. Ryley, Vice-Commodore; 

 E. (3. Sterling. Rear-Commodore: Ph. J. Krackel, Secretary, Eugene 

 Lambden, Treasurer, Ward Wheelc-r, Measurer; N. D. Law ton. F. T. 

 Alder. John W. Rough, Oscar L. Richards, C. Buchanan, Trustees. 

 Appointed by the Commodore on Investigating Committee, Messrs. 

 S. G. Chapin, D. D. Acker, Jr.. Walter Large. At this meeting 23 

 new candidates were proposed which will probably bring the mem- 

 bership list up to 130 at the next meeting— a remarkable showing 

 for a club only having organized last July. The initiation fee to this 

 club is Si 5 and dues $10 per year. It has secured Echo Island, off 

 the mouth of the harbor of New Rochelie for a club site. The house 

 on the island at present will be put in first class condition, and addi- 

 tional improvements made on theidand. The harbor is perfectly 

 protected against storms from any quarter, making it a very desir- 

 able club to join for this reason. 



THE INTER-LAKE YACHTING ASSOCIATION.-The first meet 

 will'open at Detroit on Julvo, with racing, etc. on the 5th and 6th and 

 be continued at Put-In-Bay until the 11th. Both the Michigan and 

 Put la Bay clubs have made liberal offers in the way of prizes, and 

 the meet is sure to be a great success and to give yachting a boom. 

 The Western Canoe Association *re to have their races at Ballast 

 Island during the ;sanie week, so the Western aquatic clubs will have 

 a very interesting as well as pleasant time this coming sea«on. 



DISBANDING OF THE HAVERHILL Y. C.-At a meeting of the 

 Haverhill Y. C, March 3, it was voted to disband and s^Il the prop- 

 erty. The only yachting organization in Haverhill now is the Pen- 

 tucket Y. C. All matters in regard to yachting should be addressed 

 to Thomas Conley, Secretary Pentucket Y. C, Haverhill, Mass. 



BUFFALO Y. C — Four members were elected at the last meeting. 

 A committee was appointed to amend the rules as to time allowance 

 and another committee to act with the officers of the club in connec- 

 tion with the building of a new club house. A squadron cruise will 

 take place during the season. 



(^mating. 



Address all communications to the Forest and Stream Fublish- 

 i ng Co. 



Canoeists are invited to send us notes and full reports of cruises, 

 club meets, information about canoeable imters, and other commu- 

 nications of interest. 



Secretaries of canoe clubs are requested to send to Fokest and 

 Stream their addresses, with name, membership, signals, etc , of 

 their clubs, and also notices in advance of meetings and races, and 

 reports of the same. Canoeists and all interested in canoeing are 

 requested to forward to Forest and Stream their addresses, with 

 logs of cruises, maps, and information concerning their local waters, 

 drawings or descriptions of boats and fittings, and all items relating 

 to the sport. 



FIXTURES. 



May 1— Brooklyn C. O, Challenge Cup and Paddling Race. 



May 15-Brooklyn C. C, Sailing Race. 



May 22— Knickerbocker C. C. Spring Regatta. 



May 29— Connecticut Meet, Calla Shasta Grove. 



June 12 -Connecticut Meet, Paddling Race. 



July 10— Connecticut Meet, Paddling Race. 



Aug. 7— Connecticut Meet, Paddling Race. 



Sept. 4— Connecticut Meet, Paddling Race, 



Sept. IS— Connecticut Meet, Sailing Races. 



Sept. 25— Connecticut Meet. Challenge Cup. 



THE A. C. A. TROPHY. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In jour issue of Feb. 25. you invited a "full discussion" in reference 

 to the U A. C. A. Trophy." In the following issue (March 4) you kind- 

 ly published a letter containing my views on the subject, in which I 

 criticised club management generally, for arbitrary acts at variance 

 with the spirit or interests o£ such clubs. 



Among the reasons which 1 mentioned as tending to the develop- 

 ment of this state of things, was "the apathy of a large majority of 

 members," and certainly it would seem that that part of my proposi- 

 tion needs no further proof than is furnished by your own columns 



Here is a subject which is, it appears io me, of vital interest to the 

 A. C A., and on which you have invited discussion, and the vice-com- 

 modore has asked for an expression of opinion to guide him ; and yet 

 up to the present time only one member has thought it of sufficient 

 importance to reply to. 



In your issue of this week (March 11), Mr. C. B. Vaux undertakes to 

 explain how the matter stands, but he fails to express himself with 

 his usual clearness. Hi« explanation needs an interpretation. As I 

 understand it, he objects to the Cup Committee giving the prize, but 

 thinks that the Executive or Regatta Committee may do so if they 

 choose, notwithstanding it is contrary to Ihe rule which he cites. 



He also takes the curious position that because no one is compelled 

 to subscribe and only a minority have or will do so, therefore (I 

 quote), "whv should those who do not subscribe have any claims on 

 the trophy?" 



"Here's a pretty state of things!" 



The resolution in reference to offering the trophy as published in 

 your issue of Feb. 25, reads: "In view of the approaching visit of the 

 English canoeists be it resolved that a trophy be offered for compe- 

 lirion at the A. C. A. meet, under A. V. A. rules, open to all A. C. A. 

 men, and members of any recognized foreign canoe club, the trophy 

 to be the property of the winner." 



If Mr. Vaux had read the above before writing his letter I do not see 

 how be could have written his interrogatory, previously quoted. 



If a certain number of canoeists combine to offer a prize, and to 

 exclude from competition non-subscribers, by what right do they do 

 it in The name of the A. C. A. and uuder its rules? But of course Mr. 

 Vaux is wrong in the position he assumes. 



Any person who has had much club experience knows how much of 

 the • volurtary" there is in club subscriptions, just about as much as 

 there is when the plate is passed atchurch, after a fervid appeal from 

 the pulpit, and with your best girl watching to see how much you 

 deposit. But, if Mr. Vaux is right, and the committee do assume to 

 gi^e the prize in the name of the A. C. A. and to exclude all non- 

 subscribers to the fund, then indeed it is high time to awaken to the 

 danger ahead. 



There is still another question I would like to have answered and 

 that is, who are the discoverers that these English visitors are so 

 much superior to our own members, that what is good enough for us 

 is not good enough for them ? Who is responsible for the assumption 

 that the honor of winning an A. C. A. flag would not be sufficient in- 

 ducement for them, unless backed up by a valuable prize with privi- 

 lege of keeping the same when won? It certainly is the reverse of 

 complimentary to them. S. 



A BOAT CRUISE ON THE SEVERN. 



BIRMINGHAM. Saturday, June, 18H5.— The writer and two friends 

 left the busy manufacturing city of Birmingham by the evening 

 express for Shrewsbury, with the intention of pioceeding from there 

 down the beautiful and rapid river Severn as far as Worcester, about 

 seventy miles. Arriving there we snatched a hasty tea at the railway 

 station (dear and nisty as usual), and having been joined by two 

 friends (natives) we embarked at Ellis's boat house, in our craft, a 

 beamy and comfortable river boat of light draft, and pushed off 

 without delay. The first two miles afforded plenty of excitement in 

 running on shallows and then hauling off again (several weeks with- 

 out rain having brought the stream very low), finally a heavier hump 

 than usual caused a leak, which was hastily caulked, and we pro 

 ceeded without any further mishaps. Having reached Ufbngton, our 

 first stage, we proceeded to the Corbett Arms Hotel, a charming, old- 

 fashioned place, and one of the most comfortable riverside houses in 

 my experience, where a hearty meal was dispatched and the leak, 

 which proved rather a serious one, effectively stopped, after which 

 we all turned in. 



Sunday morning, 6 A. M.— "Bright chanticleer proclaims the morn" 

 and we quickly turn out; having walked, or climbed rather, to the top 

 of an eminence called Ormond's Hill, we were rewarded by a 

 magnificent view of the country, with the silvery Severn winding 

 in and out. and flashing in the morning sun. After a substantial 

 breakfast stores were got on board, and the party, now 

 reduced to four, proceeded on their way. A quick passage was 

 made to Preston-Boats Weir, where great care in steering and corres- 

 ponding exertions from the rowers were required to avert disaster. 

 This rapid being successfully negotiated, a pleasant row through 

 lovely country brought us to Atcham Bridge, a handsome stone 

 structure of seven arches, hiilt in 1759. Atcham Hall, the seat of 

 Lord Berwick, and the ancient church "with ivy o'ergrown" were 

 passed and much admired, being beautifully situated among luxuri- 

 ant foliage, and are no less famous for their picturesque beauty than 

 for their historical associations. The navigation here again demanded 

 prompt attention, several very pretty islands dividing the current, 

 and the crew had plenty of variety in having to wade and haul the 

 craft over the numerous shoals. Close by are the ruins of the ancient 

 city of Uriconium. formerly a Roman station, and just below there is 

 p Roman ford, called by the natives the "Devil's Bridge," while right 

 ahead appears a remarkable hill called the Wrekin. Leigbton Bridge 

 was next passed, and Leighton Hall, a fine mansion on the left bank, 

 comes in view, butis soon left behind, unlike the ubiquitous "Wrekin," 

 which appears now on our left, now on our right, then behind, and 

 lo, in a short time, looms again, right ahead, the river winding about 

 in a most eccentric manner. An hour's steady pulling brought us to 

 Bmklwas.'where we landed for luncheon, and afterward inspected the 

 rums of Biiildwas Abbey.a fine old edifice erected in the twelfth century 

 by monks of the Cistercian order, and considered a fine example of the 

 architecture of that period. Again embarking, we passed under Tel- 

 ford's fine bridge, built in 179ti,with one arch of 130ft. span.and floating 

 lazily along through two miles of charming scenery, arrived at Coal- 

 brookdale. Here the river becomes narrow and rapid, and the naviga- 

 tion again becomes difficult ; an island in midstream, with a ridge of 

 rocks just below.formingan awkward rapid, which was.however.safely 

 passed . We are swept along at a fine pace and soon reach Ironbridge,a 

 busy manufacturing town and the birthplace of Captain Webb, who 

 swam across the English Channel and was drowned in the Niagara 

 whirlpool. The river here rushes and swirls between high granite 

 banks with ugly boulder s freely interspersed.and we arrive in an incred- 

 ibly short time" at Coalporc. The stream here suddenly swerves to the 

 right, and a low trestle bridge is seen across it. A smash seemed in- 

 evitable, when we caught sight of a native on the bridge signaling 

 the coxwain to steer straight on. A small portion of the bridge was 

 raised, the oars were instantly unshipped, and we shot like an arrow 

 through the narrow aperture down a leaping and boiling rapid, ship- 

 ping a lot of water and narrowly escaping a capsize. Below this the 

 river widens, and is consequently not so swift, and a steady pull of 

 eight miles through scenes of sylvan beauty brought the crew in sight 

 of Bridgnorth, where we arrived about 7 o'clock. Leaving the boat 



in charge of an "ancient mariner," we climbed up a steep path into 

 the town and wended our way to the Crown Hotel, where dinner and 

 beds had been ordered in advance. 



It was intended to rise early the next morning and visit the 

 High Rocks, the lion of the place; but the bed pulled too 

 hard and the excursion bad to be given up. So. after 

 breakfast we relieved the aforesaid ancient mariner of his 

 charge and got afloat about 9:30 A. M. Below the bridge is an awk- 

 ward ford, where we had the misfortune to run aground and knock 

 hole No. 2 in the boat's bottom, not, however, a serious one. So pro- 

 ceeding, in due time we reached Eardington, where we found a large 

 party encamped and evidently having a high time. Being invited to 

 land, we found several acquaintances among the party. So hauling 

 in the boat, we decided to halt for a time svith the two-fold object of 

 toasting our friends and repairing the leak in the craft. Getting un- 

 der way again, we passed in succession the hamlets of Alvely and 

 Highley, and arrived at the lovely village of Arley at mid-day. The 

 scenery in this neighborhood is enchanting, and so mild is the climate 

 that formerly the vine was cultivated and a wine of such excellent 

 quality was produced as scarcely to b^ known from the best foreign 

 brands. The river also here abounds in fish of all kinds, and the dis- 

 trict is a favorite summer resort of the residents of Birmingham and 

 Worcester. Landing for luncheon and a brief rest, we recognized and 

 greeted several Birmingham friends who had come down to rusticate. 

 Again embarking at 1 P. M., we found great care required to navi- 

 gate the numerous fords, the most difficult being those at the Round 

 Stone Rock* and the famous Folly Ford. After passing Bewdley, we 

 bade adieu to fords and rapids, and soon reached the town of Srour- 

 port and entered the first of a series of lock*. From this point (the 

 day oeing a holiday) the river was gay with craft of all kinds, from a 

 canoe to a steam launch. A pleasant row of three miles brought us 

 to Camy Lock and another three to the city of Worcester, famous 

 for its cathedral and the fine porcelain manufactured there. Here 

 our voyage terminated and the ship was banded over to the tender 

 mercies of the railway company for irausit to Shrewsbury, while the 

 crew, well satisfied with their trip, proc eded to a well-known hos- 

 telry, where we refreshed our inner man, an additional zest being 

 given to the viands by the presence of our host's charming daughter, 

 who presided in toe absence of her father. We were sooa whizzed 

 home by the express, and parted with mutual congratulations and a 

 resolve (at some future time) to further explore the course of our 

 beautiful river, under the command of The Skipper. 



THE DOCKRATS' ANNUAL MEETING.- Newburgh, N. Y. — Editor 

 Forest and Stream: The Newburgh. Canoe and Boating Association 

 held their annual meeting at the residence of Commodore Bartlett, 

 on March 3. The reports of officers were satisfactory, showing that 

 the association was doing a good work; that while the successes of 

 the past year were happy facts to us all, the prospects for a bright 

 future were very promising. The association arranged for a series 

 of races— sailing, rowing and paddling— lo take place during the 

 coming season for appropriate prizes, and also for a series of outings, 

 short runs to some convenient campsiie, of which there are a num- 

 ber in this vicinity, with a hot supper, a la camp, and a return by 

 moonbght: in these we hope to be joined by some of our non member 

 friends, Steps were also taken toward a summer cruise and camp, 

 en masse. The following named officers were re- elecied: Commodore, 

 Wm. E. Bartlett; Vice-Commodore, James T. Van Dalfsen; Captain, 

 Nate S. Smith: Purser, Henry A. Harrison. The above named to- 

 gether with Mr. Harry A. Marvel, forming the executive committee. 

 The strength of the association was increased by the e'ecrion of seven 

 active, three honorary and four lady honorary members and it begins 

 the season with 31 active members, owning at preseut 10 canoes, 10 

 rowing and sailing boats, 1 s'eam launch, 1 cabin sloop yacht, with 

 other new canoes and boats "in sight and a-comine-." Owing to vari- 

 ous models and sizes of the different craft in our fleet, it was felt im- 

 possible to bring them together for racing purposes in the ordinary 

 way, so we have adopted a system of time allowance, based on cubic 

 contents and sail area that* we hope v> ill do away with all "classes" 

 and still give every boat and canoe owner a fair chauce. We felt 

 that life was too short and time too precious to cut our small fleet 

 into pieces and race as classes if we could do otherwise, and so the 

 association adopted the recommendations of the. committee to whom 

 the matter had bem given for consideration. We hope to make a 

 prosperous run during the coming season. — Purser. 



YONKERS C. C— Editor Forest and Stream: At a meeting held 

 Feb. 17, 1886, there was organized a club under the name of the Yon- 

 kers C. C, with J. Reevs, Commodore: L. Sandford, Vice-Commo- 

 dore; H. Lansing Quick, Secretary and Treasurer. Six members and 

 five canoes, the latter as follows: Jennie R., 14ft.x33in.. J. Reevs; 

 Rip Rap, 14ft. 6in.x30in,, L. Sandford; Spy. 12ft.x2Siu., H. L. Quick; 

 Scout. 14ft X30in , T. and J. Simpson; Bond, laft.x30in„ F. K. 

 Shears. The object of the club is the further advancement of canoe- 

 ing, more especially along the Hudson River and at Yonkers.— H, 

 Lansing Quick, Sec." Yonkers C. C. 



SANDUSKY C. C. —This club now numbers 22 members, the officers 

 being F. S. Latham, Captain: J. E. Melville, Mate; Benj. Marshall, 

 Purser, and Miles Johnson, Secretary. The club are now building a 

 new house on Sandusky Bay, a fine piece of water for canoe sailing. 

 They have lately joined the W. C. A. as a body, and will attend the 

 meet at Ballast Island. 



A. C. A.— Mr. D. B. Pratt, Rochester, N. Y., has been proposed for 

 membership. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



J. P. L., St. Denis, Md.— Please repeat your questions. 



G. W. R., Hartford.— Do deer shed their antlers yearly? Ans. Yes 



F. J. W., Great Barrington, Mass.— Write to Kennedy Smith, Eustis 



Me. You will probably find ruffed grouse shooting at his Tim Pond 



district. 



A. Fin, Providence, R. I.— Can a man control a pond in such a man- 

 ner as to prohibit fishing in said pond without owning all the land 

 around said pond or without having the consent of all land owners 

 whose property has a water front on the said pond ? Ans. We think 

 not, as the owners of the land have rights in the pond. 



S. A. L. — Is there any way to join two braided silk fly lines together 

 so that the juncture will pass easily through the rod rings? Ans. it 

 is possible that a neat workman might sandpaper them down to flat 

 surfaces and then whip them with fine silk and varni-h th Q m so that 

 some service could be got from them, but too much must not be ex- 

 pected. We do not think they could be inbraided as a rope is spliced. 



Pointer. Baltimore, Md.— In selecting a pointer pup is there any way 

 to tell which he will favor, sireor dam ? That is, will a pup the color 

 of dam be more apt to take after her than if the color of sire. Or is 

 there any way to select one tending to take after either parent? Ans. 

 There is no infallible rule. In selecting a.puppy choo?e the forma- 

 tion that you think most resembles tae one you prefer and trust to 

 luck. 



"I am Well and Strong and don't need to insure." Queer logic! 

 When you are sick or broken down you can't get insured. Now is 

 the time to insure— in the Travelers, of Hartford. Conn., best and 

 cheapest of sound companies.— Adv. 



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3 IN 1. 



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Among the Many Novelties 



Introduced by us for the coming season, -we wish to call attention to our 



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We have been experimenting for some years in the hope of making a perfect -waterproof line. Success crowned 

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 waterproofed, not merely on the surface. They will not become tender in use or by age. 



SAMPLES AND PRICES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION. 

 LANDING SET, made of waterproof braided linen line, which prevents the hooks from catching in the meshes. 



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The prices of these nets are only a little in advance of the old style made from twisted thread. 



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