176 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[March 25, 1886. 



FIXTURES. 



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



May 15 -Brooklyn 0. C, Sailing Race. 



May 23— Knickerbocker C. C Sprnitr 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. 1S— Connecticut Meet, Sailing Races. 



Sept. 25— Connecticut Meet, Challenge Cup. 



A CHALLENGE FOR THE CUP. 



THE secretary of the New York C. O. has lately received the fol- 

 lowing letter from the secretary of the Royal C. C: 



11 Buckingham Street, London W. E , March 8, 1886. 

 Chas. J. Stevens, Esq., Secretary New York C. C: 



Sir— The Royal C. C. begs to enter for the challenge cup of the New 

 York C. C, in accordance with the conditions contained in your letter 

 of Jan. IS), t he date of the 'race to be fixed at a time most convenient 

 to the N. Y. C. C. after the A. C. A. meet. I remain, sir, yours truly, 

 T. G. F. Wtnser, Secretary R. C. C. 



THE A. C. A, TROPHY. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



My letter in your issue of March 11 was not in answer to one in your 

 issue of March 4, signed "S.." nor was it suggested by that letter. It 

 was merely my view of this trophy business, and as "S ." has got 

 several wrong impressions fr.om it (see his letter in last week's num- 

 ber), I will try to clear up a point or two, 1. To be constitutional 

 this trophy must be a donation to the A. C. A., flags only are offered 

 as prizes by the A. C. A. It must be for a special race and it must 

 come to the Regatta Committee for approval and adjustment. This 

 is not the way the matter now stands, and I claim it is unconstitu- 

 tional therefore. The Regatta Committee is responsible for all racing 

 matters, and they report to the Executive Committee. If the Regatta 

 Committee accept the trophy when it comes into their hands and ar- 

 range a special race for it, and decree that it shall become the prop- 

 erty of the winner, and the Executive Committee agree to this, then 

 it will be constitutional and no one can object— except on the ground 

 of establishing a bad policy, which objection I will make and "S," 

 will support me. 2. "By having any claim on the trophy," I meant 

 simply, aDy say as to what it was for. or what it should be and what 

 should be done with it— and certainly only subscribers to it have any 

 right to express an opinion till it is finally put in the hands of the Re- 

 gatta Committee. wheD any A. C. A. member has the right to express 

 an opinion. Remember, it must he a donation for a special race to 

 be offered at all, and it can't be donated till it has an existence. This 

 explanation of my meaning of those seven words makes it unneces- 

 sary to reply to five paragraphs in "S.'s" letter, one of which did pain 

 me"a little— suggesting my not having read the resolutions of the Ex- 

 ecutive Committee. I do not agree with the last paragraph of 4, S. V 

 letter, for I do believe the $300 trophy to be a good thing, only it must 

 never become the property of any canoeist, it would surely turn his 

 head — over the stern, and his canoe would run foul of something- in 

 short order. C. Bowyer Vaux. 



A PLEA FOR THE HEAVY CANOES. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Late numbers of the Canoeist have contained articles on large 

 canoes. Similar articles have appeared in the Forest and Stream, 

 all of them casting discredit on such craft. 



As the owner of one of these despised canoes, and a member of a 

 club, the majority of the sailing members of which believe in such 

 craft for their purposes, 1 claim permission to say a few words in de- 

 fense. 



In the first place it may be well to ascertain why the members of 

 the Toronto C. C. first built such canoes and still continue to do so. 

 In 1881 we found our then canoe too small for our rough waters, and 

 decided to have something larger. Looking around for information, 

 we found the following in a price list issued by W. P. Stephens, then 

 one of the leading canoe builders. In describing the Pearl, he says: 

 "Besides racing, her owner has cruised in her through the season, 

 and she is thus far the best canoe Duilt for racing and open-water 

 sailing. She can sail in water that no other canoe would venture out 

 in. and is the best boat for the great lakes and the bays and sounds 

 of the Atlantic coast,' 1 The writer of the foregoing may have altered 

 his opinion on this subject, but if so, it seems strange that in his late 

 work, -'Canoe and Boat Building." he should give such prominence 

 to descriptions of the fittings of such canoes. About two years ago, 

 the Forest and Stream had an editorial of nearly a page on Pearls, 

 praising them highly. Now I am still quite satisfied with such canoes. 

 Tf 1 ordered a new canoe tomorrow, she would be — not necessarily a 

 Pearl of the 1831 model— but a large canoe with a heavy centerboard. 

 Mr Stephens's assertion that such canoes aro best for the great 

 lakes is correct. Some of our members have built other canoes, 

 lighter and without heavy boards, but they have since either changed 

 to a heavy board or intend doing so. 



Now I have to air a grievance that I person illy feel very strongly 

 about, and in which I am generally supported by our memoers. It is 

 this: If large canoes are such thoroughly unserviceable craft, both 

 for cruising and racing, why is it necessary to continually decry them 

 in both of the official organs of the A C A.? And why is it necessary 

 in arranging the race programme to single them out from other 

 canoes by making rules which either bar them out altogether or 

 handicap them? In "84 and '85 prizes for average record were giveu 

 for the purpose of finding out what was the best all round canoe, and 

 yet our canoes were— in '85 at least— practically barred from one of 

 the record races, and handicapped in another. Our canoes are built 

 to sail with ballast. They need it to bring them down to their true 

 water line, and yet we are not allowed to use it against men -some of 

 whom at least consider it a detriment. 



In tlie March CcmoefsrMr. Tyson has a letter editorially commented 

 on in a way which is strongly resented by most of the members of the 

 Toronto Club. Canoeists should be tolerant, but I am sorry to say 

 that such has not been the case in the past,, and certainly the organs 

 of our sport have not shown a good example. 



In the T, C. C. sailing races last season ten canoes took part; five 

 had heavy boards, the others light boards or lee boards, and three of 

 these regularly carried ballast. One of the five has just bought a 

 new heavy centerboard canoe, and two more will eitner put in heavy 

 centerboards this season or get new canoes that have them I con- 

 sider that such canoes are popular in Toronto, and that they are in- 

 creasing in number. 



Glindinning has now in hand for a Montreal gentleman a very- fine 

 double C. B. canoe. Both boards are to be of brass, and the forward 

 ODe will weigh 50 pounds. Tne owner and his three sons intended 

 joining the A. C. A., but when the rules as to C. B. canoes were shown 

 him, determined to wait and see how his canoe was to be treated this 

 season. \» 



If any of the A. C. A. crack sailors sent a challenge to a heavy 

 C. B. and ballast man. such as Messrs. Tredwen or Powell, would they 

 think of stipulating that their opponents should sail with a 15-pound 

 board and no ballast? I don't think they would; but if such was done, 

 the cha'lenged person would be quite likelv to demand that if he 



accepted such conditions he should also have a race in his way, viz., 

 both to sit on the floor of the canoe. 



The A. C. A. have a Class B for sailing canoes. Such canoes are 

 clearly defined in all particulars; then let each man— so long as he 

 remains within such rules- sail his canoe in the way which he con- 

 siders best. Smely the men who have lately been crying out for 

 recognition for larger craft than the present A. C. A. rules allow, 

 must feel that we have a greoter grievance than they have. Our 

 canoes are within the class, yet at the last meet we found, out of three 

 races, that we were allowed in one on even terms; practically barred 

 from the second, and handicapped by limited sail area in the third. 

 I do not so much object to the 75ft., but I do object very strongly to 

 the light board and no ballast rule. 



The Canoeist goes on to ask— almost in a triumphant sort of way, as 

 if a favorable answer could not be given- if cruises have ever been 

 made in such canoes. I remember read ng in the London Field that 

 Mr. Tredwen paddled his Pearl on the Thames something like f.O miles 

 in a day. Possibly some of your readers may be able to quote tne exact 

 statement. I think such a statement proves that these canoes can be 

 paddled at a fair rate of speed. As to cruises, I am proud to be able 

 to say that such canoes can be used for cruising quite as effectively 

 as, for instance, the Marion B. Equipped for a cruise such a canoe 

 as the Sapphire of our club (or even the old Boreas) will get over in 

 a day quite as much water as the canoe mentioned. When her board 

 is out she will weigh no more, possibly less, and in transportation by 

 steamer or train there will not be the slightest difference. Member* 

 of our club nave attended every meet since '81, and in the question of 

 transportation there has been very little difference between the light- 

 est and heaviest canoes of our fleet. During the past season five of 

 our eanoes cruised in company for nearly three weeks on Lakes Mns- 

 koka, Joseph and Rosseau. Three of us had heavy boards and two 

 light boards; in sailing the heavy boards had the best of it, and in 

 paddling there was no material difference. We cruised all the time; 

 only once did we spend two nights at the same place. We slept in 

 our canoes, hauled out on shore or anchored out. One of the party 

 insisted on doing this anchoring business nearly every night; strange 

 to say, his canoe was fitted with an Atwood board. The whole trip 

 was so enjoyable, it may be taken for a certainty that it' our club is 

 not well represented at Grindstone in '86 it will be because the pleas- 

 ant memories of our Muskoka trip have caused us to go to that 

 canoeist's paradise again. 



I doubt if any canoe club in America did more genuine cruising in 

 1885 than was done by the members of the Toronto Club. One mem- 

 ber was four months under canvas, using his canoe every day; 

 another ditto for two months, many for a month, others for two or 

 three weeks, and so on. 



Since 1881 a great many changes have taken place in canoes, but 

 none so marked as the gradual increase of size. The canoes now 

 most popular— the I5x30's and so on— are just about as large as a 

 modern Pear). Solid boards are also being put in; even old handy are 

 following Mr. Tredwen and putting in two boards. It's quite possible 

 we may see these boards get heavier— quite probable if our English 

 visitors should win any races. In the meantime let each man use the 

 canoe that suits him best, and don't abuse him because, his views 

 differ from yours. Hugh Neilson. 



A. C. A.— Mr. F. M. Sinclair, Brooklyn C. C, is an applicant for 

 membership. Com. Rathbun has sent out the following circular: 

 Dear Sir— The interests of the Association were benefited so much 

 last year by the publication of the list of cruises made bv different 

 members, it is desirable to continue the record, adding to same each 

 year. Please enter below the cruises you have made during the past 

 year and concerning which you are willing to furnish information 

 upon application, and return this circular to yours truly, F. S. Rath- 

 bun, Commodore A. C. A., Deseronto, Onr. The regatta programme 

 will soon be ready for publication. It will not differ materially from 

 that of last year. 



VESPER B. C— A meeting of this club was held on March 11. The 

 secretary in his report called special attention to the increasing im- 

 portance of canoeing in the club. A new 15ft. canoe has been added 

 to the club fleet, making two canoes for club use, besides a large 

 fleet owned by individual members. The officers elected are: Presi- 

 dent, Paul Butler; First Vice-President, A. G. Swapp; Second Vice- 

 President, Gerard Beman: Secretary, R. F. Heinenwav; Treasurer, 

 R. F. Brazer; Directors, C. P. Nichols. F W. Howe, J. P. Battles: 

 Auditing Committee, C. F. Cobum, C. H. Hooke. 



HARRIS BURG C. C— This club celebrated their first anniversary 

 on March 1, the programme which we lately published being carried 

 out, making a very pleasant entertainment. The following officers 

 were elected: Commodore, Will W. Sayford; Captain, George G Mc- 

 Farland; Vice Captain, Martin W. Fager: Secretary, Bert E. Meily; 

 Treasurer, Charles S. Snyder. 



THE CANOE EXHIBITION. — Mr. E. W. Brown has charge of the 

 manufacturers ana budders' exhibit at the coming Canoe Exhibition. 

 Builders desiring space for their goods should address him at No. 4 

 Bowling Green, New York. 



SHATTEMUC C. C— This club gave an enterta : nment on March 23 

 at the residence of one of the members. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



W. P. C, San Louis Obispo.— The woodduck nests in trees. 

 E. H. R., New York.— We cannot recommend any special make of 

 boat. 



T. L. S., New York.— Write to W. Graham, Newtownbreda, Belfast, 

 Ireland. 



H. T. B , Alton, 111.— Hickory is not suitable for boat work, oak is 

 much better. 



H. L. Q.. Yonkers, N. Y.— The A. O. A. dues are $-i per year. In- 

 itiation lee $1. 



Geo. Webster, Hamilton. Ont,— Uleosote is made by H. F. Taintor, 

 Pearl street, Ne>v York. 



R. S. V. P., Paterson.— Multiply one side of the sail by one-half the 

 least distance to the opposite angle. 



H. C, North Ferrisburgh, Vt.— The saii should be triangular, 12ft. 

 on f oot, 15ft. on luff, ana 12ft. Bin. on leach. 



L., Menominee, Wis — Unless the bitch is well grown would advise 

 you not to breed her until her second season, 



\V. D. A.. Montclair, N. J.— There is no one who makes canoe 

 aprons for sale. Pith helmets can be had at any large hat store in 

 New York. 



Hippias, Boston.— The crown of deck is measured at midships. The 

 length of the beam is laid off on a board and a circle is struck that 

 will give the required round. 



V. D Bacon -We have had no experience with the patent hoists, 

 but they are recommended by those who have used them. There are 

 several ''Hard Oil Finishes" in the market, hut only a glossy varnish 

 will stand the weather. 



A H. H., Woodstock, Va.— I send you by mail head and leg of a 

 bird I shot yesterday. Please tell me what it is through your paper. 

 Ans. The bird is a coot (Fulica americana), which belongs to the rail 

 family, and is abundant throughout North America. 



PQT LUCK FROM EXCHANGES. 



London Truth says: Here is an advertisement from the 

 Cork Constitution. Is it not monstrous that thousands of 

 sea-gulls should be made victims of fashion and woman's 

 whims? Wanted— 1,000 dozen sea-gulls; 4s. per dozen for 

 clean birds. "William Kinmonth, egg aud poultry merchant, 

 Western Road, Cork." 



The authorship of "The Old Canoe," whichhasbeen so often 

 attributed to General Pike, is now ascribed to a young man 

 from Pittsburg named Shepherd, who somayears ago drifted 

 to New York and became an occasional contributor to the 

 press of that city. He is said to have given high promise as a 

 poet, but died early, leaving only a few fugitive pieces as his 

 legacy, and these not always easy to identify. 



The Italian Ministry of Agriculture has just undertaken an 

 interesting experiment. Half a million of fish eggs were 

 artificially hatched, and the young brood has been distributed 

 all over the center of the Lake of Como. If the experiment 

 succeeds fairly well, it will be taken up on a large scale, and 

 the department will undertake the restocking of the Italian 

 waters. Efforts will be made immediately to revive and ex- 

 tend the rearing of lobsters. 



A naturalist in the West has concluded either that owls are 

 without memory or that they do not mind going about with 

 owl traps fastened to their legs. He set a trap to catch an 

 owl, and it mysteriously disappeared. He set a heavier trap, 

 and caught in it an owl which had the first trap attached to 

 one of its legs. The phrase "stupid as an owl !" seems a fitting 

 reflection upon a bird which would set about making a 

 collection of owl traps in such a manner as this.— Harper's 

 Weekly, 



The death is announced of Count Emeric Sommisch, a 

 Hungarian magnate, who was known in society for his ex- 

 traordinary hatred of horses. This aversion amounted to a 

 real hippophobia, and it obliged the Count many years ago 

 to throw up his commission in the army. The Count died at 

 an advanced age on his estate in Sclavonia. He was a dis- 

 tinguished agriculturist, an excellent landlord, and on all 

 subjects but that of horses, asses and mules a man of sound judg- 

 ment. He would not allow any animal of the. equine kind to 

 come upon his lands, so that visitors who rode or drove to see 

 him had always to alight at his park gates. He himself for 

 many years used a vehicle drawn by trained deer, but latterly 

 he Avent about his estate in a carriage with a team of oxen. 

 His horror of horses is said to have been innate, as there was 

 no accident in his life to account for it. 



At the winter meeting of the Colorado Press Association 

 recently held in Denver, Mr. Thomas F. Dawson, one of the 

 most prominent newspaper men of Colorado, read a paper on 

 "Personalities in Journalism," in which he had the following 

 sensible words to say to his professional brethren: There is 

 one particular phase of personal journalism that deserves 

 especial attention. I refer to the habit which editors have of 

 abusing one another in their respective papers. What shall 

 we say of it? Not that it is often right or wise, certainly. 

 Yet there are few reminiscences of the press which are so in- 

 teresting as those of family or professional quarrels. There 

 are few American cities which have not been the scenes of en- 

 counters between rival editors, growing out of these little 

 pleasantries. It was G-eorge D. Prentice who, when he re- 

 ceived the card of his rival on the Louisville Democrat, said to 

 the messenger: "Tell the gentleman 111 be down as soon as I 

 can load my pistols." They had been indulging in some slight 

 uncomplimentary remarks* about each other. It was Horace 

 Greeley who said in the Tiibune, referring to some slur in 

 William Cuhen Bryant's Evening Post, "You lie, villain; you 

 know you lie." It' was Park Benjamin who, in the early days 

 of New York journalism, called the elder Bennett by such pet 

 names as obscure vagabond, infamous blasphemer, loathsome 

 slanderer, leprous libeler and venomous reptile. Judge Noah 

 also spoke kindly of Bennett as rascal, rogue, cheat, liar, 

 nuisance, bandit, villain and turkey buzzard, while James 

 Watson Webb considered him "an unprincipled slanderer, a 

 wretch and a moral leper, who published a worthless, vile 

 sheet, and who ought to occupy a cell at Sing Sing." But, for 

 that matter, we have enough of personal journalism of our 

 own without going back to the time, of the ancients for illus- 

 trations. But does the fact that it is a thoroughly established 

 custom make it a wise custom? Is it not a custom more 

 honored in the breach than in the observance? "A smart 

 thing gotten off by one editor at the expense of another is 

 always appreciated by the public in general, but the man who 

 fills his paper one day after another and one week after 

 another with vilification and vituperation — who devotes his 

 columns to epithets directed at a contemporary — becomes, 

 well, to say the least, a bore. The other fellow may be able to 

 stand it, but you do not get any of your income from him and 

 the public, from whom you derive, your living, grows weary 

 and disgusted and people are apt to fall iuto the habit of call- 

 ing editors fools. On the other hand it is human to strike 

 back and there are few of us who are angels and people should 

 not judge too harshly. 



" The fault we partly mny confute, 



But know not what's resisted." 



Often we do not say half we might— half we might aud tell 

 the truth. The best way is to keep out of newspaper fights 

 as long as possible, but when once in them it is right to hit as 

 hard as you can, always remembering that it is facts and not 

 words that count. The man who is best armed in journalism, 

 as in war, is least annoyed. It is all right to hit the heads that 

 need hitting ; to fight the good light and fight it hard, Serve 

 your conscience and your people. Davy Crockett's rule — 

 "Be sure you are right, and then go ahead" — is the best pre- 

 cept in a few words. 



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