102 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Aug. 3, 189& 



Toronto C. C. Paddling Trophy. 



The international paddling trophy of the Toronto C. C. will be raced 

 for on Aug. 3, the conditions being as follows: 



The trophy shall be raced for on Toronto Bay or on waters in the 

 immediate vicinity, and is open for competition to any member in 

 good standing of any recognized aquatic club or association or of the 

 A. C. A., W. O. A. or B. C. A. t „ 



The trophy, known as the Toronto C. C. paddling trophy, shall 

 be paddled for on a mile course straight away, in canoes of the 

 following measurements: Length not more than 16ft.. beam not 

 under 28in. and not over 30in., by a minimum depth of 9in. Entries 

 shall be made to the chairman of the regatta committee, Mr. T. P. 

 Stewart, not later than one week before the day of the race. 



W. C. A. Winnings. 



At the W. C. A. meet at Ballast Island Commodore Cook won the 

 Gardner cup; Nat Cook won the Longworth cup and O. A. Woodruff 

 the W. C. A. trophy. The latter has rebuilt canoe Wood, and made 

 her a new suit of sails. He was "laying for 1 ' the Western fin keels, 

 but none of them were on hand to compete. There were 31 men at 

 Ballast this year, no one from the West, except four from Chicago. 

 The mess table was good this year, and the Ballast enthusiasts re- 

 main no less enthusiastic over the sailing and swimming attractions 

 of the locality. _ 



American Canoe Association. 



Central Division: Harold D. Hardy and Bockwell P. Holden. 



fachting. 



Considering the reticence of designers and owners in the matter of 

 draft, the statement so frankly made by Mr. Iselin several months 

 since that the new defender would draw nearly 19ft. was a rather 

 remarkable admission. It now seems, however, that Mr. Iselin himself 

 was mistaken, and that the true draft is nearer to 20ft. than 19; or 

 more by three feet than any yacht ever floated. No wonder that the 

 owners of Defender are not looking for races in Long Island Sound. 



The exact nature of the protest made by Vigilant against Defender 

 is as yet known only to the regatta committee and the parties directly 

 interested, a copy of the protest having been sent by the committee to 

 Mr. Iselin. It is claimed by the Vigilant people that she, being on the 

 wind, had the right of way at the line, and that Defender, coming free, 

 left Vigilant no option but to luff quickly, sacrificing her own position, 

 or to cut down the new boat. There will doubtless be a deal of testi- 

 mony before the matter is settled; and with the Loyal protest still on 

 its hands the committee will have an enjoyable cruise. 



Up to a few years since the possibility of a l, 90-ton Doris'" was fre- 

 quently discussed by the adherents of the narrow cutter, and many 

 believed that such a boat could be built to win the America's Cup. 

 With the abandonment of the old tonnage rule the matter was 

 dropped, but we are reminded of it by looking at the Herreshoff de- 

 fender. While wider by 6 or 7ft. than the imaginary "90 ton Doris," 

 she is at the same time a narrow boat and even deeper than the ex- 

 treme cutter would have been. Such a craft would have been impos- 

 sible even three years ago for the same reason that prevented the 

 construction of the imaginary cutter, that yachtsmen had not, until a 

 recent day, given up all pretense of building a useful boat, even for 

 racing. The most extreme of the old narrow cutters were within the 

 maximum practicable limit of draft, 13ft., and far short of a draft 

 which makes it compulsory to tow in and out of harbors and in all 

 ordinary work, merely sailing over a few specially deep courses. Had 

 such a boat as Defender come here even as late as 1890 she would have 

 been condemned as a useless machine and unfit to race against the 

 honest home boats. In the present advanced era of syndicate racing, 

 when draft, cost and convenience are not considered for a moment, 

 all of this goes for nothing and the fastest boat is necessarily the 

 best. 



While we have no love whatever for these great machines, and look 

 upon them as a positive detriment to yachting, It is at the same time 

 not a little gratifying to us that they have proved a point that we 

 have long insisted on, and in which we have been opposed by many 

 expert yachtsmen. While conceding the merits of the smaller cutters, 

 Madge, Clara, and later Minerva, the majority of Americans who be- 

 lieve in the centerboard, among them skilled designers, have con- 

 tended that the good points of a keel boat were limited to the smaller 

 classes, not over 60ft. waterline, and that there was something about 

 the centerboard which made it materially superior to the keel in the 

 larger classes. The plain fact— that all of the larger keel boats, 

 Genesta, Galatea, Thistle, Miranda and the American schooners, were 

 limited, by the practical consideration already mentioned, to a draft 

 of about 13ft.— was entirely ignored; and it has been repeatedly main- 

 tained that the keel could never be made to beat the centerboard in 

 the larger classes. 



Those who witnessed the second race between Defender and Vigi- 

 lant, on July 22, know how the big keel boat, for the first tima of ade- 

 quate draft both for stability and lateral resistance, winded the 

 centerboard, showing herself superior on every point of sailing. 

 Defender has shown just what we have always believed, that with 

 adequate draft the keel boat of 90ft. waterline can be made as fast 

 compared with the centerboard as the keel boat of 30ft. In view of 

 this proof, witnessed by hundreds, and of the records of Clara, 

 Minerva, Kathleen, Gossoon, Wasp, Gloriana and Queen Mab against 

 the best centerboard yachts that have yet been built, we have no 

 further doubt that the keel can be made to beat the centerboard, deep 

 or shoal, in any size or type of craft, provided the correct propor- 

 tions are maintained. 



By the time that the trial races are over, Defender will, in all prob- 

 ability, have so clearly demonstrated her superiority to Vigilant, and, 

 if they face her, to Jubilee and Volunteer, as to leave no room for 

 doubt that she is the best boat to defend the Cup, centerboard or keel' 

 and to prove that she is really a fast vessel. Doubtless, in the event 

 of her defeat by Valkyrie III. , there would be some complaint that she. 

 was not a centerboard, but if she clearly shows that she is faster than 

 any other American boat, this can amount to little. 



Just now the centerboard advocate is on another tack; looking at 

 Defender in the dock, he discovers with surprise that she is really a 

 centerboard model, with about 6ft. depth of hull, or no more than 

 the old death-traps of the Mohawk breed, but with a "fixed center- 

 board.'" 



This far-fetched dodge is too transparent and will not work until 

 some kind of inside ballast is discovered which will enable a yacht of 

 90ft. waterline and but 23ft. beam to carry 12,000ft. of sail on a 

 draft of 6ft. in place of 20. The keel or fln of Defender, which is now 

 alleged to be bub a fixed centerboard, is about 50ft. long on its upper 

 edge, over 20 on the lower, and 13ft. deep, being 3ft. through, with a 

 weight of nearly 100 tons. The largest of the old eenterboards, of 

 oak instead of lead, was a triangle of possibly 30ft. base and 15ft. 

 altitude; only 4in. thick and weighing less than a ton. It is ingeni- 

 ous, but it will not work; unless something better is discovered soon 

 there will be no alternative but a reluctant and tardy admission that 

 when speed is considered the centerboard is out of date entirely.^ 



While it is a great satisfaction to see the superiority of the keel 

 boat so fully demonstrated in all classes, we are strongly opposed to 

 an absolute draft of over 13ft. in any pleasure vessel other than the 

 largest steam yachts. This draft is all that is practicable for a sailing 

 yacht of the largest size about the coast of Europe or the United 

 States, all that can find safe and convenient anchorage in even the 

 principal harbors and that can be docked at the yacht yards. It is 

 more than is at all desirable in any yacht smaller than Yampa or 

 Bamona, and more than is necessary with a wise and judicious use of 

 the centerboard in a type of craft fitted for that useful appliance. 



While we believe in the fullest liberty for experiment and investiga- 

 tion, we also believe that no good can come to yachting from the per- 

 petuation of the monstrosities of the present day. To this end we 

 should like to see the length for international racing reduced from 90 

 to 70ft., or to such a size as would admit of the fullest experiments in 

 depth, provided the absolute draft did not exceed about 12ft. In the 

 sizes above this a well designed deep centerboard, such as Lasca, 

 Ariel, Emerald or Iroquois, is in every respect more practicable and 

 desirable than a keel boat of 18 to 20ft. draft. 



Frequent changes of sails and spars are no novelty in Cup races, 

 and the American boats have always profited by a much larger outfit 

 of duplicate sails and booms than their opponents, this year, how- 

 ever, is likely to see a still further extreme. It is quite possible that 

 while the defendep is limited to but one hull, he may make choice on 

 the occasion of each race, of a different rig, according to the prospect 

 of the weather. Some day, if the march of improvement continues, 

 yachtsmen may hope to see the tenders Hattie Palmer and Aeronaut 

 superseded by properly designed craft of great size and speed, such 

 as we outlined some months since, fitted with all tools and appliances, 



Mr. Center was, in the most conservative sense, a thorough all- 

 round sportsman, but yachting was his favorite pastime, and in this 

 he was, both theoretically and practically, easily in the first flight in 

 his generation. 



His name is woven into the history of the New York Yacht Club, 

 and there will always be remembered as one of its mos't popular mem- 

 bers, a valued leader in its councils, and as one who was as sound and 

 true a yachtsman as ever touched a tiller. 



Resolved, That these expressions be entered on the minutes and 

 that a copy be sent to Mr. Center's mother. 



S. Nicholson Kane, 

 E. D. Morgan, 

 J. V. S. Oddie, 

 Lloyd Phcenix, 

 William E. Iselin. 

 The following members were elected to active membership: D. 

 Morgan Hildreth, Jr., John F. Baudouine, Adam Mortimer Singer, 

 Nicoll Ludlow, U. S. N., Oliver E. Cromwell, Robert Livington Gerry, 

 J. A. Dougherty, U. S. N., Frederick M. Davies, Ashton Lemoine, S. 

 W. Milbank, Houston Eldridge, U. S. N., Rand P. Crandall, U. S. N., 

 N. R. Usher, U. S. N„ Frank T. Moorhead, E. A. Morrison, Arthur 

 Burtis, U. S. N., Arthur E White, George E. Baker, Henry Van Ber- 

 gen, Moses L. Wood, U. S. N., Henry R. McLane, J. B. Ecclesine, Jr., 

 Robert Sedgwick, John B. Duer, A. H. Alden, George de Forest Grant, 

 Wynnn R. Sewell, Reginald Norman, R. F. Mulligan, U. S. N., and 

 John A. Taylor. 



To honorary membership— Rear Admiral B. Gherardi, U. S. N., Rear 

 Admiral Henry Erben, U. S. N. 



The Amenities of Journalism. 



One of the many interesting side shows of the great three-day 

 launching bee at Bristol was the affecting meeting, after a parting of 

 some two years, of Mr. McV., the yachting editor of the Boston 

 nerald, and Mr. S., the yachting editor of the Forest and Stream. 

 The accompanying picture is the work of another newspaper man 

 who was wandering by with hungry camera, and who, in default of a 

 more shining mark, wasted a plate on this interesting scene. The 

 background is the outer wall of the south shop, within which Defender 

 was then preparing for her plunge; all of clear, A grade siding, "free 



AMENITIES OF JOURNALISM. 



including a powerful derrick. Without such a craft it would be a 

 difficult matter to shift masts on the morning of a race, but it is quite 

 probable that, in the event of any marked change in the weather, 

 boom, mainsail, topmast and gaff will be changed even up to the last 

 moment. Such a change of rig, even to the mast, was a common 

 thing in the old sandbag days when Mr. Iselin was racing Mary 

 Emma, but it has never yet been done, to our knowledge, in a decked 

 yacht of large size. 



In discussing the possibility of Vigilant defeating Defender in the 

 trial races, the Field of July 13 speaks as follows: "Presumably Vig- 

 ilant could not now be chosen, as the clause permitting one vessel to be 

 substituted for another enjoins ,that the substitute must be of the 

 same dimensions as the yacht originally named. Whether this applies 

 to the Cup defender as well as to the challenger is not certain. Prob- 

 ably it would be claimed not to so apply, as the New York Y. C. has 

 always had a free hand as far as choosing a defender goes up to within 

 a few hours of the commencement of the races." 



We have noticed in American papers frequent allusions such as this 

 in the Field to some agreement permitting the substitution of another 

 yacht than the original challenger, but we are unable to find any 

 "clause" or any statement, written or verbal, that this will be per- 

 mitted. The question cannot now arise this year, but the matter 

 should be set straight before it becomes the general belief among 

 yachtsmen that the New York Y. C. has in anyway recognized such a 

 change as possible. 



Even Lord Dunraven's partiality for Newport as a racing ground 

 cannot disguise the fact that the winds In summer and until late in the 

 fall are most uncertain between Brenton's Reef, Block Island and Sow 

 and Pigs, and the courses over which the Goelet cups have been sailed 

 (or drifted) for during the past dozen years are bad in the extreme. 

 The regatta committee of the New York Y. C. would confer a favor on 

 yachtsmen and spectators alike if they would act within their discre- 

 tion and lay out a sensible modern course, a triangle of 5 mile sides 

 sailed twice, the race to be called if necessary at the end of the first 

 round. A resail in the event of a calm is impossible, and such a fiasco 

 as that of 1893 is most undesirable; the surest way of securing a deci- 

 sive race for the important prizes of the year is to adopt what is now 

 recognized as the best possible course. 



from knots, shakes or sapwood" and closely laid, without a crack or 

 a knothole through which the secrets of up-to-date designing might be 

 extracted. The central figure is Capt. Haff , skipper in turn of Titania, 

 Volunteer, Colonia, Vigilant and Defender— his modesty impelled him 

 to duck his head as soon as he caught sight of the raised camera. The 

 gentleman on the right, with his hands raised, is "The Boston Herald 

 Man," and he is expressing, in that calm, urbane and courteous man- 

 ner for which he is noted, his private opinion of the Forest and 

 Stream in general and its yachting editor in particular. Modesty for- 

 bids us giving the full details of the interview; those who desire fur- 

 ther particulars are respectfully referred to Capt. Haff. 



The strongest if not the only argument against the "one gun" start 

 is that it involves a serious danger of collision on the line. The fact is 

 that this danger exists with the present large and very fast boats 

 wherever the racing is at all keen, and it i3 but little greater with the 

 "one gun" start than with a time start. When yachts are playing 

 not for time, but for position, as is usually the case and was in that of 

 Genesta and Puritan in 1885, and Vigilant and Defender last week, the 

 start is practically from the gun, and there will certainly be some close 

 work to get the best berth. 



New York Y. C. 



t A meeting of the New York Y. C. was called for July 18, but was 

 not held until the next day, owing to the absence of a quorum. The 

 following resolutions were presented by Mr. S. Nicholson Kane on 

 behalf of a special committee, being unanimously adopted : 



New York Yacht Clot, July 18, 1895. 



The sudden death of Mr. Robert Center, which occured on April 17 

 of this year, caused much sorrow to the club. 



Cheery and light-hearted, he was always one of the most charming 

 of companions. Manly and straightforward, he was absolutely intole- 

 rant of all subterfuge and sham. In his friendship he was most loyal 

 and sincere. 



Sea Cliff Y. C. 



HEMPSTEAD HARBOR— LONG ISLAND SOUND. 



Saturday, July SO. 

 The annual regatta of the Sea Cliff Y. C, of Hempstead Harbor, 

 was sailed on July 20 in a strong S.W. breeze, with 41 starters, of 

 whom 39 finished, the courses being on the Sound. The times were: 



CLASS A. 



Length. Elapsed. Corrected. 



Madcap, T. W. Sheridan 49.08 2 85 04 2 35 04 



Penguin, G. E. Brightson 49.00 2 86 01 2 35 19 



CLASS B. 



Eurybia, C. E. Pryor... 40.02 2 49 58 2 49 58 



Aglaia, L. G. L Clark 38.00 3 03 48 3 00 58 



Bonito, J. G. Wilson Not meas. 3 06 04 



Mary C, S. C. Baldwin 36.02 3 03 46 2 58 39 



Iosco,H. D. Pausch 86.05 2 50 44 2 45 39 



class c. 



Dragoon, F. M. Freeman 33.75 2 37 45 2 37 45 



CLASS D. 



Bingo, J. M. Gortchius 24.09 2 40 50 2 40 50 



class u. 



Skimmaug, T. Clapham 21.00 2 24 00 2 24 00 



Houri, E.B. Hart, Jr 21.00 2 25 28 2 25 28 



Vaquero, W. G. Brokaw 21,00 2 23 12 2 23 12 



Shrimp, G. D. Pratt 21 . 00 Did not finish. 



classes p and g. 



Flounder, J. B, C. Tappan 19.66 2 50 49 2 50 49 



Meadow Hen, J. T. Pirie 15.10 3 17 43 3 02 44 



Question, M. H. Clark.. , 14.60 2 45 16 2 29 42 



class h. 



Mary, W. Ellsworth 28.76 2 26 20 



Wenona, W. A. Porter 25.09 2 40 00 2 35 15 



Gossip, C. J. Earl. 2 40 10 . . . . 



Nellie, S. Stenson 26.65 2 32 15 2 28 34 



Onaway, S C. Pirie 26.48 2 33 10 2 34 28 



Oconee, C. T. Pierce 26.00 2 30 53 ... 



Exonia, W. R Fleming 27.06 2 35 16 2 82 35 



Flyaway, A. H. Van Cott 2 51 10 



CLASS J— OPEN. 



Caper, J. G. Unitt 23.97 2 37 21 2 37 21 



Kittie, H.Morse 23.10 2 29 34 2 28 14 



Melita, O. H. Chellborg 22.00 8 06 55 3 08 29 



Ethel. F. H. Randall 20.66 2 33 20 2 31 58 



Dry Speed, Speed & Dryer 20.52 3 13 00 3 05 59 



Alice, Q. G. Fry 20.00 3 10 14 



CLASS K. 



Alice Maud, H. L. Lewis 3 13 08 



Whiz, W. F. Hankinson 16.03 3 12 22 2 03 49 



Lady Ellen, G. H. Brower 15.00 3 40 20 3 26 44 



Sans Gene, E. R. Leay craft 15.00 Withdrew.' 



Ona, C. Francis .'15.00 3 13 40 " 3 00 04 



Coot, A. D. Prince 14.0ft 3 14 08 2 58 43 



Leader, W. Dixon ...15.00 3 15 00 3 01 24 



CLASSES L AND M. 



Lurline, A. M. McKnight 25.06 2 31 35 2 31 35 



Fairy, F. E. Towle 24.00 2 31 14 2 28 12 



CLASS N. 



Terrapin, H L. Curry 19.98 2 46 11 2 46 11 



Chippie, H. R. Hatfield 17.59 3 01 15 2 54 21 



Penguin won in her class, in spite of a broken topmast; Iosco won in 

 her class; Dragoon had a sail-over,|but easily outsailed the Class B 

 yachts, they having, previous to the start, refused to allow her to go 

 up into the class. Vaquero won in the 21ft. class and the Little Ques- 

 tion, nicknamed the "Cellar Door," went up a class and won. In Class: 

 H the result is still In doubt, as both Mary and Oconee will have to be 

 remeasured, it being a matter of a few seconds between them. Kittie' 

 won in Class J, Coot in Class K, Fairy beat Lurline and Terrapin beat 

 Chippie. 



