192 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Aug. 31, 1895. 



and the very bad board in 1890 undoubtedly cost the Association 

 some good men, missing from later camps; the all-night rowdyism 

 that marked the meet of 1891 in particular, though not un- 

 known at other meets, has done much to drive from the camps some 

 of the older men of whom the Association was once so justly proud; 

 and the heat, dust and malaria of the '94 meet have hart their effect 

 on others. The strongest incentive to a regular attendance at the 

 A'C. A. camp every year would be the knowledge that the camp site 

 will be selected wiih good judgment, both as to its accessibility at a 

 moderate cost, its sanitary features, and its conveniences for camp- 

 ing, canoeing and racing: "and that it will be a camp of gentlemen. 

 The mess question we consider of but secondary importance, as, if 

 everything else is satisfactory, the men who absent themselves be- 

 cause they do not care to cook alone or to go into a club mess of some 

 kind are hardly the ones who will be missed. The same applies to 

 many other things which some men and women consider should be 

 furnished by the executive. With a well-located and easily-reached 

 camp site, a clean, decent camp, and some arrangement for procuring 

 supplies, there will be plenty of the right kind of campers and canoe- 

 ists, even though some of the luxuries of city life are missing. 



The attendance this year was made up of a very few of the older 

 men permanently in camp, a few who dropped in for a day, a number 

 of the men who have attended the last three or four meets and are 

 tolerably well known to each other, and some entirely new men. Two 

 of the latter who were particularly welcome were Mr. O. A. Wood- 

 ruff, the retiring commodore of the Western O. A., and Mr. J. G. 

 Turrill, of the Kenwood C. C, of Chicago, also of the W. C. A. The 

 ladies, and there were quite a number of them, included few of the 

 older members. 



AMUSEMENTS. 



The camp was a very sociable one, the new men quickly falling In 

 with the older ones. No elaborate attempts at entertainments were 

 made, but there were a number of very pleasant camp-fires, the ladies 

 generally being present; in fact, some of the best camp-fires were 

 held in an open glade in the middle of the Ladies 1 Camp, this place 

 being less exposed than the hill at headquarters to the strong winds. 



Among the amusements was abase ball game with the guests of the 

 Hotpl Champlain on Aug. 14, a burlesque affair that caused much fun ; 

 a number of camp-fires with very good congregational singing, in ad- 

 dition to the siuging of Mr. Ashenden and the Francis brothers, and 

 some trips to Au Sable Chasm. On the afternoon of Aug. 20 a special 

 train of three cars was sent down from Plattsburgh by the officials of 



the Delaware & Hudson road, who have been very accommodating at 

 this meet as well as at Willsborough Point in previous yea's, and the 

 canoeists to the number of about 150 were carried free to the army 

 post, just south of Plattsburgh. Here they were entertained by the 

 officers with a band concert and parade, returning at dark. The 21st 

 Infantry Club, of the post, tendered its hospitalities to the members of 

 the Association, as did the Lake Champlain Y. C , of Burlington. The 

 Hotel Champlain, located just above the camp, did everything possible 

 to make the meet pleasant, securing the grounds free, providing the 

 mess, erecting the mess pavilion, and putting in the electric lights. 

 The members were invited to the hotel for the dances during the 

 meet. 



RACINS MEN AND CANOES. 



The list of entries for the races, given last week, shows a meager 

 array of racing men and racing boats. It may be extended by the 

 addition of Mr. Archbald, of Montreal, in Mab, and several entries in 

 the minor events. The canoes are all well known to canoeists, havicg 

 raced at more than one meet, the only new boat being Bug, designed 

 by Paul Butler and built by Stevens, of Lowell, under his supervision. 

 She is a 16x30 canoe of the modern round and full form, but with less 

 of the barrel shape than Wasp and the older Butler boats. In the 

 races she was sailed by Mr. Butler and did not make as good a show- 

 ing as Wasp, but the latter had the great advantage, in the puffy 

 winds, of a long-legged man to hold her up; where Mr. Butler had tb 

 climb out to the end of his slide, Mr. Gray was able to hike out with 

 his feet still against the side of the boat, and ready to get in at the 

 very short notice given. The tests of the new model can hardly be 

 called satisfactory under these conditions. So f «r as model goes in a 

 canne, this new boat is the handsomest which Mr. Butler has yet 

 turned out. 



The racing was very hard work, and not a few minor mishaps oc- 

 curred. On the Saturday before the races Mr. Gray went out in a 

 hard wind and finally capsized past righting through the breaking of 

 his tiller, a very stout stick. He drifted for a time, his aluminum rud- 

 der dropping off in oeep water. By hard work all next day he was 

 able to repair another broken rudder so as to use it through the 

 races. 



Some very plucky sailing was seen, and the races were highly inter- 

 esting to the spectators on shore, more so than to the men, who were 

 slammed down almost under water one moment a3 a puff passed by 

 and lifted high into the air on the end of their long seats the next. ' 



The paddling races amounted to very little this year, especially the 

 trophy. Last year it was bad enough, the paddling trophy was won 

 by a man who was hardly in camp save for the race and who left for 

 home as soon as he got the cup in his hands, not taking the trouble to 

 come to camp this year to defend it. This year the sole competitor 

 was Mr. King, of Toronto, a new man with a light paddling racer— an 

 old boat. As he had no competitor, Mr. R. Darcy Scott, of Ottawa 

 consented to go in against him, each using an ordinary open Canadian 

 canoe. Mr. Scott was not in training and the race amounted to noth- 

 ing, Mr. King of course winning. It is a pity that a handsome and 

 valuable trophy awakens so little enthusiasm among paddling men. 



THE BACES, 



We can give now but a brief summary of the races, as the official 

 records are not yet accessible. Out of the twenty-two races on the 

 programme, to which must be added a race for the Jabberwock 

 trophy, open to members of the Central Division, and the cup given 

 by the Hotel Champlain, but fifteen programme races were run off, 

 those omitted being the club sailing, cruising, go-as-you-please, un- 



classified, novice combined, hurry-scurry and war canoe. No war 

 canoes were present and there were no entries for the unclassified; in 

 fact, this class of cruisers, sneak boxes, canoe-yawls, etc., for which 

 special races were held so long ago as 1887 at Bow-Arrow Point, has 

 shown no vitality whatever at this meet, though better adapted than 

 the 30in. canoe for Lake Champlain. 



The chairman of the regatta committee, Mr. M. V. Brokaw, arrived 

 in camp during the first week and had the courses laid out and every- 

 thing in readiness by Friday, but of his two colleagues nothing has 

 been heard since some time last spring; neither was present to assist 

 him. Mr. E. M. Fulton, Jr., who spends his summers on Lake Cham- 

 plain and has a camp near at band, with a good naphtha launch, was 

 appointed by Com. Witherbee to assist him, and Mr. J. A. Smith acted 

 as clerk of the course. 



The first race, called on Monday morning, was the unlimited, No. 7 

 of the programme, with 10 starters, including Wasp, Bug, Bee and 

 Torment, The wind was strong and puffy, and the six-mile course 

 called for some lively gymnastics. Wasp won, with Bug, Bee and Tor- 

 ment in order, beating Bug 7m. The next race was No. 2, the record 

 paddling, at 5 P. M. of the same day, with 5 starters, finishing as fol- 

 lows: Eel, Kit, Az Iz, Wasp, Kiowilla. Some comment was occasioned 

 by the action of Mr. King, who, in a very light paddling canoe, the 

 others using their sailing craft, paced Mr. Sparrow, in Eel, keeping 

 close beside him. Though this was a violation of Rule VII. , no protest 

 was made, nor did the committee take any action in the matter, Mr. 

 Sparrow declaring that he had received no assistance. 



The first race called for Tuesday was the combined, at 10 A. M., this 

 time the wind being very light. The order at the finish was: Wasp, 

 Az Iz, Eel, Kit, Kiowilla and Crescent. 



The limited sailing race was next called, at 11:50, with 12 start- 

 ers, in a heavy rain squall and lively breeze. The conditions, as 

 printed, stated that the sail area would be limited to lOOsq. ft. and the 

 "sliding seat prohibited," This was interpreted in a broad and liberal 

 manner by the Vesper men, who simply screwed fast their 5ft. slides so 

 that they were not movable, though extending J Sin. on each side of the 

 canoe. Those who understood the rule to mean that no seat project- 

 ing beyond the sides of the canoe would be allowed Btood very small 

 chance under the circumstances. The start was a fine one, the boats 

 going over with a rush together, but by the time that the round was 

 ended the rain had stopped and the wind died out, the canoes drifting 

 about in confusion. Over half an hour separated the first and last 

 boat, but when the race ended with the second round the entire fleet 

 came down in a bunch, wing and wing, from the second mark to the 

 finish, with barely three miuutes between the first and last boats. Bug 

 won, with Bee second and Torment third, Wasp losing her centerboard 

 and withdrawing. 



The novice sailing was called at 3 P. M., with but 4 starters, the 

 race for the Jabberwock trophy, also with 4 starters, being sailed 

 in connection with it. The novice race ended: Az lz, Fly, Crescent, 

 Seila. The Jabberwock race ended: Az Iz, Zaidee, Kit, Kiowilla. 



Wednesday was set for the sailing trophy, and Mr. Archbald ran 

 down from Montreal on Tuesday evening, his business engagements 

 calling him back.on Wednesday night. In the morning, after a very 

 cold night, there was a rattling N.W. breeze, squally and puffy as 

 ever. Mr. Archbald was desirous of starting, but the other men, who 

 had already sailed several races in still leBS severe weather,, and who 

 proposed to sail others before the meet was over, objected to going 

 out in a blow that was certain to disable some of the boats. Un- 

 doubtedly had the race been called some one would have gone the 

 course and won, but the weather was not suitable for canoe sailing, 

 some of the boats would have been disabled and there were no steam 

 craft to follow the canoes and give assistance, and the committee did 

 well in declining to start the race. All day long the wind blew and 

 there was nothing to do but to run off some paddling races under the 

 lee of the shore. 



The first called was the trophy paddling, with but two starters, as 

 already mentioned, Mr. King winning easily by a length. The next 

 race was No. 14, open paddling canoes of over BOlbs. weight, Mr. King 

 beating Mr. Archbald. The next race, No. 15, was for decked canoes, 

 tandem, Messrs. Sparrow and King beating Messrs. Ashenden and 

 Hale. The victorious crew started in the next race, No. 16, open 

 tandem with single blades, but was beaten by Mr. Ashenden with a 

 new partner, Mr. Hall. 



Mr. Archbald arranged to stay over another day, and on Thursday 

 morning there was a fresh and fairly steady S. E. wind, the start being 

 made at 10:19, with nine starters. Mab led at the line, followed by Wasp, 

 Bee and Bug, and the order of the leaders through the first two rounds 

 was Mab, Bug, Torment. On the third round Mab capsized and Mr. 

 Archbald got under the mainsail, having a great deal of difficulty in 

 freeing himself, and losing much time, Wasp sailed faster in the latter 

 half of the race and finally won, the order at the finish being: Wasp, 

 Bee, Zaidee, Mab, Bug. 



After the trophy race the club fours was called, with three crews 

 starting: Wawbewawa War Canoe Association of Boston, F. J. 

 Burrage, A. H. Coolidge, Louis A. Hall and W. V. Forsaith; Northern 

 Division, B. Darcv Scott, R. O. King, J. W. Sparrow and Fred S. 

 Howard; Atlantic Division, William M. Carpenter, Thomas Hale, Jr., 

 J. Hamilton Braine and Raymond Appollonio. The Northern Division 

 crew made a good start and led for a time, but the overloaded canoe 

 filled and left her crew to swim. The Wawbewawa crew succeeded in 

 getting over the line first and then their canoe filled. 



The absurdity of crowding four men into a canoe built for one and 

 driving It at racing speed, even in smooth water, has been demon- 

 strated long ago, though the attempt of the regatta committee last 

 year to admit a larger and more suitable boat aroused some very hos- 

 tile criticism. This sort of club four racing is of little use, and there 

 is almost a certainty of some canoes swamping in a little ripple of sea. 

 If the club four race is worth keeping up, and we believe it is, the 

 limit of size should be definitely fixed at something larger than a 

 18X30 canoe. 



The race for the Dolphin trophy was called at 2:50, the starters 

 being: Mab, Bee, Zaidee, Torment and Bug, and the course 7>6 

 miles. At the same time the race tor the Hotel Champlain cup, to bo 

 won twice in succession before becoming the permanent property of 

 the winner, was started, the course of 4)4 miles being three rounds of 

 the triangle, or two less than for the Dolphin trophy. The entries 

 for the Hotel Champlain cup were: Bug, Az Iz, Bee, Wasp, Zaidpe 

 and Mab, Az Iz being sailed by H. L. Quick. At the end of the third 

 round the leaders were Mab and Hz lz, the former taking the Hotel 

 Champlain cup. The race finished with Mab first and Bug second. 



The final races took place on Thursday, No. 19, the sailing upset 

 and maneuvering, being called at 3:20 P. M., the morning having been 

 very stormy. There were but two starters, Messrs. Stewart and Lan- 

 sing, the Utter winning. In the next race, the paddling upset, these 

 gentlemen were joined by Mr. Hale, Mr. Stewart winning. The swim- 

 ming race was won by R. Darcy Scott, beating W. F. Brown and Wen- 

 dell Andreas. 



The meeting of the executive committee for the election of a com- 

 modore and secretary-treasurer was held on Thursday evening, and 

 Mr. William R. Huntington, of the Deowainsta C. C, of Rome, N, Y., 

 was elected commodore and Mr. T. H. Stryker, of the same club, 

 secretary-treasurer. 



Friday proved very stormy and unpleasant, with a prospect of con- 

 tinued bad weather, and the camp broke up. We are obliged to defer 

 fuller accounts of the racing and of the division elections until next 



The British Canoe. Association Meet. 



From the Field. 



Now that the B. C. A. sails and tents are being rapidly stowed after 

 use at perhaps the most beautiful site ever chosen for a camp of 

 tae Association, it may interest boating readers to give a brief 

 resume of our doings up to this day in the third and final week of our 

 sojourn. 



With Englishmen the weather must form the opening phrase, and 

 on this subject we cannot, any more than of yore, bra congratulated. 

 It has been bad, indifferent, and worse than that. Two consecutive 

 fine days have once been our maximum, but throughout tha gales and 

 rains the true spirit animating us has kept all lively and hopeful under 

 adverse climatic conditions. 



The race par excellence was that for the Lord Erne challenge cup 

 on the regatta day programme, and Rogue (last year's winner) was 

 again a competitor, together with Cherub, Vestal, May, Spruce I., 

 Marjorie (formerly Serpent), Tavie, La Babet, and last, but not least, 

 Yankee. 



The wind was fresh and steady from S.W., the force about five; sea 

 moderately smooth, and the course, of about eight miles, was from 

 the Boom Beacon, off the Wootton Creek, to the first Red Buoy about 

 E.N.E., then to the Peel Buoy, and to the starting mark, leaving all 

 to port, twice round. This made the sail practically all free, or it 

 would have been so to close-winded boats, but with our little craft 

 the turn from the Red Buoy to the conical Peel Buoy, with a lee- 

 going tide, made it a close pinch. The nine boats got over the line 

 in somewhat open order, and Yankee, well sailed by Mr. Howard, 

 showed hej: immense superiority off the wind in the dead run 

 down to the Red Buoy, as, with her sails goose-winged, she 

 simply floated away, and. when sheets were hardened in for the close 

 reach to the Peel Buoy, she was still going marvelously for her size 

 and construction: intact, her superb handling won universal enco- 

 miums. Just before the Peel Buoy was reached something went wrong, 

 and Yankee was seen to be in the wind, and so she remained for ah >t 

 twenty minutes. The rest of the fleet were in a cluster at tbe Keel 

 Buoy, and May, forgetting the lee going tide, nearly, if not quite, 

 carried away the mark with her broadside, getting stern wav on. She 

 compelled La Babet, the next boat, to keep away a leng piece to avoid 

 a foul, as there was not room for a sheet of paper between May and 



the mark. However, all got round in turn, and May was again set 

 going, also Yankee, whose damage to fore-hatch cover Mr. Howard 

 had repaired by going overboard and doing his shipwrightlng swim- 

 ming alongside his craft, thereby demonstrating the ouast'-advantage 

 of a low freeboard, and want of that initial stability which allows the 

 crew to remain on deck in emergency. His long slide has a thwart- 

 ship action only; if it could be improved to act as a fore and aft stage, 

 Mr. Howard might have stayed in board and battened down his fore- 

 hatch, and saved the wetting of his perfect camping and cruising out- 

 fit which had been improvised for him by sundry contributors for this 

 occasion only. 



However, his mastheads did not stick in the Solent mud, and he suc- 

 ceeded in quickly overhauling that Triton the Cherub, and the other 

 leaders in the latter portion of the course. There can be no question 

 that but for his accident he would easily have won the coveted trophy, 



Between the Peel Buoy and the Wootton Beacon La Babet's rudder 

 gear snapped off short, and, although her owner quickly fished his 

 yoke with a spare roller spar, the others were too far ahead to render 

 pursuit hopeful, so La Babet gave up. During the second round 

 Marjorie capsized, but her crew righted her and sailed on for a short 

 time, but subsequently gave up and she was towed in. Rogue 

 waltzed along, making complete circles twice when running. It was 

 supposed that she was down by the head with her cruising kit aboard. 

 Spruce I. was well sailed by Mr. E. Kipling alone, but she would have 

 done far better with a double crew and a whole sail. 



Vestal and Cherub continued to be well sailed throughout the sec- 

 ond round and were fairly matched, in the breeze prevailing. Cherub 

 no doubt would have done better with more wind and sea to contend 

 against, as she is an undoubtedly powerful boat. The handicap was 

 a sealed one, not disclosed until after the race, and the times were as 

 follows: 



First Round. Finish. First Round. Finish. 



Tavie 11 58 45 12 59 00 Spruce 1 1152 15 12 49 45 



Cherub 11 51 45 12 47 87 Vestal 11 51 50 12 49 15 



Yankee 11 58 35 12 48 33 Majorie 11 53 30 Gave up. 



La Babet.... 12 18 25 Gave up. May 11 36 55 12 51 00 



Rogue 11 55 45 Gave up. 



The sailing and paddling race resulted in a win for the commodore 

 (Mr. T. H. R. Bartley) in the Lily, with Mr. Percy Nisbet in the double 

 canoe Irene as a single hand, and Mr. T. M, Porter in Argo, and Mr. E. 

 Mason in the Pinafore. Pinafore would have won but for mistaking 

 the course. The ladies 1 race was sailed in a hard breeze in the entrance 



lie cat Co -n. „J 



to the creek, and the beat back against a falling tide was exciting to 

 onlookers and contestants, when May, steered by Mrs. Trinder, just 

 did Spruce, steered by Mrs Lane, on the post by a few seconds, and 

 Miss Lane brought La Babet home close behind, while Vestal, steered 

 by Mrs. E. S. Hodson, brought up the rear. There have been twenty- 

 two tents pitched during the meet, and about thirty-four members 

 have been present. 



The annual meeting and subsequent dinner at the Royal Esplanade 

 Hotel, Ryde, on Aug 9, were both well attended, and the official reports 

 disclosed a satisfactory state of affairs, and the general onward pro- 

 gress of the Association, which, in its aims and objects, if properly 

 pursued, cannot fail to be an increasing success in the future, and of 

 great service to the cause of canoeing, canoe yavvling, and campings, 

 as in all thes» branches of pleasant outdoor sport men meeting under 

 the neutral flag of the B. C. A. have many opportunities of comparison 

 of gear and fitment that cannot be otherwise obtained. 



Several visits from members unable to camp, and the advent of Mr, 

 and Mrs. W. L Wylie in tbe Sea Maiden, and Capt. Edwards In the 

 Heron, have made the anchorage and camp lively Tbe boats present, 

 in addition to those mentioned, are Deva, Mr. Garnet Martlet and Mr. 

 E. S. Hodson. F. Cecil Lane, Vice-Commodore, B. C. A. 



The W. C. A. and Ballast Island. 



Milwaukee, Aug. 22.— Editor Forest and Stream: Fokest ano 

 Stream of the 24th inst. is just to hand, and the account of the W. C. 

 A. meet and Mr. Woodruff's letter are both read with interest. I 

 have been a member of tbe association for the past five years and 

 during that time have regularly attended the meetings, with the ex- 

 ception of the last camp at Ballast Island, which it was not my privi- 

 lege to attend. I take issue with Mr. Woodruff on the advisability of 

 holding the meets at Ballast Island. No one can or will deny that 

 Ballast is a good place for sailing: in fact, a good place generally— 

 "But there are others," and conspicuous among them are Oshkosh and 

 Madison. At the former place, during the meet of '92, we had both 

 sailing and swimming, a large number of canoes, and a whole lot of 

 enthusiasm. At the meet of '94 at Madison we were unfortunate in 

 striking four or five oppressively hot days and a calm during the second 

 week. Our races were gotten off during the first in good shape and 

 we had plenty of wind. The weather of the second week should not 

 be charged against this particular location, as we have since learned 

 that the same conditions prevailed very generally at that time. 



The meets of the Association will always be more or less neighbor- 

 hood affairs. A good local attendance is generally assured and a 

 much larger attendance from a dis'ance expected than realized. 



The records will bear me out in the assertion that the active and 

 numerical strength of the Association is in the West. Ballast is loca- 

 ted at the extreme eastern end of the territory, and many Western 

 men argue that if they must go to Ballast to attend the meet, they 

 may as well go on to the A. C A. meet and have done with it At the 

 midwinter meeting in Chicago last winter the executive committee was 

 made up as follows: Commodore Cook, Chicago, III. ; Vice-Commo- 

 dore Porter, Madison, Wis.; Rear-Commodore Spencer, Bloom ington 



