Sept, 15, 1887.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



153 



CANOE FITTINGS. 1887. 



The other rig in this class was shown at Ballast Island this year 

 by Mr. Cook, of Chicago, who invented it. The sails arc the ordi- 

 nary sprits, the only difference being In the method of rigging the 

 sprit. Instead of hoisting on the mast it is carried out about Sin. 

 on the'boom. The lower end of the sprit has a gooseneck formed 

 of two screweyes, one screwed into the end of the sprit and the 

 other simplv hooked into its eye. The end of the loose scroweye 

 slips into a hole iu the boom, thus the sprit acts to hold the boom 

 down. The sail has a peak which is, of course, well set up by the 

 sprit, the entire sail is flat and effective, hut like the Pecowsic rig, 

 no reefing or stowing is possible; the entire rig must be unshipped 

 or allowed to take charge of the boat in a blow. Only one of this 

 rig was shown at the A, C» A, meet, and that in an incomplete 

 Btate, so no comparison was possible. 



Of the second class of sails the first variety is that of the Notus, 

 a leg'o'-mutton sail with two battens and the ordinary reef gear. 

 The chief novelty in this sail was the ^method of attachment to 

 the mast, an original idea of Com, Gibson's. All old canoeists 

 will remember the trouble once, experienced with the leg-o'-mut- 

 ton sail and its mast rings, how they would jam in hoisting and 

 lowering, how large they were and how far from the mast the 

 upper part of the sail was. All this has been obviated by a very 

 novel and simple expedient; the luff of the sail is laced to the 

 mast hv a double lacing, shown in the cut, something like one row 

 of the meshes in an ordinary hammock or net. When the halliard 

 is cast off these meshes at once loosen and the sail lowers freely, 

 but as soon as the sail is hoisted and the final pull taken on the 

 halliard, the meshes lengthen and hind the sail closely to the 

 mast. All the weight and trouble of the rings is done away with. 

 The rig of Notus is about 108ft. in area, 70 and 38ft.. the mainmast 

 being over 15ft. above deck, but as light and tapering as a fishing 

 rod." The weight aloft is reduced to almost nothing, and every 

 ounce of the canoeist's weight on the gunwale goes to balancing 

 the wind pressure alone. 



The larger number of the sails present came into the family of 

 gnnters, known of old to canoeists before the days even of the 

 leg-o'-mutton, for the gunter rig was the first from which practical 

 results in canoe sailing were obtained by Mr. Baden-Powell. The 

 old gunter brass is now discarded, but the same principle is em- 

 ployed, a short mast with a light spar set as a topmast, the sail 

 being laced to the, latter. In reality the Mohican sail with its yard 

 and battens has simply been shifted so that it is entirely abaft the 

 mast, the luff and head now forming one continuous line, the 

 hoisting gear being much the same but with the addition of a jaw 

 of some sort on the heel of the yard to hold it to the mast. The 

 rig may easily be made from an old Mohican sail by cutting the 

 throat of the "sail away so that the angle between luff and head 

 disappears, and then adding the jaws to the yard. This makes a 

 very good sail, the yard is held better than formerly and there is 

 properly no peak but a head like a leg-o'-mutton. Reefing is as 

 easy as in the Mohican, the same gear being used. 



The third variety under this class is of much the same shape as 

 the last mentioned but has, with the short mast, a long yard ex- 

 tending from the deck to the head of the sail, and hoisted and low- 

 ered by a halliard. Of course the sail cannot be reefed as in the 

 preceding, but another method is resorted to in one of these sails, 

 the joint effort of Messrs. Whitlock and Ward. The sail has a 

 batten radiating from the tack where it is hinged to a compound 

 jaw, a special forging of steel that takes the fore end of the boom 

 and batten as well as the heel of the yard. The batten is fitted 

 with reef gear by which it may be hauled down to the boom, mak- 

 ing a lateen sail. A second jaw, of the usual lateen form, is placed 

 about 18in. in on the boom, and by lowering the halliard as the 

 reef is taken in sail may be set as a lateen of reduced area. A 

 special feature of the rig is the double halliard. With the usual 

 single halliard and block at masthead the yard cannot be hauled 

 up close to the mast. To obviate this difficulty the halliard is 

 double, with two cheek blocks at masthead, one on each side, and 

 two similar blocks at the deck. The halliard is doubled in the 

 middle, the bight is placed around the yard, and then the two ends 

 are rove one through each of the blocks at masthead and then 

 through the corresponding block at deck. The two parts are hauled 

 on together, raising the yard and bringing it chock up against the 

 mast, where it is firmly held. When set as a lateen the two parts 

 are slacked off together until the yard is low enough. The entire 

 arrangement is very neat and ingenious but the details are not yet 

 completed and the sail has not been thoroughly tested. 



Besides the Pecowsic and Lacowsi.c rigs before mentioned the 

 rig of the Notus is noticeable for its finish and perfeetion,while with 

 it came the rig of the Rat, not used in the races, though present at 

 camp. This rig was of the second variety, a hoisting yard with 

 reefing battens, the brasswork and all details being worked out 

 by the owner. The rig was by far the most perfect of its kind at 

 the meet, the workmanship of all parts being of the best and 

 highly creditable to the young amateur who built and rigged the 

 boat. One little point is worth special mention, the grommets in 

 the sails for lacing lines were replaced by small brass rings Min. 

 diameter, sewn to the hem, through which the lacing lines were 

 run. 



The collection of sails and gear at the meet was both interesting 

 and instructive, much was to be learned and many valuable sug- 

 gestions could he gathered for future work; but those who went 

 expecting to see some perfect sail which they might copy blindly 

 were disappointed. None of the rigs present filled the bill, all had 

 some weak points, but many valuable hints and special features 

 could be had by a little observation; while as a whole the exhibit 

 gave most encouraging evidence of earnest work by a large num- 

 ber and of many substantial improvements, as well as a compre- 

 hension of the main disadvantages of the present rigs, which 

 must result in something far better in a short time. Never before 

 were so many men interested in the question of rig. But a short 

 time since nearly all were content to follow the lead of a few, but 



now is the time for individual experiment and general work by 

 the many for better rigs, aud while many are going over old 

 ground and some are wasting time, the main result will be in 

 every way favorable to canoeing. 



A HINT IN TOWING.— In towing another canoe or a heavy 

 object when paddling it is sometimes best; to make fast the towline 

 to the middle of the paddle handle. All strain and jerking on the 

 canoe is thus avoided and the leverage of the paddle serves directly 

 to propel the tow. With a little practice the painter may be kept 

 taut and almost a. steady pull given to the tow, while the unsteady 

 motion of the canoe under the strong stroke necessary is entirely 

 avoided. 



A. C. A. MEMBERSHIP.— The following named gentlemen have 

 applied for membership in the A. C. A. : P. W. Burritf, F. B. 

 Hayes; W. H. P. Weston, Toronto, Canada ; P. H. Dobbins, F. K. 

 Fee', J. C. Harstone, J. H. Hart, W. C. Hernman, R. B. Sylvester, 

 Lindsav, Canada; H. S. Kisley, R. Kingan, D. J. Lundy, H. Ne«-- 

 hald, G. A. Reid, R. J. Stenson, Peterboro, Canada; Alexis Mar- 

 tin, Hamilton, Canada.— Wm.M. Ca rter, Sec. 



A. c; A. MEMBERSHIP, CENTRAL DIVISION.— The follow- 

 ing gentlemen residing in the Central Division have applied for 

 membership iu the A. C. A.: James R, Steers, Jr., Wm. M. Brow n- 

 ell, New York; Rev. Frederick B. Savage, Newhurg, N. Y.— Ed- 

 ward W. Brown, Purser, Central Division. 



TORONTO C. C— On Sept. 3 a race was sailed over a 7-mile 

 course with six entries. Dawn, W. A. Leys, won, with Dotterell, 

 D. B. Jaques, second; Una, Colin Eraser, third; Isabel, Robert 

 Tyson, fourth; Ripple, W. A. Cooke, was disabled and withdrew; 

 Wanda, W. H. Weston, did not finish. 



PHOTOS TO EXCHANGE.— Mr. Louis Sahm, No. 451 North 

 Alabama street, Indianapolis, Ind., wishes to exchange canoe 

 and yacht photos with other amateurs. 



Address all communications to the Forest and Stream Pub. Co 



Small Yachts. By G. P. Kxmhardt. Price $7. Steam Yachts and 

 Launches. By C. P. Kunhardt. Price $3. Yachts, Boats and 

 Canoes. By C Stansfteld-Hiclts. Price $3.50. 



THE TRIAL RACES. 



INSIDE COURSE, SEPT. 13. 



THAT the trial races which in previous years have created hardly 

 less excitement than the Cup contests, should this season be 

 comparatively devoid of interest is probably due to the facts that 

 the competition is limited to but two boats, by the same designer, 

 and that the superiority of the newer of these and the fact that 

 she will in all probability be seleted, are both generally conceded. 

 While there are many who are still warm adherents of last year's 

 champion, it is evident that she is not handled to the same advan- 

 tage as by her first owner, as might be expected in new hands; 

 and her performance iu ail the meetings that have taken place 

 between her and Volunteer, has shown that the latter is the surest 

 champion to intrust with the defense of the Cup. Indeed after the 

 cruise a selection could safely be made without trial races, but 

 Mayflower's owner was desirous of further trial, the boat having 

 been raced under great disadvantages, and it would not have been 

 fair to him to dispense with the trial races. The owners of the 

 three other boats could see plainly that they had no chance and 

 so declined to enter, but Mr. Morgan at once went to work to put 

 his craft in the best possible shape. Some repairs were made, the 

 bottom thoroughly polished and a new suit of larger sails were 

 made, so that Mavflower came to the line in fine form. She was 

 out last week at the screw dock and was cleaned and potleaded, a 

 piece being added to her rudder at the same time. Volunteer also 

 hauled out at South Brooklyn on Friday and was scraped and 

 smoothed down, being painted on the bottom. Time and the 

 weather did not permit a coat of potlead, so she sailed on a bottom 

 of red lead only. While hauled out she was visited by thousands of 

 people, the piers and streets being crowded all the time she was 

 on the dock. Slie was launched on Monday afternoon, in readi- 

 ness for Tuesdav's race, though as stated the bottom was not fin- 

 ished. Some delay was caused by the action of the trades union, the 

 ship painters refusing to allow the yacht's regular crew to assist in 

 painting. Her new boom has not yet been slung, and she carried 

 her old mainsail. ,, - r ' 



The first race was set for Tuesday, over the New York Y.G. 

 course, and at 10 A. M. both boats were under way from their 

 anchorage off Bay Ridge 3 with clubtopsails aloft and both balloon 

 and ordinarv jibtopsails in stops on the double topmast stays. 

 The Electra," with the committee on hoard, anchored off Buoy 18, 

 and at 10:30 the first gun was fired. The weather had been cloudy 

 all the morning, with a thin haze over the Bay and a very light 

 wind from N. E., and under the same conditions the yachts came 

 for the line. The tide was more than half run out when the 

 starting gun sounded at 10:40, and with its help and the light 

 breeze the two crossed well together, the times being: Volunteer, 

 10:4:028; Mavflower, 10:41:37. Mavflower was to the eastward by a 

 couple of hundred yards as the two broke out balloon jibtopsails 

 and started off side by side. 



From the first the new steel boat began to leave her older sister, 

 gaining until she was several lengths in advance, though both 

 were moving verv slowly. As they crossed the line Thistle, with 

 Mr. and Mrs. Bell and Mr.Watson on hoard, got her anchor and 

 stood out from Tompkinsville with squareheader aloft and racing 

 mainsail set, hut under small jibtopsail and lower headsails only. 

 She approached the racers near the Narrows, but by this time 

 there was a calm, and the three were motionless save for the tide. 

 At length a catspaw sent them away again. Volunteer jibing her 

 boom to port, while Mayflower merely jibed her ballooner and 

 boomed it out to port. Volunteer hauled across for the Staten 

 Island shore for more wind, but failed to find it. At 11 :20 she set 

 her spinaker to starboard, hut only carried it for a quarter of an 

 hour. Thistle had sailed back and forth, out of the way of the 

 pair, but at noon, when they were well clear of the Narrows, she 

 was as far in advance and going as fast as either of the racing 

 yachts. She evidently did not intend to lead them, and went far 

 over to the eastward, lying motionless for a time. Just at noon 

 Mayflower lowered balloon jibtopsail and set a small one over her 

 jib "and staysail, taking a light breeze at the same time from S. E. 

 She began to leave. Volunteer, but as soon as the breeze filled the 

 latter 's ballooner she too started away, and soon had a lead of 

 200yds. or more. At 12:20 Volunteer passed Buoy 12, but an hour 

 later the two were still above Buoy No. 10, in a flat calm and 

 barely able to stem the strong flood that was running. 



Another hour passed with nothing to note hut a little telegraph- 

 ing with jibs and jibtopsails, a spit of rain that drove all on the 

 attendant steamers under shelter for ten minutes, and a constant 

 lengthening of the intervals of calm that had prevailed all day. 

 The hope of a breeze from southward or eastward was gone, the 

 boats drifted nearly up to Buoy 8^, Volunteer still ahead, and 

 then the strong tide carried them well up toward the Shrewsbury 

 until at 2:45 anchors were dropped when just abreast West Beacon 

 and verv close in to the shore of the Hook. The Electra dropped 

 her small launch, which steamed off to the racers and returned, 

 when the signals were broken out, "Race postponed." Each yacht 

 took a tug and hurried away home, and the fleet of steamers fol- 

 lowed in the same direction. Thistle had gone down the Swash 

 Channel in company with Atlantic, but started for home before 

 the race was abandoned. The drift was unsatisfactory to the last 

 degree, but as far as any result was evident, Volunteer took the 

 lead on every occasion and showed herself a better drifter than 

 Mavflower. Volunteer was sailed by Captain Haff and Mayflower 

 by Captain Craven. Captain Joseph Ellsworth was on board the 

 latter boat at Mr. Morgan's request. 



It was decided not to resail the race, but to continue the original 

 programme with a race to-day, twenty miles out and back 

 from Sandy Hook. The following notice has been issued by the 

 regatta committee: . , .. 



"In regard to the outside trial race, to be held on Thursday, the 

 15th inst., we may think it not necessary to sail the entire twenty 

 miles to windward and to leeward aud back; therefore, if after 

 the start we should wish to shorten the course, or after a certain 

 time during the race to change the direction of the course, we 

 have adopted for that day the following list of special signals: 

 The numbers 1, 8, 4 and 3 will be large red numbers on a white 

 ground. 



"The letters for the points of the compass are copied from the 

 International Code. 



"You will greatly oblige the committee if you will hoist your 

 answering pennant as soon as you have read your signals from the 

 Electra, the setting of which will always, of course, be preceded 

 by the firing of a gun. 



SPECIAL SIGNALS. 



"1. Run up to flagship and lay to. 



"8. Pass to leeward of flagship when gun fires and steer . 



"4. The trial is over. 



"2. Come within hailing distance of the flagship." 



In view of the crowding on the course by vessels of all kinds, 

 which is the same this year as it always has been and alwayS will 

 be, the following touching appeal is rather amusing: 



"You will greatly oblige the Committee of the America Cup, 

 and especially the Regatta Committee of the New York Y. C, 

 if, through the columns of your paper, you will call the attention 

 of all captains and owners of vessels, and especially of all steam 

 vessels, to the great importance and absolute necessity of keeping 

 a long distance to leeward of the yachts competing in the Cup 

 races. A steamer passing close to a yacht will often give a back 

 draught of wind, together with a wash of sea, both interfering 

 with her speed. The cutting in close ahead or astern should like- 

 wise be avoided. 



"This appeal would hardly seem necessary if the experience of 

 former Cup races did not warrant it. 



"The fairest kind of fair play should be given to both challenger 

 and challenged, and we feel it is but necessary to call the atten- 

 tion of the public to this matter in order to insure that fair play 

 which we so much desire. 



"Yours, respectfully, 



"The America Cup Committee." 



If past experience goes for anything, this is apt to be about as 

 effective as an address to all steamboat captains delivered from 

 the top of Liberty's torch would be. If the inside course is to be 

 retained for any races it should be so changed as to start outside 

 the Narrows, but for an important match even this is too little; 

 the only way to avoid a part of the crowding is to start at Sandy 

 Hook Lightship, where the smaller boats will not follow. 



GOELET CUP RACE.— A revision of the official time of the 

 Goelet Cup race of last month makes Volunteer ahead of Puritan 

 by 9m. 38s., and Mayflower ahead of Puritan by 56s. Puritan beats 

 Atlantic by 55s, instead of being 20s, astern of the latter, as at first 

 announced. 



