March 10, 1887.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



141 



HOW WE RAN THE RAPIDS. 



THE summer vacation always found us starting out for the 

 woods or mountains with tents and all necessary camping 

 traps. Canoeing was but little known then, or we should have 

 spent our time differently; a canoe trip presents so much more 

 variety than a camping trip, and in fact is far superior in point of 

 pleasure, as its growing popularity proves. 

 One summer, while comping along the beautiful Juniata River. 

 "Where roved the Indian maid. 



Sweet Alfrata*," 



we got ourselves in a perilous position, and were very fortunate 

 in escaping safe and sound. We had good fishing, excellent shoot- 

 ing along the river, if we chose, and a camping place perfect in 

 every respect; but these things lacked the touch of danger which 

 seems essential to every sport. 



We wearied of them and wished for something exciting, and we 

 got it. We were assailed by a strong temptation which was con- 

 stantly in sight. Our tents lay on a grassy slope shaded by huge 

 oak and hickory trees. A beautiful spring poured out of the 

 ground and ran down to the river only a few yards awav. 



The Juniata in front, of our camp ratted arid foamed through a 

 perfect tangle of small rocks and stones, until a short distance 

 from shore, a ledge of rocks began and continued clear across to 

 the other side. They rose out of water from three to ten feet, and 

 formed an almost unbroken line, effectually holding back The 

 water behind, with one exception. Near the center, the river 

 pouring through for ages, had worn a channel about ton feet 

 wide and partially obstructed by huge rocks here and there. The 

 tremendous pressure of the water above the falls centered itself 

 on this narrow outlet, and it maybe imagined with what terrific 

 speed the river dashed over the ledge and" boiled among the ob- 

 structing rocks below. In crossing the river below the falls our 

 boat was invariably carried down some distance by the swift cur- 

 rent, and almost submerged by the huge waves which continued 

 for many yards below the falls. 



One Saturday morning wo were idlingaround camp throwing out 

 suggestions and passing criticism on our would-be cook who, 

 attired in a white apron, was attempting to make apple pies for 

 Sunday. Finally, becoming exasperated, he attacked us with a 

 bucket of water. We fled in confusion down toward the shore. 

 The sun was shining brightly on the falls, and the huge waves 

 tumbling over and over in their haste gleamed like burnished 

 silver. "I'm goiug to run the falls," exclaimed Frank Harris. 

 "Who will go with me?" We thought he was jesting. "Oh! I 

 mean it," he continued. "Come, on! I'll take you through." "How 

 are you going to get above the rocks'?" we exclaimed. "Whv, 

 wade up through the shallow water along shore and pull the boat 

 along." That, looked very feasible to tig, and, ready for an adven- 

 ture, we fell in with the plan eagerly. We threw our shoes and 

 stockings and superfluous clothing under a tree, and started to 

 pull the boat up along shore. 



It was hard work struggling against the swift current, stum- 

 bling over slippery rocks and plunging breast deep into holes; but 

 we persevered, laboring with zeal worthy of a better cause, and 

 finally, after a half hour of the hardest work we had ever done in 

 our lives, we got through the rough water, and getting into the 

 boat we rowed up stream. 



When we were about a quarter of a mile from camp Ave stopped. 

 The falls were now below us. and their deafening roar had an 

 ominous sound in our ears. We were not quite so eager now, but 

 no one had the courage to propose going back. We rested a 

 moment, and then struck boldly out into the river. The water 

 became swifter as we approached the center. We got directly 

 above the falls and began to move rapidly down toward them. 

 Swifter and swifter ran the river, nearer and nearer came the 

 rapids, and louder and louder rang their roar in our ears. As we 

 rushed along a break in the trees brought into view our cook who, 

 in blissful ignorance, of our present situation, was busily swinging 

 his rolling pin. We sat motionless. The boat was headed direct 

 for the channel, and a few yards more would— we held our breath 

 as the current sucked us into the raging whirlpool a nd hurled us 

 down among the dashing waves and black rocks. The bow -went 

 under water and then rose on top of a huge wave throwing us 

 back toward the stern. One rock struck us on the side and hurled 

 us broadside against another, throwing us off our seats. Wave 

 after wave splashed against the boat, throwing showers of spray 

 all over us, and then the waves subsided a little and we recovered 

 our breath as we grounded against a patch of grass away below 

 the falls, drenched to the skin and on the point of sinking. 



Greatly elated over our successful run Ave bailed out. the boat 

 and rowed in to shore aud up to our landing place. We found a 

 row of pies laid out to cool and our exhausted cook stretched out 

 in the shade at his ease. "Where have you been?" he exclaimed 

 at sight of our drenched condition and scant apparel. A recital 

 of our adventure made him incredulous. "Don't tell me anything 

 like that. You never came through there. The boat would have 

 swamped in ten seconds. And do you expect, me to believe that 

 you pulled the boat up through that swift water?" 



"Just wait until t >-morrow," said I, "and we'll show you whether 

 we did or not." We hunted up some dry clothes and began to get 

 dinner. 



The following day was Sunday, consequently we rested. Monday 

 morning we were through breakfast and were lying around camp 

 undecided what to do. 



"Here, now," said Harry Wilton, "you said you ran the rapids 

 on Saturday; now go through them again, and then I'll believe 

 you!" 



"All right," we exclaimed, "we'll show you. Won't you come 

 along though?" 

 "No, i will stay here and watch you." 



He was lying under a huge oak tree and could look directly out 

 on the river and the falls. It was cloudy that morning and the 

 absence of the sun's hot rays would make it easier for us. 



We stripped off our heavier clothes, and with an au revoir to 

 Wilton, who was still under the impression that, it was all a joke, 

 Ave disappeared doAvn the slopes to the river. We had much more 

 trouble di-agging our boat up this time, We slipped back continu- 

 ally, and near the end John Morton was carried off his feet and 

 dashed against a rock, injuring his knee. He refused to go back, 

 and putting him in the boat Ave pressed on, and after a severe 

 struggle reached calm water, and pulled up to our starting point 

 of Saturday. We rested some time, for Ave were nearly worn out. 

 Finally we struck out for the middle of the river again and began 

 to float rapidly down toward the falls. 



I suppose our preAdous success had made us reckless of danger. 

 We expected to run through as we had done before, and as we 

 drifted nearer and nearer the falls wo felt, only a pleasurable an- 

 ticipation. A"d the forebodings which we had before experienced 

 were gone. We drew rapidly near. Forster and 1 sat in the stern, 

 Harris had the oars and Morton sat in front. We were in- sight, 

 of Wilton now. He Avas still under the tree reading, and had not 

 yet seen us. It was of no use to shout for the roar of the falls 

 drowned every other noise. We began to fear ho would not see 

 us at all, when suddenly he looked up. He sprang to his feet, 

 dropping the paper, and stared wildly out toward us. We waved 

 our hands, and Morton in his excitement stood up and waved his 

 hat. 



At that moment a sudden lurch and a dash of spray brought us 

 to our senses. We had struck the rapids. Morton jumped for his 

 seat, and as he sat down he moved a large iron anchor' which lay 

 on the front of the boat A«th chain attached. 



It dropped over the edge into the Avorst part of the channel. 

 The chain fleAv out, and after a couple of sharp jerks, as the 

 anchor slipped along, it caught firmly on the bottom, and the boat 

 was whirled around with tremendous force. I held on to the scat, 

 but Forster was hurled clear out into the AA'aves. He went partly 

 under, but soon rose and was carried doAvn Avith fearful speed, 

 straggling hard to keep above water. The boa t was firmly caught 

 in the midst of the rapids, and Avas plunging up and down, while 

 the waves, striking violently on the sides and bottom, kept hurl- 

 ing water in on us in an alarming manner. Harris and Morton 

 were tugging at the chain, but without success. A .second jerk 

 had thrown me to the bottom of the boat. When I rose I glanced 

 eagerly down the river. To my delight I saw Forster awav below. 

 Avading toward shore in water up to his breast. He waved Ms 

 hand encouragingly. 



The boat was filling rapidly and was in great danger of sinking. 

 Forster had fortuntately a voided striking any rocks, but I knew 

 well if the boat Avent under the chances Avere against our all 

 getting safely through to the shalloAV water below. Only fifteen 

 feet away was the ledge of rocks and calm water, but it might as 

 well have been a mile. We began to bail out the Water with our 

 hats, but it seemed to be dashing in faster than wp could get it 

 out. 



Suddenly Harris threw doAvn his hat and jumped up. 

 Good-bye," he shouted in our ears. "There, are too many in 

 the boat. You can keep it from sinking if I am out." 



I tried to stop him, but he stepped on the bow of the boat and 

 leaped out as far toward the calm water as he could. He dove 

 under and came up below but on the outer edge of the rapids. A 

 few vigorous strokes and he reached the eddA' and swam slowly 

 unto the ledge. The boat, freed from part of its burden, no\v 

 offered less resistance to the Avaves, and was tossed about in every 

 direction, threatening to upset every moment. The anchor AA-a's 

 firmly caught, and the chain Avas too securely fastened to the boat 

 to be torn loose. I Avould have followed Harris's example, but 



Morton, Avho had hurt his knee, Avas unable to swim, and I Avould 

 not leave him alone. 



A glance toward shore revealed a more hopeful state of affairs. 

 Wilton was running swiftly down the slope toward the river hold- 

 ing in his hand a. coil of rope. Waving his hand, he plunged in 

 aud started to struggle toward the ledge which began some ya rds 

 out. I watched him breathlessly. Once a dash of water carried 

 him off his feet, but he regained his foothold after a struggle, 

 some yards below, and began to recover the lost ground. He Avas 

 drawing nearer and nearer the ledge, compelled at times to grasp 

 tin- rocks firmly with his arms and hold on until he could recover 

 strength to proceed. The rope was coiled around his waist. He 

 was nearly there now; only one rushing channel yet. He plunged 

 into it, was carried doAvn a short distance and floated around into 

 the eddy, whore he swam slowly up to the ledge, and Avas pulled 

 out of water, greatly exhausted, hy Harris. 



A moment's rest and then both started over the rocks 'toward 

 the rapids, where our frail boat was still tossing wildly about. 

 Hastily uncoiling the rope, Wilton threw one end toward the boat. 

 Twice' it fell short. The third time it was caught, by Morton. 

 "Fasten it to the end of the chain," he shouted, so loudly that we 

 heard it abo^e the roar of the falls. We fastened the rope to the 

 chain as securely as possible. Wilton and Harris began to pull on 

 it. Inch by inch they dragged the boat up against the furious 

 current. SloAA-ly but surely Ave were moving. We Avere right 

 above the anchor, aud now the chain seemed to run under the 

 boat. Suddenly Wilton and Harris fell back on the ledges. The 

 boat dashed back, was stopped by the chain, and before I could 

 realize that the rope had broken, I was hurled out over the end 

 into the rapids. 1 heard a tremendous rushing in my ears, green 

 lights danced before my eyes, and then I rose to the surface, and 

 st ruck out. As 1 did so my hand struck something hard. I grasped 

 it aud found myself clinging to the boat, while Morton was vigor- 

 ously trying to pull me out of the water. 



The strain on the boat as the chain brought it to a, stop had 

 jerked out the board in which it was fastened and the boat dashed 

 on, leaving chain and anchor behind. I succeeded in getting in, 

 and taking the. oars, steered through the remainder of the rapids 

 and t hen rowed over to shore and up to camp, where we received 

 a jubilant welcome from Forster. It was the work of but a few 

 minutes to row over to the ledge, and bring back Harris and Wil- 

 ton. We pulled t he boat on shore and walked up toward camp. 



"Are you couvinced now, Wilton?" I said. 



"Yes," he replied, "I am. When you want to run the rapids 

 again I Avill go along with you." 



But Ave had no desire, to come through the falls after our rough 

 experience and the water roared and foamod in vain. 



Two weeks later, when Ave broke camp aud returned home, the 

 last thing which met our eyes, glancing out on the river, Avas the 

 board attached to the chain bobbing up and down among the 

 waA'es. W. M. Graydon. 



THE "FLYING PONTOON." 



Editor Forest find Stream : 



I send you herewith a sketch of a novel craft which 1 am now 

 building for a NeAV York gentleman, Avho has designed her for his 

 OAvn cruising. No boat like her has, to my knowledge, cA-er been 

 built, and probably your canoeing and boating readers will be in- 

 terested in a brief description. Her dimensions are as follows: 

 Length over all, 15ft.; beam at bow, 5ft.; beam amidship, 5ft.; beam 

 at stern, 5ft.; depth of bull amidship, Tin.; draft of waiter in sail- 

 ing trim, 2in. Balance rudder, protected at forward end by half 

 "swallow tail" skag. Sail, the same in area and arrangement as 

 that of canoe Red Jacket. For reducing sail r have entirely dis- 

 carded all reefing tackle or gear. The reefing is done by unship- 

 ping jaws of boom, taking the latter in hand, and rolling it round 

 after the manner of the old fashioned window shade roller. The 

 sail is thus quickly and easily reduced to any desired amount. The 

 main sheet is attached to the boom by a strap becket or grommet 



stretched the foot of the sail in thisAvay. Tho quickness with 

 Avhich the Norwegian stowed his sails, by Avinding them up and 

 unshipping the masts, Avas the eiiA'.v of the owners of our jib-and- 

 ma in sail fleet. .T. 

 Chatham, N. B. 



[The idea has been proposed for a canoe, but has never been 

 Avorked out except as applied to the dandy, which is sometimes 

 reefed by turning the mast by haud. The objection to leg-o'- 

 mutton sails is that the area is too little, and a sprit or yard is 

 necessary to increase it.l 



RESISTANCE EXPERIMENTS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Having experimented with models of pretty much every Bine 

 under 6ft, I have found a modification of Mr. Rushton's method to 

 work well. It is necessary that the boats towed should be as far 

 aft as possible, so as to be aft of the launch's stern-diverging 

 waves, and spread apart enough to a void the water from, propeller. 



To make the conditions for each boat equal, the towing bar (B) 

 —shown in accompanying diagram—is kept on center line by the 

 guys i A A) attached to a ring or tun (C.I. To make the boats travel 



V 



in line I use thin battens (F F) fixed flatwise to decks of boats for 

 2 or oft ., while the free ends are pivoted to the ends of towing bar. 

 If desired, the boats may be held apart by a light rod (G) tied 

 loosely to inner gunwales. E E are pins or marks on gunwales of 

 launch to show when the boats balance. D is a rod slipped through 

 ring of spring scale (H) and is fixed at ends to launch; the other 

 end of scale is hooked over towing bar, or if bar is too large, to a 

 loose ring on B. B is marked off into inches and half inches for 

 lft. each side of center, and the scale is moved along it and D until 

 B is parallel to E E. 

 The diagram represents the apparatus when at rest. 

 As a check on possible inaccuracies, it is Avell to occasionally 

 place the port boat over to the starboard side. James Josephs. 

 1412 Kearney Street, San Francisco, Cal. 



THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF A. C. A. DUES. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Some misunderstanding seems to still exist regarding the policy 

 outlined by the A.C.A. Executive Committee in regard to the Divi- 

 sions, and especially toward the W.C.A. as a Western Division. 

 The resolutions aim at the establishment of the annual dues at 

 SLOP for each member, and no more either to DiAdsion purser, to 

 A.C.A. treasurer or any one else, no assessments or contributions 

 beyond this §1.00. That seems to be clearly stated already, but 

 apparently it was not clearly read. This 81.00 from each member, 

 it was proposed, should be collected by the Division pursers, and 

 from the Division purse, some proportionate part yet to be deter- 

 mined (but say a quarter or a third), should be forwarded to the 

 A.C.A. treasurer for general expenses. Y"our insertion of this 

 statement will he of service to all interested. 

 Albany, March 1, 1887. Robert W. Gibson. 



rope and snap hook at B, Just before reefing, this becket is 

 uusnapped and slipped off. The sail is then rolled around boom 

 as described. Then the becket is passed through whichever of 

 eyelet holes, A, comes to the right spot, again snapped on to the 

 sheet block. The boom jaws are shipped in position, and the 

 reefing is finished by loAvering sail into place. 



L'Eelair (her name) Avill be fitted Avith a Aveather grip, and Ave 

 expect her to outsail anything of her size on harbors, creeks and 

 rivers, or in Avaters suited to the navigation of canoes, sharpies 

 and other small boats. It will be seen by the above description, 

 and from the sketch, that her inverted sheer gives her the same 

 shape and sheer on top as on bottom, Avhile her high flaring coam- 

 ing will throw off all Avater that, may come on her forAvard deck. 

 At bow and stern her ends are brought to a sharp, horizontal 

 edge. On account of her broad bottom, and because of her breadth 

 being retained the entire length of her, we do not expect her to 

 heel in a, strong Avind to any greater extent than a catamaran. 



The advantages of this craft are very high speed, great stiffness 

 and safety, unsinkability, liehtness and light draft, easy rowing, 

 simplicity of rig, and half the first cost of any sneakbox, cruiser, 

 canoe, or other decked sailboat of equal capacity. 



Roslyn. L. L, Jan. 26. • Tho'aias Clarham. 



A SPRING MEET ON THE HUDSON. 



nPHE local or Decoration Day meets on the Hudson have here- 

 J- tofore been informally arranged by those interested, there 

 being no authorized body that could make all 

 arrangements, but one result of the organization 

 of diAisions of the A. O. A. Avill be thc'establish- 

 ment of the Decoration Day meet as a fixture 

 of each division, and under the authority of 

 the division officers. Thus far nothing has been 

 done toward a local meet on the Hudson, but the 

 Shattemuc C. C. are first in the field with the 

 folloAving invitation: 

 Editor Forrxl and Stream: 



As it will he impossible for our members to 

 go to the Eastern Division meet at Haddam 

 Island on May 28, 20 and 30 and believing that 

 many of our neighboring canoeists Avill find 

 themselves in the same position, Ave propose to 

 hold a meet (the Hudson River spring meet) on 

 Croton Point, having obtained permission from 

 the owners to camp there. We hope that all 

 our river canoeists and all others that can 

 come will join us. Our members will try and 

 make all that come as comfortable as possible, 

 the site tor the camp, about \% miles from our village, is a 

 very suitable spot, ha>-ing a good sand beach and a tine place for 

 land terns, with spring water hindy. For our New York and 

 Brdokly brethren it will be very easy to reach here, either bv rail 

 or water, and Ave will do all Ave can in arranging transportation 

 i< p a II that wish it. Our plan is to have camp onen Saturday, Mav 

 28, and to have a suitable programme of races with prizes for 

 Monday, May 30. 



We trust that this will meet Avith approval of those canoeists 

 AA'ho do not intend to go to Haddam Island. 

 Stnc, Sing, Feb. 28. H. M. Carpenter, Purser. 



A NORWEGIAN RIG. 



Editor Forest and Stream; 



None of the various canoe rigs that have been illustrated or 

 described in your columns, within my recollection, is so handv as 

 the rig of a Norwegian ship's boat that was here last summer." It 

 had two leg-o'-mutton sails. The masts were pivoted, and, by 

 means of lines wound around them, could be made to spin around 

 like tops. When sail was to be reduced or taken off altogether, 

 the man at the helm slacked or cast off the sheets, and bv pulling 

 on the proper ropes, wound the sails tightly around the masts with- 

 out leaving his seat. Sail could be instantly shortened on anv 

 Avind without luffing or altering the boat's course. Whv Avould 

 not this be a good racing rig for canoes and canoe yawls? Instead 

 of luffing to squalls part of the sails could be wound up on the 

 masts on their approach and let out at their departure without 



another Norwegian skipper says it is common in his country. The 

 sails were about of equal size. The foresail was without, a boom, 

 and the mainsail had one. The main sheet was bent on the after 

 clew of tho sail and ran loosely through a thimble on the boom, 

 or there was a special rope, within reach of the'helmsman, which 



ROYAL C. C— The following letter has been received by the Sec- 

 retary of New York C. C, from the Secretary of the Roval C. C: 

 "72 Mark Lane, E. C. Feb. 15— C. J. Stevens, Esq., N. Y. C. C— 

 Dear Sir— In the January number of the Canoeist, just to hand, I 

 see you have a notice of the R. C. C. Challenge Cup Race. Mr. 

 Clayton has not renewed his offer of a .£25 prize, but the club 

 always offers a presentation prize, value £5, to the winner of the 

 cup. Our spring meeting takes place next Wednesday, 23d inst., 

 and some important changes are proposed in programme. Anv 

 informatlon respecting date of challenge cup race, etc., I will 

 send you as soon as settled. Hoping that some of your members 

 Avill pay us a Aisit this year Avhen they may be sure of a hearts- 

 welcome, I am, dear sir, yours truly, T. G. F. Winser, Sec." 

 The spring meeting of the Royal C. C. was held on February 23, 

 Captain J. MacGregor presiding. It was decided to hold 'the 

 usual paddling aud sailing races on the Thames, and also a spring 

 camp and a competition for camping prizes. Delegates from the 

 Mersey C. C, Humber Yawl Club and Wear O. C, were present, 

 and after a long discussion it. was decided to bold a general meet 

 on Onlton Broad from July 30 to August 14 inclusive, with open 

 races. 



NEWBURGH CANOE AND BOATING ASSOCIATION.-The 

 second annual meeting was held on March 2, the following officers 

 being elected: Commodore, J. T. YanDalfsen; Vice-Commodore, 

 N. S. Smith; Captain, Henry A. Harrison; Purser. Henrv A. Bart- 

 lett; Member of Executive Committee, H. A. Marvel. The fol- 

 lowing prizes, won last year, Avere presented: Sailing boats, brass 

 boat lantern to the Bub, Messrs. Waring and Smith: canoes, pad- 

 dles and silk pennant, to the Peggy, Grant Edgar, Jr.; rowboats, 

 a silk flag, to the Scylla, Messrs. Bartlett. 



Policy-holders in the Travelers, of Hartford, can rely on its 

 68,055,000 of assets, not on the chance of an assessment.— Adv. 



