STEAM LAUNCH "ELECTRA." 



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Larchniont, Spring. 

 •7. Katrina-Shamrock, N. Y. 



FIXTURES. 



March. 



New York Y. R. A. Meeting, Gilsey House. 



May. 



Yorkville, Opening, Oak Pt. 80. Brooklyn, Open,, Gravesend. 

 June. 



18-20-22. Katrina-Titania. N. Y. 

 20. Monatiquot, Pennant, Ft.Pt. 

 Monatiquot, Opening, Ft. Pt. 22. Beverl y, Mar bleh'd ,1st Chain 

 Corinthian, Marbieliead. 24. Pa vonia. Annual, JerseyCity 

 Seawanhaka, Annual, N. Y. 26. Pleon, Club. 

 Lynn, Club, Lynn. 29. Corinthian, Marbieliead. 



Brooklyn, Annual. 29. Beverly,Mon. Beach,! st Open 



Seawanhaka, 40ft. Class, N.Y 29. Cor. Mosquito Fleet, Larch. 

 July. 



Larchmont, Annual. 13. Lynn, Club, Lynn. 



Beverly, Mon Beach, 1st Buz. 13. Beverly, Mon.Beach,2d Open 



Bay. 13 Corinthian, Marblehead. 



Beverly, Marbleh'd, 1st Cup. 13; Monatiquot, 1st Cham., Ft.Pt 

 Hyde ParJc.Annual,Chicago. 17. Pleon, Club Cruise. 

 Beverly, Marbleh'd, 2d Ciiain 20. Beverly,Marblehead, 2d Cup. 

 Sippiean, Annual, Marion. 24. Pleon, Club. 

 Inter-Lake Y. B. A. Meet, 27. Corinthian. Marblehead. 



Lake Erie. 27. Beverly, Mon. Beach, 2d Buz. 



Knickerbocker, 20ft. craft, Bay. 



Ocean Race. 27. Monatiquot, Club, Ft. Point. 



Seawanhaka, Annual Cruise 31. Pleon, Open. 

 Pleon Club, 1st Cham. 



August. 



Sippiean, Club, Marion. 17. Beverly.Marbleh'd, 3d Cham 

 Beverly, Marbleh'd, 1st Cup. 21. Pleon, 3d Cham. 

 Pleon, 2d Cham. 24. Lynn, Excursion, Lynn. 



Lynn, Club, Lynn. 24. Beverly,Mon. Beached Open. 



Lynn, Ladies' Day, Lynn. 24. Larchmont, Oyster Boats. 

 Corinthian, Marblehead. 24. Corinthian, Marblehead. 

 Monatiquot, 2d Cham.,Ft.Pt. 28. Pleon, Sail off. 

 Monatiquout, Ladies' Day, 31. Beverly, Marbleh'd, 1st Open 

 Fort Point. 31. Sippiean, Club, Marion. 



September. 



2. Lynn, Open, Lynn. 14. Monatiquot, Open, Ft. Point 



2. Beverly, Mon. Beach,2d Open 14. Corinthian, Marblehead. 

 2. Corinthian, Marblehead. 14. Lynn, Club, Lynn. 

 7. Beverly, Marblehead, 3d Cup 21. Beverly, Marbleh'd, Sail Off. 

 7. Larchmont, Fail Annual. 28. Lynn, Club, Lynn. 

 12. Beverly, Mon. Beach, 3d Buz. 



Bay. 



ELECTRA— A CRUISING STEAM LAUNCH. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



A few weeks ago you published a letter from "Pacific," giving 

 an account of his experience in steam launch cruising, and I 

 think some of your readers would bo interested with a brief 

 sketch of one of my numerous exploits in the Electra, an oil-burn- 

 ing launch of 25ft. length over all., 5ft. 6in. beam and drawing 2ft. 

 6in. of water. 



After two years experience with the Electra as an open boat I 

 conceived the idea of a cabin that differs from the usual type 

 from the fact that it is forward of the engine and boiler and "in- 

 closes the most exposed part of the boat when the water is rough 

 or choppy. As will be seen from the inclosed drawings the cabin 

 is 7ft. long and but 2ft. 4in. above the deck, and has nine windows. 

 The three forward sash are glazed with curved glass and the 

 other six are arranged to drop in a pocket, making the cabin airy 

 and comfortable on the hottest day. The interior has two transoms 

 with hair cushions, affording good sleeping accommodations for 

 two persons and a dry and cosy berth in the hardest rain storm. 



A common mistake with most launches is in having an open 

 cockpit forward of the cabin or house, as it soon fills with water 

 when they enter a choppy sea. The cabin was put in the Electra 

 last winter, and has been a decided success, enabling me to travel 

 over water that would have swamped me the year before and 

 without even getting a wet jacket. The Electra can make six 

 and a half knots and keep it up all day. The fuel tanks hold 45 

 gallons and a run of 200 miles can be made without taking water 

 or fuel. 



Last August, in company with my friend the Doctor, I started 

 from Marblehead Harbor for a short cruise to the eastward. As 

 we were obliged to be back in five or six days we thought that if 

 we got as far as Portsmouth, N. H., we would be satisfied. On 

 the morning of Aug. 4, we turned out at 7 o'clock, bed breakfast, 

 cleared away, and after getting a supply of ice and stores we 

 were steaming briskly out past Marblehead Light at 9 A. M. The 

 wind was light from the S.E., and it was raining before we passed 

 Barker's Island, but we were prepared for any kind of weather 

 •and went along comfortably, although the water was quite lumpy 

 ;as we neared Gloucester. I had never been through the canal 



from Gloucester Harbor to Annisquam, and we decided to take 

 advantage of the tide and opportunity and go through, conse- 

 quently our trip was a short one and we were quietly at anchor 

 in the Annisquam River at 11:30 A. M. The Doctor had some 

 friends spending the summer there, so we passed the rest of the 

 day with them. In the evening we enjoyed the cosy, well lighted 

 cabin, when smoking was in order. 



Sunday, Aug. 5, opened clear and warm with hardly a breath of 

 wind, a fact, however, that does not disturb the mind of a steam 

 yachtsman. 



It was just about 10:30 A. M. as we passed out by Annisquam 

 Light, intending to make Old York our next harbor if possible, and 

 use up the rest of our time in dodging the storms (which were un- 

 usually frequent here last season) in getting back to Marblehead. 

 We had the sea smooth as a pond and verv light wind the entire 

 distance, and at 3 P. M. had passed Whaleback Light off Ports- 

 mouth harbor, and at 4 o'clock were anchored in the charming 

 little harbor of York, having made 35 nautical miles without a 

 stop. Our trim little craft attracted the attention of the numer- 

 ous pleasure boats used by the various guests of the hotels, and 

 our preparations for dinner and subsequent banquet seemed to 

 amuse them very much. Our portable table is soon set up in the 

 cabin and the Doctor prepares a dinner of broiled steak and sweet 

 pttatoes, etc., which he declares cannot be equalled at the best 

 hotel ashore. After mailing several letters that were a surprise 

 to our friends of the day before, as we afterward learned, they 

 not dreaming of our being further on our cruise than Rockport 

 we remained aboard the rest of the day and night. 



During the evening there were indications of foul weather, and 

 the next morning Aug. 6 we turned out to find the wind fresh 

 fiom the northeast with plenty of fog and rain and a poor show 

 for a run around Portsmouth. At noon the rain held up and we 

 thought best to take a look outside. We had steam in ten 

 minutes, and at 2:10 P. M. started out of the harbor with a 

 strong ebb tide running out against the heavy sea that kicked up 

 a fearful chop that caused the Electra to stand first on one end 

 then on the other, but by slowing up the engine we went through 

 all tight and after getting clear of the harbor had nothing but a 

 big swell to contend with, so I gave her all steam and we scooted 

 for Portsmouth Light about five miles away, which we were 

 anxious to reach before the fog came in again. It was nip and 

 tuck however, for we were soon convinced that the fog was 

 after us and gaining rapidly, so that just as we made Whale's 

 Back Ligh t at 3 P. M. it was as thick as mud. We had passed the 

 numerous ledges that line the shore between York and this light 

 and were consequently happy, for it was an easy matter to run 

 up the river; and at 3:30 P. M. we had finished our trip for that 

 day and were fast and safe alongside the wharf foot of State 

 street, Portsmouth. We got more showers, the rest of the day 

 and evening but our cabin was dry and comfortable and we felt 

 that our little adventure with the fog and northeast storm was 

 as enjoyable as any trip we had made. 



Tuesday, Aug. 7- Wind N.E. and showery. We made steam at 

 10 A. M. and ran up the river to Dover Point, and in the afternoon 

 ran down to Kittery Point and anchored ma delightful little cove 

 that seemed to please the Doctor very much. 



Wednesday, Aug. 8, opened cloudy, with a light east wind but 

 indications of clearing weather. We left our anchorage at 6:40 A. 

 M., Portsmouth Light at 6:50 and steered south for Cape Ann. 

 The run across to Rockport was made without any r trouble, at 

 11:15 we passed Straitsmouth Island Light and made Eastern Point 

 at 12:30 P. M. As we had another day left to get back to Marble- 

 head and had made a run of 37 miles, we concluded to remain 

 over night at Gloucester, and after getting a fish at the market we 

 came to anchor and a first-class fish chowder was quickly tucked 

 away under our jackets. 



Thursday, Aug. 9— Another foggy morning. It cleared at noon 

 and we got steam for our final run to Marblehead. which we 

 reached at 2 P. M. Our trip had been so enjoyable, notwithstand- 

 ing the bad weather, that we would gladly have prolonged it, and 

 could have gone as far as Mt. Desert very comfortably if we had 

 had two weeks more time. 



I think but few yachtsmen are aware of the comfort and pleas- 

 ure one can have in a small steam yacht properly equipped, and 

 the distance that can be made during the summer months is on 

 an average as great as that made by the largest sailing vacht. 

 the days that a sailing yacht can make a run of 50 or 60 miles are 

 rare. 



I made the run from Marblehead Light to Portsmouth alone on 

 Aug. 29 in seven hours, and returning Sept. 9 from Portsmouth 

 Light to City Point, Boston, between the hours of 6 A. M. and 6 

 P. M.. stopping two hours at Marblehead. A C F 



NEW ROCHELLE Y C.-The annual meeting of the New 

 Rochelle Y. C. was held at the Hotel Brunswick on March 4. 

 Clinton H. beeley, sloop Psyche, was elected commodore by 15 

 votes to Charles Pryor's 13. The other officers elected were: 

 yice-Com., Z Edwards Lewis; Rear Com., William F. Abbett; 

 Sec, R. C. Eddy; Treas., Eugene Lambden; Meas., George C. Foe- 

 ter. Trustees, C. S. Odell, John Hardman, Charles Pryor. House 

 Committee, W. H. Wilmarth, J. W. Rough, Joseph W. Gibson, 

 Committee on Admission, H. S. Pratt, H. Thompson, Charles E. 

 Bateson. Law Committee, Walter Large and Charles H. Noxon. 

 The club decided not to join the New York Yacht Racing Asso- 

 ciation. ^ 



INTERNATIONAL YACHTING. 



THOUGH there is nothing known in yachting circles that 

 would indicate a challenge for the America's Cup this year, 

 the daily papers of New York and Boston are busily at work 

 over all manner of stories. Every Saturday the cables bring a 

 batch of alleged news, which is displayed at length in the Sunday 

 papers. Last week was no exception, and we read of the sale of 

 Thistle, her alteration to a centerboard boat, and a positive chal- 

 lenge, from her, also of challenges from Lord Dunraven, possibly 

 from Mr. Sidney Watson, owner of the new yawl, and also from 

 an Australian yacht. One enterprising daily has lately put its 

 British murder expert, a gentleman who has done some excellent 

 detective work in connection with several famous murder?, on 

 the track of possible challengers, but thus far with no great suc- 

 cess. This correspondent has put his employers to the expense of 

 a trip from London to Southampton and also for nearly a column 

 cable dispatch, merely to impart a verv badly garbled story of 

 Mr. Walter Reeks and a possible Australian challenge, telling 

 nothing that has not been known in New York or Boston for three 

 months. Among other valuable information gathered ahou ; 

 Southampton is the news that Lord Dunraven's new cutter is to 

 be 65ft. on waterline and 100ft. over all. 



As to facts, it is very certain that Thistle was not sold up to a 

 very short time. Last fall the idea of buying her and making 

 some alterations with a view to a challenge was entertained by a 

 British yachtsman, hence the letter to the New York Y. C, but 

 this idea has been abandoned. It is very probable that Thistle 

 will be sold at the first opportunity, as she could not be used by 

 tiie syndicate which built and still owns her, nearly every mem- 

 ber of which owns one or more yachts himself , and also there 

 are the business details, which can only be settled by her sale. 

 Even if she has heen sold within the last few weeks, as reported, 

 there is not the least reason to expect that she will be used for 

 other than home racing or cruising. A statement cabled last 

 week, that she is to be rigged as a yawl, indicates the latter ob- 

 ject. When she was in this country Mr. Watson had the plans 

 for her interior fitting completed, and brought them over with 

 him, so that it would take but little time and money to convert 

 her into a very comfortable cruiser. 



As to a challenge from Lord Dunraven, it is no secret that he 

 has been for some time anxious to challenge for the Cuo, but 

 so far as is known here he is not likely to come out this season 

 with a new and untried boat, especially as the story now runs 

 that she is to be built with a centerboard trunk, the slot being 

 filled with lead, in which condition she will be tried against 

 Yarana in the early races, afterward being fitted with a center- 

 board and tried again. Though her dimensions are not known as 

 yet she will probably be about Yarana's length, 66ft. l.w.l.. and 

 thus will come in the class with Katrina, Shamrock and Titauia. 

 As matters stand, now that the new deed of "keeps" has been 

 temporarily laid aside in hopes of courting a challenge this vear, 

 it is possible that one may be received prior to the middle of 

 April, or possibly that even the six months notice itself may be 

 waived in favor of a challenge in the summer, but at the same 

 time there seems now little likelihood of a race this year. The 

 last issue of the Field contains an advertisement of Thistle for 

 sale. 



CYTHERA AS A RACER.— The fate of Cythera recalls to 

 mind some stirring times of big cutter racing, and particularly of 

 her visit to the Solent in 1874, and her fine set-to there with the 

 Kriemhilda aud Arrow to windward in a hard wind. Krienihilda 

 eventually came in first and won, but Cythera was by no means 

 disgraced by the part she played as second fiddle in the match. 

 The trio were in close company all through the match, Kriem- 

 hilda leadiug, the duration of the memorable race over the fifty 

 miles course being: 



Kriemhilda 5 01 40 Arrow 5 05 31 



Cythera 5 02 30 Neva 5 15 03 



After this Cythera sailed two matches at Ryde in a wild wind, 

 and won prizes, Kriemhilda was not among the competitors. 

 Her owner, Mr. David Richardson, raced her for four seasons, 

 and was undeniably successful, as she proved a large prize win- 

 ner. Out of her 25 prizes no fewer than 3 were Queen's cups, and 

 oddly enough each of these were won in Dublin Bay— two in the 

 regattas of the Royal St. George's Yacht Club, and one in the re- 

 gatta of the Royal Irish. Her record is as follows: 

 Year. No. of Starts. No. of Prizes. Value. 



1874 13 9 £625 



1875 11 8 515 



1877 8 4 190 



1878 ._9_ 4 345 



Total 41 25 £1,675 



CRUISING.-Alva, Mr. W. K. Vauderbilt, sailed from^Ber- 

 muda on Feb. 9, and reaching Nice on Feb. 27, touching at Ma- 

 deira and Algiers.... Sagamore, steam yacht, Mr. J. W. Slater, 

 arrived at Jacksonville from Nassau on Feb. 28. Coronet, R. T. 

 Bush, arrived 'at Malta on March 3. 



SEAWANHAKA CORINTHIAN Y. C.-The second regular 

 meeting will be held on March 9, at 8:30 P. M. Several important 

 amendments to the rules will be considered. 



NEW YORK Y. R. A.-The meeting of delegates to the New 

 York Y. R, A. will he held at the Gilsey House on March 8, at 8 



