FOREST AND ST^fiAM. 



[Oct. 6, 18921 



SAIL PLAN OF FISHING SCHOONER. 



The Dismasting of the Truant. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In your issue of Sept. la I notice you have inserted a portion of an 

 article from a San Francisco paper referrinerto a cruise of ttie Corin- 

 tliian Y. C. and the loss of the mast of the cat sloop Truant, which is 

 quite misleaalng and if unexplained would surely be considered as 

 not very comphmentary to ttie designer, Mr. W. D. Bacon, of Barn- 

 stable, Jlass. On the trip referred to several of our fleet came to 

 grief, owing to a strong breeze and heavy sea, but in reading the 

 article one might infer that the Truant had met with a "series of dis- 

 asters," and that her rig led to this result. 



At tne lime the contract was given to build the boat a cedar stick 

 was ordered from Washington Ter., having been unable to find one 

 hereabouts of tbe required dimensioos. Upon Its arrival it was found 

 badly twisted and was condemned by the ouilder and a spruce stick 

 used, the builder remarking at tne time that "it was not suitable but 

 would answer for a season or two." For a socket for the spinaker 

 boom a band was made reaching one half way around the mast, 

 fltDed about fcln. above the deck, and held in place by six 23^in. 

 screws. After saUing the boat for over fifteen months the mast 

 "went by the board," breaking short oft at the point where the 

 screws had weakened tbe stick. No shrouds were used, as mentioned 

 m the anicle, but the mast was stepped as designed and as is cus- 

 tomary with this type of boat on the Atlantic coast. In my opinion 

 It was not the fault of the rig, but because a suitable stick could not 

 be had, and the mistake of weakening the mast by using the screws 

 at a point where most of the strain came. Mr. Bacon made no ob- 

 jection to reduciog the canvas, other tuan advising me that I must 

 not expect tne boat to saU very fast in light weather. I think it is 

 the experience of every one in building a boat to find that it is im- 

 possiDie to oDtain a perfect type suitable for all purposes, cruising, 

 racing, aeep and shadow water and all kinds of weather. It is not 

 claimed that the catboat comes up to all of these requirements. The 

 type has its faults as well as the aeep draf c, heaviiy- weighted keel 

 boats. For an all around boat suitable for San Francisco Bay, with 

 its variable winds and shallow waters, I have found the Truant all 

 that could be asked for. She is an able sea boat, stands up well un- 

 der her canvas, and experience has proven that she is tne fastest 

 boat of her inches, --blow high or low," ever launched in these wa- 

 ters. 1 can understand why the writer of the article, with no love 

 for Che rig, snoula make such a circumstance of the loss of the mast, 

 but it he will take "poc luck" with me whenever It suits his conven- 

 ience, 1 am quite sure he wdl return home satisfied that the Truant 

 is as good, it not a superior, sea boat to other yachts hereabouts. 



KAN iiRANOisco, Oal., Sept. 28. j. w. Pew. 



Anchors for Small Yachts. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



terhaps some of your correspondents will give us their views on 

 the bUDject of ancnors, the oesc kind and the best method of stowing, 

 on small bodts, say 4(J-tooters and smaller. 



The -(Jhester" anchor with several flukes, which when not in use 

 shut up and are neid by a guard ring, appears to he deficient in 

 holding capacity, and in the course of some experiments in which 

 the writer recently assisted the reason of this iacapacity appeared 

 to be [hat it always presented two flukes to the mud and at the un- 

 fortunate angle represented by the feet of the letter "A" i. e. not 

 veriical as in the case of the bingle flukes of a regular fisherman's 

 ancnor. With the same amount of scope it was easy to drag it over 

 a bOLtom marked "stky" and consisting of mud and long grass, while 

 the fisherman's anchor sank deep mto the mud and could not be 

 Stirred. If a man wished to avoid sinking into a marsh he could not 

 whUe btandmg do belter than copy the letter "A." If he wished to 

 sink in he would stand on one foot. 



What musD be tne temper of one whose duty it is to haul up and 

 stow a big fisherman's anchor in the cramped space forw"ard on a 

 six beam .30ft. cutter midst the thrashing of both staysail and jib- 

 sheets, and tne behowmg of the man at the wheel. Job's reputation 

 tor patience is not safe unless ii can be asceriained whether he was 

 a sauor, and wnetner he had been ihrougn this mill. Or perhaps he 

 was a land luDuer and had been througn this mill, unUke the writer 

 coniinumg at it day by day m suence, then surely nothing could 

 deteat his title. 



1 am told that the Trinity Corporation, which looks after light 

 houses on the coast of Kugiand, usCs an anchor of tne regula.ion 

 shape ont with one fluRe. Xhis leaves nothing above ground to foul 

 the warp and weiguts or Dalances tne ancnor when uropped, so Inat 

 ic strikes Dotcom duke down. One less fluRe on deck for Job to stub 

 His toe ou IS a consideration nc beneath notice. 



Are there any dUau vantages or dangers in using such an anchor? 



. H. W. G, W. 



The Seawanhaka-Coriaihiau y. C. has secured the steamer Alber- 

 lina for the use of the njemoers of the elub on Oct. 11, and tickets 

 may be h^d pf the steward at the club house, 



Semiramis. 



We are indebted to Le Yacht for tbe above cut of the steam yacht 

 Semiramis, whose plans appeared in the Fore.st and Stream of 



May 7, 1S91. The yacht, which was designed by Mr. Alfred H. Brown, 

 has recently been sold to a French lady: Mme. Lebaudy, and will 

 sail under the French flag. 



The New Carroll Yacht. 



The Boston Herald is responsible for a sensational story concern - 

 ing the large racing yacht now building at Herreshoff's, Its leading 

 features being the ownership of the new yacht by 3Ir. Archibald 

 Rogers, the naturalization of Capt. Chas. Barr, with the assistance 

 of the Herald reporter, in order that she may be sailed by an Ameri- 

 can skipper, and the despatch of Itr. Royal Phelps Carroll to Eng- 

 land to arrange matches for the Cape May and Brenton Reef cups. 

 As a matter of fact, Mr. Rogers and Capt. Barr have nothing to do 

 with the new yacht, and her owner, Mr. Carroll, is now in Newport; 

 but there is one item of truth in the story. The yacht, which has 

 been announced as a 90ft. schooner, will be of only 81ft. l.w.l., and 

 will come out as a cutter, though provision will be made in building 

 tor a couvei'.sion to the schooner rig at any time. 



As was announced some time since, Mr. Carroll is carrying out the 

 idea which he has entertained for several years, of taking an Ameri- 

 can yacht across the Atlantic both for the regular racing ol the 

 British fleet and to challenge for the two American cups now held 

 abroad. 



Nearly a year ago the Forest and Stream suggested such an expe- 

 dition by an American yachcscaan as not only a suitable relm-n for 

 the many visits made by British yacbts to this side, but as one hkely 

 to afford plenty of sport and lo result very successfully. 



The rules and restrictions which once prevented American yachts 

 from racing in British waters have some time since been removed, 

 and there is no reason why an American yachtsman should not look 

 for fair and courteous treatment. 



At the same time there never was a better chance of succes than 

 now, when the Herresholl craft have won on both sides of tbe Atlan- 

 tic. The two existing racers of the larger size, Iverna and Oleteor, 

 are by no- means up to the present standard, and would have a very 

 poor show beside a new boat by Herreshoff, Watson, Payne or Fife. 

 AS to the new British yachts, tbe largest are but 40-rating, r)9ft. l.w.l. 

 by 14 to left, beam, and not likely to save their time from a newer 

 and larger craft. 



In all probability the »ew yacht will be met with something near 

 her size, although the tendency abroad, as with us, has been toward 

 smaller yachts for racing. Neither Iverna nor Meteor are likely to 

 be in the racing next year should anything new be built during the 

 winter, and it is not improbable that their owners, both keen yachts- 

 men, may build. In any event, Mr. Carroll's venture, if carried out, 

 is likely to cause a more or less brief revival of the larger racing 

 class, and to afford good sport next season. 



The America Cup. 



A LETTER from Lord Dum-aven is now in the hands of the New 

 york Y. C. and though its contents will not be made pubhc until 

 after the next meeting of the club, it is known that it contains a 

 notiflcation of an inteotiou to challenge for the America Cup, pro- 

 vided the present terma are changed. A, special meetiog of the club 

 will be held on Monday next to copsider the matter. 



Rhode Island T. C. 



The Rhode Island Y. C. is making preparations for an elaborate 

 ending of the season, as told in the following general orders: 



Flagship Vbrena, I 

 Off CLr^ House, Pawtuxbt, Sept. 26, 1892. f 



General Orers No 3. 



In accordance with the quite general sentiment of the captains 

 and club members, the fleet is requested to rendezvous off the club 

 house, Pawtuxet, on the morning of Friday, Oct. 7, to participate in 

 a short cruise, regatta and clambake, to "wind up" the season. 



The starting gun will be fired promptly at 12 o'clock noon, and a 

 run made to Potter's Cove. A trophy for winner of the run is 

 offered. 



Saturday, Oct. 8, there will be a regatta over the Potter's Cove 

 coui'&e, with prizes for all classes. 



Sunday, Oct. 9, the club will be delivered into the hands of the 

 "Potter's Cove Committee," who will undertake to break all previous 

 records in tbe matter ot a clambake. 



The Full Moon, which has heretofore graced the club's occasions 

 with her presence, will again contribute to the general joy. 



TheCommodoi-e takes this opportunity to congratulate the club on 

 this most successful season, and to express his personal appreci- 

 ation of the assistance given him by captains and members generally 

 in the performance of the duties of the office witb which he has been 

 honored. He hopes to meet all hands on board the flagship at Pot- 

 ter's Cove, Friday evening, Oct. 7. 



By order of Commodore Austin. 



Charles H. Howland, Fleet Captain. 



Olympic Y. C, Sept. 24. 



south BROOKLYN— new YORK BAY. 



The second annual regatta of the Olympic Y.C. was sailed on Sept. 

 24, the times being: 



CLASS A — CABIN SLOOPS. 



Start. Finished. Elapsed. 



Sadie Brown 12 28 00 Withdrew. 



Nellie W 12 32 00 6 01 00 5 29 00 



Blackjack ,..12.31 40 3 37 30 5 05 50 



CLASS B— CABIN .SLOOPS. 



Little Edgeete 12-28 50 5 21 50 4 53 00 



Rene Louise 12 32 10 5 58 45 4 26 35 



Swallow 12 29 50 5 38 45 5 08 .55 



Cricket 12 33 45 5 25 45 4 63 00 



Fanny K 12 31 00 5 22 45 4 51 '45 



CLASS C — CATS. 



Colombo 12 39 25 4 53 10 4 13 45 



Village Bell 12 38 10 4 52 45 4 13 35 



Jessie H 12 38 45 5 27 43 4 46 58 



CLASS D— SLOOPS. 



Margaretta C 12 48 25 5 41 25 4 35 00 



Lady Ella -12 49 20 5 42 55 4 53 35 



CLASS E-CATS. 



Bye-Bye 1 01 45 3 42 45 2 41 00 



Ajax 12 59 40 4 54 45 3 54 47 



Dimple 1 02 20 3 56 30 2 53 52 



Katie F 12 58 30 Did not finish. 



Goodenough 12 59 10 Did not flnish. 



The regatta committee were Messrs. Owen Fay, A. MuUer. Robert 

 Orr, Paul Steeley and J. R. Sipp . 



Alva. 



The recent storms have damaged the wrecked Alva so badly, heel- 

 ing her on to her starboard side and smashing her keel and deck, 

 that the wreckers have decided to abandon the work, and the wreck 

 will probably be destroyed by the Government, as it is in a very 

 dangerous position. The local inspectors have rendered a decision 

 adverse to Capt. Morrison. 



The Customs authorities of Chicago have discovered that they had 

 no anthority for their threat to inflict a floe on the steam yacht 

 Lurline because of the absence of her name in 4in. letters on each 

 bow, and the matter has been dropped. The over-officious captain 

 of the revenue cutter Andy Johnson is evidently unaware of the 

 faUure of the attempt of ex-Commissioner of Navigation Bates to 

 apply to iJleasure craft all tne restrictions imposed by law on mer- 

 chant vessels, including the painting of the name on each bow. As 

 a matter of justice to yacbtsmen in all places, the oflScers to whom 

 are intrusted the eof orcement of the laws should be compelled to 

 fully post themselves as to the exact nature of their duties. 



