Oct. 30, 1892.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



a4g 



HELIGOLAND FISHING BOAT. 



Heligoland Fishing' Boat. 



We are indebted to the Wasaersport for the accompanying design 



of a shoal draft Bshiug boat used aboWtbe island of Heligroland. tbe 

 leeboard being used, as in the Dutch yacht recently illustrated. 



A Gunning Cruise on Lake St. Clair. 



The evening of Tuesday, Sept. 16, 189- found us aboard the snug 

 little cruis ing sloop Jasmin with supplies for Ave days, guns and 

 fishing tackle to our heart's content, and a large supply of happiness 

 in antjcipatiou of the glorious sport sure to be encountered in cruis- 

 ing about St. Clair Lake and Flats. 



Our party would have been larger if "Old Prob" had not given us a 

 few very cold days and nights just previous; as it »vas, we were only 

 half on time at roll call. However, Tom came up smiling. No wind 

 too cold or rain too wet to lieep him away when the Jasmin has 

 her anchor catted and burgee at her mast head. The wind was just 

 coming out of the west as we hoisted mainsail and got the stops oil 

 staysail, swung out and laid our first i-eaoh for the quiet water under 

 the lee of Raft Point at the head of Belle Isle Park. Starting from our 

 anchorage we have a three-mile current, and the wind being very 

 light, our progress was limited. The Jasmin is what is generally 

 called a compromise, draft 3ft. 6in. at sternpost on a 26ft. leadline, 

 therefore the current had about an even thing on the wind, and in 

 spite of ballooning out spinaker and setting topsail it was a question 

 for an hour whether it would be Raft Point or making a new draw in 

 the Park bridge. However, at about Q:SO the wind made a start, and 

 we did at the same time. In five minutes Tom was all mixed up in 

 topsail halliards, spinaker boom and backstays, a sudden gust heeled 

 us down, rail under, and everything light was cast ofC with a run. It 

 seemed a question as to which would come out on top, but Tom Is 

 just the man for such a hole and the boom was soon lying snugged 

 up, topsail stowed, stays brought home, and every line coiled up in 

 apple pie order just as we were rounding the point. 



The wind had settled steady, and was coming down strong. We 

 held up for about a half mile, then came to and got our dinghy 

 aboard and lashed down and not any too soon, as quite a sea was 

 making, so that every jump in the pitchy darkness seemed going 

 10ft. up. Before swinging off again we took a reef in our mainsail 

 and set small staysail. The 10 minutes head on bad gotten us nicely 

 Uvened up, and had wetted things down so that kings could not have 

 been happier. As we came about and got under way Tom discovered 

 that our port side light seemed ready to so out. It was a second's 

 work to unship it and see that the top of the wick was charred off 

 as though the oil was out, which seemed strange, as we had con- 

 cluded they were at least three-quarters full before starting, or quite 

 enough to burn 12 hours. On going below and unscrewing the top 

 the trouble was soon apparent. Somebody had cut the wick about 

 half an inch below the top and let it fall back in the oil, then smeared 

 the top piece well and screwed it up again. 



When we were abreast of Wind Mill Point Light, Lake St, Clair 

 seemed rather black, and as several small schooners were lying to 

 we decided that the morning would be time enough to make a start 

 across. We hauled up a point and made a run for the head of Peche 

 Island, intending to anchor in the lee until morning and have a good 

 night's rest. On gettine where we expected a haven we found others 

 ahead of us, and from the number of anchor lis-hts thought there 

 must have been a fleet of wood scows blown over from Grosse Pointe 

 to keep us out. We were not long in deciding that there would be no 

 fun in lying so far out, so ran back across to the bay at Edgewood 

 Park. Getting once more abreast of the Light we doused mainsail 

 and ran binder staysail until Tom made "six feet with the pike pole," 

 then let go anchor and found it was just 11 o'clock, and that we were 

 as wet from the spray as though it had been raining. Ten minutes 

 was enough to make things snug on deck, get our spare a nchor 

 where it would be handy if needed, and go below. 



Drawing the hatch cover and throwing off our wet clothes was 

 soon accompUshed. A good rub with crash towels and then into dry 

 clothes made us feel that kings were missing the real pleasures of 

 life, and that the man who first called yachting royal sport 

 ought to be here to help us empty our mugs of hot toddy and stow 

 away om* sandwiches. After lunch was over and our beds got out 

 and made ready, we went on deck again for a few moments, found 

 the anchor holding all right, put down our dragging weight, un- 

 screwed the top of anchor light, to make sure it was not cut, and 

 then turned in to a sleep that only comes to him who leaves cares at 

 home and makes the boat bis kiogdom. 



Wednesday, Sept. It .—Ayfoke at 6:80, and found Tom still curled 

 up and cosy, could hear a patter on deck that spoke more than 

 words. Went on deck and found that during the night the wind bad 

 shifted to east and was coming up strong, so that our berth would 

 soon be uncomfortable, our friends the wood scows over at Peche 

 Island had already gotten a way, and with the exception of a lumber 

 "town'' going down we were quite alone. 



Just got to washing deck when Tom came up, rubbing his eyes. All 

 was soon ship-shape, and after consultation it was decided to have 

 breakfast, take our sand bags ashore and fill them up so as to get 

 down to good saihng trim and then start for the canal. 



We had the Jasmin fitted with sand bags to stow under the cock- 

 pit floor, which enabled us to make a change in her draft for light 

 wind and river work and stow some SOOlbs. more for lake and outside 



trips, an arrangement vrhich makes some little extra wort, yet 

 amply repays. 



Breakfast was soon made of broiled steak and toast, done over a 

 charcoal stove, while Tom made coffee and boiled potatoes on the oil 

 stove, and such a breakfast, or, rather say, such appetites, and such 

 steak. A charcoal stove is one of the most outlandish things to 

 have aboard, always a mess of dirt, but then who wouldn't put up 

 with dirt and a great many other inconveniences to have such a 

 broil. I have many a time broiled a black bass, baked potatoes, 

 stewed coffee and had everything come on steaming in twenty 

 minutes, and any one who has once tasted a king bass under such 

 circumstances will smack his lips and feel bis mouth water on think- 

 ing of it; there is a flavor that cannot be gotten from an oil .•^tove 

 and a crispness that would make a French chef Turn green. 



Breakfast over and the rain having stopped we launched the dinghy 

 and went ashore, filled our ballast bags just at the water edge of 

 Edgewood Park, wondered if Mr, M, would object to giving away 

 such nice clean real estate, as he never has been known to sell any, 

 and pulled back, got up anchor and under way at ll o'clock. 



Passed the tlrosse Pointe club house at 12 and stood over for the 

 canal, had a very light wind and were running close-hauled to got 

 in the piers. Nothing occurred going over, wind held light with the 

 day hazy and threatening; at 5 o'clock we found it would be neces- 

 sary to make a tack to go up the canal, so we decided to go in by the 

 old channel and haul up in the bay to be ready for some ducking in 

 the morning; reached a good anchorage about three miles above the 

 canal in 5ft. of water, aud snugged up for a quiet evening. Over- 

 hauling guns and getting light tackle in shape for the morning, made 

 a good supper oif a 31b. pound bass Tom had gotten on the trolling 

 spoon just before dark and turned in at 9 o'clock. 



Thursday at 4:30 a chir-r-r-r-r made us both grab for the pest at 

 the same time, store it on the bunk under a blanket until the racket 

 was over and make good time getting our lunch: 5 o'clock found us 

 on our way in the dinghy to what seemed a good spot about a mile 

 below. The morning was quite chilly with a fog coming up and 

 seemea fit for anything but a good shoot. Some trouble was ex- 

 perienced setting decoys, owiue to fouling weeds and tangling the 

 hues, but just as it was beginning to turn light we had things in 

 shape to fool the sharpest old mallard that might come our way and 

 we did not have long to wait. The first that ca,m.e were hluebills 

 and althongh they came from a quarter we were not looking out for 

 it was a tally each. Had ive been expecting them from back in the 

 marsh it would have easily been two each. Then a pair came just as 

 we wanted them to, slacked up and began to settle to our decoys, 

 and we each added another. 



Thirty minutes passed and all was quiet, so far as ducks w'as con- 

 cerned, but from the steady bang, bang, below we knew somebody 

 else was having sport; we were beginning to get weary just as a 

 nice flock of maUards passed up out of reach, then almost behind 

 them came a couple of stray ones that stayed with us ; w'e pulled 

 out to retrieve and lost a good shot at two more wuo made a very 

 sudden turn for the river on seeing us. 



After thirty minutes more waiting and nothing to show for it we 

 pulled out and went up to the fishing ground. "Rods finished the 

 morning's sport, and on returning to the boat we countad six ducks, 

 four bass, two of them 3 pounders, and eleven perch— a good morn- 

 ing's work and quite an addition to our larder. 



Now came the meal of the day. We roasted a duck and two small 

 bass in the same pan, with dry-bread dressing, broiled four perch, 

 fried potatoes, made coffee, and had bread and butter. As we sat 

 one on each side of the table, with everything hot and appetizing, a 

 meal was made that lacked nothing in its completeness. The morn- 

 ing sport was again enjoyed as we talked it over and plans dis- 

 cussed for next day. When breakfast was over and things cleaned 

 up and in place it was t'2 o'clock, and we agresd that a quiet snooze 

 was about the next thing after such a meal. 



At 4 o'clock v/e were awakened by the hatch cover being pushed 

 back and a head appearing in the opening. A loud "Jasmin ahoy" 

 and we were on our feet welcoming some friends who had come up 

 for a day 's fishing. 



We were soon seated in the cabin and exchanging experiences. 

 They had nearly fifty perch, ranging from % to nearly Slbs. weight, 

 and'seven 31b. bass, the catch from 9 o'clock to 3::J0 for four rods; 

 and still they keep saying that the fishing is not so good as it was 

 two years ago. Well, I agree that this is not any such numbers as 

 have been caught, but the time of year, weather and all things con- 

 sidered it ought still to be enough to satisfy any but a genuine 

 "fish hog." 



Thej- were weU pleased with the catch and all were sorry that they 

 could not accept our invitation to stop over until nexc day and try 

 it again. After a lunch of fried perch and baked potatoes we got 

 into the boats and started for Star Island Honse. There was quite a 

 chop sea on, which necessitated our dividing up three in each boat, 

 and made slow work of rowing. It was 6 o'clock as we puUed up at 

 Star Island landing; supper was just being called, so after taking a 

 promenade around the island a few times to limber up our legs we 

 all went ui to try Mr. Slocum's bill of fare once more. 



It was as usual, first-class. About two hundred guests at one time 

 in the dining-room, most oif whom had come up on the afternoon 

 boat to return in the evening. This is the place to come for a fish 

 supper and to meet your fishing friends. Anything in the fish line 

 can be had here and in best shape, and as Mr. S. is always on hand, 

 one may be sure of the best attention. Supper over, we took another 

 walk around the grounds and sa^w our friends take the down boat for 

 the city. 



After seeing the boat enter the canal we turned and went into the 

 hotel office to look up some brother yachtsmen whom we had caught 

 sight of in the dining-room. Found' several royal good Corinthians 

 and also a few veranda yachtsmen, and had a very enjoyable even- 

 ing, with some good cigars and some very interesting race talk, most 

 of the hoys being anxious to pick up a race vrith an old timer that has 

 rather surprised some of them in the way it has been necessary to 

 look when you wished to see her. A lew hundred pounds of lead 

 placed where it will do the most good makes a great difference in the 

 sailing of some boats. 



Ten o'clock coming on reminded us that we had three miles to go 

 before turning in, so good-nights were quickly over, and as we took 

 our place in the dinghy Tom touched a veiy tender spot in my heart 

 by saying, "Mack, don't you wish we hai brought the Jasmin and 

 anchored over the river?'' We don't very often care about a three 

 or even five-mile run up here: but after dark and in a chop sea -well, 

 of courae there are some disagreeable thmgs in yachting as well as 

 any other sport. 



After passing through the cut and getting out in open water we 

 made good time, Tom rowing and I with a three-foot paddle, we 

 made a beeline for om- anchor light, got aboard and found things all 

 right, and was just starting to turn in as Tom chimed out, "WeU, 

 ain't you going to have some lunch?" I admit to being a fair eater, 

 but draw the Ime at four times a day; so left Tom rattling the pans, 

 rolled up, and was soon asleep. 



Was awakened by Tom at 5 o'clock, slept so soundly that I had not 

 heard the alarm, and it has been a question in my mind whether 

 Tom did or not, although he claims he did; audi seemed so happy 

 he did not want to awaken me. He had a cup of coffee and hot 

 toast made, guns and tackle in the boat and was all ready to start, so 

 we made quick work of the lunch and were soon on the way to 

 Lower Point. We had to hurry, but 6 o'clock found us all settled, 



and no sooner had our guus ready than we had the pleasure of stop- 

 ping three fat mallards, Tom getting two of them, I one and scoring 

 a clean miss. On looking around we found that on our left and not 

 over 100yds. away quite a party of Bushmere Club folks bad built a 

 blind and brought out some ladies to enjoy the fun, and good fun it 

 was, too. We could hear their shouts and laughter at every miss,' 

 and applause at the good shots, and then the hush as the ducks were 

 sighted. It was new experience to us, the idea of going ducking with 

 women would paralyze a great many shooters, but our neighbors 

 got a good return for almost every shot, and the amount of laughing 

 must have done them an inestimable amount of good. 



Eight o'clock found us with seven mallards, four bluebills and a 

 large gull. So we took up our decoys and left the grounds to our 

 noisy friends. On starting up we put out the trolling spoon, and be- 

 fore going half a mile had a .Slbs. pickerel, and on reaching the boat 

 made a circle in hopes of getting another, but to no purpose. 



After making a good breakfast we concluded to have a sail, so the 

 anchor was soon up and everything ready for a spin across the quiet 

 waters of the bay. The wind was light and steady, with just enough 

 sea to make it interesting; so we started ofl: without any place in 

 view or any time to get there. Tom was at tlie stick, which meant a, 

 quiet, easy sail. Our first run was down past the old channel lights, 

 leaving them to port and standing well over into Anchor Bay, then 

 we came about and stood over the ship course, taking in the delight- 

 ful autumn breeze that was blowing and enjoying a clear sun with 

 blue sky accompaniments. 



Three o'clock found us well over in Belle River Harbor on the 

 Canadian side, and as our appetites had been growing for the last 

 hour at an alarming rate we concltided this would be a good place to 

 try what the cook had for dinner, so we came to in the wind, dropped 

 anchor, took in staysail and had the stoves on deck and burning 

 brightly in less time than a regular mechanic would consume in cat- 

 ting kindling. 



Tom had been talking about a French dish that he had tried while 

 at the "Grosse Point Frog Club'' social and so we concluded to try 

 and meet it or go one better. Our largest pan, holding four quarts, 

 was put on the charcoal fire and soon boihng, two ducks cleaned and 

 quartered put in, boiled for thirty minutes, then potatoes,two onions, 

 two turnips cut into .slices and one carrot put in, and ten minutes 

 after about two pounds of piecrust rolled in balls the size of potatoes 

 was dropped in and the whole thing kept boiling for fifteen minutes 

 longer. Coffee, bread and butter and hardtack completed the lay- 

 out. When we came to try it the result was eminently satisfactory, 

 and uothing was left in the pan. 



Five o'clock found us with dinner over, cleaned up and discussing 

 plans for the next twenty-four hours. It was deciced to take a run 

 back to the canal. Seemed as though we couldn't mink of calling it 

 a trip without having another morning with the ducks and fish. 



Anchor was weighed, staysail set, and the wind being very light 

 topsail was put up and preparations made for another quiet sail. 

 This being the skipper's trick Tom stretched out on the cushions, 

 pulled a blanket over him and was soon fast asleep, but it was not 

 for long as it began to get thick and the compass had to be broughr 

 up, soundings made and watch kept forward. 



At 10 o'clock we were in sight of the canal lights, and at 11:30 en- 

 tered the lower end just as the big Jewett came out. passed up and 

 struck topsail opposite the lower club house and came to anchor 

 about three-quarters of a mile above the canal, on the Canadian side 

 of the channel; soon had things all snug, anchor light up, and went 

 below for our last lunch and bunk aboard for two weeks at the least. 



Saturday at 4:30 our reliable old pest got us out with a jump; this 

 morning was the first time I ever knew Tom to lie still and let me 

 get on deck before he was up. He explained by saying that a beau- 

 tiful dream was just passing his mind, so much so that he could not 

 bear to break it even at the risk of his reputation as an early riser, 

 and he hoped it would come true. On asking for a description he 

 answered by saying, "There could be no descripi ion given." Now. 

 that rather excited mv curiosity, and of course I begged for an ex- 

 planation, when Tom looked straight at me, winked his left optic and 

 quietly remarked; "Thought I heard you say 'Tom, old boy, suppose 

 we make another week of it.' " Well, that was excuse enough for 

 anybody to he abed over. And Tom turned to and made up lost time 

 by getting the stove going, so that by the time he was dressed and I 

 had the boat ready to stai*t, cofi'ee was all made and a lunch on the 

 table. 



We got away quickly and went direct to yesterday's grounds, and 

 were soon having thmgs to suit. Tom's first shot bagged three blue- 

 bills, and he gave a yell that almost capsized the boat. It was a re- 

 markable shot, no doubt, but I thought he was making a great racket 

 about taree ducks. This was our best morning, or, as "Yo" says, a 

 morning to be marked with a white stone. At one time we had seven 

 ducks in the water before stopping to retrieve, and when the time 

 came for returning we counted 18 mallard, 7 blue bill and 3 wood 

 ducks. With light hearts we got np decoys and said not a word 

 about fishing, but pointed straight for the .Jasmin. 



As we rounded the bend and came in sight, Tom exclaimed. 

 "Hello! the colors are up," and sure enough there they were and 

 looking very gay, and as we came within hailing distance a well- 

 known yell greeted us. 



The missing member of our party had recovered from his indisposi- 

 tion, and concluded that one day's fishing would be better than no 

 fishing aid came up on the boat the evening before; and on being 

 told that we had left in the morning and gone down the lake, had 

 spent this night at the Star Island Bouse. 



We were glad to see him, Toai especially so, and immediately be- 

 gan questioning him as to how long a lamp would burn with the wick 

 cut. It was quite amusing to hear Tom corner him, which he did, 

 and then with a far-away look bid him beware. Atter inquiries as to 

 folks at home, etc., etc., we had breakfast on baked duck, with celery 

 and green onion accompaniments, scewed tomatoes, potatoes frieil 

 in the pan with duck gravy, coffee, bread and butter. While putting 

 the breakfast away we gave him an account of what he had missed, 

 and then allowed him to turn in and help with a general cleaning up. 



Bedding was brought on deck and given a beating, then put across 

 the boom to have an airing, the icebox brought out, everything taken 

 out and given a good scrubbing, kitchen furniture treated to a good 

 scouring with clean river sand, and the cabin floor scrubbed up and 

 woodwork oiled. At 12 o'clock everything was slick and clean, or as 

 Tom expressed it, in apple pie order, and as the new-comer had worn 

 out the fingers of his gloves scrubbing, we allowed him to throw 

 water on the deck while we scrubbed it off with brooms. 



This ending the general housecleaning we sat down to a lunch of 

 hard tack and cider. After lunch the icebox was repacked, and after 

 our day's game was put in there was just room for the ice; so taking 

 the dinghy we made a call at the Bushmere and replenished stock 

 and got some genuine cow-'s milk for ^, change from our condensed 

 article. Returning, Tom satamidship rowing, F. in the bow, while I 

 sac in the stern holding the milk to keep it from slopping over. As 

 we neared the yacht I received a wink from Tom, which said "just 

 watch my motion," and then turning reciuested T. to put the ice on 

 deck, get there himself, then take the milk and he would put the 

 dinghy in shape for towing, which would have been a very nice ad- 

 justment of affairs. T. straightened his six-feet-two up and laid the 

 first piece of ice well over, but, alas! as he straightened up to follow 

 with the second Tom gave a slight push with the oar, just starting 

 the boat away gently, T. reached over a hltle further, making a 

 graceful bend and looked very much like the statues sold in china- 



