I 
I 
18 
FOtlEST ANt) STREAM. 
[fEB. ^0, 1897. 
Simplifying Construction. 
An other feature that has the almost universal support of 
the exhibitors is the simplifying of the mechanism of their 
wheels. All aim to make the taking apart and assembling 
by amateurs as easy as possible. In the matter of cranks, 
for instance, nearly every manufacturer had some improve- 
ment to show to permit taking them off without the use of 
too much violence. The bearings also are generally supplied 
with retaining devices, and the matter of adjustment is made 
less difficult. 
Odds and Ends, 
Wooden handle bars are one of the features of these shows 
^of recent development. Now anyone can have them as an 
option on his wheel. Wood at present is exclusively used 
for rims, and in ladies' wheels it enters largelj' into the con- 
struction of chain and wheel guards, and there seems to be a 
•slight tendency toward its use for bicycle frames. More 
wooden bicycles were shown than chainless types. In all 
these machines, however, metal wheels were used, probably 
because they are to be had cheaper than wooden spokes and 
hubs. 
I'ew gear cases were in evidence. Gear cases conduce to 
'the comfort of the rider and make possible wet weather 
wheeling, and inasmuch as their use would tend to extend 
the wheeling season, which for the majority of riders is prac- 
tically limited to the summer, manufacturers should encour- 
age their use. One reason why more gear cases ai-e not seen 
Ss the difficulty of attaching them to wheels of American 
manufacture. If our bicycle builders would make some pro- 
vision for gear cases more would be in use, and riders gener- 
ally would come to recognize their advantages for muddy or 
dusty roads. 
A number of new brakes were exhibited. One was oper- 
ated by compressed air; another by twisting one of the 
handle grips, while others still became operative through the 
act of bacli pedaling, A novelty in the line of mud guards 
was a hollow rubber roller, which runs on the rear wheel 
and causes the mud to fly backward, instead of over the 
rider. 
The Future of National Shows, 
Just now it looks very much as if we had seen the last of 
national cycle shows. Chicago's was unsatisfactory from 
the exhibitor's standpoint, and New York only partially re- 
deemed herself. If changes there be, however, it is more 
likely to be in name than in actual substance; and whether 
"national" or not, New York and Chicago will undoubtedly 
have as great cycle shows in 1898 as in 1897. 
At the annual meeting of the manufacturers' board of 
trade on Feb. 10 the following resolution was passed: 
"Besolved, That it is the sense of this meeting, that the 
National Boari of Cycle Manufacturers discontinue its 
annual national cycle exhibition is deemed advisable by the 
board of directors, and in place thereof it encourage and 
sanction local cycle shows under terms and conditions pre- 
scribed by the board of directors upon the following general 
lines; 
"Sanction and encouragement to be given first and prefer- 
ably to local cycle boards of trade. 
"A percentage of the gross receipts of all local cycle 
shows to be paid to the National Board of Trade of Cycle 
Manufacturers for its maintenance and increase of its useful- 
ness. 
"The conduct and terms of such local cycle shows to be in 
conformity to such rules, regulations and provisions as 
the Board of Directors of the National Board of Trade of 
Cycle Manufacturers may prescribe. 
"Sanction to be granted only for such local shows as com 
mence not earlier than the last Saturday in February and 
terminate not later than the first Saturday in April of each 
y^ar 
"Spaces to be of uniform size, and no exhibitor permitted 
to occupy more than two spaces. Price of space to be ad- 
justed in accordance with location." 
The New York Cycle Show. 
'The New York cycle show of 1897 was held in the Grand 
fCentral Palace of Industry, Forty third street and Lexington 
avenue, Feb. 6-13. This is New Y'^ork's third national cycle 
exhibition, the two previous shows having been held in the 
.Madison Square Garden. 
The accommodations for this year's exhibition were not 
■nearly so good as at the Garden, ' The various exhibits were 
scattered over four floors instead of being concentrated 
ton one, and owing to the intricate construction of the build- 
iing it was often a very difficult matter to locate any particu- 
lar exhibit. In the center of the Palace of Industry is a 
large court, which is open from the second floor to the top of 
the building. Access to the various floors can be had only at 
the east end of the building, and the elevator accommoda- 
tions are very poor. 
The second floor was th6 central part of the exhibition of 
bicycles, and on it most of the leading firms were repre- 
sented. Occupying the central position in the Court of 
Honor was the Board of Trade exhibit, which was also the 
central feature of the Chicago show. This was a pagoda- 
shaped pavilion erected on a broad pyramidal base and sur- 
mounted by a huge golden dome crowned by a bicycle sup 
porting a cluster of incandescent lights and surrounded by a 
number of other illuminated wheels. In this pavilion were 
exhibited medals and trophies won by champion cyclists. 
Nearly 800 spaces were given up to the (xbibits as against 
650 at Chicago. 
to compile before May 30 a practically complete list of 
yachts and owners for the Sound racing. 
We leara from our Chicago correspondent that there is no 
likelihood of a challenge from Chicago yachtsmen for the 
Canada cup. This is to be regretted, as a race this year 
would do much to help yachting on the lakes. It would 
also attract the interest of salt-water yachtsmen to the sport 
on fresh water. There being no race for the America's cup 
this year, an international race on Lake Ontario would, 
after the race of 1896, draw many Eastern yachtsmen for the 
first time to this beautiful inland sea; whereas, should such 
a race occur in the same year as one for the America's cup, 
it would pass almost without notice. While thus far no 
challenge has been sent from Chicago, the Chicago and 
other American papers have not hesitated in accusing the 
Royal Canadian Y. C. of being afraid of a second trial; and 
if correctly quoted, the owner of Vencedor is responsible for 
the same accusation. 
We have little doubt that if the owner of Vencedor is will- 
ing to try for the second time to defeat Canada, and is will- 
ing to build a yacht to her class, 42ft., and with the same 
minimum of section, 38 per cent., the holders of the 
cup will waive the ten months' notice and make a match. 
The odds in this case, of building to beat a known boat, 
would be on the side of the challenger; but we believe that 
the Canadians are good enough sportsmen to disregard them 
and make a match. 
If Chicago yachtsmen are really in earnest in their desire 
to retrieve the honors lost last year, they can at least put the 
matter to a test by a fair and bold, challenge to race Canada 
against a new Chicago boat. 
As stated elsewhere, there is a prospect that Chicago will 
send a yacht to the trial races of the Seawanhaka C. Y. C. 
We hope that this report is true, not only because the pres- 
ence of a Western yacht will add materially to the interest in 
the races, but because the visit of a Western yacht to 
New York waters will have a beneficial effect at home. 
We would like to see as contestants in the trial races half a 
dozen of the best representatives of the fine racing fleets that 
have been built up of recent years on Lake Geneva, Lake 
Mlnnetonka, Pewaukee Lake, Fox Lake and other Western 
waters. The glory that would follow even a successful per- 
formance in the trial races would well repay the effort to 
build and race the yacht. 
Royal St. Lawrence Y. C. 
The annual meeting of the Royal St. Lawrence Y. C. was 
held on Feb. 1, with Vice-Corn. Fitzgibbon in the chair; the 
following officers being elected: Hon. Com., Sir Donald A. 
Smith; Com., James Ross; Vice-Com., A. F. Riddell; Rear- 
Com., Harry Abbott, Q. C; Hon. Sec'y, W. A. C Hamilton; 
Measurers: D. A. Poe, R. Fitz Gibbon and H. K. Wicksteed. 
Executive Committee: A. Pringle, W. Barclay Stephens, 
F. S. Martin, J. E. Schultze, H. G. Badie, E. Kirk Greene, 
W. McLea Walbank and G. H. Duggan. 
A vole of thanks was tendered the retiring officers, and, as 
a mark of appreciation, the Hon. Sec'y-Treas., Mr. W. A. G. 
Hamilton, was presented with a suitable souvenir for his 
valuable services to the club. 
The secretary-treasurer presented a long and very satis- 
factory report, in which the following allusion is made to the 
international races: 
"True national pride may readily be expressed on the 
splendid victory of Com. Ross's bonny craft, our club's fiag- 
ship. She was designed, built, owned and sailed by Cana- 
dians, everything in, on or about her being strictly Canadian 
from stem to stern. She easily vanquished all yachts of 
other Canadian designers, besides joining El Heirie in beat- 
ing some of the most able yacht designers and builders in 
the world. 
"Before leaving this glorious result of our club's first at- 
tempt at international contests, we would record our appre- 
ciation of the cordial hospitality extended by the Seawan- 
haka Corinthian Y. C. to our representatives and members 
attending the races. We note the kindly feeling expressed 
in this organization's annual report, and congratulate 
ourselves on having the opportunity to further cement the 
existing pleasant relations, notwithstanding the evident 
keen rivalry. 
"The club had representatives at Brockville, Lake of Two 
Mountains, Valois and Ogdensburg, who more than held 
their own against all comers. At Ogdensburg and Lake 
of Two Mountains kind hospitality was shown our mem- 
bers, sufficient to require no second bidding to bring us to 
their shores again." 
The following summary of the racing of the 15ft. class for 
the season was given in the report: 
1 2 § ill- 
01 
SB 
Pi 
1 2 
1 
The following amendments to the racing rules were prt 
sented: 
Rule 1 to be amended to read as follows: 
Section 4. The maximum draft of any yacht when in raf|s( 
ing trim shall not exceed that specified for her class in th| 
following table, exclusive of centerboard, except as hereafte 
mentioned. But this limit shall not apply to any yacht i 
existence at the time of the passage of these amendment 
when racing in the class in which she was classified prior • 
that time. This exemption, however, shall not be so coi 
strued as to permit a vessel launched prior to Oct. 22, 1896, t: 
increase her draft beyond the limit allowed for her class. 
The story which we reprint this week from the Boston 
Transcript is but one of many of the same tenor now circu- 
lating through the American press. If those Canadians 
who have opposed the Royal Canadian Y. C. in the amend- 
ment of the racing rules are possessed of any national pride, 
it must be gratifying to them in the extreme to know that 
through their efforts their countrymen and fellow yachts- 
men are now being advertised through the States as a lot of 
sharpers. We know of no good whatever which has come 
from this unfortunate and unnecessary quarrel, while no 
end of harm has been done to the good name of Canadian 
yachtsmen through the widespread circulation of such 
stories in the American papers. 
The Fokest and Stream is desirous of reporting as fully 
and accurately as possible the races of the Sound Y. R. U. 
during the coming season. As an aid in this work we shall 
, be glad to receive at as early a, date a possible the books of 
the different clubs, announcements of fixtures, race pro- 
grammes, etc.; and in particular names, measurements, rac- 
ing numbers, etc., of yachts, both old and new. We should 
,like, with the assistance of the Y''. R. U. officers, to be able 
0 
Sec. 6. Any yacht which has her measurement increase 
Glencairn, Com. Ross 3 3 
Viva, C. H. Routh and A. W. Shearwood 15 .. 1 3 2 1 
Mischief, Artliur Hamilton 13 1 3 2 2 2 
Sbanet-a-Boo, Eear-Com. Fitz Gibbon 15.. 2 3 3 1 
Otowynn, L. J. Smitli 2 .. 
♦Anita, H. G. Eadie 13 2 3 2 1 .. 
Bantam, J. C.C Almon 14.. 3 1 .. 3 
Sothis, G. H. Dusgan and F. P. Shearwood. ... 12 7 .. 3 , . , , 
Titania, W. M. Kirkpatrick and J. H. Prissick. 15 1 2 1 1 1 
Osma, E. S. CJouston 5 ,. 1 .. ,. .. 
Sais, I). A. Poe 6 1 
Nouya, R. R. Wallace 6 1 
Gyascutis, A. L. and H. R. Drummond 3 
Windward, 0. O. Clark , 6 
Missie, Rev. Hy. Kittson 8 2 1 ., 1 .. 
Oneida, L. H. Dinning 5 .. .. 1 .. ., 
* Won Hamilton challenge trophy. 
Work is now under way in the club on a large number of 
20-footers. The club will build a new house on the present 
site. 
New York Y. C. 
The annual meeting of the New York Y. C. was held on 
Feb. 11, the following officers being elected: Com., J. Pier- 
pont Morgan, steam yacht Corsair; Vice-Com., Lewis Cass 
Ledyard, schr. yacht Montauk; Rear Com., August Bel- 
mont, cutter Mineola; Sec'y, J. V. S. Oddie; Treas., F. W. J, 
Hurst; Meas., John Hyslop; Fleet Surgeon, Morris J. Asch, 
M. D. Rpgatta Committee: John C. Barron, Theodore C. 
Zerega and W. Barton Hopkins. Committee on Admissions: 
Edward M. Brown, C. Oliver Iselin, Lewis Cass Ledyard, W, 
Butler Duncan, Jr., and James A. Wright. House Commit- 
tee: Edward E. Chase, Frank M. Cronise, F. H. Davies, C. 
L. F. Robinson and C. Alfred Grymes. Library Committee: 
Fordham Morris, Arthur H. Clark and A. V. H. Ellis. Com- 
mittee on Club Stations: William H. Thomas, Frederick H. 
Benedict, F. Augustus Schermerhorn, L. Vaughan Clark, 
Tarrant Putnam, Frederick P. Sands, Frederick Grinnell, 
John P. Duncan, Amzi L. Barber and Edward R. Ladew. 
The secretary's report showed £l membership of 1,217 and a 
fleet of 828 yachts. The date for the annual regatta was 
fixed, Thursday, June 17. The date for the cruise was not 
decided on, but Mr. Ogden Goelet offered again two cups 
costing 11,000 and $500 for schooners and cutters, to be raced 
for as usual off Newport during the, cruise. An invitation 
was read from the Yacht Racing Union of Long Island 
Sound inviting the New Y''ork Y. C. to join the Union; it 
was referred to the special committee on the proposed yacht 
league. 
Ill 
for the purpose of sailing in a class above that in which sh 
would sail according to the last official measurement take 
prior to Nov. 1, 1896, shall not be entitled to any time allov 
ance from other yachts in that class. 
Rule 4 to be so amended as to read as follows: 
Sec. 4. At least two yachts must start in each class ■ 
entitle a yacht to a prize of full value. Should a yach. 
obliged to sail alone in her class, go over the course of hi 
class, she shall be entitled to a prize of one-half the value 
the regular prize,(and upon the same shall be inscribed "Sail 
over prize." 
Sec. 5 (new). Any yacht alone in her class may sail in til 
class next above, but in such case such yacht shall assu: 
and be entered as of the mean racing length specified for tl^ 
class in which she so enters; but this shall not be so co 
strued as to permit a single-masted vessel or yawl to enter 
a schooner class. 
Rule 16— To be so amended as to read as follows: 
Sec. 8. An overlap is established when an overtaking yacl 
has no longer a free choice on which side she will pass, ar 
continues to exist as long as the leeward yacht, by luffin 
or the weather yacht, by bearing away. Is in danger 
fouling. The owner or representative of an overtakii 
yacht intending to claim an overlap shall notify the ovt- 
taken yacht to that effect by hailing her. 
Sec. 14. If an overlap exists between two yachts when bo 
of them, without tacking, are about to pass a mark on 
required side, then the outside yacht must give the insit 
yacht room to pass clear of the mark, except as provided 
Sec. 15. A yacht shall not, however, be justified in attemp 
ing to establish an overlap and thus force a passage betweij 
another yacht and the mark after the latter yacht has alten 
her helm for the purpose of rounding. 
Sec. 15. When two yachts in maneuvering for the stav 
both on the same tack, one to windward and one to leewar 
and the weather yacht being freer than the leeward yaoh 
should the leeward yacht be close hauled on the wind, ai 
before an overlap has been established, the leeward yac 
shall have the right to hold and maintain her course, ev 
if thereby the windward yacht should be forced on the wroi: 
side of the starting mark. 
Sec. 16. When a yacht is approaching a shore, shoal, pie 
rock, vessel, or other dangerous obstruction, and cannot 
clear by altering her course without fouling another yact 
then this latter shall, on being hailed by the former, at on 
give room; and in case one yacht is forced to tack or to be, 
away in order to give room, the other shall also tack or be 
away, as the case may be, at as near the same time as is pc 
sible without danger of fouling. But should such obstru 
tion be a designated mark of the course, a yacht forci 
another to tack under the provision of this section shall 
disqualified. 
The amendments to Rule 1 and that to Rule 16, Sec. 
were passed; the amendments to Rule 4 and Rule 16, See. 
were lost; and the others, to Rule 16, Sees. 14, 15, were 
ferred to the regatta committee. The following new mei 
bers were elected: I. Cox, Dr. A. G. Brower, L. C. Wacl 
muth, Ensign O. P. -Jackson, U. S. N.; Lieut. G. A. Ci 
houn, U. S. N.; Lieut. Wm. H. Driggs, U. S. N.; A. A 
Soper, W. L. Elkins, Jr., Lieut. T. D. Griffin, U. S. N.; Wi 
T. Lawson, Lieut. J. D. McDonald, U. S. N.; Ensign J. 
Bradshaw, U. S. N.; J. Cotting, C. McK. Leoser, M. S. Bti 
ger, A. Marshall, N. Hathaway, N. Witherell, Surgeon M, 
Guest, U. S. N.; Gen. T. W. Hyde, T. Beckwith, Lieut. Kf 
Rohrer, U. S. N.; C. A. Andresen, Lieut. R. H. Gait, U. 
N.; E. S. Woodward, F. A. Dallett, A. Schwarzman andSr| 
geon L. Morris, U. S. N. j 
mg ..i . 
of ill 
to t| 
il 
The Yacht Racing^ Uaion. 
The council of the Y. R. U. held its monthly meeting 
Feb. 8 at the Seawanhaka C. Y. C house, a number 
portant matters being under discussion. In deference 
requests of owners of the special SO-footers, it was decide 
by a mail vote to allow these boats to be measured witho 7 
crews and to carry the satne crews as in 1896, but to i i' 
steered only by amateurs. In the matter of courses, the u 
of triangular courses exclusively is recommended, to 
sailed twice or three times, the distances being: J 
schooners, 30 miles; single stick yachts, first, 70£t., 60ft., 61 
classes, 25 miles; 43ft., 86ft., and 30fb. classes, 20 miles; 30 
cats and 25ft. sloops, 15 mjles; 25ft. cats and 20fb. sloops,' 
miles; and the 20ft. and I5ft. cats and 15ft. sloops, 10 miles^ 
It was decided to retain the present system of starti 
signals; but where each class is to be started separate 
from the gun the class letter shall be displayed on a lar, 
white sphere at the masthead of the committee boat. JV' 
John Hyslop was elected official measurer of the Union, a 
the POKEST AHD STREAM was named as the official organ t 
the publication of all notices, etc. Arrangements were aj 
made for the preservation and compilation of racing recon 
It was decided to invite the New York Y. C. to take rep 
sentation in the Union, and also to renew the invitation p 
viously given to the Larchmont Y^ C. The Atlantic Y. w 
now having no station on Long Island Sound, is nominajr 
disqualified for membership in Uie Union, but a conf erencei 
the two bodies will take place very soon, the Atlantic Y. j 
now having a special committee for the purpose of con:" 
ring with other clubs as to future union. 
A special committee of three, Messrs. E. Burton Hart, ' 
P. Tower and Sec'y Jones, was appointed to visit Boston a' 
confer with the executive committee of the Mass. Y. R. 
Possible Chicago Boat for Eastern Races. 
There is a vague rumor out in Chicago this week, 
with a certain amount of confirmation, though not.«ufficiti 
to warrant of a decisive announcement of it as news, tl 
there will be a pne-rater built in the West , at or ml 
Chicago, this spring, which will go East to compete in i» 
Seawanhaka Y. C. trial races. The boat would go by rJ 
from this city, and should the owner conclude to carry ci 
his present unformulated decision the building of the b(l 
would be hurried from now on, so that the boat could f 
tried on Western waters before going East. The possij 
skipper has not yet given any order for the boat, and d( 
not care to have his name announced, but tells me he n; 
see fit to do this. It is much to be hoped that he will do 
as this would be something of a novelty in boating matte 
No Chicago craft has gone for these races, and the notionl 
such a competitor is one very hard to relinquish. I can p 
so far as to say that should this gentleman build this h<i 
he will prove himself to Eastern men a competitor worth jf 
their friendship and of their best efforts in the contesj 
Should the boat go East there will be a large and enthusi| 
tic Chicago contingent go with it, and thus there would 1 
pleasant rivalry between the two cities, of that sort wl 
among sportsmen makes friendships of the most lasti 
nature. Let us hope the young Chicago yachtsman will c| 
elude to build and sail this Chicago boat for the honor of 
city E. HOTOt 
1206 BoyoE Bdilding, Chicago. 
