Sept. io, 180S.] 
A Modern Proa. 
Clinton, Out, Aug. 19. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
The correspondence regarding flying proas has reminded 
tne of some notes I made on the subject in connection 
with Mr. Tyson's experiments at Toronto, as per in- 
closed clipping from the Canadian Yachtsman and 
Canoeist of Dec. i, 1894. It is worth pointing out that 
a proa is essentially different from any form of catamaran 
or double-hulled boat. The proa is a single-hulled craft, 
the balance boat or auxiliary hull simply serving as a 
hiking seat for the crew. 
Mr. Tyson's craft is a combination affair, and so far 
as I know he is entitled to the credit of being the first 
to combine both the proa and catamaran in one craft. 
With the balance boat to windward, he has a proa; on 
the other tack, with the balance boat immersed to lee- 
ward, he has a catamaran. 
I have heard something of a craft with a small auxil- 
iary hull on each side, and would like to see a report 
from any one who has tried the experiment. 
W. Q. Phillips. 
From a very complete article on the subject published 
in Forest and Stream three or tour years ago Mr. 
Robert Tyson caught the idea and proceeded to rig the 
first proa ever seen on Lake Ontario. 
Those who are posted on the history of the American 
Canoe Association will at once recall the name of Mr. 
Tyson as that of one of the charter members, and in the 
earlier days of the Toronto C. C. he was foremost of 
the most enthusiastic cruising men. Although less prom- 
inent of late years, he has steadily adhered to his favorite 
sport, every season finding him out early and late, sailing 
and paddling, and rigging and cooking, or tinkering 
away at some of -the never-ending odd jobs which are 
the delight of the school of cruising canoemen — a class 
which is unfortunately not so well represented as it once 
was. In the course of his experience Mr. Tyson came to 
the same conclusion as many others — that a canoe was 
/'AO*. 
not powerful enough for general work in such open 
waters as Lake Ontario — and cast about for some method 
of improvement. He Avas satisfied with canoe methods 
as regards accommodations, using either a shore or 
canoe tent as circumstances decided, but was anxious 
to secure more stability and power without sacrificing 
the lightness of hull and small displacement which made 
the craft paddleable and gave facilities for beaching and 
camping out and the regular housing of the craft when 
not in use. As all experiment he fitted a balance boat 
to his decked sailing canoe. The result was so satisfac- 
tory that he built the present proa, of which the cuts give 
a good idea. 
The large gain in stability due to the auxiliary hull led 
Mr. Tyson to adopt the very small beam of 27m. in the 
main hull, coupled with a length of 17ft., but good depth, 
as shown in the section. This gave a compact form with 
much stowage and accommodation, capable of great 
speed under sail and easily driven by the paddle. The 
balance boat is always carried to starboard, supported by 
arms of springy elm, the length of which has been grad- 
ually increased until they now measure 10ft. The effect 
of this arrangement is easily understood. With the bal- 
ance boat to leeward the effect of heeling is to immerse 
it, which results in some of the buoyancy of the main 
hull being shifted 10ft. outboard, the effect on the gen- 
eral center of buoyancy (C.B.) being to place it at a 
point between the two hulls, and distant from each in- 
versely as its immersed bulk. The general center of 
gravity (C.G.) remains stationary or shifts in the oppo- 
site direction if the crew sit up to windward, and thus 
is established a long righting arm between the two 
centers, much longer than could take place in a single- 
hulled craft with only a narrow easily driven form to 
propel. On the other tack, with the balance boat to 
windward, the shift to the C.B. is of course very re- 
stricted, but the weight of the. balance boat so far out- 
board makes it very effective shifting ballast, added to 
which the crew hike clear outside the main hull, sitting on 
a platform placed as far out on the arms as will enable 
them to still work the ship, the combined effect being a 
very large windward shift to the C.G. equal in extent 
and effect to the shift of the C.B. on the other tack. It 
is evident that the greater the displacement of the bal- 
ance boat in proportion to that of the main hull, the 
greater the shift to the C. B., and the consequent stability 
when the balance boat becomes immersed to leeward — 
always supposing that the latter possesses plenty of sur- 
plus buoyancy, as what little immersion is due to its own 
weight cannot affect the main hull at all. On the other 
hand, a heavy balance boat is more effective when car- 
ried to windward. To obtain the same effect on either 
tack it should weigh exactly half of its own bulk of 
water. 
But it is not necessary that this or any other definite 
proportion should be insisted on. In practice a decidedly 
light balance boat is preferable, giving great power when 
to leeward, and when carried to windward the same 
amount of stability is made up by the crew hiking clear 
outside, as already explained. 
Although the above described proa has given decided 
satisfaction, Mr. Tyson is by no means committed to the 
exact proportions of any part, and may try a little more 
beam in the main hull next time, As it is, art awkward 
state of affairs would result in the remote possibility of 
the balance boat breaking loose, as the main hull, with 
its sharp floor and small beam, will not stand up alone. 
Nothing Of the sort has ever happened, nor is it likely 
to, so long as the simple connections required between 
the two hulls are well looked after. But a little more 
stability in the main hull is decidedly worth having, and 
it need not interfere with general performance. _ The 
deep form shown has been found quite weatherly without 
a centerboard, the immersed balance boat also helping 
to prevent leeway. But concerning the question of 
model there is room for much experiment, and in the 
meantime one of the best features of the balance boat 
idea is that it can be fitted at small expense and trouble 
to any narrow Skiff or canoe, at once producing a stiff 
and handy little sailing craft, which need lose scarcely 
any of its original convenient features. As the merits 
of the outfit become known, some cruisers will no doubt 
find the proa idea well suited to their needs. For a 
man who wants to house his craft in a boat house, and 
to haul it up on shore readily when cruising, it is just the 
thing, affording something of good working stability, 
combined with no more beam or displacement than is 
absolutely necessary to accommodate the crew and their 
dunnage and duffle; and requiring only a small and handy 
rig. On the craft illustrated Mr. Tyson has used a canoe 
rig of batswing main and mizen, and last season he added 
a jib. The rig was found very satisfactory, as indeed 
it would be for any small cruiser, and so far as proas are 
concerned, the same considerations govern the choice 
of rig as in other craft intended for similar uses. 
The sailing canoe, with its original balance boat and 
fittings, upon which Mr. Tyson first experimented, now 
belongs to Mr. Felix Belcher, another enthusiastic cruis- 
ing man of the right stamp, and he gets excellent sport 
and satisfaction with it. 
Main Hull. 
L.O.A. and L.W.L 17ft. 
Beam gft. 3m. 
Depth of hull ift. 6in. 
Depth of box keel . , . . 6in. 
Width of box keel^about , 4m. 
Outriggers (over all) , , 10ft, 
Balance Boat, 
L.O.A. and L.W.L 9ft. gin. 
Depth , , iyin. 
Beam , . ...9 or ioin. 
The positions and proportions of the others parts can 
be obtained from the drawings, which are to scale. The 
beam of the main hull is carried pretty well fore and 
aft, and the bilge is very deep, the sides of the hull being 
almost parallel, 
[Mr. Tyson has since built several improved craft of 
this type, and is now sailing one.] 
The America Cup. 
On Sept. 2 the representatives of the Roj^al Ulster 
Y. C, Vice-Corn. R. G. Sharman-Crawford, Hon. Sec'y 
Hugh C. Kelly, Hugh M. McGildowny and Win. Fife, 
Jr., arrived in New York on the Britannic. On the fol- 
lowing day, in company with the Hon. Charles Rus- 
sell, they met the special committee of the New York 
Y. C. at the club house, Com. J. P. Morgan, Sec'y 
Oddie, Treas. Hurst, Messrs. H. B. Duryea and E. M. 
Brown. After a conference it was announced that the 
following informal challenge had been tendered and ac- 
cepted: 
"N ew York, Sept. 3- — J- V. S. Oddie, Esq., Secretary 
New York Y. C, 67 Madison avenue, New York. — 
Dear Sir: We have the honor, on behalf of the 
Royal Ulster Y. C, and in the name of Sir Thomas 
Lipton, a member of the club, to challenge to sail a 
series of matches with the yacht Shamrock against any 
one yacht or vessel constructed in the United States of 
America for the America's Cup, subject to the deed of 
gift and subject to conditions to be agreed upon. 
"The following are the particulars of the challenging 
vessel: Owner, Sir Thomas Lipton; name of yacht, 
Shamrock; length of load water line, 89.5ft.; rig, cutter. 
"The Custom House measurement will follow as soon 
as possible. We shall be much obliged if you will 
acknowledge receipt of this challenge. Yours truly, 
"R. G. Sharman-Crawford, V. C, R. U.' Y. C. 
"Hugh M. McGildowny. 
"Hugh C. Kelly, Hon. Sec'y, R. U. Y. C." 
Another meeting was arranged for Tuesday to dip- 
cuss dates, courses and secondary d e tail§, 
Quincy Y, C. Challenge Cup, 
The final race for the Quincy Y.- C. challenge cup 
was sailed on Sept. 1, resulting in a win for Recruit, 
the defending boat. The wind was N.E. and very 
light, the course being laid out to windward, with Seal 
Rocks as the. turning point. Duchess set a topsail, 
which helped her in the light air. The race was to start 
at 10:30, but it was delayed for an hour waiting for 
wind. There was enough at the start to induce Duchess 
to stow her topsail. She crossed first, but Recruit had 
the better position and more way on, and with the 
weather berth soon took the lead. Duchess held her 
own very well on the wind, and they were timed ; 
Recruit 12 07 17 Duchess 12 07 34 
Duchess carried her topsail down \yipd, the first round 
was timed; 
Recruit 12 31 02 Duchess 12 81 50 
There was more wind on the second round, and Re- 
cruit made a big gain, the times at the windward mark 
being: 
Recruit 1 02 20 Duchess 1 06 03 
Duchess carried topsail and balloon jib in addition 
to spinaker on the run home, but she was unable to 
catch Recruit, the final times being: 
Finish. Elapsed. 
Recruit 1 25 04 1 55 04 
Duchess , 1 27 39 1 57 39 
In order to give a chance to the schooner Bird. Mr. 
S- D. Small, the Quincy Y. C. has offered a $50 cup 
for a race between Recruit and Bird, also open to 
Duchess. 
Indian Harbor Y. G 
Greenwich— Long Island SotfnfiL 
Saturday, Sept. 3; 
The Indian Harbof Y. G. . sailed its autumn race on 
Sept. 3 in the hottest of hot weather and a light and 
fluky breeze. But one round of the course was sailed, 
the result being as follows: 
Yawls— Start 2:85. 
R.M. Finish. Elapsed. 
Consuelo, A. W. Cabot ....29.00 7 00 00 4 25 00 
Cutters and Sloops, 36ft. Class— Start 2:35. 
Vorant II., G. G. Tvson 34.00 5 36 32 3 01 32 
Adele, J, B. Smith 34.00 6 00 50 3 25 50 
Sloops, 20ft. Class— Start 2:40. 
Asthore, F. B. Jones 20.00 5 02 16 2 22 16: 
Ripple, J. A. Meek ,17.00 5 46 13 3 06 13; 
Cabin Catboats — Start 2:50. 
Uarda, H. H. Gordon 24.64 5 02 54 2 17 54 
Presto, H. S. Hatfield 22.00 Withdrew. 
Racing Knockabouts— Start 2:50. 
Mongoose, Simeon Ford 21.00 5 16 35 2 26 35; 
Mariposa, W. H. McCord 21.00 Did not finish. 
One-design Knockabouts— Start 2:50. 
Lucille, Daniel Bacon 21.00 5 00 OR ;x tO'Dd; 
Senta, Daniel Bacon 21.00 5 01 59 §H,-®1 
Midge, F, VV. Boyer 21.00 5 02 38 £ 12 3Si 
VVyntje. R S. Hastings 21.00 5 05 03 2 liS l«3 
Ditto, H. S. Redmond 21.00 Did not fimislln, 
Dories— Start 2:55. 
Ketch IT., L. C. Ketchum 4 26 28, 3 31 28 
Fiddler E. Dominick 5 12 36 2 17 3& 
Black Cat, C. H. Dayton Did tw>t finish. 
The Seawanhaka Cap* 
A special meeting of the Seawanhaka C. Y. C. was 
held at Oyster Bay on Sept. 3, Com. Rouse presiding, 
the meeting being called to receive the report of the 
race committee on the recent races for the Seawanhaka 
international challenge cup. The report of the race com- 
mittee was read, also reports from Messrs. Crane and 
Gibson. There was also read a letter from Messrs. 
Dresser and Kerr to the Royal St. Lawrence Y. C. 
stating that in sending to Mr. Crane the telegram al- 
ready published they were acting solely as individuals, 
and did not presume to speak for the" Seawanhaka Corin- 
thian Y, C- The race committee report in brief ex- 
pressed the opinion that Dominion was of a type not 
considered when the conditions were originally framed, 
and that she is not properly eligible to the races for the 
cup; also that the Royal St." Lawrence Y. C. was at 
liberty under the terms of trust to frame new conditions. 
The various reports in full will probably be made pub- 
lic later. , 
The report of the race committee was adopted. 
On Sept 2 a special meeting of the Royal St. Law- 
rence Y. C. was held at Dorval, at wmich it was re- 
solved to return the cup to the Seawanhaka C. Y. C. 
American Canoe Association^ 
Nineteenth. Annual Meet. 
The pressure of important yacht races fcsr the past' twtn 
weeks has made it necessary to defer the account of the 
continuation of the A. C. A. meet, which ended on Aug^. 
19. The complete record of the races is here given. The 
results show very little change from -the preceding tw<9 
or three years, and no improvement. The sailing irophy 
race brought out nothing up to the standard of Mab, 
and she covered the course half an hour ahead of her 
competitors, but she was disqualified for starting before 
the gun and not recrossing. The trophy goes to the 
New York C. C, through the paitienee m4 persistency of 
Mr. Smythe in sailing out the race to a finish, though a 
long way astern. The paddling trophy brought out a 
new man, Mr. H. C- Allen, of 1 ronton, Mr J., Park Isl- 
and C. A., a cruising canoeis-t with a good record of 
actual cruising. Apart from the new open canoes, the 
meet developed nothing new in boats or canoeing ap- 
pliances. 
The meet proved a pleasant and sociable one, greatly^ 
enjoyed by all who attended; the location was sufficient- 
ly isolated to prevent the overrunning of the carap^ bjy 
tourists, The quiet little town of Gananoque was, att a 
convenient distance for an afternoon paddle, and] canxaas 
and other boats went back and forth constantly, iHrt the 
townspeople were all more or less used to camping and 
picnicking, and were always welcome in camp. The inci- 
dents varied very little from those of former years, the 
one exception being tide miniature hurricane of Atfe 
15. Very elaborate plans had been made for the A. £ 
A. circus, under the direction of Mr. Seavey. A large ten! 
was erected, talent was gathered from the members m 
camp, a band was brought from Gananoque, and quite 
elaborate preparations were made. Early is the evening 
a number of visitors came from Gananoque and other 
places among the islands. Just as the tent was well 
filled a violent storm broke over the camp, with little 
warning, blowing down the circus and other tents. For 
a few minutes matters looked very serious, as many peo- 
ple were under the tent, and some of the fittings took 
fire from the lamps, but all were rescued without injury 
and given shelter in the headquarter tents and such 
other places as were available. Much minor damage was 
done to the mess tent and private tents, and the circus 
was wrecked for the time being. Everything was i> 
paired, however, under the energetic management, D f 
Mr. Seavey, and the performance took place on th e fol- 
lowing Thursday, to the amusement of a large audience 
The meeting of the executive committee was, set for 
Aug. 13, but as the Eastern Division, whose turn it was to 
take the commodoreship and the meet in 1899 was not 
prepared to offer nominees for commodore and secre 
tary-treasurer, the meeting was adjourned to Aug — 
The Eastern Division being unwilling to accept its turn 
the Central Division came next in order and F V 
Thorn of the Buffalo C. C, was elected commodore, and' 
C P. Forbush, of the same club, secretary-treasurer 
The annual meeting of the Atlantic Division was held 
nr P /r t3 M h l°? CerS elected being: Vice-Commo- 
dore, F, C, Moore; Rear-Commodore, H, C. Allen; Pmv 
