Feb. 3, 1900.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
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side of the planking, inclosing them in regular center- 
board slots, planking over, terminating the end of tho 
outside planking fair, with the model, the centerboard 
slots being invisible, the rope coming up through the 
plank shear and a block on the rigging for hoisting. It 
was a very neat arrangement, and very effective, getting 
rid of the centerboard in the cabin, and increasing the 
area of windward resistance, being virtually double cen- 
terboards, and doing away with the cabin obstruction. 
The width of beam of the two outside slots, planked over 
fair with the model, was not noticeable. The scheme 
\yorked admirably. I am told that the sideboards' con- 
tinue to be in use in Holland, on their yachts, which are 
still modeled after those of their great granddaddies. 
They have the rnerit of being safe and comfortable, and 
it is characteristic of the people that they are never in a 
hurry. I am a believer in beam and moderate draft.' The 
fastest boat I ever owned was a flat-bottomed, long over- 
hang and sharp ends. I carried no ballast, but she was 
stiff, as she had plenty of beam, and the way she traveled 
in our stiff winds was a caution. I had lots of fun with 
her beating sharp and narrow boats. I heard Matthew 
Turner say — a builder of some of the fastest vessels that 
ever sailed out of this port — that if you wanted the fast- 
est boat in the harbor, build a scow. All our bay schoon- 
ers are scows. They sail fast and carry immense cargoes. 
They carry four and five tiers of baled hay on decks, have 
long masts, reefing or shortening their sails and beat 
to windward with astonishing speed. Sailing what was 
accounted a fast schooner, I have been beaten by them 
often. 
In old times there was an old sloop scow called the 
Randall, a mere box, rough and shabby, yet she could 
clean out anything on the bay, and I think was never 
beaten. She was hauled out and her model taken off fre- 
quently, her rig copied exactl)^ but still her imitators 
were never able to equal her. 
It was a sight to see her going up the bay before the 
wind, with her big sail set, sailing on her nose, with her 
stern nearly out of water, not a pound of ballast, and the 
crew holding a tow rope over the stern in derision to the 
craft she was leaving astern. 
She continued to rule the roost for many years, was 
rebuilt several times, but, if I remember right, finally 
went on to the rocks and laid her bones. 
The captain was a good deal of a sport and never re- 
fused a challenge to sail in one of the master mariners' 
regattas on the Fourth of July, usually combining a large 
fleet, and never failed to win the barrel of beer — the prize. 
There was lots of fun at these regattas, and the captains 
meant business, not standing for the strict rules of giv- 
ing away to the windward craft. In consequence there were 
often collisions that made the splinters fly, but they did 
not mind that. They were after reputation and that bar- 
rel of beer. The yachts that were out to see the fun had 
to look out for themselves. They knew old square toes 
would not give way an inch on a tack, see you in 
Tophet first; but all those old days seem to be gone. We 
have not had a master mariners' regatta for some years 
now, the more's the pity. 
We read of the new fad in the small boat challenges, 
which are now designated "one and a half raters," terms 
not understood by us cut here. Must we adopt English 
terms? Can't we find in the American language names 
for small j^achts without going across the water for them? 
Are we all getting to be Anglomaniacs. I am too much 
of an American to talk about one raters and two raters, 
that do not convey any idea of the size of the boat to the 
average reader, or whether it means a 20 or a 30 foot 
boat. Even though one may be called a stupid for iiot 
comprehending this affectation of foreign terms, there 
are a few of us left who still cling to the traditions of our 
d,f '"'dies and abide by them, even to doughnuts and hard 
cider. 
PODGERS. 
Canoes of the Pacific ^oast. 
There is a considerable variety in the canoes used by the 
Indians of the Pacific Coast, though they all follow one 
general plan. The largest boat of all is the Northern 
canoe made by the Haidas, Ucletas and Aleuts. The stern 
of these rises higher than the bow. rounding up. The bot- 
tom, too, is round. The Bella-Bella, one of the largest 
canoes, made by an Indian tribe of the same name, is 
80 feet long, about 10 feet beam, with a capacity of eight 
tons and able to hold eighty men. 
These large canoes are all made in three pieces — one 
for the body and one each for the prow and stern. 
The vessels next in size are known as the Chinook 
canoes, made at Cape Flattery. These have a straight 
block rising above the stern and a long prow sloping up- 
ward. Most of these canoes are made in two pieces — one 
for the body and one for the prow. They are Hat-bot- 
tomed and have their greatest beam nearer the bow than 
the stern, differing in both these points from the north- 
ern canoe. The -Northern canoes ride in a sea way witli- 
out taking in water over the stern, though they need bal- 
last; but the Chinook canoes are not so safe. The latter 
are swifter and easier to paddle, but cannot sail on the 
wind as a Northern canoe can. 
The Chinook canoes arc from 20 to 40 feet long. These 
large canoes are used for traveling. 
The fishing canoes are called "stewattle" and are all 
about the same in character from Otympia to Knight's 
Inlet. They are quite different from the traveling canoes. 
They are smaller, being but from to to 20 feet in length, 
and are made from one log, with a rather rounding bot- 
tom, a stern slanting to a point aft and a projecting 
prow. 
Both traveling and fishing canoes use sails as well as 
paddles. The sail is a square sail, with a sprit, the mast 
set near the bow in a step placed -for that purpose. The 
Northern canoes, indeed, have also a sail nearer the 
stern. 
The paddles used vary in pattern. The Northern pad- 
dles are made of yew wood, are about 5 feet long, and 
the widest part (say a width of 6 inches) is nearest the 
point, which is slightly ruundin^, and the handle of this 
kind of paddle is slightly Ikittened toward the top. The 
Chinook paddles are made of maple and arc somewhat 
shorter. Their handles are round clear to the top. The 
widest part of the paddles is about the middle of the 
blade, which tapers to a sharp point 
An Indian, when he wants to build a canoe, will choose 
a green cedar tree and camp by it, generally with a dull 
axe, and will spend, if necessary, a week in felling the 
timber. He then hews the top of the log off level and 
."tfirts in to dig it out with his axe on the ground where 
fci.'ed. Then he shapes the outside, partly with the axe, 
1 artly with a peculiar hand adze made from a piece of an 
old file about 2 inches wide and 6 inches long, sharpened 
on a rock, with a wooden handle fitted above like the 
hand'.o of a flatiron. After the bottom is thus roitghly 
shaped, the log is dragged to the beach, perhaps a -mile 
off. Ihe body of the canoe is then shaved down with 
the adze both inside and outside until the proper thick- 
ness is reached. If the canoe be small, the Indian can 
judge of the correct thickness by putting a finger of one 
hand outside opposite a finger of the other hand Avithin. 
If the canoe bo loo large for his embrace, the Indian bores 
a hole in the bottom with a wire and measures the thick- 
ness witli a straw. 
The boat is now almost shapeless. The body is next 
filled two-thirds full of water and red hot stones are 
thrown in until the wood is thoroughly softened, the top 
of the canoe being n:canwhile covered with mats to re- 
tain the steam. Then spreading sticks are fitted like 
thwarts to the now pliant wood and bound in place by 
cords made of cedar roots. After the boat is dry it is 
raised from the ground and charred black all over by 
burning pitch wood, to keep the sun from cracking the 
hull. The prow and stern pieces, when used, are then 
fitted on and sewn in place by cords of cedar root taken 
green and twisted. The canoe is now complete, and the 
labor of manufacture can be imagined from the fact that 
not a quarter of an inch of the inside is free from the 
notch of the little adze. 
An interesting instance of the use of these canoes in 
naval warfare occurred in a foray made by the Haidas 
on the Ucletas. The latter had long been the terror of 
the coast. They had robbed and murdered all the tribes 
from Cape Mudge to Olympia, and made navigation so 
dangerous that the H;aidas were forced to go west of Van- 
couver Island on their Northern voya,ges, instead of go- 
ing through Seymour Narrows. The Haidas had learned 
the geography and the situation of the Ucleta village 
above Cape Mudge. They gathered their warriors to the 
number of about 2,000 men, filling some 200 canoes. They 
came down to Serge Narrows, at the northwest cor- 
ner of Valdez Island. There they divided their fleet. 
Half the force went up into Serge Narrows, pulled their 
boats up on the beach and crossed the island to the rear 
of the Ucleta village. The rest of the fleet sailed down to 
ward Seymour Narrows and made an attack in front 
The Ucletas sallied out in their own canoes to meet the 
boats of the enemy, when the party of Haidas in the rear 
captured the Ucleta village and began to kill the squaws 
and children. Part of the Ucletas turned to the shore to 
protect their families; these warrior all fell victims to the 
Haida bands, while the remaining Ucletas fled. The en- 
tire Ucleta loss in killed (there were no wounded) was 
about .?oo souls; and from that time the Ucletas have in- 
habited a village on a sandy spit at Cape Mudge and have 
respected the rights or the prowess of their neis:hbors. 
R. V. Griffin. 
Tofonto Canoeists Dine. 
On Friday, Jan, 26, over 200 members of the Toronto 
C. C. helped to consume the annual dinner. The gather- 
ing took place at Webb's, and was the nineteenth anniver- 
sary of the club. Owing to the absence of Com. Wat- 
lington in Bermuda, Vice-Com. Sherrard acted as chair- 
man and toastmaster, and filled the bill to perfection. 
After an elaborate menu had been partaken of, the toast of 
"Our Queen" was drunk with lemonade in a most hearty 
manner. Then followed "Our Sport" proposed by Rear- 
Com. Hayes, and replied to by Com. W. G. Mac- 
Kendrick, A. C. A. ; H. R. Tilly, Geo. Howell and Harry 
Ford. Mr. Howell spoke enthusiastically about the pros- 
pects of the club having a very large contingent at the 
meet in Muskoka next August without any bar attach- 
ments. 
The toast of "The Ladies" was proposed by H. H. 
Mason, and responded to by H. Patterson. "Our Past 
Officers and Veterans," proposed by the chairman and 
responded to by ex-Com. Harry Wilson, also ex-Com. Dr. 
Powell, who made a rattling good speech, and ex-Com. 
Hugh Neilson. Mr. Plenry Wright replied on behalf of 
the veterans or has beens. 
"Our Canadian Contingent in Africa," proposed bv 
Sergt. E. Carruthers, Queen's Own Rifles, and replied to 
by Surgeon-Major King, of the Royal Grenadiers, and 
Geo. Wilkie, whose speeches brought forth thunderous 
applause, as most of the Canadian canoe clubs are repre- 
sented by members at the front. 
"Our Racing Men," proposed by T. P. Stewart and re- 
plied to by Walter Begg, brought the evening to a close 
about I A. M., after singing "Auld Lang Syne." As the 
members dispersed many of them praised the executive 
committee for giving them a most enjoyable evening. 
Humbef Yawl Club. 
The Plumber Yawl Club, of Hull, England, is a unique 
organization with two points of distinction ; it is the only 
club devoted to the interests of the canoe-yawl, and 
in place of the ordinary dull list of names of members 
and boats its year book is an arti.stic production, the 
work of artist members of the club, and embellished with 
sketches, designs and practical information relating to 
canoe-yawl cruising. The book for 1899 has a cover 
tastefully printed in green, the leading feature of the 
design being a canoe-yawl under sail. The designs in- 
clude a birch bark canoe of the Lower St. Lawrence and 
two centerboard canoe-yachts. Otter and Lapwing. The 
former, designed by Mr. Albert Strange, for Prof. Durley. 
of McGill University, Montreal, is a modern design of 
excellent form, a fine little cruiser of limited draft and 
very good room. The latter is also a very handv type of 
craft for cruising. The cruise of Eel in Holland in 1898 
is lUustiated by a series of small sketches by her owner. 
The FosEST amd Streau is put to press each week on Tuesday. 
Correspondence intended for publication should reach us at the 
latest by Uoada/ «nd m much earUer as practicable. 
The Real Chaims of Canoeing. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
In your issue of Jan. 6 Mr. Robert J, Wilkin makes 
some interesting "kicks" aj^a'nst the kid-glove tendency 
of the A. C. A. campers. Being one ot those unfor- 
tunates who have never beeii able to attend an A. C. A. 
meet although I am a meriiber of the Association, I 
have perhaps no right to take v,p this matter — in fact, can- 
not enter into the discussion as relating to the A. C, A, 
camp; but it seems to me that Mr. Wilkin has touched 
a subject that is broader than the confines of the Asso- 
ciation, and that is a matter of vital interest wherever 
three or four lovers of the paddle, the wood-framed lakes 
and the ever-changing streams gather together. There- 
fore I venture to thrust in my blade for a stroke or two. 
The evil that so grieves Mr, Wilkin, and which, I think, is- 
the foundation of his kicks, is the lamentable tendencj' 
of canoeists everjrvvhere, so far as I can ascertain, to draw 
away from those glorious principles which have made 
the sport what it is, and must ever be its greatest charm — 
absolute freedom and close fellowship with mother na- 
ture in her varying moods. The average canoeist of to- 
day wears white ducks and is afraid to soil them; a 
pretty shirt he is afraid to wet and a nobby cap, that is 
pretty, but useless. If by any chance he is induced to 
cruise, he must take a hotel Avith him or find one where 
he can sleep each night; he must go around the falls in 
a stage coach instead of shooting the rapids, and, if by 
any chance it rains, the cruise is off; a sunburn is a dis"- 
aster, and a blister is frightful. The fact of the matter is, 
the sport suffers from a superabundance of laz}', fireside! 
kid-glove canoeists, and lack of paddlers. And I ani 
sorry for these fellows — jolly good fellows, most of them, 
too. I am sorry for them, for they know not the real 
joy of the true canoeman's life — the joy of roughing it 
and rubbing close against the rough side of all nature, 
wherein are disclosed a thousand charms that else had 
ne'er been known. What we need are more of the real 
canoemen — men who ?ove the sport for the close fellow- 
ship it gives them with dear old mother nature — men who 
love her in all her moods, who ask no more. cover at 
night than their upturned craft, who know the flavor of 
bacon and eggs cooked 'oy the clear embers of a camp- 
fire, who ask no other companions than pipe and paddle, 
who hail the carry as a joy, with a charm its own. and 
who, be it shower time or sun time, ask no more than to 
be shpping over the quiet pools and the laughing ripples 
in the one craft that may become a boon companion — a 
canoe. T. W. Burgess. 
SpfilNGFlELD, Mass. 
Kingston, Ont., Jan. 26— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Permit me through your columns to stipport the ideas 
advanced by "Brother" Wilkin in j'our issue of Tan. 6. 
It was with great pleasure that I read his letter advocating 
less paraphernalia and red-tapism at our A. C. A. meets. 
During the last fifteen years I suppose I have "gone 
camping" at least twelve summers, but I have yet to 
forego the pleasures of a private mess. Let us cook our 
own meals, when and as we wish. We don't want to 
have to eat at regular hours, we can do that at home. 
Our Constitution tells us that the object of the Association 
is for "plea.sure, health and exploration." Now who can 
be happy or healthy if he cannot have rest? And who can 
get rest if his camp is overrun by visitors and strangers 
By these 1 don't mean members, for I have found that 
a member is never a "visitor" or "stranger," for even the 
newcomers are always sure of a hearty welcome at every 
tent at the meet. But I do refer to the visitors who swanii 
into the camp and force a man to take to his "store 
clothes" or his cot. 
Let us have the camp for the campers. 
J. E, Cunningham, 
Purser Northern Division, 
CANOEING NEWS NOTES. 
The following letter explains itself. Mr. Woolsey is 
well known in the Northern Division, being tlie present 
Rear-Commodore : 
Ottawa, Ontario, Jan. 12.— My dear MacKendrick : I 
leave Ottawa for South Africa on Monday with the 
second contingent. Good-by. Yours in haste, 
Edgar C. Woolsey, 
t? »i ^ 
Purser Wood, of the Atlantic Division, is sending out 
his bills on the Muskoka special post card specially re- 
arranged. The space for the stamp has the announce- 
ment: "Park Island, the Canoeists' Paradise, is promised 
the largest and most enthusiastic division meet ever held ; 
make it a part of your vacation." In place of -the address 
is the followhig: "Canoeist For a few days our doors 
plan to be with 'The People' who will congregate at Park- 
Island-on-the-Delaware, May 26-30 inclusive— Atlantic 
Division Meet." 
*S 8? 
At a recent meeting the Toronto C. C. resolved to 
send a crew to the Sportsman's Show at Boston, and the 
following were selected: P. J. Syms, E. H. Richards 
Herb Begg, R. Norman Brown, John Gay, G. W. Be<^o-' 
S. A. Sylvester, E. McNichol and F. Woods. Arrange- 
ments have been made with the Y. M. C. A. for the use 
of its tank, and training will be commenced immediately 
Sec'y-Treas. Herb Begg has the matter in charge. 
»i 
The Eastern Division will hold a mid-winter dinner at 
Worcester, Mass., on Feb. 10. 
•I SI 
A. G, A. Membership, Eastern Division— George A. 
Clark, Worcester. Mass. ; Leonard W. Gates, Worcester 
Mass.; George N. Hall, Worcester. Mass'; Jamc:; f 
Mellor, Worcester, Mass. 
Take Inventory of the good things in this Issue n{ 
Forest and Stream. Recall what a fund was given 
last week. Count on what is to come next week 
Was there ever Id all the world a more abundant 
weekly store ol eportsmes's reading? 
