34 
FOREST - AND STREAM. 
;[J.m,Y 14, 1900. 
Idler. 
The famous old schooner Idler, so well known about 
New York a generation ago when she was owned by the 
late Samuel J. Colgate, came to a tragic end beneath the 
waters of Lake Erie, carrying down with her a parfy of 
six helpless women and children. The details of the dis- 
aster are told as follows by the Chicago Tribune : 
Cleveland, 0.," J'uIy 7.— The schooner yacht- Idler was- 
lost in a terrific storm sixteen miles off this port this 
afternoon with six' persons, all members of the family 
of James Corrigan, a wealthy vessel owner of this city, 
aboard. The dead are : Mrs. James Corrigan, wife of 
the owner of the yacht ; Miss lone Corrigan, aged twenty ; 
Miss Ida May Corrigan, Miss Etta Corrigan, Mrs. Charles 
Reilly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Corrigan; Baby 
Reilly, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Corri- 
gan. Mrs. John Corrigan was the only passenger aboard 
who was saved. C. H. Holmes, the captain; Samuel Big- 
gam, the mate; four sailors, two cooks and the ship 
carpenter were also' saved. 
The yacht left Port Huron on July 6 with the family 
aboard and started for Cleveland. Mr. Corrigan was ill 
and left by train. The yacht was in tow until she reached 
Bar Point, when the captain left the tow and turned the 
yacht for Cleveland. At 2 o'clock the storm came up, and 
inside of five minutes the yacht sank. 
All the women, excepting Mrs. John Corrigan and Miss 
Etta Corrigan, w^ere in the cabin when the gale came up. 
They became panic stricken, and refused to leave the 
place. 
The mate implored them to come to the deck, but they 
refused. Mrs. John Corrigan clung to a cork sofa when 
the gale came and was saved. 
"It was about 2:15 o'clock that the squall hit us." said 
Samuel Biggam, the mate of the ill-fated yacht. He was 
relating his version of the affair to a sympathetic crowd 
in the office of the Lake Carriers' Association. "The 
yacht lay down on her beam ends," he continued, "and 
the water rushed through the dead lights and companion- 
ways, and in three minutes she sank. 
"Mrs. James Corrigan, Miss Ida Corrigan, Miss Jane 
Corrigan, Mrs. Charles Reilly and the infant daughter of 
Mrs. Reilly were all in the saloon below when the storm 
came on us. Capt. Holmes gave me orders to take in 
sail, and I transmitted the order to the men. They obeyed 
quickly. The captain, myself and the crew made efforts 
to save the women, but without success. We told them the 
yacht was sinking, but they could not or would not come 
on deck. 
"I -Waded into the saloon when the water was up to 
my neck, but Mrs. James Corrigan would not come out. 
She may have been rendered incapable of action by fear 
and knowledge of impending doom. An effort was made 
to take the infant daughter of Mrs. Reilly out, but Mrs. 
Reilly would not let the child go." 
The mate said it was realized that nothing could be 
done to save those in the cabin and that attention was 
turned to saving those on deck. The latter, outside of the 
captain, mate and crew, were Mrs. John Corrigan and 
her daughter. Miss Etta Corrigan. 
"The captain, myself and some of the crew tried to get 
Mrs. Corrigan and her daughter up on the crosstrees in 
the rigging, but the heavy sea washed us all overboard. 
" 'For God's sake, Mrs. Corrigan, you and your 
daughter keep a tight hold on the rigging,' we called to 
them. Even as we yelled the sea swept them and us over- 
board. Fortunately, Mrs. Corrigan had succeeded in 
taking hold of a cork lounge. She clung to it and was 
saved." 
According to the testimony of several sailors, the top- 
sail, mainsail and jib were all set when the storm came 
up. This is denied by Biggam, the mate, who declares 
that they were in good condition to face the storm. 
Capt. James Corrigan declared to-night that good sea- 
manship could have averted the tragedy. He is almost 
frenzied with grief. 
The survivors of the wreck were picked up by tugs a 
few minutes after the accident and brought into this port. 
When Archie Fisher was Commodore of the Chicago 
Y. C. over twenty years ago he went to New York for 
his flagship and bought Idler. She was a wonder on 
the lakes, and Mr. Fisher was easily a leader among the 
amateur sailormen. But he tired of Idler, and she was 
laid up as a too expensive plaything. In 1888 she was 
fitted out to sail in a match race at Mackinaw against the 
Canadian schooner Oriole, of Toronto. Chicago yachts- 
m.en always said it was no day for Idler to race, for the 
wind went down to a drifting match, and Idler was no 
good unless the wind freshened. She was beaten. 
John Cudahy bought the old schooner from Mr. Fisher, 
as he wanted a yacht to finish out his summer home at 
Mackinaw Island. In 1890 he had the boat rebuilt in a 
thorough manner. Afterward Mr. Cudahy tied the yacht 
up in an Illinois Central slip, and for several years she 
accumulated coal dirt and dry rot. 
In 1896 W. D. Boyce was elected Commodore of the 
Columbia Y, C, and he chartered Idler for the season 
for his flagship. That Fourth of July Idler was entered 
in a race at Milwaukee with the steel schooner Priscilla, of 
Cleveland. The agreement was that the racing sails would 
be barred. Idler had a growth of sea grass and sailed 
like a lumber schooner, so Priscilla, with a cloud of 
balloon sails set, had no trouble in winning. 
The timbers and planking of the old ship were getting 
mellow by this time, and two years later a party of 
Chicagoans chartered her for a cruise. They encountered 
squally weather during the first night out, and by morn- 
ing the mainmast was rolled out by the pitching of the 
boat. The captain headed for Chicago again and the 
party who chartered the boat hustled ashore to sail no 
more. 
Last summer Idler was in service again, being used as a 
cruiser by the Naval Militia. They put the boat into 
dock, took out the centerboard, plugged up the slot and 
adopted other precautionary , measure to do away with so 
much heartbreaking work on the pumps. 
In the latter part of the summer A. G. Rumsey, of 
Cleveland, came to Chicago to buy Idler for Capt. James 
Corrigan, of Cleveland. When he started the old boat 
down the lakes he advertised that he would sail the en- 
tire distance, but upon closer acquaintance thought better 
of it and towed behind a steamer. 
There is not a yachtsman in Chicago who, believed 
Idler was safe when she left Chicago. Many years qf 
neglect when lying at dock all sunjmer had; worked 
ravages with timbers and planking, and about all that was 
left of the old craft was her history. 
Prior to her fresh-water experiences, Idler had made a 
name about New York. She was designed by Samuel 
Pook, and built at New Haven in 1866. In model she was 
a typical American skimming dish. She was one of the 
fleet of twenty-three yachts mustered by-the 'New York 
Y. C. to defeat the first challenger for the America Cup 
in 1870, finishing second. She sailed many races in her 
salt--water career, and was very successful. 
Wood's Holl Y: C 
w'ood's holl^ mass. 
Wednesday, July 4. 
The Wood's Holl Y. C. sailed the first race of the 
season on July 4 in a light and fluky wind. The times 
were : 
Elapsed. Corrected. 
Emma, A. M. Ferris ' 2 36 48 2 35 23 
Spy. E. E. Swift .2 38 38 2 87 35 
Dude, H. E. Hibbard 2 45 03 2 45 03 
K. T., W. M. Ferris 2 47 43 2 46 10 
In It C. Harding 2 48 44 2 48 44 
Lizzie, H. Fay... 2 48 21 2 47 27 
Maxine, F. G. Clark .2 54 40 2 54 17 
Florence, W. L. Howes •■«" Disqualified. 
See, C. L. Harding ..i. . .. .Disqualified. 
The judges were J. P. Swift, Ulric Dahlgren, J. Walsh.. 
Keystone Y. C. 
TACONY — ^DELAWARE RIVER. 
Sunday, July r. 
The Keystone Y. C. sailed a club race on July i in ? 
strong N.W. wind, the times being: ■ 
First Class Duckers— Statt, 1:07. 
Albert S., C. Shallcross 2 09 30 1 02 30 
Bertie, S., W. Collom 2 09 33 1 02 33 
Bessie, S. Y. Dingee 2 09 35 1 02 35 
George B., Geo. Pass 2 19 30 1 17 30 
Little Harry, R. Brown......'...". ." 2 19 38 1 17 38 
Flounder, J. Brown..- .2 27 00 1 20 00- 
McGinty, W. Clausen Disabled. 
Skiffs— Start, 4:35. 
Two Jacks, W. Clausen .5 25 00 0 50 00 
W. A. Moore, C. Shallcross., .Dismasted. 
Corinthian Y, C. 
ESSINGTON — ^DELAWARE RIVER." . 
Saturday, June 30. 
The Corinthian Y. C, of Philadelphia, sailed a race for 
the knockabout class on June 30 in a strong N.W. wind, 
the boats carrying two reefs. Kid, sailed by Mr. and Mrs. 
W. Barklie Henry, led to the outer mark, but broke her 
rudder on the way home; she was kept going, however, 
and steered by the sheets, coming in first. Gavota car- 
ried away her jib and tore her mainsail, and Grilse was 
badly disabled. The times were, start 2 :4s : 
Lower Buoy. Finish. Elapsed. 
Kid 3 41 25 4 22 30 1 37 30 
Fareeda 3 45 50 4 25 2.5 1 40 25 
Gavota 4 30 52 1 45 52 
Grilse 3 46 30 Disabled. 
Points won: Kid, 4; Fareeda, 3; Gavota, 2; Grilse, r. 
Points won to date: Kid, 7; Fareeda, 5; Grilse. 3; 
Gavota, 2. 
"Windward Y, C Annual Regatta* 
BROOKLYN — NEW YORK BAY. 
Wednesday, July 4. 
The Windward Y. C. sailed its animal regatta on July 
4 over courses in the Upper Bay off the club station, 
Thirty-fourth street. Brooklyn. A heavy thunder .squall 
made trouble for a time. The times were: 
Cabin Sloops^Start, 10:43. 
Finish. Elapsed. Corrected. 
Veta, R. \V. Jones Walkover. 
Ca]bin Catboats— Start, 10:46. 
.■^Llva, J. H. Alien 14 -50 2 28 50 2 32 12 
Emily B., E. V. Brewster 1 20 45 2 34 45 2 34 45 
.Sunshine, George H. Ticc, .1 22 00 2 36 00 2 36 10 
Florence, H. A. Conradt Withdrew. 
Mainsail Boats— Start, 10:49. 
Bonita, J. H. Hepburn 1 50 33 3 01 33 3 03 33" 
Ketort, J. H. Myck 2 10 15 3 21 15 3 21 15 
Ettn, C. Myck Withdrew. 
Ne Ne Moosha, T. H. Vermount. .Dismasted. 
Ada W., E. H. Webb 1 49 50 ' 3 00 50 3 OS 16 
Open Catboats— Start. 10:52. ' 
Nip, Frank Smedley 12 28 22 1 36 22 1 36 22 
Ruth, W. H. Remey 12 25 05 1 33 05 1 36 Uo 
The winners were Veta, Alva, Bonita and Ruth. 
The 3o-footers at Newport. 
On July 4 the 30-footers Dorothy and Esperanza sailed 
a private match over the Bishop's Rock and Jamestown 
course, the times being, start 3:11: 
Finish, Elapsed. 
Esperanza, H. O. Havemeyer, Jr ;...4 46 28 1 35 28 
Dorothy, H. Y. Dolan 4 47 47 j % 47 
On July 5 a sweepstakes race w-as sailed over a course 
from Brenton's Cove around Half- Way Rock, eight miles 
to leeward and return, in a fresh south wind, the times 
being, start 3 :24 : 
„ TT ^ TT -r T"™- Finish. Elapsed. 
Esperanza, H. O. Havemeyer, Jr.. 4 25 40 5 32 49 2 08 49 
Wawa R.Brooks ...4 25 47 5 33 17 2 09 17 
Dorothy, H. Y Dolan 4 26-20 5 33 31 2 09 31 
Hera, R. N. Ellis.. 4 27 19 5 34 18 2 10 18 
On July 7 a race was sailed, resulting as follows : 
^ ' , Finish. Elapsed. 
Wawa, R. Brooks 5 46 24 2 27 24 
Hera, R. N. Ellis 5 47 36 2 28 36 
Dorothy, H. Y. Dolan ......5 48 09 2 29 09 
Esperanza, H. O. Havemeyer, Jr , 5 52 02 2 33 02 
, [ • 
Admiral, steam yacht, J. D. Crimmins, has iheen sold to 
an unknown purchaser. 
Penataquit Corinthian Y. C 
BAY SHORE — GREAT SOUTH ^BAY. 
Wednesday, July 4. 
The Penataquit Cor. Y. C. opened its new. club house 
on Penataquit Point on July 4 at noon, starting a race at 
I P. M. The times were: 
Sloops— Class M— Start, 1:05. 
_ . " Finish. Elapsed. Corrected. 
Impatience 2 59 00 1 54 00 1 54 00 
Curlew 3 17 00 2 12 00 2 11 42 
Class N— Start, 1:10. 
Pinkic Disquahfied. 
Gayety • 3 22 55 2 12 55 2 12 39 
Wee Three 3 36 50 2 26 50 2 24 42 
^^^lane Disabled. 
Viking Disqualified. 
Oscawana 3 37 40 2 27 40 2 21 28 
„ . Sloops- Class Q— Start, 1:15. 
Oranje Boven 3 58 50 2 43 50 2 43 50 
Surprise 3 52 26 2 37 26 2 25 00 
G'ggle • Withdrew. 
^ . Catboats— Class T— Start, 1:15. 
Oconita .3 52 30 2 37 30 2 37 50 
Manam 3 45 45 2 30 45 2 25 54 
,,. Class V— Start, 1:20. 
T • 4 00 45 2 40 45 2 40 45 
Little Minister 3 52 55 2 32 55 2 29 35 
Peggy 3 59 59 2 39 59 3 34 43 
^"s 4 02 42 2 42 42 2 35 40 
' - , Glass W— Start, 1:20. 
Defender 3 09 50 1 49 50 1 49 50 
Little Lydia 3 28 18 2 08 18 2 08 00 
The winners were Impatience, Gayety, Surprise, 
Mariam Little Minister and Defender. 
Burgess Y. C. 
MARBLEHEAD — MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 
Wednesday, July 4. 
The race of the Burgess Y. C. on July 4 was sailed in 
a fresh northerly wind, the times being : 
Saceabouts. 
c- ^ ^x• -r- , Elapsed. Corrected. 
Sintram, W. P. Fowle 1 29 44 
Pirate, R. C. Robbins 1 30 49 
Scapegoat, C. H. W. Foster Withdrew. 
Knockabouts. 
Opeeche, J. C. Grew 1 44 24 
Opitsah II., S. H. Foster .1 45 39 ] .. .'. 
„ 25ft. Handicap Class. 
Cartoon, Howard Parker 10134 10134 
Darthea, E. B. Lambert ...1 13 00 1 08 04 
16-footers. 
Uglv Duckling, C. F. Lyman : 101 32 
Cyclone, F. G. Macomber 1 02 15 
Moccasin i. . . . . . .1 06 14 . 
Royal Canadian Y. C Queen's Cup. 
TORONTO LAKE ONTARIO. 
Monday, July 2. 
The race of the Royal Canadian Y. C. for the Queen's 
cup, was sailed on Dominion Day in a light westerly 
breeze, the course being two rounds of a fifteen-mile tri- 
angle. The times were: 
, , Start. Finish. Elapsed. 
Merrythought 10 16 40 5 16 00 7 01 00 
Clorita 10 16 23 5 19 35 7 04 35 
'^reda 10 16 12 5 20 40 7 05 40 
The corrected time was not known, but Merrythought 
is. probably the winner. The judges were Messrs. Bever- 
ley Jones and Brough Garrett. 
YACHTING NEWS NOTES. 
As the result of legal proceedings, W. K. Vanderbilt, 
Jr., has recovered the launch Leading Wind 'from R. L. 
Forrest, whose agents carried her away in taking delivery 
of the cutter Carmita at Newport. Judge McPherson, in 
the United States Court, decided that the launch was not 
an appurtenance of the cutter, and did not go with, her 
under the sale. 
«? •! it 
Duchess, the Boston i8-footer, designed and success- 
fully raced by C. D. Mower, has been sold to Lt. Cecil H. 
Dean, of the Royal Artillery, who will race her in Ber- 
muda against the local boats. 
■ ^ 
Surf, steam yacht, F. D. Lambert, of Leith. arrived at 
"New York on July 4 after leaving London on June 16 and 
calling at St. Michaels. She is under charter to Mr. 
Billings, of Chicago. Surf was designed by Cox & King 
and built by Ramage & Ferguson in 1898. She is 176 
b.p., 166.5ft. l.w.l, 24.5sft. breadth and ,i4.r5fL depth. 
Her tonnage is 489. 
^ 1^ ^ 
Theresa, steam yacht, G, Sidenberg, has been chartered 
to G. E. Graff, of New York,. during her owner's absence 
in Europe. 
«l *6 «6 
The Buckley patent water tube boilers, made by the 
Rochester Machine Tool Works, are meeting a ready 
sale, the output for the past three months being double in 
number and horse power that of the same time in any 
previous season. The orders are mostly from those who 
have seen the boilers in use, and satisfied themselves of 
the excellent qualities. 
IS K 
The year book of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C. 
shows a total membership of 475, including 444 regular 
members, i associate member, 17 honorary members, 8 
navy members and S life members. The fleet includes 45 
steam yachts, 23 launches, 13 schooners, 102 cutters, sloops 
and yawls, 28 open yachts and I catamaran. 
•5 •t it 
The special regatta of the Harlem Y. C, for 25, 30 and 
35ft. classes of sloops, cutters and yawls, scheduled for 
July 7, was. declared off by the Regatta Committee, owing 
to lack of entries. 
•e n « 
The fifth annual open spring regatta of the Morrisania 
Y. C, postponed from June 17 becaUse of unfavorable 
weather, will be sailed on July 15 at Casanova. 
•? 
The annual race of the Seawanhaka C. Y. C. for the 
Alfred Roosevelt Memorial cup, given this year for yachts 
of 36ft. R. M. and under, with allowance, will be sailed 
on July 14, starting at 3 P. M. 
I 
