St. Louis* 
The Royal SU Lawrence Y. C. Steam Tended* 
All who were present at the Seawanhaka cup matches 
between the Royal St. Lawrence Y C and the White 
Bear Y C or who have visited Lake St. Louis during 
the past summer, have commented most favorably upon 
the new steam tender built during the winter for the use 
of the club. The question of a suitable steamer for club 
use has been under consideration by the Royal St. Law- 
rence Y. C. for some years, a special boat being urgently 
needed in connection with the many races sailed for the 
Seawanhaka cup since 1897, while one is also required tor 
regular club use throughout the whole season. ihe 
steam yachts of the club fleet have been placed at the 
disposal of the race committee during the international 
races, but all of them which are large enough to accom- 
modate the committee and guests are of too great draft 
to land at the club pier at Dorval, where the water is very 
shoal and boulders are only too numerous. As the club 
station lies inside of Dorval Island, with a shoal from 
the west end of the island well up the lake, the larger 
steam yachts have to run up the main channel, around 
the end of the shoal and then down to Dorval, lying off 
shore and taking passengers by means of rowboats. A 
great deal of time has been lost m this way, both m 
starting out and returning in previous races. While there 
is plenty of deep water m most parts of Lake St. Louis, 
the whole north shore is quite shoal, and there are long 
shoals through, the center of the lake. At the same time 
there is room enough to kick up quite a formidable sea 
on very short notice. It was necessary to have a steamer 
of very shoal draft, not over 2ft., if possible, large enough 
to be safe and able to carry a good-sized party comfort- 
ably, and fast enough to run with the racing 20-footers 
in setting marks, timing, etc. Such a boat has been talked 
of for several years, but nothing offered that was suitable 
and also within the limit of price, which was neces- 
sarily low, as the club has spent a great deal of money m 
recent years on the house and grounds.* During the past 
winter the matter was taken up anew, the_ financial end 
being assumed by a corporation formed within the club 
to manage the boat shops and provide a club steamer. 
The task of designing a suitable boat, as none was to be 
found in the market, was assumed by Arthur L. Drum- 
mond, Esq., a member of the club and an amateur de- 
signer, itie contract was given to Davis & bons, of 
Kingston, Untario, a very reliable firm, and the result 
has ueen most satisfactory. 
The new boat, St. J_ouis, is 65ft. over all, 6oft. water- 
line, i3tt. breadth, 2fc. draft, with a displacement of 
11.60 tons, 'i he coefficient of displacement is 0.50, curve 
of areas of the bow and stern each being a true curve 
of versed sines, in order to reduce the expense, the 
regular stock machinery of the builders was used, a 
simple non-condensing marine engine with link motion, 
the cylinder be.ng 8 by 8in., with a propeller 35:n. diam- 
eter and nominally 4ft. pitch. The boiler is built by 
Davis & Sons, under the Roberts patent, water tube, 4tt. 
Qin. by 4ft. gin. and 5ft. high. A Northey duplex feed 
pump, an injector, a hand pump and an exhaust feed 
water heater are the accessories, the whole engine room 
outfit being very simple. 
The fore overhang gives some necessary deck room 
and improves the appearance over a plumb stem, while 
with the cutting away below water it enables the boat 
to make a landing on a shoal beach. The sheer is quite 
high forward to meet the short seas of the lake. The 
screw works in a hollow of the bottom, which reaches 
nearly up to the deck at its highest point. This has 
worked to well that Mr. Drummond informs us that he 
would not hesitate in another boat to raise the shaft to 
the level of the waterline. A watertight hatch in the 
after deck gives access to the wheel, and by putting weight 
in the bow the hub may be raised clear of the water for 
any repairs. The freeboard is kept low aft for con- 
venience in boarding from boats, and the peculiar form of 
the counter has proved very convenient in practice. The 
crews of the racing yachts towing astern can haul up their 
boats and step aboard very easily. Another advantage 
discovered in bathing from the yacht is that one can 
eas'ly climb on to the stern from the water and step 
on board. 
The forward cabin is for the use of members, and there 
is a ladies' cabin aft, both fitted with toilet rooms. The 
bunkers, on each side of the boiler, have 50 cu. ft. capacity, 
2,5oolbs. ; hard coal being used. The upper deck is 
built strongl}^ enough to carrj^ all the people who can find 
standing room. A number of hinged seats are fitted to 
each side of the house, turned up out of the gangway 
when not in use, but giving additional seating capacity. 
The steering is done from the -fore end of the upper deck, 
the portion between the wheel and the funnel being used 
by the race committee, a pole being provided for the signal 
flags. 
As used in the international races, the boat answered 
perfectly, being powerful enough to tow a number of 
boats at a good speed from the club station to the starting 
line, and fa^t enoueh to run from mark to mark so as to 
time every turn. She was kept running day after day at 
this work w'thout develoning any defects. In the ordinary 
club racing she leaves Dorval about noon with a whole 
fleet of racing yachts in tow, and calls at Lakeside, Point 
Claire ^nd other points, where members who come out 
from Montreal on the noon train join her. She follows 
the races carrying the committee and spectators, and 
after the finish she takes fleet in tow for home. She is 
