' 482 
FOREST AND STREAM„ 
[June i, 1901* 
clear across the river in his rushes, until he had worked 
him in so close to the right bank that I had to come to 
the rescue by paddling gently in and securing his bow 
painter and towing him out into midstream, where he 
finished the fight and landed the fish. This sounds like a 
veritable fish story, but it is a fact. 
The local fishermen handle their imrnense tackle quite 
skillfully and effectively, but when placed for the first 
time in the hands of a man who has not been brought up 
on it, it is usually quite alarming. I was out one day 
last year with Will Compton and Torn Naylor, of Bear 
Lithia, and Will's father, a prominent member of the 
Harrisonburg bar. Compton, Sr., is an enthusiastic and 
expert flj'-fisher, and it is doubtful if he ever before caught 
a bass with bait. He had run. over to Bear Lithia from 
Harrisonburg for a couple of days, and. not expecting to 
fish, had brought no tackle with him, and his consternation 
may be imagined when one of these 20ft. flagstai?s — hal- 
liards and all — was placed in his hands and he was told to 
fish wfth it. 
In the fullness of time, Compton, Sr., got a strike. 
"Give him line! Give him line!" "Let him run!" 
"Give him plenty of time !" Avere samples of the advice 
showered on him by his companions as he sprang to his 
feet, the better to handle his cumbersome unaccustomed 
weapon, and was on the point of striking promptly, as he 
was accustomed to do in his fl3^-fishing experiences. He 
recovered himself and paid out some 15 or 20ft. of line, 
which the fish took up as rapidly as it was paid out. 
"Now strike!" exclaimed Naylor, as the fish, after 
pausing a little, started off briskly again. 
Compton, Sr., struck; not with the long, steady swing 
of the native, but with the sharp, quick, fly-fishing, 6oz. 
rod strike, forgetful of the tremendous latent energy 
stored up in that 20ft. pole. The fish — about a ^-pounder 
— came up flying out of the river, through the air, directly 
toward the boat. Everybody dodged, but there was no 
danger. That fish sailed up the river like a flying fish, 
high above our heads, the full length of the 60 or 70ft. or 
so of line out before he dropped into the water again. 
There was a shout of laughter, and Compton, Sr., who 
probably in all his previous existence had never been guilty 
of yanking a fish out of the water like that, sat down, cov- 
ered with confusion, while, he reeled in and landed his 
fish, receiving, meanwhile, the congratulations of his 
friends. 
He got tlie lish, though, which afforded him some 
consolatioii. 
[to be continued.] 
Constitution's trials will go on with as much regularity 
as fair weather will allow. 
Notice. 
All communications intended for Forest and Stkbam should 
always be addressed to the Forest and Stream Publishing Co., and 
not to any individual connected with the paper. 
Red Dragon C C 
There is at present an unusual amount of activity 
around the Wissinoming home of the Red Dragon C. C. 
of Philadelphia, and from all appearances canoeing will 
be more popular than ever in this club. Several new 
'boats have been added to the fleet, Mr. Shaw having pur- 
chased a new half-rater from Clapham. and Messrs. Mur- 
ray, McLeod. Park and Cook augmenting the fleet of 
canoes with new ones. 
The first run of the season was taken on May 5. a 
number of the men paddling up Pennypack Creek, lunch- 
ing near the falls. 
On May 11 Snug Harbor, the new Rathskeller, was 
formally opened in the cliib house, and a most enjoyable 
evening was passed. 
An up-river cruise was ordered by Com. Wilt on May 
19, but the unpropitious weather kept many from at- 
tending. 
The annual camp was held at the old favorite site near 
Delanco, N. J., May 30 to June 2, and the usual pleasant 
time was enjoyed by many of the members. 
The trapshooting contingent closed the season the last 
Aveek of May, and the honors were awarded to Messrs. 
Fenimore, Gross, Hemingway and Park. Two matches 
Avere shot with the Philadelphia Y. C. during the season. 
The yachtsmen had a little the best of it, winning handily 
on the Red Dragon's range, and making a tie on their 
OAvn grounds. Pleasant suppers followed both matches. 
W. K. P. 
Hafper^s Ferry. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
T have been much interested in Mr. F. R. Webb's experiences 
'as related in " 'Mid Reef and Rapid." The well written story 
lells of a country and river of which I ought to know something, 
but of which, I am ashamed to confess, 1 know very little. Yet 
my parents were born right there, in the most beautiful and sub- 
lime spot in the Shenandoah Valley— Harper's Ferry. My mother 
was a Virginia Lee; my father a Virginia Avis. Capt. John 
Avis, of John Brown fame, was a great-uncle of mine, and fohn 
Brown's silver watch is in the possession of a branch of our 
family to-day. It was given to Capt. Avis by John Brown him- 
self just before he stood on the scaffold. 
When my mother was alive, and we were all at home, it was 
very interesting to hear my parents tell of the "John Brown 
raid," his fortifying of the "old armory engine house," his cap- 
ture of prominent citizens, including Lewis Washington, a rela- 
tive of George Washington, and the final capture of himself and 
men bv Government soldiers. My father was a member of the 
local militia at the time, which was called to guard the jail in 
which Brown was confined. Finally came the war, the capture 
and recapture of the battle-scarred place, the dramatic blowing 
up of the armory and arsenal, and many other, stirring events of 
those stirring ti-nes. . 
I was in Harper's Ferry but once. It was when nnie years of 
age, and memory retains a faint vision of a sleepy httle village, 
the crumbling ruins of long buildings near the edge of a spar- 
kling, tumbling, foam-laced river, flowing turbulently through a 
great wondrous gorge — a place pronounced by Jefferson to be 
"the most stupendous thing in nature." 
I would feel thankful if Mr. Webb could furnish me the full 
name of the Mr. Avis, of Charleston, W. Va., whom lie met at 
the Walker place. I feel interested, and am sure he has dis- 
covered a relative of mine. > W. H. Avis. 
HiGHWOOD, Conn., May 20. 
Clouds. 
Glory beyond all glory ever seen 
By waking sense or by the dreaming souH 
The appearance, instantaneously disclosed. 
Was of a mighty cit};— boldly^ say 
A wildnerness of building, sinking far 
And self-withdrawn into a boundless depth, , 
Far sinking into splendor — without end! 
Fabric it seemed of diamond and of gold, 
With alabaster domes, and silves spires, 
A blazing terrace upon terrace, high 
Uplifted; here, serene pavilion bright. 
In avenues disposed; there tov;ers begirt 
With battlements that on their restless fronts 
Bore stars— iUH?n!nati<^R of a'l gems! 
--WsoswQrtn, 
Yachting Fixtures, J90J. 
Secretaries and members of race committees will confer a favor 
by sending notice of errors or omissions in the following list and 
also of changes which may be made in the future. 
MAY. 
30. South Boston, club race, City Point, Boston Harbor. 
30. East Gloucester,' club race, Gloucester, Massachusetts Bay. 
30. Atlantic, Sea Gate, New York Bay. 
30. Harlem, annual regatta. City Island, Long Island Sound. 
30. Indian JHarbor, special, Greenwich, Long Island Sound. 
30. Bridgeport, special, Bridgeport. Long Island Sound. 
30. Canarsie, opening and parade, Carnarsie, Jamaica Bay. 
30. Brooklj'n, opening, Gravesend Bay. 
30. Staten Island, Stapleton, S. I. 
30. American, opening, Milton Point, Long Island Sound. 
30. Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
30. Manhasset Bay, second series race for Jacob cup, Port Wash- 
ington, Long Island Sound. 
30. Seawanhaka Corinthian races for raceabouts, Seawanhaka 
knockabouts and club catboats. Oyster Bay, L. I, Sound. 
JUNE. 
1. Knickerbocker, annual. College Point, Long Island Sound. 
1. Atlantic, Sea Gate, New York Bay. 
5. East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. 
8. Winthrop, special handicap race, Winthrop, Mass. 
8. Canarsie, pennant championship,, Canarsie, Jamaica Bay. 
8. Hull-Massachusetts, club, Hull, Mass. 
8. Manhasset, annual. Port Washington, Long Island Sound. 
8. Brooklyn, open, Gravesend Bay. 
8. South Boston, club handicap, City Point, Boston Harbor. 
East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. 
South Boston, club cruise, City Point, Boston Harbor. 
Beverly, club, Monument Beach. 
New York C. C, annual, Gravesend Bay. 
Larchmont, spring regatta, Larchm.ont, Long Island Sound. 
. Seawanhaka Corinthian, first race. Center Island cup, Oyster 
Bay, Long Island Sound. 
Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts. Bay. 
Winthrop, class handicap, Winthrop, Mass. 
Hull-Massachusetts, club, Hull, Mass. 
17. New York, 90-footers, Newport. 
17. Boston, cruise. City Point, Boston Harbor. 
South Boston, cruise. City Point, Boston Harbor. 
Beverly, open sweepstake. Monument Beach. 
Duxbury, club race, Duxbury, Mass. 
Hull-Massachusetts, classes over 18ft., Hull, Boston Harbor. 
Dorchester, classes 18ft. and under, Dorchester, Boston Harbor. 
Corinthian, first club championship, Marblehead, Mass. 
East Gloucester, club race, Gloucester, Mass. 
Brooklyn, annual regatta, Gravesend Bav. 
Pavonia, annual, Bayonne, New York Bay. 
Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
Atlantic, annual. Sea Gate, New York Bay. 
East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. 
ISIew York, annual. New York Bay. 
Du.xbury, ladies' day, Duxbury, Mass. 
Beverly, Corinthian, Monument Beach. 
Marine and Field, open. Gravesend Bay. 
Hull-Massachusetts, club. Hull, Mass. . „ . 
Manhasset Bay, third .series race for Jacob cup. Port Washmg- 
ington, Long Island Sound. 
New Rochelle, annual. New Rochelle Long Island Sound. 
Atlantic, special. Sea Gate, New York Bay. 
Winthrop, special handicap, Winthrop, Mass. 
Seawanhaka Corinthian, second race for Center Island cup, 
Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound. 
American, Newburyport, Massachusetts Bay. 
New York, Glen Cove cups, Long Island Sound. 
East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. 
, Indian Harbor, special, Greenwich, Conn. 
28. Seawanhaka Corinthian, soecial. Oyster Bay, L. I. Sound. 
Boston, City Point. Boston Harbor. 
Savin Hill, open, Boston Harbor. 
Hull-Massachusetts, club, Hull, Mass. 
Atlantic, annual, Sea Gate, New York Bay. 
Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
Winthrop, class handicap, Winthrop, Mass. 
Seawanhaka Corinthian, annual race for Leland challenge cup 
for raceabouts, Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound. 
jtn.Y. 
2. 4, 6. Newport, Y. R. A., cup defender class, Newport. 
2. Indian Harbor, Greenwich, Long Island Sound. 
3. Columbia, City Point, Boston Harbor. 
3. East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. 
3-8. Brooklyn C. C., cruise, Gravesend Bay. 
4. Beverly, open sweepstake, Monument Beach. 
4. Duxbury, club race^ Duxbury, Mass. 
4. Boston City, City Point, Boston Harbor. ^, ^ . 
4. Corinthian, second club championship, Marblehead, Mass. Jiay. 
4. East Gloucester, open, Gloucester, Mass. 
4. Gravesend Bay Y. R. A., first open regatta, Gravesend Bay. 
4, Annisquam, open, Ipswich Bay, Mass. 
4. Larchmont, annual regatta and schooner races for Colt cup, 
Larchmont, Long Island Sound. 
4. Hartford, annual, Saybrook, Long Island Sound. 
4. Seawanhaka Corinthian, club. Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound. 
4. Pavonia, Mclnnis cup, Bayonne, New York Bay. 
4. Canarsie, parade, Canarsie, Jamaica Bay. 
4. Penataquit Corinthian, annual. Bay Shore, L. I. 
4. Columbia, Chicago, Lake Michigan. 
4 Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
5-11. Atlantic, cruise. Sea Gate, New York Bay. 
6. Shinnecock Bay, club. Shinnecock Bay. 
(J. Hull-Massachusetts, club, Hull, Mass. 
6 Winthrop, special handicap, Winthroo, Mass. 
6. Mosquito Fleet, City Point, Boston Harbor. 
6. Riverside, annual. Riverside, Long Island bound. 
6. Beverly, convention. Monument Beach. 
6. Savin Hill, club, Boston Harbor. , ^ -r i j 
6. Seawanhaka Corinthian, third race for Center Island cup. 
Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound. 
fi. Burgess, Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay. 
f,. South Boston, ladies' day. City Point, Boston Harbor. 
8. Norwalk, annual. South Norwalk. Long Island Sound. 
8-9-10. New York, Newport series, Newport. 
10. East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. ^ 
13. Moriches, club. _ ,r , j im u 
13. Corinthian, third club championship, Marblehead, Mass. Bay. 
13. Beverly, club. Monument Beach. 
13. Winthrop, class handicap, Winthrop, Mass. 
13. Hull-Massachusetts, club, Hull, Mass. , ^ , , ^ 
13. Larchmont, open, first day of race week, Larchmont, Long 
Island Sound. , „ ,^ • , 
13. Seawanhaka Corinthian, race for Roosevelt memorial cup, 
Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound. t , j c j 
13. Manhasset, special, Port Washington, Long Island Sound. 
13-20. Larchmont. race week, Larchmont, Long Island bound. 
15-19.— Interlake meet, Put-in-Bay, O. 
17. Beverly, Buzzards Bay. 
17. East Gloucester, evening race, Gloucester, Mass. 
18, 20, 23. Newport Y. R. A., special races, Newport 
20. Westhampton C. C, club. 
20. Hull-Massachusetts, club, Hull, Mass. 
20. Savin Hill, club, Boston Harbor. 
20. Winthrop, Winthrop, Mass. 
2C'. Duxbury, ladies' day, Duxbury, Mass. , 
After a number of very successful trials during last 
week. Constitution was formally turned over to her new 
owners last Saturday. Mr. August Belmont acting for 
the syndicate and Mr. W. Butler Dixncan's pri\*ate signal 
being hoisted aloft. Constitution's headquarters will now 
be at Newport.^although she will be taken to Bristol occa- 
sionally to be inspected. A new mainsail and some spare 
Steel spars are now being made for the boat at Bristol. 
n. 
15, 
15, 
15, 
15. 
15 
15. 
lo, 
15. 
IS- 
IS- 
16. 
17. 
17, 
17 
17. 
17. 
17. 
17. 
17. 
17. 
18 
19. 
20, 
20. 
22. 
22. 
22. 
22. 
22. 
22. 
22, 
22, 
25. 
25. 
26. 
27, 
27- 
29. 
22. 
29. 
29, 
29. 
29, 
29, 
While maneuvering for a start in a race against Sham- 
rock Land Sybarita on Tuesday, May 2i, Shamrock 11. had 
her entire rigging swept away in a sudclen squall. Sham- 
rock I. had her gaff broken and her topsail was torn to 
pieces. King Edward was aboard Shamrock II. at the 
time of the accident and narrowly escaped serious injury. 
Sir Thomas Lipton was struck by a piece of wreckage, but 
was not hurt. All the sails and spars are now lying in 
nine fathoms of water off the West Brambles. There will 
be a delay of six weeks in replacing the lost gear and 
spars of Shamrock II., and it therefore became necessary 
for Sir Thomas Lipton to ask the New York Y. C. for a 
postponement of the Cup races at least a month. The 
New York Y. C. readily consented to his request, and the 
date of the first race is set for Saturday, Sept. 2X, igox. 
The Independence Correspondence. 
The New York Y. C. has given out the correspondence 
relative to the sailing of Independence in the trial races, 
and the full .series of letters are as below. The outcome 
of it all is that the Boston yacht will enter the races, and 
this is a subject of universal satisfaction. 
41 West Forty-fourth street, New Y'ork, April 23— T. W. Lawson, 
Esq., 31 State street, Boston, Mass. — Sir: The committee 
appointed by the New York Yacht Club, to whicli was referred 
the challenge of the Royal Ulster Y''acht Club for a match for 
the America cup, with power, among other things, to select a 
vessel to represent the club in the match, has been officially 
advised by the owners of the Columbia and Constitution that 
those vessels will be prepared to enter trial races to be held 
under the supervision of the New York Yacht Club, with a view 
to the selcctioii of its representative vessel. 
The committee is informed that you are the owner of the 
Independence, now in process of construction in Boston, from 
designs by Mr. Crowninshield : that .she is of the same class 
as Shamrock IT., and the vessels above mentioned, and, as is 
generally believed, is being built for the purpose of being offered 
as a possible defender of the cup. 
It has seemed to the committee proper that it should officially 
confirm to you what was informally communicated by its chair- 
man several months ago to Mr. Crowninshield as to the conditions 
which would govern entries for the trial races. 
The cup is held by the New York Yacht Club under the deed 
of gift. According to that deed, it is not open to contest between 
individuals, but a match can be sailed only between the challeng- 
ing club, on the one hand, and the club holding the cup, on the 
other. By its terms the vessel selected to defend the match 
is made the reprc'^entative of the challenged club. 
The challenged club is made respon.sible for the vessel defend- 
ing the cup, and for her management and condxict during the 
match. 
It is evident thai no club can justly assume such responsibility 
unless it be vested with corresponding authority and control 
over the vessel by which it is represented and for the conduct 
of which it is responsible. The challenged club can be effectively 
vested with such authority and control only by having the vessel 
under its flag and under the responsible management of one 
of its members, for only a member is bound by its rules, amen- 
able to its control, and subject to its discipline. 
These conditions have in fact existed in all former contests. 
The committee are. therefore, compelled to hold that a vessel, 
in order to enter the trial races, must be qualified to fly the 
flag of the club, and must be under the responsible manage- 
ment of one or more of its members, and that if selected to 
defend the cup these conditions must continue to exist until 
after the conclusion of the uiatch. 
It is proper to add that in their selection of a vessel the 
committee, in accordance with the custom which has always 
been observed, would reserve to themselves ab.solute freedom 
to designate that vessel which, in their judgment, is, tinder 
all the cirniustances, best adapted for the purpose. The result of 
the trial races will not be considered as necessarily conclusive, 
and the committee will regard themselves as at liberty to con- 
sider or not, at their discretion, the evidence furnished by 
performances of the respective vessels prior to the trial races. 
The committee believe that they are expressing the unanimous 
sentiment of the New York Yacht Club in saying that the 
appearance of the Independence as a competitor for the honor 
of defending the cup would be very heartily welcomed. They 
are not forgetful of the distinguished part which Boston yachts- 
men have taken in_ these events in the past, and they are anxious 
to extend to the Indepe^idence every possible courtesy consistent 
with the duty of the chib as trustee of the /Vmerica cup. 
Respectfully vours, LEWIS CASS LEDYARD, 
Chairman of Committee. 
Boston, April 25.— Commodore Lewis Cass Ledyard, chairman 
of committee, New Y'ork Y'acht Club.— Sir: Your letter of the 
23d inst., wherein you make clear to me the desire and intention 
of vour club in regard to the selection and sailing of the vessel 
which will defend the America Cup, was duly received, and I 
thank you for the information which you have so fully and 
plainly given to me abotit the rules, reg.ulations and customs 
which must, by the deed of gift, precedents and decisions of 
your club, control the entire match from the beginning of the 
trial races to the conclusion of the match. I also thank you, 
and, through you, all the members of your club, for your kindly 
expressions in ragard to Independence and Boston yachtsmen. 
lhat there may be no misunderstanding in this matter, which 
is one of great moment to us, who have exerted every effort 
and have been actuated by only one desire, namely, to create 
a boat which all Bostonians will be proud of, 1 ask the privilege 
of briefly reviewing your letter. 
Your committee is correctly informed. I own Independ- 
ence; she is of the same class as Constitution, Columbia, 
and Shamrock II., and I built her for the purpose of offering 
her as a defender of the cup. My understanding of the deed 
of gift is in accordance with your committee's, that ' it is not 
open to contests between individuals, but a match can be sailed 
only between the challenging club on the one hand and the 
club holding the cup on the other," and that "the vessel selected 
to defend the match" must be "made the representative of the 
challenged club." "The challenged club is made responsible for 
-the vessel defending the clip and for her management and con- 
duct during the match." . 
I believe, as does your committee, "that no club can justly 
assume such responsibilities unless it be vested with correspond- 
ing authoritv and control over the vessel by which it is repre- 
sented, and for the conduct of which it is responsible." And I 
also believe with your committee that your club should be vested 
with authority and control, and that the vessel representing your 
club should, during the entire match and until its conclusion, 
be absolutelv under the management and control of your club, 
and I do not see how, in fairness to all who have any right to 
any interest in the great contest for the cup, your committee 
could do otherwise than to rule that all vessels which enter the 
trial races must be prepared to have your club absolutely manage 
and control them at all times, until the conclusion of the match. 
I entirely agree that it is only right and fair that your com- 
mittee "reserve to themselves absolute freedom to designate that 
vessel which, in their judgment is, under all the circumstances, 
best adapted for the purpose," and that "the result of the trial 
races will not be considered as necessarily conclusive and the 
committee will regard themselves as at liberty to consider or 
not, at their discretion, the evidence furnished by performances 
of the respective vessels prior to the trial races." 
I therefore ask that the Independence be allowed the honor 
of defending the cup, if on the fair and wise judgment of your 
committee she demonstrates she is, everything considered, the 
best boat for the purpose, and I pledge myself, if the Independ- 
ence is selected to defend the cup. to give to the New York 
Yacht Club absolute control and management of her until the 
conclusion of the match. 
In ray anxiety to hurry this matter along to a conclusion that 
will be satisfactory to every one interested, I have, immediately 
upon the receipt of your letter, and without opportunity to 
consult with Mr. Crowninshield or any of the other Boston 
gijptle^neti who are tq sail the Independence, thus briefly arswered 
