The Boomerang on Shipboard. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Some of your boating readers may be interested in an 
implement that I have contrived to aid one in throwing a 
liand line. It is marked by simplicity and freedom from 
expense, for the whole combination consists of the Lne 
to be thrown, a swivel, ^ faking device and a boomerang. 
The latter is by no means as difficult to throw accurately 
as one niight think who was content to take his knowledge 
of it from the accounts of travelers. A few minutes' prac- 
will enable any man to throw the boomerang effectively 
150 to 20oft., and carry a line strong enough to lift thirty 
pounds. Such a cord will haul a person out of the surf 
or support him until other aid is available. The con- 
trivance ought to be of service on board ships or yachts 
v.'here it is at times desirable to send a line to a boat or to 
a wharf, etc. The whole apparatus does not weigh over 
2lbs., and of this the boomerang is the chief factor, as it 
will average eight to ten ounces. The act of throwing a 
line by the device can be performed as easily as pitching a 
ball. The flight of the boomerang is almost horizontal, 
and, strange as it may seem, it can be thrown nearly or 
quite as far against the wind as with it. This phenomenon, 
which any one who has ever tried tO' cast a line by a fly- 
rod might doubt, is perhaps accounted for by the fact that 
the boomerang seems to fly on the wind, and draws the 
cord end on througb the air, thus exposing but a small 
si'rface of the cord for the wind to impinge against. 
I gave a demonstration of its working before the United 
States Life Saving crew at this harbor, and the men with- 
out any hesitation, pronounced it the best thing for the 
purpose they ever saw. They said it was far ahead of the 
"heaving stick" heretofore employed for casting a light 
line. The heaving stick sinks instantly if it falls on 
water, and carries the line down. But the boomerang 
floats and sustains the line on the surface of the water. 
The boomerang can be thrown with more accuracy than 
the heaving stick, and does not endanger the lives of the 
crew that emploj'S it. 
No one of the many who have seen the operation of the 
device ever heard of the boomerang being harnessed to do 
any service except as a missile weapon or toy. But my 
experience with it is convincing that it can be made 
serviceable to both amateur and professional mariners. 
Any man skillful enough to whittle out a paddle can 
make the apparatus by folloAving these directions : 
Fig. I is an outline of the boomerang, which may be 
about two feet long, half -an inch thick, and three inches 
AMD STREAM. 
)cT. it, igdi. 
©4 
wide at the middle, tapering to two inches at the ends. 
Fig. 2 is a faking device consisting of the handle a, and 
wire frame b; the handle is an inch square and two feet 
long, the wire frame is trapezoid formed, projects from 
the handle, and on it the cord is to be wound to prevent 
it tangHng, and run off freely when the boomerang is 
thrown. Fig. 3 is a swivel to be attached on the under side 
of the boomerang at its center to carry the line. 
Edmond Redmond. 
Rochester, N. Y. 
English Letter. 
There is little or nothing! of note in yachting at this 
time of year with us. A few vessels remain in com- 
mission for cruising, and it seems likely that they will 
have the best weather of the whole season. The antici- 
pated challenge for the America's Cup is the chief topic 
of the press, and, as usual, rumors are set afoot every day, 
apparently for the sole purpose of contradicting them the 
next. One daily paper — usually free from blunders in the 
little yachting it publishes — had an article "from a corre- 
spondent" on the suggested challenge in which the writer 
was at pains to hint that the new vessel will be the joint 
work of Mr. Fife and Mr. Watson. At the time when 
the first Shamrock was be'ng built, the same attempt 
was made by innuendo, to divide the honors and respon- 
sibility. What the object may be is not very clear. Cer- 
tainly the majority of yachtsmen would be satisfied to 
confide such an order to Mr. Fife. No doubt Mr. Watson 
will be able to lend the most valuable assistance in per- 
mitting the inspection of Shamrock II.'s plans. That is 
an act of reciprocity that must render the greatest help. 
At the time of writing. Sir Thomas' latest statement is 
that in about a fortnight he will have definitely decided 
on his plans, which means, no doubt when the Royal 
Ulster Y. C. receives a reply either to a challenge already 
sent or to a preliminary communication. 
Mr. Lawson's book has made its appearance over here, 
and has not created a favorable impression. His griev- 
ance is not very plain to outsiders, and his references to 
Sir Thomas Lipton are not in good taste. It is an inter- 
esting book, all the same, the more so, perhaps, because 
the author is out of temper. A report has been cabled 
across that a new Boston defender will be built for the 
next races. If she is to be managed on the same lines as 
Independence, it seems silly to build the boat, for, even 
if it were willing to stretch a point, the New York Y. C. 
could not do so with dignity now.in face of this literary 
thunderbolt. What an immense amount of ink has been 
wasted over that Cup ! 
It is stated that the German Emperor has givett, of is 
about to give, an order to Messrs. Herresholf for a new 
racing schooner, and that Herr Watjen, owner of Nava- 
hoe, is anxious to sell that vessel for "the purpose of build- 
ing a' schooner likewise. It is to be hoped that Herr 
Watjen Avill patronize a British designer, for in that case 
there will be an international feature in the racing. Meteor 
III, seems to be the result of a inistake that only too 
often involves designers in perplexity, viz., the inability 
of the designer to find out what the owner wants. In the 
phrase "fast cruiser," it is far from easy to say on which 
word the emphasis is to be laid, and the safest course 
when in doubt is to go strong on the adjective, even to the 
verge of turning out a racing machine. Anything will 
pass as a cruiser nowadays — at least we find it so over 
here. One of last year's 36-footers is racing in a 15-ton 
handicap class, not, mark you, under the flag of her 
original owner. She was bought, apparently, for this pur- 
pose, and made her appearance at the western regattas 
with four paid hands aboard. It is good for the owner 
that I have nothing to do with making handicaps. 
But to return from the ridiculous to the sublime, I do 
not believe the Emperor will ever get a schooner so large 
as Meteor to race with success against Cicely. The little 
Bona was more than a match even for the first Meteor, 
and the new schooner is a ship in comparison with her. I 
believe looft. is the limit of useful length for racing, and 
that even 90ft. would be better. 
Motors are still booming. Even at this dull season I 
b.ear of a new 40-ton auxiliary boat, and any amount of 
small fry. It is noticeable that the tendency is to put on 
the market engines of two or more cylinders in preference 
to the single-cylinder type. One of our makers has a 
12 B. H. P. 3-cylinder and 6 and 3^ B. H. P. 2-cylinder 
engines as standard makes. These are 2-cycle, and are 
certain to be largely sold. Most of our makers cling to 
the 4-cycle type, and to my mind these have been unduly 
despised in America. Weight is a matter of little im- 
portance in most boats, if it is carried low down. By 
and by we shall have a motor America cup, no doubt, 
and it will be interesting to know the terms of the in- 
c-vitable "Deed." France will stand a good chance in the 
first few years. E. H. Hamilton. 
Inter-Club Racing. 
Seawanhafca Cofinthtao Y. C— American Y. C. 
MILTON POINT, .LONG ISLAND SOUND. 
Saturday, Oct, 4. ■ 
The Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C. and the American 
Y. C. closed their racing season on Saturday, Oct. 4, with 
a team race between raceabouts of the two clubs. The 
race was sailed in the home waters of the American 
Y. C. at Milton Point. The crews of the Seawanhaka 
Corinthian Y. C. boats were entertained at dinner on Fri- 
day night at the American Y. C. The dinner was most 
enjoyable and there was nothing left undone by the mem- 
bers of the American Y. C. which would add to the com- 
fort of their guests. 
The committee in charge of the race were Mr. Hi de B. 
Parsons, for the American Y. C. ; Mr. W. C. Kerr, for 
the Seawanhaka Corinthian Y. C, and these two gentle- 
men chose Mr. C P. Tower, of the Riverside Y. C, to act 
as referee. 
Saturday morning the weatlier was cloudy with a mod- 
erate breeze from the N.E. The committee decided to 
send the boats over a triangle, starting at the Scotch Caps 
buoy, the first leg being one and two-thirds miles N.E., 
the second one and two-thirds miles S. by E., and the 
third one and two-thirds miles W.N.W. by W., to the 
starting line. 
The warning gun was fired at 12 :30, the preparatory at 
12:35 and start five minutes later. All crossed on the 
starboard tack, at the windward end of the line, with 
Howdy first, Joker second, but to windward, Hobo slightly 
ahead and to leeward of. Whistlewing, and Jolly Roger to 
windward of Jolly Tar, and about on even temis with her. 
The first mark was turned in the following order: 
Hobo^ Howdy, Joker, Jolly Roger, Whistlewing and Jolly 
Tar. _ ■. . - _ . 
On the next leg Jolly Roger and Whistlewing passed 
Joker and caught up slightly on the leaders, and Howdy 
nearly caught Hobo. After turning the outer mark for 
the reach home. Howdy succeeded in passing Hobo, and 
Jolly Roger still further closed the gap. The first round 
v.-as finished in the following order : Howdy, Hobo, Jolly 
Roger, Whistlewing, Joker and Jolly Tar. 
After hauling on the wind for the beat to windward, 
Hobo held the inshore tack, followed by Jolly Roger. 
Howdy went off shore with Whistlewing, Joker and Jolly 
Tar in the order named. Jolly Roger rapidly gained on 
Hobo until at alx)ut a quarter of a mile froiu the wind- 
ward mark the boats were side by side, only about 20ft. 
apart. Here Hobo did some beautiful sailing, and worked 
out to windward of Jolly Roger so she was able to pass 
the mark without tacking, while Jolly Roger was obliged 
to make a short tack to clear it. As they neared the 
mark Hobo crossed Howdy's bow, but Jolly Roger being 
on the port tack was obliged to give way to her. Jolly 
Tar had also passed Joker just before the mark was 
reached. They rounded in the following order: Hobo, 
Howdy, Jolly Roger, Whistlewing, Jolly Tar and Joker. 
On this reach the position was unchanged, except that 
Whistlewing passed Jolly Roger. _ 
On the final reach for the finishing line Howdy and 
Whistlewing luffed well out to windward of the course 
and were followed by Jolly Roger and Jolly Tar. All 
finally set spinnakers and squared away for the line with 
positions practically unchanged, except that Jolly Roger 
had caught Howdy and Whistlewing, and all three went 
over the line lapped, making a beautiful finish. The times 
at the finish were: 
Course 10 Miles— Start, 12:40. 
Finish. Elapsed. Points. 
Hobo, T. L. Park.... 2 23 06 1 43 06 6 
Howdy, S. Wainwright. 2 24 49 1 44 49 5 
Whistlewing, H. M, Crane 2 24 53 1 44 53 , 4 
Tolly Roger, T. B. Bleecker 2 24 58 1 44 58 3 
Tolly Tar, S. Howland.. 2 25 12 1 45 12 2 
Joker, Walter Jennings 2 26 21 1 46 21 1 
Rear-Gom. W. J. Matherson, of the Seawanhaka Cor- 
jnthian Y. C., towed the boats to and from Oyster Ba^; 
with his steam yacht Lavrock. 'i 
Cotn. Eaton's yawl Zenobia was Used as the committed 
boat. Allen E. Whitman. 
Little Haste— La Rita Matches, 
CHICAGO^ LAKE MICHIGAN. 
Monday, Sept. 29. 
In the third and last race between Little Haste and 
Rita, sailed on Monday, Sept. 29, the Eastern boat beat the 
Western craft by over 14m. 
The boats covered a fourteen-mile triangular course. 
The times at the windward mark follow: 
Little Haste 3 33 20 La Rita 3 47 2i 
• At this point La Rita was 14m. 8s. behind. The follow- 
ing times were taken at the second mark': 
Little Haste 4 10 42 La Rita 4 24 3? 
On this run La Rita had done better and cut down Lit- 
tle Haste's lead somewhat. The times at the finish were: 
Little Haste 4 37 24 La Rita •..4 5131.* 
La Rita was beaten 14m. 15s. 
YACHTING NEWS NOTES, 
The match between the cabin sloops Pinochle, of Stuy- 
vesant Y. C, and Zaza, of Morrisania Y. C., was sailed 
en Sunday, Oct. 5, from a stakeboat anchored off the 
northern end of Riker's Island around Sands Point buoy 
and return. The wind was light from the S.E. Pinochle 
won by 4m. 25s. Her time for the course was 4.08.13. 
m m 
The following sales have been made through the office 
of Stanley M. Seaman, yacht broker: The Burgess 35ft, 
sloop Sibyl, for Mr. Geo. G. Williams, Hartford, Conn.; 
36ft. sloop Annie, for Mr. B. D, Luce, of New York 
city; Herreshoff special 21-footer Vaquero I., for Mr. 
D wight W. Tryon, South Dartmouth, Mass.; Seawanhakaj 
knockabout Sigma, for Mr. L. L. Lorillard, Jr., of New 
York Y. C. ; Ofeldt launch Adelaide, for Mr. CoHn S, 
Eaves, of New York city; catboat Idler, for Mr. P. J, 
Kane, Larchmont, N. Y. 
A.* C Ai*. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
In accordance with Article XII. of the Constitution oi 
the American Canoe Association, notice is hereby givei; 
that at the next meeting of theExecutive Committee the 
following amendment to the by-laws will be offered, viz: 
Amend Sec. 2 of Chapter i of the By-Laws by in- 
serting after "January i" in second line the words "Thd 
Purser shall send as a receipt for such payment a carcl 
plainly marked with the year for which the payment 
is made." The rest of the section to remain as it is. 
Robert J. Wilkin, A. C. A. No. 47. 
Fixi uf es. 
Oct. 8-9.— Clinton, Ont.— Clinton Gun Club's twelfth annual 
tournament; live birds and targets: 
Oct. 9.-11.— Excelsior Springs, Mo.— First annual target tourna- 
ment of the Excelsior Springs Gun Club. C. H. Coppinger, Cor- 
responding Secretary. 
Oct. 9-lU. — Irwin, Pa. — Irwin Game and Gun Club's tournament 
Oct. 9-10.— Fort Wayne, Ind. — Annual target tournament of th< 
East End Gun Club. "F. W. Leidetf, Sec'y. 
Oct. 15. — Mt. Sterling, 111. — Seventh annual target tournament 
of the Mt. Sterling Gun Club. J. Breidenbend, Sec'y. 
Oct. 15.^ — Cleveland, O.^ — Fall tournament of the Cleveland Gut, 
Club. 
Oct. 15. — Charlotte, Mich. — Central Michigan Trapshooters' As- 
sociation's fourth tournament. Hartel & Robinson, Mgrs. 
Oct. 15-16. — Baltimore, Md. — Tenth annual fall tournament of th* 
Baltimore Shooting Association; targets and live birds; $100 adde<! 
money. Open to all. J. R. Malone, 2671 Pennsylvania avenud 
Manager. 
Oct. 15-16. — New London, la. — Sixth annual tournament of thi 
New London Gun Club. Dr. C. E. Cook, Sec'y. 
Oct. 15-16.— Springfield, O. — Springfield Gun Club's tournament, 
B. P. Downs, Capt. 
Oct. 21-22. — Kenton, O.— Second annual fall tournament of thi 
Kenton Gun Club; $75 or more added money. K. P. Johnson! 
Scc'y"Trctis < 
Oct. 21-22.— Sistersville, W. Va.— Sistersville Gun Club's targe' 
tournament. Ed. O. Bower, Sec'y. 
Oct. 21-23. — Spirit Lake, la. — Klein & Burnleister% fall tourna 
ment. 
Oct. 22-23.— Crawfordsville, Ind.— Crawfords^ille Gun Club's touri 
nament. M. Stillwell, Sec'y. 
Oct. 24-26. — Bisbee, Ariz. — Tenth annual tournament of th< 
Arizona State Sportsmen's Association. M. J. Cunningham, Sec'y 
Oct. 29-30.— Raleigh, N. C— Two days' shoot of the Raleigh Gut 
Club; $100 added each day. R. T. Gowan, Sec'y. 
Oct. 30-31— Dalton, O.— Annual fall tournament of the Daltoi- 
Gun Ckib. Ernest F. Scott, Captain. 
Nov. 27. — Ossining, N. Y. — Thanksgiving Day tournament of th( 
Westchester County Trapshooters' League under the auspices o 
the Ossining Gun Club. 
Newark, N. J.— South Side Gun Club target shoot, every Satut 
day afternoon. 
Chicago, 111. — Garfield Gun Club's target shoot, every Saturdaj 
afternoon. Grounds, West Monroe street and Fifty-second avenue 
Dr. J. W. Meek, Sec'y. 
DRIVERS AND TWISTERS. 
The many friends of the sterling shooter; Mr. J. A, B'.-Elliott 
will deeply sympathize with him, while rejoicing that it \ as n 
worse. The following, taken from the Cincinnati Enqnu -. r, c 
Oct. 1, explains itself: "1. A. R. Elliott, the champion w ng sha 
of the world, is himself badly winged and a patient at the Seto) 
Hospital on West Eighth street, where he yesterday submitted t 
a painful operation at the hands of Dr. L. E. Russell. His afflic 
tion is directly due to his profession of a shooter, and has bee) 
several years in developing. About two months ago, while at hi 
home in Kansas City, Mo., Mr. Elliott noticed that every time h. 
raised his rifle to his shoulder the shock would cause a slight paii; 
increased many times when the weapon was discharged. .Submit 
ting himself to Dr. Russell for examination, the physician soo! 
discovered that a fibroid tumor had developed immediately ove 
the clavicle. This tumor formation was caused by the recoil of th 
gun, Mr. Elliott estimating that he had fired the weapon, ovc 
5,000 times during the year. The task of removing the tumor wa 
entirely successful, and Mr. Elliott will soon be able to compet 
in tournaments again." 
The improvements in the way of grading and preparing fo 
homes at Rockaway Park, L. I., have so encroached on the ground 
of the Oceanic Rod and Gun Club, formerly the Cuckoos, that 
is uncertain whether or not the club will hold any more shoots O' 
its old grounds. A meeting: of- the -chab will be held in a few day 
to definitely settle the point. 
