The New York herald., 1872-10-20
THE CANOE REGATTA.
Miniature Yachting on Flush
ing Bay.
The First Annual Regatta Of the
New York Canoe Club.
Rear Commodore Montgomery Schuyler Wins
in the Gretchen.
TWO CANOES CAPsIzED.

TWO CANOES CAPSIZED.
the frst annual regatta OF the New York Canoe
Club was sailed yesterday In Flushing Bay IN the
presence OF O number Of excited and interested
ladies and gentlemen who accompanied the canoes
round the course in DR.. Mosher's pretty little
steam yacht Gertrude. For the past few months
the members OF the club and owners OF canoes
especially have looked forward with intense eager
ness to that eventful day when their little fleet
would make It's first appearance before the Ameri-
can public, and the disciples Of
BADEN POWELL
would teach the inhabitants Of the western shores
Of the Atlantic what man could achieve In a little
1Ourteen-f0ot cedar canoe propelled by the pres
sure OF air on few square feet OF cotton canvas.
Standing on the dock at the foot Of Grand street
yesterday morning, waiting for the judges steamer
was accosted by o native Of the Emerald Isle with
the following query
''What is viz all waitin' fur ?"
1--WE are going up to Flushing Bay to see the
canoe regatta.n
''Is 1t Injuns going to race ?"
''Ohi no; some gentlemen residing in New York
and Staten Island.n
'Gintlemin in can0esl begorrah, its myself that
wud be moighty sorry to sit in one OF them ma
chimes, let alone sail them.n
could hardly help pitying Pats unqualified ig-
norance relative to those beautiful little models
that have excited SO much curiosity this Summer
among the passengers crossing on the Staten Island
ferry. The little steam yacht Gertrude arrived
about 10:3O and, stepping on board, found pleas
ant little party of ladies and gentlemen. Every
body was talking canoe, and some Of the members
OF the party were listening with much interest to
an account Mr. Chambers was giving Of his cruise
on the Mississippi in the
DOLLY WARDEN
Time slipped pleasantly away, and after making
call at Thirty-fourth street and taking sloop
yacht In tow that had two Of the racing canoes
lashed down on its deck the little steam yacht
made straight for College Point. About an hour
was then disposed setting the different stake boats
round the course, and as yet no canoe was to be
seen on the bay. The ladies' began to get rather
nervous as some one playfully remarked that per-
haps they had capsized while making sail. Just
about this time hat was seen
FLOATING
on the surface Of the water, which was recognized
by some gentleman as one worn by Mr.. Montgomery
Schuyler, but during the discussion as to what
would be the best method of dragging for the
body two little specks were discerned coming out
Of Flushing Greek, which an expert pronounced to
be canoes. The Gertrude Immediately steamed
on in that direction, and we soon
came up with two canoes, one Of which,
called the Gretchen, was being dexterously
handled by the deceased, Rear Commodore Schuy-
Ter, with his head protected from the inclemency
Of the season by fac-simile OF the capital adorn-
ment which we had left floating about at the other
end OF the bay. The other canoe, the Walrus, was
tacking about, with her owner, Vice Commodore
G. Livingston Morse, at the helm. The walrus is,
with one exception, the
LARGEST CANOE
IN the club, being Is feet 10 inches in length Just
foot 10 inches longer than Mr.. schuyler's canoe.
Both were rugged with the 'sliding sprt,' and the
Walrus had rugged flying jibboom, at the end OF
which we noticed something bearing resemblance
70 ladies' pocket handkerchief carefully slowed.
The Wairus also carried square-headed 'tdandy,"
which had evidently been made up for racing pur-
poses. Mr.. Schuyler did not appear to be very
happy, and be afterwards stated that he was afraid
there was not enough wind for the Gretchen, and
he had not bent on his
RACING CANVAS.
The Gertrude then steamed into Flushing Dock
and there found Mr.. w. l.. Alden the founder and
prOgenitor OF the Canoe Club, who regretted that
business would prevent him participating in the
the violetta, his canoe. AS Mr.. Roosevelt's canoe
the Chip had been placed hors de combat on the
Journey from the city that gentleman gen gladly &C,
padding or to the starting point.
THE COURSE
was from stakeboat anchored Off the mouth OF
Flushing Creek round stakebOat Off Strang's
wharf, thence to a stakeboat of College Point and
back home making in all distance Of about ten
the northward and the tide had just turned ebb.
When the Gertrude arrived at the starting point
the four competitors were visible to the naked
eye cruising around awaiting the starting signal
Vice Commodore Morse evidently expected stifr
weather before nfghtfall, and had taken the pre-
caution to unbend his flying jibstay and reef the
nying jbbOom. The Violetta was the only one OF
Mr. Roosevelt Nv. was % occupied for Is q % hall minute
screwing down the jib sheet starboard eyebolt.
The names OF the competing canoes are as fol-
lows
Length,
Leila. Com, NJ. schuyler Capt Porter. !. =
Gretchen Rear Com Mont Schuyler. Owner....... a
viOetta. Captain W. L. Alden j. Z. Roosevelt IA
Shortly after one O'Clock p. NJ Captain Kidder,
board the stakebOat to take the time OF the
as tney went by on flying start. They were soon
al ready ior business and after the starting signal
had been given the violetta went by on the st ar
board tack, close hauled and under mainsail, jib
and
JIB-HEADED DANDY.
The Leila went by minute later on the port tack
under jib, mainsail and square-headed dandy, fol-
lowed by the WaruS, under Iib mansail and
square-headed dandy. The Gretchen did not start
until about two minutes later, following in the wake
Oi the Walrus. Captain kidder took the starting
time as f0lows:-
y,sIss'.. ysIs. + j ! S,sgss:,." ys1Eg;
the contest for the championship OF the New York
Canoe Club had actually commenced, the excite
ment on board the Gertrude was intense. Every
BODY mad his particular fancy, and number
Oets made on the merits o. the dilerent
canoes. Even the ladies' caught the infec-
i0n ana wagered gloves with reckless prod-
galty Every mannuvre OF the racing craft
Closely ~