The New York herald., 1874-12-20
The Thrilling Winter Sport on the
Hudson.
SEASON OF 1S74-'75.
History OF the Poughkeepsie Ice
Yacht Club.

way to colder and the mountains around and alar
on are covered with depths OF snow, and the broad
river at our feet has put on Its winter covering,
all Pougnk eepse Is glad. 1t verges even TO the
Drink OF much excitement at such PERIOD for
then the sport Of ice yachting can be In
dulged In. This pastime, for downright, exciting
pleasure-the very opposite OF indoent bliss
cannot be surpassed. Day after day, with ice
strong ana solid and the wind blowing steadily,
the members OF the Poughkeepsie Ice Yacht Club
are in their glory. To them such weather brings
gala times. and they lose no chance TO crowd into
the period all the 'crackn events OF their favorite
recreation. There Is just as mucn sport, just as
much zest In cracking ice-yacht race
as there is In regatta OF the New York
Yacht Club under the most favorable
circumstances and the run from this city to New
Hamburg the club course Will be repete in as
many enjoyable instances as the run 70 Sandy
Hook Liehtship, with rather more than capful OF
wind to III the yachts bellying sails.
The position or Poughkeepsie in Ice yachting Ia
not only honorable IN ITSELF but derives additional
value from the tact that SUPP emacy in this winter
pursuit is distinction on which many other
places in the United states and Canada have set
their hearts. But lor years every conner has had
to lower his pennant to the boats owned here, and
II is sale say P0ughKeepsies prestige and expe-
renee is such that she wnot give up what she has
without great struggle. For fifty or more years
Ice boats have been known on the Hudson. Rough.
uncouth concerns, though they were-constructcd
OF common boards and joists and using ordinary
skates for runners they were useful in their way.
1t is only within q lew years the sport
has reached the dignity OF Ice yachting. Little did
Mr.. Edward Soutnwick, now deceased when he
built the first Ice yacht OF any move owned in this
city, In 1888, dream OF the extent which this
healtngiving recreation would reach. Even the
prominent Ice yachtsmen OF this 0ay surprised.
For, besides sister clubs oH the Hudson, similar
organizations are being formed in many parts OF
the country where ice and suitable courses
abound, and each one outvieing the other in the
construction OF these racing machines.
Following MIR. Southwicks construction, Mr..
Simon Wheeler, also OF this CITY, built an ice yacht
in lS45, on the same general plan as the former,
but used pot metal runners Foss Brothers some
time prior thereto also built one OF these yachts
ana with 1t made trip to R0ndout and back in
one hour; distance thirty-two miles. The speed
attained seemed almost incredible, but both ice
and wind we're favorable, and the machine shot
lightning like on her way. Repeated construc-
tions were the result OF this great run.
goodly fleet OF ice yachts was soon
owned along the Hudson, and every winter
OF good ice and smacking breezes there were gala
times on that noble stream. In this manner, with
Of speed. and with races, matches and regattas,
the ice Yachting amusement progressed until 1859,
when new life and new vigor were infused into the
nucleus which since formed the present club OF
this city. That year and IN 1S60-61 the Arctic Una
lcicle and other yachts were built, each OF which
possessed many improvements upon the older ana
ruder craft yet retained in general the triangular
form, In 1851 the Poushkecpsie Ice Yacht Club
was organized when the pastlme received an I'm
petus that has never since deserted 1t. From that
period there have been many events worthy OF
reference and the improvements OF the yachts
very marked. What was then insignificant is now
clothed with greatness and success. True, there
have been winters when the club has had en-
rolled on It's books more yachts than now; /;
but this is accounted for by the fact
tnat many Of the smaller boats have been disposed
OF to the New Hamburg Club. also o spirited or
ganization, preparatory to building larger ones.
Yet the first good ice that comes Will upon the
river a merry feet, sailed by men who know by
experience what keen relish there ia in the
amusement, and how pleasant 1t is to snatch
prize from an adversary's grasp by sheer pluck
and daring,
With seasonable weather the present winter
with the Poughkeepsie Club will be OF unusual
interest. There will be the annual regatta, to be
held at such time as the committee m mly direct.
Then there will be the stirring events for the La
dies Pennant, to be competed for only by the
yachts OF the cuD, which Is held by each winning
Again, there Is the champion pennant OF
the the. Hudson, open open TO- all Ice yacht
race indeed. the competitors coming from far and
near, and the winner can oyiuly boast OF his VIC
sides these ATTRACTIONS there are rumors that the
home club and the New Hamburg organization
ce ot ss 70 e al
would prove popular regatta, and the contest
ants would be we'll watched and their merits fully
meeting OF this month"; period OF thirteen
years-Mr. Oliver H. Booth, pioneer OF the pas
time, held the office OF Commodore, and dis.
charged the duties OF the position with tact, lib
crafty and enthusiasm The oncers for the sea-
wealth. N respectaOllity and refinement nt:~Uommo-
dore, John "A. Roosevelt; Vice Commodore, Aaron
INNS; secretary, Richard w. Bailey; Treasurer,
Henry s. Frosh and william G. Arnold. The
sailing regulations are based upon those OF the
New York Yacht Club. The distinguishing signal
of the club Is q printed burgee, having q scarlet
field, without device its width being one-halt Its
length. The CommOdore's yacht, when sailing.
carries broad pennant. blue field, without de-
wee.
vicinity between the ice yachts OF the home club
ing the past four or Ave years. These events were
those fortunate enough TO be able 70 join ID them
Pleasantly the Mme was passed, and
sport so Ssss' winch some poushxeepse gentle gentle.
men have been wont to consider exclusively
their own calls forth "reminiscences OF the most
entertaining character. From year to year i'm
provements have been made In the yachts, until
now they are wonderful in their lightness, stiff
ness, Ornamentation and general character.
n nearly 'i the 's same PLAN TSer ssnsral S pfn.
ciple Is that Of an equilatcral triangle,
but notifications and slight deviations
from this form viii occasionally be observed. the
wider part OF the triangle ts the bow OF the boat
aud the hull runs down TO the stern In 4 curved
shape. Under the bow Is an arched runner plank
to each end Of which Is fastened q runner oil STEEL
and care Is taken that these shall be well sharp
stern is a movable runner, set fore and sit,
which does the duty OF o rudder and
guides the craft. The hull Is but four
that the nelmsman Is compelled to adopt recum-
bent position, but stu one OF comfort when IT be-
| comes familiar This craft is rugged like sloop