The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-04
ICE YACHTING.
THE SPORT ON THE HUDSON RrxB-soxn III
CITING CONTESTS SOON TO occuB

THE SPORT ON THE HUDSON RIvxB-soxH III
CITING CONTESTS SOON TO OCCUR.
PoUoHKEEPsIE, N. y, Feb. 8, 1878.
The pleasant antcipations OF the ice yacht clubs
OF this vicinity regarding the opportunities for re.
peated indulgence this winter in the exciting
sport Of ice yachting have not as yet been realized.
The insurmountabIe difficulties IN the way have
not been due to q scarcity OF Ice. as the Hudson
seldom becomes bound by such an unbroken ex.
panse OF ice as now covers Its surface out Is at
tributable to the presence OF snow. The white,
leathery makes are well enough for those who love
sIeighing. but snow storms are not suited for the
pastime under consideration. Freezing on the
ice, the snow renders the surface SO
rough and uneven tsat the runners OF
an ice yacht VIII not slip along. 80 that where
there should be pleasure without stint there is
nothing but vexation and dsappotn tment wnen
the sport is attempted with Ice covered with snow
even though it may be frozen. hence the tnac-
tivity OF the ice yachts IN this vicinity.
For several weeks. however, many Of the larger
boats have been put together, both here and at
New Hamburg their owners awaiting favorable
opportunity to inaugurate the season In manner
beltrng the sport. Unrtl now the prospects for
speedy realization OF such hopes have
been slim indeed: but the mider weather
OF yesterday and the rain OF to-day have
will melt the snow" said they, land now we'll
have some ice yachting" and there Is great prob
ability that such will be the case. With the dis
appearance Of the inch or two OF snow on the ice
there WIN be twelve or more inches or clear.
smooth foundation Tyr the yachts, which is all that
The dignity TO which Ihis pastlme has STAINED
las n
Germs or that time have now given way TO ele.
md fRnC finn fnof hnfb
veis Of speed aid ornamentatlOn. Contrast the
Rrst Ice yacht built In this city 1883, by the
constructed by Commodore Roosevelt, and how
great the difference One was of common boards
na skates ' used a. for while Inc
and IS miracle OF strength and elegance OF finish.
Although not iuliy tried. there Is not the least
doubt that with good breeze she will show her
NOT alone are very fast and Very pretty ice ' yacht:
on the roll or the POughkeepsle Club feet, but all
along the river there are boats OF some preten-
sion, and at New Hamburg there is a
this city expects to have many races before the
river opens again, and otttmes these "oattes OF
the ice" are sfubbornly contested with vigor that
calls forth the warmest admiration and praise.
Among the events that WIN certainly be de-
regatta OF TIE Home Quo, the race Tor the lades
| pennant. competed for only BY the yachts OF the
club. and held by the winning boat from year to
champion pennant Of the HUDSON, open 70
ali Ice yachts IN The United states and
NduaOu. lUcSc are CcTtulu W Lake place, ana
inere may be programme devised that will prove
attractive, for there viii be an Ice yachting re-
union here very soon.
During tue races to come or there are hopes
that many OF the prominent yacntsmen or New
York aud Brooklyn Will join IN the sport. The ON
tend cordial Invitation to all such and promise
them good lime II they WILL only come up. Once
understood ana appreciated there are but very
few yacntsmen IN your vicinity but what
would own. their own Ice. yachts. Leav-
they could run up on the morning tram. OBTAIN an
excellent lunch, have three or Jour hours sail and
be back In New York by seven O'Clock. The cost
OF construction and fitting an Ice yacht Is but
small sum, while to keep It in repair amounts to
almost nothing.
TIE officers OF the Poughkeepsie Ice Yacht Club
for the year are as follOws:-COmmodOre, John A.
Roosevelt; Vice Commodore, Aaron lnnls; Secre-
tary. Richard w Bailey: Treasurer, Gay c. Bal.
ley Regatta Committee-Hudson Taylor, Henry
=. Frost and William Z. Arnold.