Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-08-04
The Modern Canoe,

"The primeval has passed
through a process of evolution said a
manufacturer of light water craft.
"The crude dugout was gradually i'm
proved upon until it resulted in the In
dams birch bark canoe. This was a
fast and s%erviceable craft, but it was
very far from being comfortable. The
paddler sat on a wooden rod instead of
a seat and the canoe was very cranky.
By gradual development the Indian
canoe has been made into the n of
to-day. Cruising canoes are the most
popular. The American Canoe Asso-
citation has decided that a canoe to be
entered for races must be a boat sharp
at both ends and not more than thirty
six inches wide on deck. She may be
propelled by sails OF paddles, or both
but she must be capable of being effectn,
ally propelled by a double-bladed pad.
die. The best canoes have air cham.
bers at the ends which will float the
crew and cargo ever if the. canoe is
stove in. Canoes usually have the keel,
bottom and stem and stern posts Of oak,
while the sides and top are of cedar.
The ribs are of red elm and the coam-
inggs of oak. They are copper fastened
throughout and finished with Oil. Bulk
heads are built forward Of the cockpit
for dry storage. The craft is steered by
the feet of the paddler by means of a
simple steering gear. A canoe TO be
complete needs a various equipment.
The fittings for the. canoe itself are a
rudder, steering gear, a cushion back
board, paddles, masts, spars, sail,
ropes, blocks and cleats. One of the
most popular models has the following
dimensions: Length, fourteen feet;
beam, twenty-six inches; depth smid-
ship at gunwales, eight inches; at ends,
thirteen inches; rise of deck, three
inches; cock pit, eighteen by sixty
inches"
'NWhere are canoe built?"
s.Many boat builders will turn out a
canoe when ordered, but the best are
made by special ano builders. The
demand for them has increased so much
within the past five years that there
are several large canoe yards SCAT
tered around the lake regions. Center
board canoes are quite popular. They
average fifteen feet in length, and are
made very stiff. They are completely
equipped with masts and sails that can
be unshipped and slowed away when
the voyager paddles. There is no end
to the things a canoeist needs when
making a cruise. and enthusiasts are
constantly at work perfecting little
labor-and-space Saving devices. There
is a place in 4 well-run canoe for every
thing that is needful for comfort, and
every thorough canoeist keeps every
thing in its place.
contriyances is a sort of housekeeper's
box, which is made to fit in q special
locker in the canoe. 1t consists Of a
light tin box eight by twelve by five
inches, divided into compartments.
One section has three movable trays
for bacon and crackers. Next are two
boxes for oatmeal and rice respective
ly. Then there is a large box for
flour. Next is a compartment in which
can be packed three pals. a %fryingpan,
a sauce dish, 4 broiler, and some small
tin pie plates. All these utensils are
made so that they fit into each other.
The four corners of the main box are
for pepper and salt. In the middle OF
the whole thing is a place for ice, with
a compartment for butter next to it.
All this takes up considerably less than
a cubic foot. Then there are perfectly
made stoves, all complete, which can
be packed in a space OF about ten inches
square. A modern carries every
necessary for a cruise in a remarkably
small space. 1t is not to be wondered
atthat canoeing is popular."-N. Y. SMn.