Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-07-09
LOCAL.

0ii lilly hfiUahGiiHUGh /
UNION TARS ON A CRUISE.
DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET UNDER THE
COMMAND OF COMMODORE" WEBB =
THE CRUISE OF THE FRANKIE" AS
RELATED BY HER COMMANDER.
&C., &C., &c.
When Maj. John MacGregor of the
British army invented canoeing. he gave
to tired and recreation seeking world,
what is claimed by its votaries as the most
perfect of all possible outdoor sports. In
his diminutive "Rob Boy" he cruised oyer
thousands of miles of the waters OF
Europe, and to-day the glistening sails
and flashing paddles of these unique little
craft are to be seen on all the lakes and
rivers of America and Europe. Briefly. a
canoe is light craft, propelled with a
double-bladed paddle. sharp at both ends,
decked over with the exception of well
or cockpit in the middle, which is also
fitted with covering closing up close
around its solitary occupant. (the ordina-
with his camping out6tl effectually ex-
GLIDING rain or seas, and thus fitted and
sklllfully managed, it is admirably adap-
ted to descending swift, narrow streams,
broken by rapids-provided with small
tent, fitting over the we'll, and drawn up
on the shore, the canoe becomes a shelter
and bed at night for its occupant. and
with proper stores, voyages are made last.
ing for weeks and months. Trips have
been made from Lake George, N. z, via.
canal, lakes, the Allegheny. Ohio and
Mississippi rivers and the gulf, to Pensa-
cola. Florida, and from Quebec via. rivers
and coasts to Jacksonville, Florida.
A party will leave here on Monday morn
ing for two weeks cruise on the Shen,
andoah River, under the direction of Mr..
F. r. Webb, of this city, ar
experienced cruiser, and a member
of the American Canoe Association
consisting Of Mr.. Webb, in canoe
'sFrankie;" Mr.. Geo. N. Beall, in canoe
"Rosa;" DR.. F. W. Traphagen, in canoe
''Hattie;'' Mr.. Lacey Gibson. in canoe
"Clyde;' Mr.. John Murray and son Dun
bar, in skiff Mac" and Mr.. WV. Gibbs
in Stranahan folding skiff Kathleen. ,
The party will by joined by Col. F. M
Spottiswoode and DR.. Z. II. Chalkley, from
Richmond, and at Port Republic by Rev
G.. Mosley Murray, each in his own boat
The start will be made from Bowling's
mill, on Middle River, if practicable, OF
from Mt. Crawford, on North River, and
the party will probably go through to Har
per's Ferry, at the mouth of the ohenan
doah.
The trip will be made leisurely, with
frequent stops for fishing and sight seeing
the noted Meyers and Luray Caverns
being within easy walking distance of the
river.
The canoes are of canvas, IA tt. long
and 26 inches beam. The ''Frankie'' was
built by her owner, Mr.. Webb, and has
already seen active service, while the 9TH
er three canoes were built by Mr.. Geo. N
Beall. They are beautiful specimens OF
diminutive naval architecture, and will
well repay visit by those interested in
boats. They are at the Bealls& Paul Ma.
chine Works, where they will remain un-
til Monday morning. Mr.. Murray also
built his own boat.
In this connection we think it will be
interesting to our readers to peruse the
cruise made by Mr.. F. R. Webb, in the
FRANKIE in June. 1884, from Mt. Craw.
ford, on North River, to Massanutton,
Opposite Luray) on the Shenandoah Riv-
er. Mr.. Webb started ito go through to
Harper's Ferry, but the iriver was very
high, ugly and dangerous, so Mr.. Webt
very wisely aband oned the cruise at Lu.
ray. We are indebted to Mr.. Geo. N =.
Beall, of this place, for copies of the
"American Canoeist,' containing an &C
count of the
CRUISE OF THE "FRANKIE."
| The FRANKIE" is a canvas canoe built
| by owner-length, 14ft.; beam, 80 inches
cockpit, Aft. by IS inches; weight in ex
press office with cargo, $50 lbs. The outfit
was somewhat extensive, more so thar
necessary perhaps-however, I left SOM
of it at the bottom of the Shenandoah
| The "Frankie" and / left Staunton, Va.
early on the morning of June 18th, via B
4 o. r. R.. bound for the North River
| N6o,,,s (yro ~, rorJ Go t;or
We took water at clock, took plent,
of it, as the river was very high; it hat
been raining for several days, and
started in light rain.
To start cruising so early in the season
was a mistake. The Shenandoah and it
| tributaries are all 'navigable for canoes
the water is beautifully limpid and of {
slaUy blue color, while the stream abound
in rapids. In high water the rivers becom,
| turbulent and rush down in boiling
surging floods of deep reddish color
while the rapids become rough and ugly
| The whole male population Of the sta
tion assembled on the lofty railroad
bridge to see me off. 1 shot around {
bend and was soon out of sight of thu
bridge and into my first rapid. The waite
washed my deck from stem to stern, ans
dashed In under my hatch covering by th
bucketful. This rapid was sample o
what I met all day at every mile or so. Ii
the next rapid huge wave swept m.
apron clean overheard, but rescued it, an(
after that when [ saw the waves boiling
up ahead, pointed "Frankie" straight
down stream, and leaned forward an(
held the apron down with both hands. A
wise proceeding-for at one place
plunged down fall of four feet, with {
tremendous wave boiling up at the foot
which "Frankie" did not take the trouble
| to ride but diYad through bodily. WASHING