The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1889-05-17
1OBoGGANING IN THE TROPICS.
no FOR LONG BRANCH-THE NOVEL
ENTERPRISE OF MIR. SHERWOOD.

The marine toboggan at Long
Branch, WAIKIKI, is now completed
and will be open to the public to-
morrow afternoon.
a trial was made yesterday even
ing and everything worked to the
fullest satisfaction, Several gentle
men were present, besides the re-
representatives. of the Press, and were
courteously received by the lessee,
Mr.. Jas. Sherwood, who took much
pleasure in showing them all the
improvements and explaining the
additional attractions which are to
follow.
Tobogganing has become such
favorite winter sport in the East and
Canada, that the idea occurred to
Mr.. c. j. Belknap, of Bridgeport,
Conn. that it might be adapted to
the summer months likewise. He
made his plans in 1885, but did not
carry them into execution until
1888, when he built the marine tob-
oggan slide at Bridgeport, as an
adjunct to the large bathing estab-
lishment at Seaside Park. The
tohoggan at Long Branch, Waikiki,
is in almost every respect a counter
part of the original. The incline
rises about 40 feet from high water
mark, where there is large and
commodious platform, which is
reached by flight of steps. The
chute itself is 20 inches wide, and
contains q series of over 200 wooden
rollers for the sleds to run On. The
sleds used on this toboggan are the
celebrated "star oval boards, which
on account of their lightness, COM
bined with durability, meet with
little or no resistance on the water.
The toboggans start at given sig
nal, only one being allowed to go at
time, and, upon reaching the end
of the slide, they ricochet across the
water for distance varying from 20
to $50 feet, skipping along like fat
pebble, till the force acquired in the
descent is lost, after which the ba-
Their comes in pulling his sled after
him. The popularity of this sport
in the East, can be imagined wher
it is stated that an average of 1900
slides mouth are paid for at the
rate of two cents slide. A note
worthy fact in connection with the
loboggan slide at Bridgeport, Conn.
is the non-eccurrence OF any acct.
dents during the time that the slide
has been running-not single acci
dent has happened, so it is stated.
Our reporter made careful in
spection of the construction of tn,
slide, and noted with satisfaction
the substantial and thoroughly work
manlike manner in which the affai
is built, and the great precautioI
taken to prevent accidents. 1t cal
be safely asserted that The arrange
ments are such as to fairly precud
the possibility of accidents, whic
feature will undoubtedly enhanc
the pleasure of the sport.
AT the initial trial yesterday after
noon, some of our local athlete
availed themselves of the invitatio
to "take sllde," and they return
ed highly enthusiastic over their en-
periences. Messrs. Eben Low, c
Macfarlane, John Dyer, Sam Ora
ham, Ollie Swain, Mr.. Lakeland an
others spent the afternoon an
greater part of the evening, "doin
the toboggan'' and having a goo
time generally. A party of ladie
and gentlemen from Honolulu al
rived later in the evening and in
dulged in several slides by moon
light. Two well known societ
young ladies made the descent an
rode several times thereafter, ex
pressing the greatest delight owe
their novel exhilarating experience
These young ladies can claim tn
credit of being the first ladies t
have tried the toboggan.
Mr.. Sherwood has built about 4
new bath rooms to accommodate th
expected rush, and has every cor
venience arranged for the comfort c
bathers. Special arrangements hav
been made for ladies and children
and Mr.. Sherwood assures US tbs
everything in connection with tn
establishment will be conducted i
the most respectable manner.
AS this sport will undoubtedl
extend to all classes of the COMMIT
nifty, it is suggested that club night
be set apart for ladies and gentle
men who prefer to have only the
own "set." This arrangement
much in vogue in public skatin
Kinks in the East.
The formal opening of Lon
Branch will take place tomorrow
and undoubtedly large ATTENDING
will witness the Inauguration of MI
Sherwood's new and highly nov
attraction.