The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-07-23
PLEASURE IN A CA NOE

Canoeing is Ii Of the earliest of
human inventions. and il undoubtedly
If American origin Up Ia II decade
..go its development Wa not rapid, but
since that time wonderful strides have
been made. both in the construction of
canoes and in the number of people who
indulge in the sport. The increased in
serest in the sport may be traced to the
efforts of the American Canoe associa.
ton. When it was 3rst established in
1879, thirty-ive canoes participated in
the annual meet at Lake George. Now
the association includes nearly one
hundred clubs, divided into four divi-
sions, and has a membership of several
thousand ~canoeists. There Is also a
Western Canoe association, in which
about twenty-five clubs are represented.
and there are many clubs whose mem
bers belong to no association.
The delights Of canoeing are a varied
us could be desired. The pastime is as
safe as any other outdoor exercise, and
if the canoeist is a good swimmer he
practically runs no risk whatever. AL
most any one can learn to use the pad
dies in half an hour An hot1r or two
more will suffice to render him familiar
with the working Of the lines OR foot
gear, and a few days spent Oh the water
in company with q canoeist will teach
him all he needs to know of navigation.
Then he is ready to essay his first voy-
age.
PREPARATIONS o A CRUISE.
In choosing a canoe, the purchaser
will do well to consider the locality in
which he intends to cruise. Large, stiff
noes are adaptedt to the great lakes, bays
and harbors where portages are unneces-
airy; but for ordinary lakes, rivers and
bays everything bulky or weighty should
be avoided. Old canoeists advise be-
ginners to secure for their first season a
second hand canoe which has been tried
and not found wanting. Such a boat
can be readily obtained at prices varying
from $25 to $3.50. For the latter figure,
or less, II first rate canoe may be bought.
Canoeing is only another term. for
roughing it, and the canoeist will, Of
course. sleep on board and cook his own
meals. A tent is necessary, and a very
nice one, fitted with a top piece, to be
dung between the masts, and a port hole
and side door, may be obtained for about
s8. A small alcohol stove will do all the
cooking required, and two quarts Of the
iuid will last IA fortnight. Such kitchen
utensils as a frying pan, a tin pail and a
deep boiling pot will be found necessary.
A field glass, some mosquito netting, ex-
ira cord, screws, nails, plenty Of copper
wire and a pair of strong plicers are also
essentials that should not be overlooked.
They a be had for a small outlay. A
very handy weapon to carry on such a
cruise is the combination shotgun and
rifle. A good, light, fishing rod will
often assist in supplying the larder.
Some ginger and q~uinine should be taken
along-not to season the fish, but to re-
press any stray stomach aches and colds.
A trip can be made to cost most any
thing, but on an ordinary cruise an out
lay of IS or $8 a week will provide all
accessories.
SOME FAMOUS CRUISING GROUNDS.
Some Of the favorite cruising grounds
Of canoeists are the Kennebec. Megan-
tie, st. John and Delaware rivers; the
stretch of lake and river from Kingston,
Ont. to the mouth of the Richelieu
river, a two weeks trip; the Mississippi
river, from the Minnehaha river to Gin
ton; the Mississippi. from st. Louis to
the gulf Of Mexico, Il wonderfully pic
turesque and delightful cruise; Lake
Memphremagog and the Magog, the
Richelieu river. the Rideau canal and
the Oneida lakes; the Connecticut river.
che Mohawk river and the Erie canal.
Canoeists in this vicinity have the
beautiful Hudson, ever changing and
ever new, on which TO indulge their
~favorite pastime. A pleasant days
cruise is down the bay to Sandy Hook,
augging the Staten Island and New Jer.
sey shores.
Rob Roy McGregor's 1000 mile
cruise in European waters, made many
years ago, still stands rs one of the most
remarkable canoe trips ever made. He
from London, and, when near
the mouth of the Thames, landed and
sent his boat to Namur, where he again
launched her in the Sambre. He en-
tered the Meuse and droppe. ioyyn past
Liege and Marstricht, in POLAND, to
Cologne. At the latter city he shipped
the canoe to Aschaffenlong and sailed to
Frankfort-on-the- Main.
He traversed the Danube us far as
Ulm and then returned, came upon
Lake Constant on the north side, and
entered the Rhine where the river is
very narrow. From Lake Constant he
went to Lake Zurich, Lake Lpcerne and
the River Reuss, and again sought the
Rhine, passing through Basic and draw
ing up at Mulhouse, in France. He next
proceeded to Paris by the Moselle, the
Meurthe. the Marine and the Seine.
An equally notable trip was that made
by the Italian canoeists. Barrucci and
Ferrari. They sailed from Roma for
Paris on July 30, and reached their
destination on Oct. IS. On the way
they stopped at Livorno, Geneva, Nice
and other less important places on the
italian coast. and arrived at Marseiles,
where they entered the Rllone. The
had too strong 4 current for their
frail craft and they took the canal to
Aries, where they again launched the
canoe. They proceeded to Paris via the
5aone, the Loire and the Seine.--New
York Mail and Express.
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