Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20

TO the tiny one intended for the solitary
pleasure Of its owner. Although they are
called boats, they bear no resemblance to
any boat that ever foated-at least when
the sails are down.
How the Ice Boats Are Made.
Two runners are bolted fast under the
corners Of the base of a wooden triangle,
with third runner used as rudder at the
apex which forms the stern. From this a
stout beam rurs between the forward run
ners, forming the bowsprit. The rigging
is that Of a yacht, with a mast slipped in a
broad, thick plank across the bow from
runner to runner, fastened with iibstays and
shrouds. The boat carries a very large sail,
often 100 yards in main and jib. The bow
spirit is stayed with wire rope or stout
wooden braces from peak to ends of the trans
verse brace. The irons Of the runners are
triangular, sharp edge to the ice, SO as to
hold a straight Inc.
The boats are nlaneuvered just as yachts
are, and with perfect ease. The jib sheet
slides along stanchion across the brace
forward, and the helmsman has only the
main sheet TO attend TO in ordinary sailing.
The speed Of an iceboat on the wind is
simply terrific at times, and one wants
plenty Of room to en- Joy the sport and feel
comfortable. The deck is furnished with
cushions or mattresses and fur robes. In
the larger boats the passengers recline one
upon the other and are covered with the
robes. The helmsman also assumes q half
reclining posture. 1t is rendered necessary
by the liability of the boom to fly around
and knock the unwary on the head, if not
out Of the boat. That is one danger, col
lisions with other boats and the runners
catching in cracksare others. 1t is delight
ful, but, on the average winter day in
Canada, it is terribly cold sport
Gliding on Blades of sseel.
Next comes the skating. The Moira
river, which flows through this town, and
the bav which fronts it, afford splendid
opportunities for the pastime. Everyone
who can wear skates is out upon the ice
sometime or other during the season. The
young people rather monopolize it, but
white-haired grandfathers and grandmothers
are not at all rare sights. There are exceed
ingly graceful skaters OF both sexes and
some of them are proficient in executing
difficult evolutions and fancy figures. The
girls learn as quickly as their brothers and
are usually quite independent Of all aid,
and take az great pleasure in skimming
over the ice. The graceful postures of aa
accomplished skater, especially ii pretty
III, Lic SUI, fcS VI licI
neries, and the handsome furs she wears,
are sights to please the eye of an artist, but
the learner is me one who amuses the look
ers on, and, if determined and plucky, wins
their admiration.
Four O'Clock is the fashionable hour for
skating. AT that time the young students
are out in force. On 8 moonlight night
they can be seen darting about until very
late hour. 1t would require dealer in
hardware to describe the skates worn here;
they are of every make and all of stand
ards. The finest pair owned in town be-
long to Pennsylvania gentleman, ard are
OF American make.
4 Real Russian Icesied.
The only Russian icesled ever seen in
this place, strange to relate, is also the
property OF the same person, ard attracts
far more attention than the best of skaters
1t is very much like chair, upon runners,
the back being of iron rods bent slightly
backward, by which it is pushed about the