The record-union., 1891-03-19
PHGNIT LIKE.
Something About the Reorganizec
Undine Boat Club.
"reminiscences of Olden Times-Gettin2
Ready for the Racing Seasonal
New Boat-House.

About ten years ago the Undine Boat
Club of this city was recognized as the
foremost society and athletic organiza-
ton in Sacramento, and it's members were
composed of the aristocracy of the town
The club had its boats and boat-house or
| the river and many merry hour was
spent in the enjoyable and healthful
sport of rowing. Afternoons in spring
and summer and moonlight evenings
found scores of young ladies' and gentle
men gathered on the river bank watching
the shells and barges race up and down
the stream amid the songs of the merry
crews.
But after time, for some unexplained
reason, the interest began to die out, the
boats were seldom launched from the
house, and finally the club was almost
entirely forgotten.
The boat-house at the foot of / street
collapsed several months ago, and the
| news of its wreck seemed to
RECALL PLEASANT MEMORIES,
And to arouse the old-time interest. The
members began to recite the exploits and
adventures they used to indulge in when
the club was in its prime, and the enthu-
siaSm with which the stories were told
grew to be contagious and seized upon a
number OF the younger men, whose ages
| at the present time compare with those OF
the old Undines when the club flour
ished.
A few months ago an organization was
effected and a President, Secretary, Treas
urer, Captain, three Lieutenants and
other officers were elected, and the
membership has been steadily on the in
| crease, until at the present time it num-
bers about forty-five. The new club was
given the possession Of the old barge
"Undine" and one or two other boats 1t
for use, ana it Immediately secured sew
eral additional ''water-cutterS" and es-
tabllshed headquarters about 300 feet
| above the bridge, on the Yolo side OF the
river. The boats are at present kept in
the cellar of q house on the bank, but it is
the intention of the club to build shortly
handsome boat-house on float.
By invitation of one of the club mem
bers RECoRD-UNIoN reporter visited
the place yesterday where the apparatus
is kept, and was shown the several boats.
The largest the club has is plunger
presented by w. A. Anderson, j. j. Kee-
gan, j. d. Young and other gentlemen,
who used it as pleasure boat. 1t is
about % feet in length and s feet in beam.
1t is the intention of the club to have the
plunger placed in good repair, and it will
then be utilized as a starter in the
racing season. A small-sized cannon
will be mounted on the bow.
THE OLD ''UNDINE."
| The barge "Undine'' is moored in the
river and will be overhauled. 1t can seat
ten rowers and nearly as many more
persons in the bow and stern.
The lap-streak barge and pleasure boat
is in good condition, and gaudily painted
in the colors of the club, blue and white.
1t is 30 feet in length and q feet in width
at the center. To many the word
''barge" would probably be misleading.
In this sense it does not mean boat
| shaped in any manner like the ordinary
large square tow barges, which are seen
| on the river, but a long, narrow boat
generally about fifteen times as long as il
! is wide.
| The only racing barge in the possession
of the club is one of the lap-streak pat
| tern, of cedar wood, forty feet long, about
two and half feet wide, and provided
with sliding seats. 1t is manned by four
rowers, and rests very low in the water.
This boat will be repaired, and another
| like it is to be purchased at cost OF about
$500.
Besides these, the club has canvas
canoe and some single and double wher-
ries and shells, all in excellent condition.
One of the shells is about forty feet long
and one and half foot beam.
About thirty oars, straight and spoon
shaped, are also the property of the club.
The members are privileged to use the
| boats whenever they choose, and many
take advantage of the opportunity on
holidays and Sunday afternoons.
| The club will have crews formed by
next Fourth of July, and endeavor to in
duce the Celebration Committee to offer
prizes for a regatta. The Stockton and
San Francisco clubs will no doubt be
| willing to contest in some of the races.