New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-03

hanna and Potomac. or the watershed of the East
ern Alle0banies Zach of these divisions, the East
crn Northern and Atlantic, is a compact ana
clearly defined territory, but the Central Divison
is scattered As each Of these new divisions has
been set off. the remainder had still heen the Cen
trail Division 50 that the latter now includes all Oh
the United States outside of the Eastern ana Az
lan,ic Divisions. This point has not been gener-
ally understood by canoeists, and some confusion
has evsted rs 70 the limits of the Central Division
t. * nrobable that In time a Southern Division,
fron VIRGINIA south will be formed, and also Pa
ci6c Division but for the present the Central Dl-
vision must remain as it now is. Practlcaly the
great majority OF its membership Is ABOUT thc
northern part of New-York and the western part
OF Pennsylvania but to recognize this territory as
separate division would leave large number OF
distant canoeists unattached to any division which
would be undesirable. The clubs in Newhork ana
Brooklvn. it will be seen. belong TO the Atlantic
Division. While the usual facilities for trans
portaton by rail have been given two-thrds OF the
total Of full fare both ways, including the trans
portaton of the canoe) yet some OF the memoei'
will send their canoes BY large boats through tie
Hudson and the Champlain Canal 10 Willsborough
Point
The great charm of canoeing is that the canoemeh
are not professionals, neither do they bet upon
their own races they do not allow any professionals
or sporting men of any kind TO follow them ABOUT
The grounds Of their camp are strictly guarded
against outsiders but the friends of the members
on proper application, are always welcome. AT the
meeting Of 1887 at Bow-ATrow Point on Lake
Champaign thirty miles north of the present camp,
party came over from Vermont and landed WIN
out permission, They strolled through tile camp
and made perfectly free with what they saw III
one instance they entered a tent and began To make
way with eatables and drinkabes. The latter part
of thier programme was too much for the owner Oh
the tent who discovered them in the act, and the
consequence was that they were put OIL the gr9unu
in summary manner Such things, however, DO
not often take place. and the meetings oil the canoe
lists are free from the most OF the objections tha'
might be found against meetings OF this SORT
Ever since the formation Of the Royal oanoe
Club in ls66-right upon the heels of MacgregOrs
exploits with the Rob Roy-the tendency OF canoe
ing has been away from the simplicity OF knee
posture and single baded paddle, and toward the
more comfortable accessories of seats, cushions ana
baek-boards sails and centre.bOards. Inc move
ment If canoeng-hke that of all the forces III ma
tuIe-haS been along the lines OF te eaS addeP thar
his knees were reserved for his devotions, ana hoo
ior bracng himself against the well 50 tnaV nc
might counterfeit and overcome me motIoh lhi-
parted to bis craft by the larger waves. once up
from the dooT~the centre Of gravity being also
raised-a seat with a back became necessary as q
reminder of the comfortable armchair whlch Hdu
been left in the parlor at home. linen II was nov
difficult TO go a step beyond and 70 persuade inc
paddler that it was all very well 10 Keep nPPne
MS blade in the water: but III order 10 Ret aion9
In the world il was necessary ~ stop padding once
in while and use the sail. From the sail IL was
natural and requisite thing 10 adopt the deck ana
centre. board: for the most troublesome enemy OF
either the padller or the sailor is the wlnd thal
blows of the beam. Having thus begun to make
the Indian canoe retain no semblance even IN ont,
ward FORM of its original shape, the other Injuries
of alright compartments, cushions, rupoer plSs'
life preserverS, camp stoves ana PROVISION cas.els
were speedily forthcoming, until now tie native
savage might often lie pardoned for smiling st the
etfeminacy of the white man.
There is much 10 be said in favor OF the prlmi-
tive canOe-not the dug-out, but It's more airy sue
cessor the birch-barS. Very few can exceed it in
lightness The frame is of white cedar. Inc
sheathing is of the bark Of the white birch, when
can lie used for all Kinds OF d U.s. tIl
purposes of repairing. Spruce roots well Doiled,
serve for tying and sewing. The cross-Dars are OF
hardwood. Could the construction of any craft be
more simple, OF the description more brief? 1t Is
the ideal-es well as the necessary adJunct-o1 all
aboriginal transportation. The navigator Ill all
moJ1rn canoes faces in the direction OF his move
Inents and he is ready at all times to avoid danger
or to take advantage of either wind or water The
tiresome pull with oars he has neither to PROVIDE
with ease and surging rapids are run with safety
In word the primitive canoe still holds It's own
for river cruising in spite OF most OF the soIcaled
improvements of later years. The true paddler, no
matter how much he may he allowed by VISIONS OF
ease with sails and centreboards, must agree with
an ardent lover Of the pleasure, who has said
"ln the present rapid growth OF canoeing IL Is
hoped that the paddle will he the legitimate means
of propulsion, and not the sail. II men want TO
SAIL let them get kee-boats and open water. The
canoe meant for lesser surfaces
A prominent canoeist calls attention TO the re-
cent formation of the naval militia, or reserve
which might be called upon in all emergency TO
isl oh or tOrDP0OpS ANYTHING else,
much swifter than the heavy vessels of the navy
proper. The canoeist suggests that the canoemen
of the country should offer their services to the
signal service in like manner. The idea seems to
take 1t would take little to make good signal
corps out of tie canOemen in case OF war In
their knowledge of bays harbors. inets and interior
rivers they are not eXcelled by any other outdoor
men in the community.