The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-19

vantage of this boat for cruising is appa-
rent. while for racing purposes the first
described canoe has the call. The ro0my
cockpit is turned into very comfortable
house by stretching a line from the two
masts, which serves as ridgepole for a
tent constructed to fit nicely over the canoe.
As an incentive to the members OF the
club and to encourage good sailing several
trophies are offered yearly. The contests
for the Mayrisch badge are particularly
well contested. The race for this trophy
taxes place every three months, and ii is the
property of the winner only until the next
race. when it is contested for again. In the
race for this badge all the boats are in one
class, aud the best one wins. OF r different
kind are tile races for the holiday cup, q
neat prize presented to the club by three OF
Its members, the contest for which takes
place on every holiday. The canoes are
then divided into classes, and allowances
are made for the more slowly sailing ca
noes. This gives every member a chance,
and adds greatly to the enthusiasm and IN
terest Of the race.
For the Mayrisch badge the most exciting
races have been between the Dart, sailed by
Henry Olsen; the Gnat, by MIR. Warder. and
the Jack. owned by w. w. Blow. These
three canoes are about evenly matched as
regards speed, and the skillfulness Of the
skippers usually decides the race. The
Jack. ably handled by the veteran of Pacific
SOSsb cdn0eHtSs ION UOuUE6 dow HAS
more races TO her credit than any of the
other boats of the feet Among the canoes
of the cruising class the Gypsy. sailed by A.
ii. Blow, maintains a supremacy.
Undoubtedly the most pleasant part OF
canoeing is cruising. and the most Interest
ing tales Of canoe life are br0ugbtout when
recOlltctOns OF some cruise are revived.
The first cruise OF the Oakland Canoe Club
was TO Clear Lake In the summer of 1887
This lake is situated in Lake County aud
about 100 miles north of San Francisco. To
reach 10 the canoes. about ten In number,
had to be shipped by train to ClOverdale.
and from there were taken thirty-five miles
over rough mountain road in wag CONS. The
t!ip was long and tedious one in the hot
sun, hut the enjoyable cruise on the lake
amply repaid the canOeiss for their trou-
bic. The water chosen was beautiful
place tor cruise. twenty to thirty miles in
length and ten to fifteen miles in width,
surrounded by the Coast Range Of noun
tains, with beautiful forests and game In
plenty. Sandy beaches affording ideal
canning grounds are broken in but few
places by rocks.
Another enjoyable club cruise was taken
down the Sacramento River. The boats
were shipped TO Red Bluff. a point on the
river 80 miles above Sacramento, from
which place the cruise commenced down the
stream.
The Sacramento River furnishes one OF
the best cruising trips in California il taken
at the right time of the year. April and
May are considered The most enjoyable
months, being after the heavy rains and be-
fore the malaria-producing heat and the
savage. mercless mosquitoes begin their
ravages. The mosquitoes OF the Sacra-
mentO have q well-earned reputation and
ike all the other productions Of the great
State Of California they are far ahead OF any
rivals.
no q ha III In et
places with fine oak trees, and sandy beaches
atfording the choicest of camping-grounds.
The current is regular. with no bad rapids,
and farmhouseS scattered all along the
stream give ample opportunities Of replen-
ishing the larder should the rcd and gun
fail
Canoe gymnastics Is now quite feature
of regatas. and it is feat of no mean
order 10 sail modern racing-canoe with
sliding deck seat, and all tie other devices
in a fieet of twenty or thirty canoes. over
tye-mile course, as they are now sailed at
the annual meets.
1t Is as difficult performance to sail
canoe in good breeze while standing on
deck holding the sheet In the hands and
steering with the feet as 1t Is 10 stand up ON
bareback horse going at lull gallon. IL is
not as dangerous, however, the only bodily
harm that can result being ducking. This
clever feat has often been performed.
dduiihS idS ediHeu nearly as Hucn popu-
larity as rowing in amateur sporting circles
and the crack paddlers are irving every
means 10 increase their speed. During the
last year or two padding racers nave stood
up in their canoes and used long double
bladed paddle. Much greater speed has
been developed in this way than by kneel.
ing, ana now il is the recognized racing po-
stl0n in padding.
Club canoes have become quite feature
of Eastern clubs and the Oakland enthusi-
asts are considering the question of getting
one. These canoes are from % TO 80 feet
long and arranged for about score OF
nnddIors