Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-23
WASHINGTON CANOE CLUB
Its Annual Dinner Last Night at the
National Hotel.
An Enjoyable Menu Discussed and
Some Excellent Speeches Made
Those Who Participated.

Those Who Participated.
The canoeists of Washington opened the
season Of 1894 yesterday in their usual en-
thusiastic manner both on land and wate-.
Earlier in the day number of the younger
members assembled at the Analo5tan Boat
Club house and despite the cool weather
undertook to paddle the big war canoe up
to the Chain brige. The rive- was much
swollen by the recent SHOWS, and consider
able difficulty was experienced in reaching
Dixie landing, where the heavier rapids be-
gan. Several unsuccessful attempts were
made to ascend these rapids but the cur
rent being stronger than the crew the party
landed on point and enjoyed a huge camp
fire and oyster roast, after which they re-
turned to the city.
The Annual Dinner.
This outing was but preliminary to the
more important event of the evening, the
celebration of the eighth annual dinner of
the Washington Canoe Association. At 6:3O
p. m most of the members had assembled
at the National Hotel. where after short
social meeting in the parlors the canoeists
gathered about a long table in the banquet
room, which was handsomely decorated
with cut flowers and canoe banners. After
the elaborate menu had been disposed of,
Commodore Bernard r. Green made the
opening address of the evening in reference
to the past history of the association, and
then called upon various members, who
contributed much to the enjoyment of the
evening by their remarks.
The Speechmaking.
The first speaker was DIR. Frank =. Howe,
a guest of the association, who responded
in a happy vein, complimenting the club
upon Their success in the past and predict
ing an enjoyable year that was just begin
ming.
The secretary, Mr.. Otis Il. Goodall read
the log for 1893. and presented the chair
man with a new gavel for the use of the as
ISOLATION, full grown Ratchet, which is
the token of the Canoe Association Prof.
s. NJ. Ryder next related anecdotes relative
to his travels and experiences ahoat and
ashore. Dr. T. Eugene Oertel, who came
over from New York to attend the dinner,
described a recent trip up the Hudson river
In company with Commodore Irving V.
Dorland of the American Canoe Association
to select site for the annual camp of the
a. &. A. this summer Mr. j. A. Oliver a
well-known canoeist and oarsman, gave
some interesting facts about the early days
OF the Washington Canoe Club, and spoke
of the great benefit derived from aquatic
sports, and especially canoeing.
The next speaker was Dr. J. r. Church,
who spoke in a most interesting way of the
perils of himself and his associates In saw
ing the old Canoe Club house from destruc-
ton by the flood of June, 1Ss? which proved
SO disastrous on the Potomac. Mr.. Andrew
Devine spoke of his canoeing experiences in
New York and on the St. Lawrence, and
also mentioned that the earliest known rec
ord of canoeing on the Potomac was when
"A nSa1f 70 hrir n hair do, 4
furs. from the mountains and carry them
down the river and bay and along the At
lantic coast in their frail craft for barter at
the larger towns. Mr.. J. Fred Oertel told
of an alligator expedition on the coast of
Florida and the Miami river, giving many
valuable facts regarding the methods of
pursuit and capture and the boats used.
The final speaker OF the evening was Mr..
l. p. Libby, who gave a characteristic ad-
dress and sang song. At suitable intervals
during the evening the lively canoe songs
were sung by all present, with piano and
violin accompaniment by DR.. =. W. Sum-
my and Mr. j. Fred Oertel. and the solos
were finely rendered by Gene Oertel and
Bob Church.
Officers Elected.
The sentiment OF the association. especial
ly the olGe- members. was strongly in favor
of the carly oreEr'yation of an active canoe
club and a res IVA OF the srort of canoeing,
which has been so popular en- the Potomac
IN yea -
The menu cards were designed especially
in conlr'.s 40. alton OF Washington's birth
day and contained, among other features
the national flag in cofors surmounted by a
golden eagle. and the supplemental souvenir
menu cards. designed by the members rep
resented the Washington monument from
the top of which hoated the flag of the
association. Suspended midway was a ban
ner and resting upon this was a war canoe
On either side and below were represented
various scenes in canoeing and camp life.
After the speeches the business meeting of
the association was held and the following
officers elected for the ensuing year: Com
modore, Andrew Devine; vice commodore,
/. T. Lihhey: secretary, J. A. Oliver; treas-
urcr. j. Fred Oertel, who was reelected
It was decided to hold the usual summer
encampment of the association.
Tii""c Who Participated.
Those present were Commodore B. r.
Green, Andrew Devine. j. A. Oliver A. NJ
Cook. j. c. Van Hook. c. c. Van Hook. c.
E. Bright. I. P. L.ibbey. DR. II. NJ Gene,
Willard Fr2cker, Wal. l.. RcyIea. l. G.
Cameron. Wright CARTS. jr., Carl E. Peiz,
Leonard Dyer. ". =. Jones' j. Fred Oertel.
DR.. I. Eugene Oertei, DR.. b. ". SUNNY
II. B. Helrici, W. Harry Olcott G. II.
Merillat, DR. Frank T. Howe Otis Il. Good
all, A. w, kenaston, j, 3. Mcqueen. A. \.
Hassan Samuel T.. Black. DR. j. r. Church
Z. c. Quachenbu5h, w. T. Keene and prof
S. NJ. Ryder.
Commodore Irving V. Dprland of the
American Canoe Association came over
from New York on Tuesday to participate
IN the Washington birthday celebration of
compelled by a business engagement to re-
turn the same oVe1iuv