The evening times., 1895-11-02

There has been for some days at an
chor off the Arsenal wharf one OF tue
queercst crafts that have ever been seen
in Washington. 1t has perhaps excited
more comment and inquiry than the re-
moval of the Goddess of Liberty from the
dome of the Capitol would. This strange
denizen of the water is called water
blcycie," inv ,nted and patented by l.. V.
Mou,ton, OF Detroit, Mich.
Many people have seen this strange con-
trivance and wondered whether II was
an experiment oil some perpctuai-Inotion
crank or whether toy steamer had been
sunk and only the paddle wheel and
chair remained above water. The sentry
on duty at the Arsenal gate has been
competed to answer more questions about
this thing during the past lew weeks
than the average Washington policeman
answers during whole year of encamp-
ments and couclaves.
Many nave seen the water cycle at an
chor, but lew, indeed, have seen 1t in m"-
ton.
The "cycle" Is, indeed, queer shaped
contrivancc. Two long cigar-snapcd cyin-
ders, maze OF gaivaniZcd iron, aud water
tight compartments form the base of IL.
These cylinders are about seventeen feet
long, and at one end are very pointed; at
the rear end are the rudders. These cyIin-
dcrs are about three feet apart, and are
connected by means or steer braces, upon
which q raised platform is built.
On this platform Is an ordinary chair.
immediately behind 1t is the steering
apparatus, which is almost n facsimile of
the handle bars of n bicycle. behind the
handle bars is saddle and pedals, eX.
a,tly the same as those On an up-to-,fatc
bike" At the rear of the seats is a
62-inch wheel, filled up In the same manner
as the side wheels on any OF the steamers
which run down the river.
ON BOARD THE BIKE"
When Times reporter called at the
wharf he was taken in charge by Mr.. Il.
W. Shook, the gentleman who has charge
OF the new bike" Mr.. Shook stepped
up and tOuk his seat in the saddle ana the
reporter sat in the chair. He then guided
the cycle out into the middle OF the river,
and while out there the ferry boat passed
and the swell from it caught the craft.
The waves were coming On about three
feet high. The reporter lost his nerve
for few minutes. 1t looked for all the
world as if the whole thing would be turned
over, but it wasn't. 1t rode the swell like
a swan on n pond.
The sensation OF riding the rollers on a
water cycle beats anything, from shoot
ing the ciiute'' up and down. The Ferris
wheel isn't in il. OF course, IL is long
way froIu pleasant la see the water coming
at you, and You think it is Il clear case
of Swim Out, O'Grady," when all Of a
sudden your craft glides up and over the
impending water.
The reporter and Mr.. Shook then changed
places. While changing Mr.. Shook stepped
out on the cigar-shaped cylinder. but the
cycle Didn't turn over. The thing is so con-
trved that 1t is an impOssibiljty to over
turn IL. There is no danger OF taking head
crs'' on the water cycle. II can't be done.
The riding of the water cycle is much
easier than that on a bicycle. There are
no sa nd, dogs. or rocks 10 worry the riders,
and of course it gives the ladies a cha nc
for becoming toilets. They can wear yacht
ing caps or boomers, and nobody VIII stop
and stare at them. Tue saving, The horse
must CO. can now be amended. THE row.
boat must go under. " The cycle is about
twice as fast as the best outrigger, ana
requires much less manual labor to pro-
pei IL.
water cvclc he would rcver have bought a
steam launch. He would have gotten him
self n water cycle. and thereby secured
plenty of good exercise, and reduced him
self until he would again be in the middle
weight division. 1t is an ideal vehicle Tor
hunters and fishermen. For hunters IL
does not rock like n rowboat whe never tue
hunter stands up or changes his posi,ioh
to fire. For fishermen there Is comfort
able chair and If desired an umbrella can
be fastened on TO keep off the sun OF in.
RUNS OVER THE ROAD.
IT, Will not he long before the yachting
people win take their water cycles ana
mai "century runs over the pond. There
" i'll he road races, and. OF course. there VIII
soon lie a Zimmerman for tie water cycle.
Parties can lie made up 10 visit tire SdndWi icii
Islands, and trips may bc also made down
10 Cuba and dhelprenderedt the patriots there.
There have been several orders given FOR
the machines. and it may he " ell 10 suggest
that golf stockings are little out of place
on the W atcr. Pilots on approaching vessels
might mistake them for distress signals.
| II may also lie confidently expected that
| Congress Will soon pass law compelling
| the " atcT cyclists TO carry red and green
| lamps thesame boats. Theharbor mas ster
will be kept busy arrestiDg bikers who
do not have bell and lights.
Long trips had been made on the lakes by
Mr.. Shook and his friends and there mas
never been an accident. The cycle may also
| be used as q towing machine. Mr.. Shook
was out the other evening, and found n
| Yacht drifting along. The crew were all
on board, but the wind had died out MI.
Shook hailed them, and told them he would
tow them in The captain and his crew
gave Shook the merry ''ha, ha, but threw
him a line, and he toNved the yacht to her
| anchorage. He sold the owner machine.
The cycles only draw about six inches of
water. and can go anywhere. The cylin'
ders may be punctured by q hidden rock,
but as each cylinder is divided into eight
water-.ight compartments, all would be
well.
During tile next summer it is extremely
probable that the river will be dotted with
| craft OF this kind, and the people who usually
| had to pull the boat will now be able to take
| their best girls riding without coming home