Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-06-27
A CANOE CRUISE ON THE POTOMAC.


A writer in a recent issue of "Forest
and Stream" has written charming
account of canoe cruise on the Poto-
mac river from Cumberland to Wash
ington, from which we take the follow
ing extracts:
A bright, warm morning IN the
month of June finds two travel-stalned
canoeists at Cumberland, Nd, impa-
tiently waiting the arrival of the
freight agent that they may procure
their canoes and dufile, and start on a
two hundred mile cruise down the Po-
tomac River to Washington, D. G.
The canoes, Viking and Mochdomus,
are open cedar padding canoes, sixteen
feet long by thirty inches beam; they
are equipped with water-proofed can
vas covers, buttoned down at sides to
keep the canoes tight and dry when
running in rough water; strong pair
of double bladed paddles for propell-
ing power, a small "Marque" e" shore
tent, two folding-cots, large double
blankets, set of cooking irons and
utensils; some canned provisions, a
slight change of clothing, and the out
it is complete; but no, we must not
omit a small 5 camera-that Is to
plav a part of no small importance in
this vacation cruise. As to the canoe
lists, Viking is an amateur on his first
cruise, but destined to go through like
an old-timer Mochdomus is an old
rapid-runner veteran of many cruises.
About twenty-five miles below Dam
Number Five we encountered Dam
Number Four, of stone construction,
and about the same in height as the
other dam; We again use the canal,
there being lock into the same about
a mile above the dam, the canal COM
pany using the level above the dam as
part of their waterway, having the
tow-path along the river side; these
large stretches Of slack water would
make a splendid sailing course, but for
the padding canoeist are not ENJOY
able; about two hundred yards below
dam we carry into river, and running
few eel racks reach Shepherdstown,
w. Va, about the middle of the after
noon.
The next day being Sunday we de-
cided to remain at this place until
Monday morning; so leaving our
canoes upon the beach we seek the VII
lage and are relieved of our wandering
appearance in the form of whlskers
making arrangements at the hotel for
our meals, we returned and erected
our tent among the rocks, there tortu-
nately being spot large enough for
our small residence. On Sunday we
attended the morning services IN one
of the many churches with which this
quiet town is blessed as we take our
seats in church we are surprised to
find spittoons in the pews, and they
look, too, as if they were in a state OF
action; surely distance Of a few miles
makes great difference in the habits
and customs of our people.
After quiet rest in the afternoon
we decided upon little walk before
supper; there being a wooden dam
about a mile below the town that has
recently burst in several places we
think it might be well TO ascertain onr
chances of a successful shoot on the
morrow. The principal break Is a
wild-looking opening with plenty OF
loose timber lying around, but there
seems to be a good depth Of water with
an immensely strong current so we
decided that to run the same, even
with the prospect of a swim, is prefer
able to another canal trip. While we
engage in speculation the weather
! man does business, and before we are
ready to return a very heavy shower
begins operations we take shelter be,
hind the abutments Of the dam, ano
for while all is well, but the vino
shifts and we receive the water IN great
quantity. There is no use tarrylne
here, so we make run for the hotel
distant more than mile. A sorry
sight we are when we arrive, and th'
laugh is not on our side; changing Oul
clothes we don knickerbockers anC
sweaters, and decide that when oul
dude clothing is dry we will express
it home, and do the latter part OF ou'
cruise in the present outfit.
AS the shower does not relax w
spend the night at the hotel, our ten
and dufie having been CAREFUL!
slowed in the canoes in the morning