New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-04
ORIGIN or TIE ASSOCIATION.

ORIGIN OF THE ASSOCIATION.
IN 1871 the New-York canoe club was formed
with membership OF about twenty, and In the
next Ave years n number Of cruises were made
on the Hudson Lake George. Lake champlain. the
Delaware and other American waters. one OF the
mos, eager and enthusiastic OF the new canosts
though not associated with the New-York Canoe
club was y. II Bishop. old sailor. boating man
and traveller. and prominently "A cruiser In small
craft The peculiar fitness OF the canoe for his
special uses led him to adopt IT. with the result
that he finally made "A cruise from Troy, y. Y. ~
Florida In "A twenty -eight-nch Rob Roy. outside
az IN. New-York Canoe club the sport did not
take root rapidly. and as Late as ls'S there were
but two or three clubs At the same time there
was quite n large number OF canolsts throughout
the country. widely scattered and unknown TO each
other.
Mr.. Bishops summer home being on Lake
G.orrc always favorite cruising ground for
canoes he became acquainted with many canoemen
from the West and all parts OF the country. and
the idea finally developed In his active brain OF
forming one National body, which should meet
each year on the beautiful waters OF Lake George.
The work OF organization was begun by him In
1873: he opened n personal correspondence with all
canoemcn known TO him and he sent out the call
for the first meeting which was held on August ;.
1850 At this meeting. at which only thirteen were
present. the American Canoe Association was or
eanized n constitution and bylaws adopted. and
officers elected. The races which followed dur
ing the ten days OF the meet. held OF the Crosby
side Hotel. attracted other canocmen and cruisers.
and about twenty five In all Joined the association
and took part In them. Thus launched the young
association grew rapidly. many clubs coming In
with their entire membership and at the same
time canoing became rapidly popuas throughout
the United States. At the first inception OF his
work Mr. Bishop had turned to the Canadian
canoists for their assistance. ignoring. as has
since been done all political boundaries. and seek
Ing TO make the association truly National Ca
noing being already established In Canada. the
idea took hold rapidly. and many canosts Joined.
The district about Peterborough and Lakeheld In
particular furnished many members.
WHERE FORMER MEETS WERE HELD.
The second and third meets were held on Lake
George on islands purchased by Messrs. Bishop.
Iongworth and Wulsn but when the time came
for the third meet many were In favor OF new
locality. ard Stony Lake. near Peterborough was
chosen. In spite OF the distance from New-York
and the West n large number OF canosts from the
States were present. and all were well repaid for
the long journey. the meet being by common con-
sent one OF the most pleasant ever held Next
wear 1884. the meet held at Grindstone Island.
in the St. Lawrence Rivera very large and sue
cessful meet In which canosts from both Sides
OF the line were thrown closely together. many firm
friendships being formed. Again In 1885 and 1886
the meet was held In the same place. but In 1887.
In answer to the desire OF some for a change Of
locality, a site on Bow-Arrow Point. Lake Cham
plain. was chosen In 1883 the association returned
TO its first home. camping on Long Island. just be-
side the Canoe Islands. In Lake George.
In 1889 the meet. according to the new plan OF
divisions naugurated in 1887. went 10 the Northern
Division, being held for the fourth time on the
St Lawrence Stave Island. just opposite the old
Grindstone Camp. In the following year. the first
meet held by the Atlantic Division. the camp was
pitched on salt water instead OF fresh on Jessups
Neck at the easterly end OF Long Island. In the
two following years the association returned to the
inland lakes. camping at Marlborough Point. Lake
Champlan, and In 1893. for the NTH time, II re-
turned to the evcr-popular st. Lawrence River.
In 1894 the meet held at Croton Point, on the
Hudson River. just above the village of Sing Sing.
This year. August to %. the meet comes. for tho
fourth time. TO Lake Champain.
The location OF the coming meet is about thirteen
miles south OF the camp OF 1887. on Bow-Arrow
Point; and about twenty miles north Of Wills
borough Point. where the meets OF 1891 anc 1889.
were held The place selected for the present meet
Is known as Bluff Point. high promontory that
iuts into the lake about three miles south OF
Piattsburg and on the New-York shore. The
greot Hotel Champlain the BLUM: and In q