New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18

plan that called the Nautilus model They
like their foreign sisters. from the same de-
sign, were heavy clumsy aNairs. with centre
boards that would tax mans full strength TO
lift. The men who built them on this side OF the
water were not slow TO improve them In ways
that made them both more useful and more
speedy Persons interested In the sport OF ca
noe sailing in America organized the NewYork
Canoe Club in 1871. and. soon afterward. offered
a valuable silver trophy an International
challenge cup. Several times Warrington Baden
Powell. f. 3. Treadwn and Walter Stewart.
representing the Royal Canoe Club. shipped
their craft from England TO this country for the
purpose OF capturing the coveted prize. but they
were always defeated by Vaux Whitlock or
some of the old-time members Of the NewYork
Canoe Club The races were sailed New
York Bay near Tompkinsvie. staten Island,
where the New-York Canoe Clubs house was
then situated The last Englishman TO come
to this country to race was Walter Stewart,
who brought his canoe, Charm, here in 1883, but
he was unsuccessful then as he and the 9TH
had been in previous years, Notwithstanding
the fact that the Charm was built in the light
of experience gained this side Of the water
from the NeW-York boys. who in time discarded
ballast and heavy centreboards and sat on the
deck, hiking out to windWard when sailing and
thereby gaining much ia point of speed though
possibly not in comfort.
GRAND GATHERING OF CANOISTS IN 1880.
AS the sport developed in this country there
was a demand for an association to help further
its interests and So in 1880. call for gather
ing OF canosts at Crosbyside Park. on Lake
George was sent out. The call met with a
hearty response. Canoists from all over the
country responded, and. what is more, brought
their canoes with them. There were birch
barks open Canadian padding canoes and sail
ing craft Of every type. The American canoe
Association was organized. with w. L. Alden. OF
this city, its first commodore, and n. H.
Bishop. Of Lake George, ~ y, as its secretary
Since that time the association has prospered.
and has held n camp for two weeks every year
Three times the camps have been held at Lake
George once in Canada, six times in the Thou
sand Islands. on the St Lawrence River; four
times on Lake Champlain, once on Long Island
and once on the Hudson River.
CAMP LIFE AT THE ANNUAL MEET.
A camp of the Canoe Association. or a meet.
as it is called by the canoists, is generally COM
posed of about two hundred canoists many OF
whom have their wives with them. The camps
are divided into two parts. The one comprising
the married quarters. or Squaw Point. as 1t is
called Is pitched about a quarter Of a mile
from the main camp where all Of the racing
men and general campers pitch their tents. The
association Is composed OF four geographical d.
visions each OF which has its own officers and
each Of which in turn, has the privilege or mold
ing the general meet within its territory.
commodore, "A secretary treasurer librarian
and one member Of the Board Of Governors are
elected each year from each division In turn
The Northern Division comprises Canada. the
Eastern. the Eastern States; the Atlantic, the
Middle Atlantic states and the Central the rest
Of the country. This year proved to be the turn or
the Atlantic Division. and Frank L. Dunneli, OK
Brooklyn. was chosen the commodore ana {. '.
Schuyler Of Brooklyn. the secretary treasurer
The meet was held on Stave Island, In the 81
Lawrence River Just over on the Canadian line,
and midway between Clayton on the American
side and quaint old Ciananoque on the Canadian
Canoists were there from far and near. among
them the camping canoists, who come 10 the
meet each year without canoes, and who seem
10 have a grand time loafinS about the camp,
and the cruising Canoists, who come IN their
canoes, either under sail or paddle. with all or
their camp effects slowed in the boats. This Is
the type OF canolst who sails the seas, coastlng
along the shores ~ the Atlantic OF the CUR,
who runs the rapids Of the Susquehanna, the
Allegheny the Delaware or any other stream
that will float craft of four inches draught
The racing canols.s. however are the malnstay
Of the camps. for they are the men who supply
most Of the interest during the second week or
the two weeks camp. which is always given up
10 them.
RACING MEN AVOID LATE HOURS.
As a rule. the racing men. be they sailors or
paddlers. are the first 10 retire from the night
camphres and seek their cots. for a good nights
rest IS indispensable 10 those who would have
nerves steady enough 10 manPuyre the delicate
craft that are the result OF so many years de-
velopment Of the canoe since the time Of old
Macgregor's Rob Roy While the guitar and
banjo ring out around the campfres. and their
music floats heavenward. mingling with the
sparks OF the pine knots the racing men are
quietly tucked under blankets. while song and
revel float over the nearby hills.
All hands-the racers. the campers and the
cruisers-gather at meatime at the mess tent.
canahlp holding three
hundred people, and there excellent meals are
served under the direction of the association.
or the many special features Of these camps
that are worth mentioning, the camp canteen
surely leads Imagine a little wooden structure
OF rough boards. crammed full and overlooking
with everything that camper could possibly
need. from a mOusetrap 10 q pair or rubber
boots. and you have the camp canteen
THE SAILING CANOE A SPEEDY CRAFT.
The modern sailing canoe that is used for
racing is about as fast craft as floats. 1t has
carried large spreads OF sail In strong winds.
travelling at the rate OF mile in four minutes.
one who has not sailed OF them cannot
grasp the excitement OF the race in good
breeze and jump of a sea such as the Lower
Bay and Long Island Sound produce. The
canoe is. a rule built OF cedar one-fourth
OF inch thick, and weighs about one hun
dred pounds. 1t has q length OF sixteen feet
and a beam OF thirty Inches. 1t is entirely
decked over save for little hole amidships in
which the sailor can put MS Feet, ana TINS III
tie hole or cockpit. is so arranged with false
floor above the water-line that any water get
ting In ii Immediately runs out through the
centreboard trunk Transverse bulkheads are
placed at intervals of its length. that the
boat is little lifeDoat incapable OF holding
any water. In fact. II is not infrequent in
race for "A canoe 70 upset many times, while
the skipper. maintaining his position. rights her
and continues in the race. with little or no loss
Of time. The sailor sits entirely outside OF the
craft on "A sliding seat. or piazza. from five to
seven feet in length The sail spread, formerly
as much as 30 square feet in some instances
Is now limited by rule to 100 square feet Ii Is
divided into two sails one forward and one art
OF the sailor. who. by the way, has to be as spry
as n kitten TO keep right side up. for the canoe