Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-09
DANGERS OF lCEBOATING
SPORT is EXHILARATING, BUT NOT
FREE FROM PERIL.
Craft Are Not Easily Controlled When
Under Full Headway-Speed Over
q Mile a Minute.
From the Cornhill Magazine.

From the Cornhil Magazine.
Although the question Of the American OF
Canadian origin of the iceboat remains UNI
settled, says Beekles Wilson, as long ago as
1870 there were iceboats built at Poughkeep-
sic. and, indeed. the sport may claim to be
the father of competitive yachting in Amer
lea. The first Hudson river iceboat, the
relics of which are still relgiously preserv-
ed, seems to have been simply square box
on three runners. with small. hat-headed
split sail. The forerunners were nailed to
the sides Of the box and the runner was set
in an oak post with an iron tiller. But, after
period Of neglect, the development of the
iceboat was rapid. An iceboat today has
her timbers arranged in the form Of the
letter ct" The perpendicular line Of the
letter represents the center timber, which
runs from the foot of the mast to the stern
of the boat, while the horizonal line rep
resents the runner plank, on each end of
which is affixed an iron runner very much
like large skate. On the top of the run
ner plank is the mast bench, in which the
mast is stepped Rails run diagonally from
the stern end of the center timber side to
points about half way beween the mast and
the ends Of the runner plank. A couple of
braces cross the center timber into whose
forward end is mortised the heel of the
bowsprit from one side to the other.
Dangers of the Sport.
But are not the dangers attending this
sport such as to confine it to a few and to
render its vogue precarious? Not at all;
the danger although confessedly not con-
temptible but whets the enthusiasts ap-
petite and ought to cause the lakes and
rivers of Canada to become the mecca for
all in whom stirs the blood Of the true
sportsman. The rare exhilaration that
tingles ones every nerve when guiding a
mighty iceboat over smooth ice in stiff
wind, is uneQualed by any other experience
in the whole world. Some experts glory in
being the most fearless and reckless ice
yachtsmen in their district. One man
once heard Of was daunted by nothing:
snow hummOckS and jagged masses of
into until on his return after voyage his
craft was torn and splintered as II raked
fore and aft by shrapnel. His favorite
amusement was to take unsuspecting visi-
tors for a sail in the amiable hope that
there would be wind enough to enable him
to capsize If this did not happen he was
content, by a sudden turn. to fling the
whole party, including. of course himself.
SpraWling and helpless from the yacht, or
else sail deliberately to the nearest airhole
or ferry track.
Collisions at races In the days when the
iceboats carried from 900 to 1000 feet of
sail used to be very common until the num-
Der of entries was limited. Yet even with
the small number Of competitors the great
majority Of spectators prudently remained
ashore. You cannot watch the vagaries OF
an iceboat with impunity. for sometimes
they take the bit from their driver, run
away at fearful speed and dash themselves
to pieces A typical accident of this kind,
which might have been attended with great
loss of life is furnished by the case OF the
handsome ice yacht Jack Frost.
A Perilous Squirt.
A fierce northwest gale Of many flaws
and variations started the boat from her
anchorage. Commodore Rogers, standing
near by. sprang hastily after her. but only
caught the end of the boom, whence he
was quickly flung with great violence. The
yacht, with guiding rudder: swinging, rush
ed toward a crowd of skaters and spec
tators, who, as many as were not panic
stricken. sought to get out OF the way,
whereupon the runaway, like live thing.
made directly for them at a terrific rate of
speed. barely missing them, and, after some
further evolutions. dashed between two
yachts directly against the rocky shore. a
complete wreck
But the, riskiest proceeding of all. and one
productive Of the most exciting adven-
lures. is jumping "cracks.' The owner OF