Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-04-03
DANGER OF ICEBOATING.
SPORT is ExHlLARAT!NG. BUT NOT
FREE FROM PERIL.
Craft Are Not Easily Controlled When
Under Full Hsadway Sreed Over Mile
Minute-The Riskiest Proceeding is
Jumping Cracks.

Jumping Cracks.
Although the question of the Ameri-
can or Canadian origin of the iceboat
rSaaias unsettled, says Beekles VIII
son, as long ago as 1880 there were ice
boats built at Poughkeepsie, and IN
deed, the sport may claim to be the
father of competitive yachting IN
America. The first Hudson River ice
boat, the relics of which are still re-
ligiously preserved, seems to have been
simply a square box on three runners
with a small, flat-headed split sail. The
forerunners were nailed to the sides or
the box and the runner was set In an
oak post with an iron tiller. But, after
a period of neglect, the development
of the icebost was rapid. An lceooat
to-day has her timbers arranged In the
form of the letter CT The perpen-
dicular line of the letter represents the
center timber, which runs from the
boat, while the horizontal line repre-
sents the runner plank, on each END
of which is affixed an iron runner very
much like a large skate. On the top
of the runner 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 between 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.
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 con-
fessedly not contemplate, but whets
the enthusiasts appetite 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
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 fear
less and reckless ice yachtsmen IN
their district. One man once heard OF
was daunted by nothing; snow hum
mocks and jagged masses of heavy
ice were jumped or were smashed into,
until on his return after voyage his
craft was torn and splintered as if
raked fore and aft by shrapnel. His
favorite amusement was to take un-
suspecting visitors for 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 par
ty, 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 600 to 1000
feet OF sail used to be very common
until the number Of entries was limit
ed. 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 acci-
dent Of this kind, which might have
been attended with great loss OF life,
is furnished by the case OF the hand
some ice yacht Jack Frost.
A fierce northwest gale OF many
flaws and variations started the boat
from her anchorage. Comm. 73dore Rog-
ers, standing near by, spraEg 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, rushed toward
q crowd of skaters and spectators, who,
as many as were not panic-stricken,
sought to get out Of the. way, wbereup-
on the runaway. like a live thing! made
directly for them at "a. terrible rate of
speed, barely missing them. and, after