The Washington times., 1904-07-24

n I
N more favor among Washing
tonians this summer than has
canoeing and yachting. two pleasures
that are surpassed by none.
What could be more pleasant and ex-
hilarating than an outing upon the
placid waters Of the Potomac after the
baking sun takes itself to bed? One
would think a long time before he
could name any respite more agreeable
after a days drudgery over office work,
than a paddle or a sail along the tower
ing and picturesque shores Of Virginia
on the upper Potomac.
OF the adaptability Of the Potomac 10
this sort of recreation much may be
said. Nature defies any other Of our
streams TO assert their superiority over
it for purposes Of canoeing. Where is
there river in the United States whose
waters are more placid, and have such
a well-regulated current as has the Po-
tomac. and can boast Of any grander
scenery than that between the Aque-
duct Bridge and the New Cut Road?
Neither too swift nor too slow is the
current Strong enough to make idle
drifting pleasure, strong enough TO
make padding an exhilaration, it is
eagerly sought every evening as a place
of recreation by those who would throw
care and worry to the winds. Pail
sades forested with trees Of all species,
letting masses Of rock. and the faint
est trickling Of the waters give the
place an. air Of the most profound soil
tude and peace.
Canoeing Pleasure.
Not until this year has the apprecia-
ton Of the qualities Of canoeing as a
healthful and pleasant pastime been
forcibly stamped upon the minds Of
Washingtonians. Three years ago there
was but a meager dozen canoes scat
tered here and there over the Potomac,
and Of these most were property of
members Of the Potomac Boat Club. So
rapidly has the popularity OF the sport
increased that now there are, by care
full estimate 200 canoes owned and regu-
lar!y used by Washingtonians. There
are but few, II any, cities south OF New
York that are as well represented with
canoebts as IS Washington. Take Phil
adel5hia, for instance. easily the fore
most boating city in the eastern United
States. Few are the clubs there that
are represented by more than three
canoes each. A member Of one Of the
biggest and most successful boat clubs
in the Quaker City, when asked regard
ing canoeing on the Schuyl1ln replied
with pride that "his club had the most
canoes-fve." The question was out 10
him by a member Of the Potomac Boat
Club. at the Peoples Regatta. in Phfa-
delphia, on July / When informed that
the number Of canoes Of the Potomacs
numbered seventy-five the Quaker
would hardly credit the statement.
In addition TO the Potomac there are
two other boat or canoe clubs on the
river, the Analostan Boat Club and the
Cumberland Boat Club. the latter OF
which has been organized but very re-
Gently.
Rowboat Doomed.
Five years ago moonlight pull in a
heavy. cumbersome rowboat, with q
young lady. was considered the real thing
BY the ordinary man. In canoe undee
the same conditions nowadays there is
no comparison. But little exertion IS
required 20 push the lighter craft ahead
al creditable speed, and while padding
there IS the advantage Of always facing
an occupant Of the boat, usually a maid
en-. Canoes are built OF all sizes. some 10
hold only two. and some capable Of safe
y transporting a carload OF persons. The
largest canoe on the Potomac Is the
war canoe" OF Analostan Boat Club,
which can comfortably accommodate
two dozen persons.
The organization of the Interclub As
sociaron has done more for the promo
ton Of canoeing here than any other
movement ever tried TO force the pas
, time 10 the front among aquatic sports
Heretofore there was considerable III
valry between the members Of the Po-