The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-17
YACHTSMFN READY
FOR COMING SEASON
Numerous ST. Paul Clubs Pros
porous and Successful Year
Is Anticipated.

IS ANtICtpdtGUs
st. Paul is rapidly becoming a city of
yachtsmen, and it may be news to many
that there are hundreds of yachtsmen in
the city capable of handling anything
from catamaran up to an ocean schoon-
er. 1t Is not necessary to reside on the
Great Lakes or an ocean port to become
an adept in the art of handling boats.
White Bear, Bald Eagle and the Missis-
sippi have developed large number of
expert men in the sport of kings.
1t ls difficult to arrive at anything like
correct estimate of the number of
yachts, or men capable Of handling a
sail or power boat, to be found in ST.
Paul. There are at the present time about
750 active yachtsmen in the three yacht
clubs in the city. These are divided
about as follows White Bear Yacht club
and lake. $50 Bald Eagle Yacht club and
lake, It's; st. Paul Yacht club, Mississippi
river, 225. Then there are a large num-
Der Of capable yachtsmen who are no
longer actively engaged in the sport, but,
together with the thousands of others in
directly interested, remain true to the
greatest and healthieSt of all sports.
The unreasonable weather has appar-
emily not interfered in the least with the
preparations which yachtsmen are MAX
ing for the coming season. The ice has
not yet gone out Of the lake, although it
is giving ample evidence of a breakup in
few days. Builders are buster than
ever, and the QUILTING season is well at
hand.
All kinds of craft are awaiting their
dip into the water and White Bear has
collection of boats which should suit
most any sort Of critic If he wants big
variety. There can still be seen types
boats fifteen
heavy, Stanch, slow moving affairs, which
yachtSmen delight in calling tubs" down
to the more modern type of today, with
its .scow shape, long lines and sleek I'M
derbody. whose long suit is speed and
which can sail rings around the ancient
craft between each buoy.
Large Fleet at White Bear.
The numerous additions to the classes
this year of the White Bear Yacht club
will give this club the largest fleet of
racing machines of any of the inland
lakes, with hardly a boat older than two
or three seasons. The sailboat on White
I5S Is no longer built for the purposes
usually expected Of a pleasure craft:
Speed is the one great thing desired, and
the present type of boat is regarded by
many as the fastest which can be pro-
duoed, and, thanks to the restrictions of
the big Western yachting associations, the
egg shell hull has become entirely obso
lete.
The long straight lines of the scow
are highly regarded as serving the best
purpose of yachtsmen who are looking
for speed, and, while the scOW has proven
her superiority to the submerged water
line boat, it has been demonstrated to
the satisfaction Of many, yet mooted by
others, that the scow with a narrow bow,
but OF greater beam, will prove the, faster
on good sized body sof water where
pretty fair sea may be kicked up. The
narrow. bow has always been admired by
White Bear men, although, strange to
say, comparatively few. have been built.
In 1900 Minnesota and st. Paul (noW
Aloha) were built, both with pointed
bows, but their beams were too narrow,
and they found their best going in light
weather. The Minnesota is still regard
ed as one of the best light weather boats
in America, and White Bear men feel
fully convinced that had the winds been
light when she tried for the Seawanhaka
cup she would not have returned empty
handed. AS it was, the winds blew heavi-
that day Minnesota led her competitor by
handsome margin, although it was an
empty honor for the time limit expired
before the boats could cover the course.
Minnesota is now sailing under the col
ors of one Of the Chicago yacht clubs.
At the present time the local club has
four yachts under construction to be
used in the trial races to be held here
IN June, from which the challenger may
be selected for the SeaWanhaka cup. Two
Of these boats, designed, one by G.. D.
Mower. Of New, York, and the other by
DR.. ]. M. WEIGH Of st. Paul. will have
narrow bow and plenty of beam. The
idea of taking the boats to Oshkosh and
racing them there is meeting with the
approval OF local tarS, as the water con-
ditions of Lake Winnebago are similar in
a great degree to those at Dorval East
ern yachtsmen are taking a keen interest
In the SeaWanhaka trials this year and
Bears to the various American yacht
clubs to build boats and enter into the
trial races seems to be bearing generous
fruit.
Interest In SeaWanhaka Event.
There has also been some talk of Osh-
kosh and Chicago yachtsmen getting into
line, and members of the Excelsior yacht
club of Minnetonka have had the matter
under consideration, but without arriving
at any conclusion up to the present time.
The trial races are less than two months
off, but the White Bear club expects to
have all arrangements complete in ample
season.
Ex-Commodore c.. M. Griggs reports
that contributions by the club members
are coming in satisfactorily, although
the whole amount required has not yet
been subscribed, but not the slightest
difficulty is apprehended in getting it In
due time.
The Bald Eagle Yacht club is also
ready to open it's preliminary season, and
the work Of rigging will be begun as soon
as the boats can be placed In the water
From present indications Bald Eagle will
have good-sized fleet and there will be
no lack of interest at this popular re-
sort this summer. Its schedule of races
begins with the race on Decoration day
and will continue each Saturday and holt
day throughout the season. From pres
ent indications the Bald Eagle yachtsmen
expect to have at least twenty boats In
each regatta, and suitable cups and pen
nants will be offered for prizes.
Commodore Thomas, one of the most
active members, shas great confidence in
the future of the club, and predicts for
it a prosperous career.
I'VE have the right kind Of people to
push 1t along, and besides we have the
moral support of every Individual on the
lake." said Mr. Thomas. This year we
have made a big step in the right direc-
ton, and after year or SO we will add
larger and faster boats. This ali comes
along gradually in the march of progress
and natural development Of a club, and
we are working under the best Influences
The people of our lake pull together, and
just now the yacht club is recognized as
by far the biggest thing on the lake. I
Popular Bowling Alleys )