The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-02

was small boat made fast to sled |
which was pushed on the ice and rowed
on the water. This crude mode of travel,
with the wind against or across the boat, |
made the trip one of tremendous exertion. |
In the course of time sail was tried,
at first square-rigged and very small, but
it was used only when the wind was fair. J
Then special boat was built which was
partially decked, and the sled was made
lighter until at last the scooter of the
present day was developed. with nothing
left of the sled but the bottom of the
runners, shod with iron, or, better still,
as experience has shown, with brass.
3 The boat itself has also undergone
transformation even more radical than
the sled The wedge-like cross -section
has given way to an extremely fat or
thin oval, and the curve of the deck is
almost identical with that of the bottom
of the boat leaving only a modification
Of the cockpit of small craft and form
ing air chambers. which give great buoy
ancy. The thinneSs of the cross-sect1ony
cuts down the effect of the wind on the
I boat while running on the ice. The I'M
usual width insures a safe hold on the
water while sailing. The scooter builders
at Bellport, Patchogue, Bayport and Say
ville L. l., are fairly well agreed on
! lines, dimensions and general construction.
Because of the strength of the winter
winds the sail area is small. No rudder
| is used the boat being handled entirely by
the jib The ease of steering by this
method is most remarkable.
| The equipment generally consists OF a
pair of oars for emergencies; a short pike
| about two feet long, which is sometimes
utilized to bring the boat quickly about
4 or to change the course if, for any rea-
son. jib handling is not sufficient
/ sharp-pointed pike, being pressed against
| the ice with one hand, makes mere
! scratch on the ice, but has an instant
i and powerful effect The last implement
\ carried is peculiar to "scootering." 1t Is
a light hickory haft with a sharpened
iron point, and just behind it is small
/ triangular shaped piece OF sheet iron at
right angles, the whole thing having the
/ appearance of small hoe. This is used
at times to assist the scooter TO leave
the water, when the ice is soft and rot
Item. Under such circumstances, if the
/ ice crumbles as the runners push upon 1t,
l this pole is thrust forward and a dig or
1.-TWO on the ice never fails to draw the
4 curious pumpkin seed-shaped hull upon
the surface, after which the scooter makes
i ra mid progress over ice that has virtually
4 lost all it's cohesive power.
Thus the scooterist lays his course and,
if the wind favors, follows the line of short
est distance between two points. deViating
} from it not one whit because of open
4 water, or big foes or of floating and IT.
4 regular ice-cakes Of varying size. AS q
i rule. the scooter carries but two people,
lbut will. when called upon, carry three. The
Eboats are built without the use of a nail
4 all parts being fastened by screws, assur-
ing absolute safety; no matter to what
s.. strain the scooter is subjected. Notwith-
II standing the many years of use and the
dangerous winter weather during Whic