New-York tribune., 1905-04-10
IAN AUTOBOAT CEREMONY.
SPrInkled zCith Holy Water by
Canon Dumont on the Seine.
Paris. March 2s.

Paris March 2S.
Nine. Camille du Cast. the indefatigabe Pa
risian sportswOman who has distinguished her
self by balloon ascensions, by automobile racing,
oy clever trick riding on horseback and on the
oicycle, by fencing. by pistol and rife shooting,
ana VINO recently won the motor canoe race
on the Seine has added to her laurels by insti-
tutins new aquatic sporting function likely to
come into favor. Nine. du Cast. who has set
her heart upon winning prizes in the forthcom-
ing autoboat races at Monaco and Marseilles,
mas FOR the last four months been husily en-
gagged IN experimenting the construction of
new sO-foot racing autoboat. La Turquoise,
which was recently launched and experimental
With at Courbevoie, and which was soemnly
named last Friday at the landing stage of the
Seine Yacht Club. The ceremony, 70 which up
ward OF two hundred invitations had been is
sued, had ali the charm OF novelty and was
essentially "Parisian event" Canon Dunont
IN full priestly vestmeuts, embroidered in gold
ana trimmed with rare lace. delivered an ad-
dress IN behalf Of Monsignor lie Nordez late
Bishop OF Dion, who was prevented by an at
TACK OF Influenza from being present. Canon
Dumont congratulated Nine, du Cast upon "the
noble and healthful initiative that she had i'm
parted to open air femininisrn" and commended
Ter Intelligent energy a worthy example for
all the abebodied women of France
Among the guests who assisted at the cere-
mony OF La Turquoise were Count d'Avricourt
representing the Prince of Monaco; Count Rob
ert de Montesquiou, Count and Countess de
Grammont. Count and Countess de Granville
General Clement, Prince Sciarra NJ and Nine
Bunau-Varilla Viscount dAIambert DR. Do
yen' NJ Jules Claretie. NJ. Alfred Capus NJ San
tos-Dumont. Admiral Bienaime. Nine Jeanne
Granier' Nine. Roger Niclos and a score Of well
known Senators, Deputies and dipIomatists Al
3 O'Clock. the sun shining brightly. Canon Du-
mont, having finished his Grafton. descended the
stairway Of the club. preceded by two chorister
boys in vestments OF the Church. swinging silver
vessels nlled with burning incense, and. with
aspersorium and holy water sprinkler in hand
invoked the divine blessing upon La Turquoise
according to the prescribed baptisrnaI rites
As Canon Dumont pronounced the name ..T.
Turquoise a salute OF eleven guns was fired
and military band played the ''Narseillaise ="
The smart looking craft was ornamented with
rare orchids. and glstened like a jewel in its
fresh coat Of turquoise blue paint A Young
girl' dressed IN white, simultaneously with
Canon DumOnts gesture Of sprinkllne holy
water on the boat smashed a bottle Of cham,
payne over the bows An elaborate collation.
was partaken of by the guests in the club din
lhg room Shortly afterward the band played
the march from lie Prophete"
Nine. du Cast threw aside the annie fov
cloak that she had worn, removed her imposing
Gainshorough hat. and replaced it by a smart
white yachting cap. and. attired in a leather
tunlc and leather overall trousers, sprang alert
iy on board La Turquoise She nervousIy grasped
the steering wheel, and gave the word OF com
mand TO her chauffeur. Full speed aheadr'
The band struck up the stirring march .Sambre-
et-Meuse." and La Turquoise dashed down
stream at pace Of about ten miles an hour
Nine du Cast made several turns up and down
the Seine, and the smart contingent OF Parisians
who attended this novel function expressed
great satisfaction with the performances Of this
thoroughly UP to Date racing machine A re-
past OF tea, champagne, cakes and sweetmeats
followed. Nine. du Cast subsequently, handed
TO each Of her guests a medallion bearing the
name and outline of La Turquoise. together with
a bouquet OF forget-me-nots and a TURQUOISE
blue and gold sack Of bou-bons. The clubhouse
was tastefully decorated with blue hortensias.
The enthusiastic autoboat sportswoman was
heartily cheered. and may be seen almost daily
motoring her new craft between Courbevoie and
FSrls at hlgh speed c. l. B.