The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-08-22
A Discounted YACHTSMAN.

I Written on the impulse Of the moment, on
the cabin top Of the sloop yacht Corneta
on the 9Th of Aug. high noon, 1907, off
Hooper's Island, Maine.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL: l
read an article in recent issue of your
paper lamenting the fact that North
Haven man had put his fine sl00p out of
commission and for sale because he wanted
a perfumery packet. I've owned sail boats
for fifteen years and l appreciate the spirit
trying to get around eastern waters with
sails. This is my second trip from Provi-
dence and will be my last except in either
an auxiliary or an aforesaid perfumery
packet. This boat can 60 when there is
any wind for instance we left Newport. r.
Cape Cod light at $50 p. NJ, Monhegan at
ashore at Carver's Harbor, Vinalhaven.
During the following week, by taking ad-
vantage of all the breezes that blew we
visited, in succession, Isle au Haul, Swans
island, 9onhegaD, BBoothb ss 1 and Portland.
Then we started back for Penobscot bay
and the fun began. The winds were "Pad-
dy Hurricanes" and the fog factories were
working overtime. We spent three days
running from Portland to Camden. 1t was
The only land we saw was from Port Clyde
to Tenants HarbOr and glimpse of Owls
Head. know you did not make the fog or
furnish the breeZes and of course you are
not responsible, but for the sake of pro
and con hear me through. We've had possi-
bly, half dozen good sailing days during
the past three. weeks and on Aug. 9th at
p. m, started for Boston, and, on account
OF various reasons, in hurry. We made
Saturday Cove about 9 p. NJ, when the fog
shut in thick and the winds went out of
business. Wednesday we were up at 80
m. and off with light north wind; yes, 1t
was light, it took US until noon to get to
Owls Head, where we met light souther-
iy and the best we could do was to make
Tenants Harbor at p. m. This glorious
morning opened up with no wind until $50,
when we got under way and arrived at Port
Clyde light at II, and as it was necessary
for one of the party on board to telephone
to ROckland we ran up the harbor, about
One-half mile, spent fifteen minutes ashore
and have been butting around an hour and
half in the dOldrums trying to get back
outside the light into light easterly blow
ing that it destroys all the pleasure of sail
ing and words, or pen and ink, utterly fail
to express our admiration for the man who
has brains enough under his hat to put his
sail boat on the market and get into craft
with some sort of an independent push fac
tory under her decks.
I've always been sail boat crank, but
I've got enough. If l ever come east again
I'll come in boat with power, or, me for
the land, if l have to hire crew to push me
through in wheelbarrow.
Yours Respectfully,
G. E. DARLING.
P. S. Gloucester p nj. Friday. At APP.
NJ. yesterday we were off Boothbay when
the wind changed to the north'ard, we sail
ed all night, and here we are-evidence
that sail boat is all right when the breeZes
blow.
every one to his TASTE" as the old woman
said when she kissed the COW. We have no
boats to sail. Indeed, the writer has come
to time of life and habit when roughing it
in small sailing craft TO longer attracts
Once neither fog, nor rain nor head winds,
nor calms detracted in the least from the
keen enjoyment of heing afoat Then one
could 'turn in' in wet clothing without
fear of rheumatism and eat whatever the
lockers afforded without suffering the pangs
of indigestion. Now steam yacht-no gaso-
lene, please-would have its attractions, but
financially is out of reach.
But as to this disgruntled yachtsman.
The weather has kept every one-not
yachtsmen alone-grumbling this season.
1t has certainly been abnormal, and that is
true of all sections and not of Maine alone.
A very severe winter was followed by
cold, late and wet spring, and the long de-
layed summer has been rainy and foggy to
an unusual degree. In a normal summer
the prevailing wind is southwest and it is
almost as regular as the trade winds. Com
ing from the westward in sailing craft is
like sliding down hill After the occasional
summer showers the wind gets around to
the north or west for day or two and by
taking advantage OF this change the yachts
man can make good progress homeward But
if his craft is good at windward work-and
she should be if he ventures far from home
"a stiff sou'wester is not so bad and he
will often get favorable "slant" that will
send him on his way rejoicing. But whether
he comes by sail or power, or both, Maine
extends hearty welcome to the visiting
yachtsman.