Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-13
FINE OUTING TAKEN
BY WHITE STEAMERS
ADMIRAL FENNER'S FLEET
MAKES INITIAL TRIP
Autos Run Down to Venice, Along the
Coast to Topanao Canyon, and
Through calabasas Back
to Los Angeles

Fifteen cars lined up at the White
garage Sunday morning at O'CLOCK
for the initial trip of the White Steamer
squadron of Southern California With
Admiral F. c. Fenner at the head OF
the line to act as pilot and commanding
officer, the line of machines started
down Broadway and soon was out of
the city on its way to Venice, which
was the first stop made. From Venice
to Ocean Park was the next short run,
and then the cars went to the mouth OF
Santa Monica canyon, where water was
taken aboard. Then up the coast along
the Malibu ranch road to the mouth OF
Topango canyon and up through that
defile for about four miles, until a
place was found under the trees where
the little stream of water forms pools
among the boulders strewn in the bed
of the creek.
Everybody got out here and luncheon
was spread. After luncheon the stop
was prolonged for half an hour or
more, and then the journey was taken
up again.
The road soon became much rougher
and sleeper, and in smany places stops
were taken to allow the cars to be
separated sufficiently to make the up
and down grades without danger Of coll
lisions.
Ine TOdQ JHTOuSn iuS IOpdhSO AS
steep and tortuouS, and the most care
ful driving is necessary to keep the car
on the grade in many places. Plenty OF
power is also essential. Many campers
are in the canyon, which is beautiful
place, but narrow.
At the summit of the pass the ma
chimes were all stopped by Admiral
Fenner and sent down one at time,
as the grade is steep and has a sharp
that iS rn1ICh and SOnaWhat
dangerous. However, everybody nego-
tiated it successfully, many of the
women electing to ride down rather
than walk.
At the summit beautiful view over
looking the upper end of the San Fer
nando valley was enjoyed, and soon
after the descent began the cars rolled
into Calabasas. From that point good
time was made into the city, and the
cars came in without regard to
schedule. reaching Los Angeles just at
dusk.
Everyone voted the trip one of the
finest ever made, as there was a variety
of seashore, mountain and valley
scenery in the days run.
The steamers worked like a charm all
day, but several delays were caused by
a gasoline car, of which there were two
along.
The steep grades heated the engine
frequently, and as the grade was mar
row all the cars that were behind 1t
had to wait until it could cool down
and start again.
The absence of tire trouble was re-
markable, as only one puneture was
reported. That happened to the pilot
car, and In few minutes Admiral Fen
ner had a spare rim cIamped to the
wheel and came in on five wheels very
nicely.
The admiral intends to have a trip
every two weeks to some interesting
place. A barbecue at the Conejo lake
is one of the things that it is hoped
will be arranged. The lake is on pri-
vate property and permission has to be
obtained to enter the ranch. In the
lake, which is artificial. is a good stock
of black bass and excellent fishing can
be had there.
It is just fifty miles to the Conejo
and the trip is interesting all Of the
way up.