The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-06-25
PASTE THIS
In Your Hat and Don't Forget II You
Go Boating.

There are chronicled every summer
long list of fatal drowning accidents
which plunge thousands into, mourn,
ing, and the pity Of il is that a little
knowledge OF workmanship and or.
binary care might have prevented
most OF them. To ignorance or care
lessness in entering and leaving a
boat or while in il; TO venturing In
open water unprepared. and TO neglect
OF the rudimentary principles Of water.
manship can be traced half the re-
corded fatalities.
No one should ever take out rowing
persons who do not know how to swim
without first ascertaining that the boat
is safe and seaworthy and provided
with the necessary paraphernalia for
eventualities. 1t is when one least ex-
poets it that accidents occur. and the
only way 10 avoid them is TO be pre-
pared al all times. A stout bow line,
enough life preservers 20 20 around.
an anchor, something 10 bale with and
an extra pair OF oars should be car
ried on principle. You may not need
them ninety-nine times out OF a hun
dred. but on that hundredth time they
may mean life or death.
In getting into a boat one should
try TO step right into the bottom over
the keel, or IL this is too great a
reach. on to the middle of the seat
and then sit down. Stepping on the
gunwale has been responsible for num-
berless capsiZings and il is a good
idea when inexperienced people are
embarking to take hold Of the boat and
steady it. Enter IL possible where
you intend to sit and in such a man
ner that you will not have to turn az.
terward
The weight should be distributed as
evenly as possible. in a small boat,
with slight preference TO the stern.
IL the bow is buried the least head
swell will food the boat and IL the
stern is too deep following sea may
swamp IL. In making a landing one
should approach at an angle, shipping
the inward oar a few yards away and
rounding up by backing with the out
ward one. II is dangerous to stretch
out over the gunwale to reach for
float or pier. In landing the person
in the bow should be first. taking the
bowline with him and steadying the
boat for the others
| will not insult the intelligence OF
the reader by advising against rock
ing the boat or INDUCING in like idI-
otto skylarking. One must be decid-
eddy lacking in gray matter 10 choose
such pastimes. There are certain rules
about ones behavior in a small craft.
however which should be kept con
stantly in mind. For instance, should
IL be necessary for two people to
change places they should keep well
over the keel until ready to pass each
other and then standing face TO face
move to either side simultaneously
that the boat may not lose its balance.
Also. whether in picking up anything
from the water or in helping a swim
mer 1t is advisable to use the stern
and not the side.
When boat is capsized do not try
to climb into il again. 1t will sustain
you easily If YOU Just lean on. as will
any fair-sized piece OF wreckage like
an oar, a spar or a board. but attempt
to climb over them and they will
surely sink with you. And. speaking
about this. when you are being helped
or towed do not hang onto your res
cuer or boat with bent arms. as this
draws the body up and offers great re-
sistance. Outstretched arms will in
crease your chanches OF getting
ashore Recreation.