Evening journal., 1911-06-20

When a canoe is mentioned to the
average person Immediately some
sort of a frail craft is pictured, in
which the occupants must sit abso-
lutely motionless with their hair part
ed In the middle, and even then at the
risk of their lives, whereas, as a mat
ter of fact, a canoe is just as safe as
the average rowboat If a reasonable
amount of care is exercised and the
man who rocks the boat" is con-
spiouous by his absence.
The birch-bark canoe of the North
American Indian early won the ad-
miration of the whites because of its
lightness, ease of propulsion and
gracefulness on the water. and while
number of the tribes in more south
ern localities showed great skill in the
construction of log canoes. these did
not have the symmetrical lines of the
birch-bark canoe of the Northern
tribes
The Chesapeake Bay and Delaware
sailing canoe is a type of craft con-
structed on very similar lines to the
log canoe of the Indian, but Is little
known outside of local waters, al
though IL has a great many advantages
over a sailboat constructed on other
lines and is very popular This can
readily be appreciated when the fact
Is considered that a very large per-
centage Of the sailboats in use on the
river and its tributaries are of this
construction, but this type Of canoe is
much too heavy for any other use than
as a sailing boat or launch.
AS a padding canoe nothing Of a
similar size has been found superior
to the Indian, and of all his primitive
implements nothing has survived the
march of civilization except his form
Of water craft. For many years the
construction of this canoe was limited
TO the localities where the bark and
other materials could be obtained. and
was, of course, restricted by the
amount of material obtainable. I'M
provements have steadily been made
and modern methods of manufacture
introduced, In consequence of which
the canvas canoe of the present day
not only embodies all the good quali-
ties OF the Indians canoe, but has rec
tilted its bad traits as well, and is not
only substantial and safe, but main
tains all the ease of handling and
gracefulness Of the primitive craft.
Canvas Canoes In Demand.
The modern canvas canoe varies in
length from 16 to 20 feet, the most
popular sizes being the II and 1S-
footers. The method Of construction is
to use about three-eighths inch north
ern cedar ribs spaced about two inches
apart, the ribs themselves being two
inches wide. Cedar planking about
three-sixteenths of an inch thick is
fastened to the ribs, running the
whole length Of the canoe, the out
side Of the canoe then being covered
with waterproof canvas, painted and
vanished. The pleasure and advan.
tages of the use of this style of craft
were only known TO those who lived n
or had occasion TO take hunting and
camping trips into the north country
About 20 years ago the experiment
was tried of substituting canvas GOV.
ering for the birch bark. and since thai
time different improvements have beer
made. The weight of an 1S-foot prop
erly constructed canoe is about Il
pounds, the weights of the longer ant
shorter models varying about five
pounds 10 the foot
Canoes are made in two genera
models, one for use on small inlanC
streams and the other for open water
bays, large lakes, wide rivers, etc.
where heavy winds and seas are liabl
to be encountered A very well-made
substantial canoe may be purchased
for about $40 complete with paddles
but the individual tastes of the pur
chaser may also be gratified by includ
ing such things as mahogany finish
long decks, searchlights. brass fittings
etc, which can be obtained for small
additional cost A sailing outfit ais
adds much TO the pleasure Of canoe
ing and this may be obtained at a com
paratiyely small cost If the owner de
sires TO so equip his craft
A Popular Sport.
The adaptability Of the canoe is wha
makes Il so popular. as II provides al
opportunity TO enjoy the body of waite
which lies nearest TO us whether Il /
river, lake OF bay. To the city dwelle
II affords a means Of getting ava
from the heat and turmoil of every
day life for a brief period and an al
ternoon's paddle nothing is more con
ducive 10 quiet thoughts and a goo
appetite than the association with ma
ture thus obtained; and the charm o