Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22

N excellent book for the ships
~ library is the National Geo.
IA graphic Magazine for February,
4 "A 1928, containing Capt. Harry
Pidgeon's tale of his trip around
the world in Islander" although, upon
reflection, I'm not so sure but that II
should be suppressed as breeder OF
discontent and a lure for the unwary.
Reading it fills one full of dreams OF a
similar cruise, of tropic isles and coral
strands, warm, leaping seas, glamour
Gus names and strange and interesting
places; tuck one under your tongue,
close your eyes and let go, Nuka Hiva,
Koepang, Mbengha,, Suva, Paga-Pago,
Mauritius, Durham, Ascension, Trini-
dad-the names alone tell his story.
Read it, and weep over the ties that
keep one moored to business and FAMILY.
I wonder whether readers in other paris
are thrilled and furnished dreams by
the names that are to us commonplace
and unnoticed-Tangier and Patuxent
Mattawomsn and Coan, Nanjemoy
Yeocomico?
HAVE you ever seen the yellow lilies
L of Mattawoman? Or the great
eagles that wheel and soar over these
waters? Or watched a mink at his
breakfast fishing from the rocks In
Occoquan? Or hooked a three-pounder
at sunset? No? Then get boat and
join us!
THOUGH the regatta is long past,
l. arguments over it continue to be
heard and stories of occurrences multi
ply. Some maintain it was grand
fiasco, others a bowling success. And
some of the boating fraternity who
, attended were so busy looking after
their ground tackle WHEN the bit of
breeze arrived that their opinions can
scarcely be tonored. We were disagree
ably surprised at the alacrity with
which some of them ran for home at
they could not help giving the out.of-
town visitors an impression that fair
weather yachtsmen are the rule IN
Washington. And they missed the best
race of the day, the free for all. All
the other races were good. the free for
all merely better because Of the rougf1er
water and the rather mixed-up condi-
ton of the course. The Jayee 80 was
obviously the faster boat, but lost all
to turn wide at reduced speed to ne
gotiate them at all. while other craft
swept close to the buoys at practically
full power.
Another impression gained during the
windy period is that too many OF our
cruiser men leave their berths with in
sufficient ground tackle, their anchors
are small and cables short. Some OF
the patent anchors, though ornamental
and easy to handle. are not the things
to be used when anchoring on short
rnoorings, unless the weight alone be
great enough to assure the boats stay
ing put. And while on the subject Of
anchors 1t Is observed that in the last
year an important change has been
made in the shape of the palms on the
standard anchor, the idea being to pre-
vent fouling. Though an excellent IDEA,
it can hardly be hailed as an example
of the progressiveness Of the boat build
ing and supply industry In view OF the
centuries Of use of anchors. And this
improvement, though entailing no in
creased cost of production. has been
made the excuse for rather heavy
increase in price.
T1rSETS and spills are spectacular
~ and give the crowd a thrill, but
we are always a bit sorry When tney
occur, Frequently the engines and boats
are completely ruined. and OF course
the drivers chances of winning are also
finished. In the cese of the millionaire
sportsman the loss of engine or boat
Is small matter, but for the chap who
spends his spare money and time fol
a season or two developing racer 1t
is nothing short of calamity.
That upset alongside the committee
boat on Friday was all that any movie
director might require. Two OF the
outboard craft collided, one OF them
plunging under, the other leaving the
water in what is described by aviators
az an outside loop" turning completely
over in the air and striking the water
right side up and Bristol fashion. though
half filled with water, and with the
driver still inside. How he stayed with
1t is mystery.
After the races were over we foolish.
IL undertook the role of Good
Samaritan, taking in tow one of the
contestants whosn motor had been dis
Abled and towing him matter OF two
miles to his home float When taking
him In tow we passed him line which
he tied into his own bow line, using
some form of gilligan hitch that ne
cessitAted cutting when We reached the
Engineers Wharf. And the beggar cut
OUR unel