Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-21


M consumed with anxiety over
" quite number of things,
principally whether we are
going to be all ready for cruising when
the time arrives. There is so much to
be done-painting, hauling out and re-
newing the stufing box-all the small
and large jobs incident to Spring over
hauling.
There are one or two other anxieties
that have not directly to do with the boat
things, however, that contribute to the
joy of boating. We wonder whether We
again shall see the two great bald eagles
that for number of years have lorded
over the Grand Duchy of Mattawoman
or whether they have succumbed to the
idiocy of some mighty nimrod armed
with the latest thing in high-powered
rifles and mania for killing.
Then there's our old friend Willie-the-
whip, better known as whippoorwill,
whose call we have been accustomed to
hear when anchored above the twin
bridges in Occoquan. Will he be there
to sing for us or will he, too, have fallen
prey to some big out-of-doors man?
And that rabbit-we like to think 1t the
same one-that peered at us so often
from his covert of brambleS, his ears
all a-cock and quivering.
These and many others similar are
the anxieties that beset us, and
who wants to join in movement abol-
ishing hunters?
HERE'S tall story, albeit true one.
i It's to be made of 500 pieces of
wood inches by inches by IS feet
long, all glued together, and when fin
ished will be 1877 feet long, tall or high,
whatever way you wish to say it.
1T" is the mast for the cup defender
Yankee, now building at Lawleys, at
Neponset, Mass. OF course, you all
know that Sir Thomas Upton again is
to try to lift the cup with a new Sham
rock, the fifth of this name. Three
other defenders are building - one
named Whirlwind, also at Lawley'S, and
two more at Herreschoff'S, Weetamoe
and Enterprise. Enterprise is named
for the famous warship of that name
that captured the Boxer during the War
of 1912.
1t is interesting to note that these
vessels are compelled to have two of
these masts, one in the boat, the other
as spare. The sail area of these craft
quiring about $50 yards of material.
How may we add to the lows and
delights of boating? Many ways
there are to accomplish this. Before
attempting to outline them let us con-
slider the situation. A benevolent Gov
eminent has provided for us publica-
tions of many kinds that help us to en-
Joy our craft in comfort and safety.
There are charts showing depths and
shorelines, buoy positions and dangers
currents and ports. Then there is the
Coast Pilot, book well worth having
describing the places shown on the
charts, indicating the facilities and sup
plies obtainable. The light list covers
the buoys and light houses, describing
them carefully The tides are covered
In the tide table. So much for the pub
lications
Now for ourselves. After the first
two or three trips we are more or less
familiar with the outward aspects of
the river, and unless one gets busy, the
river may lose its charm. So we study
first the rules of the game. These be-
ing learned thoroughly, We turn our at
tention to the fish and other life to be
found in the waters over which we
cruise. Usually this is accomplished by
"goin' flshin'." But there are other
ways. Hang light over the stern close
to the water some quiet night, make
yourself comfortable and watch closely
You will find yourself observing the
finny denizens of the deep long after
you would otherwise be abed. New
species will appear and curious antics
will be seen. Once you have done this
you are henceforth a fan.
Now for the next stunt. If you
haven't o microscope procure power