The Model Yachtsman and Canoeist: Volume 5, Issue 4 – April 1888

THE ENLARGED SERIES del- BYachtsman AND CA NOHIST. A Monthly Journal of Model Yacht Construction, Fitting and Sailing; Canoeing News; Doings of the Clubs; Yachting Items; Correspondence; Sale and Exchange; &c. Vol. V.—No. 4. APRIL, All Communications (except Canoeing) must be addressed “THe Epiror of 7he Modeil-Yachisman, 161 & 162, High Street, Hull.” | “THE EDITor of 7he Canoeist 46, Chesilton Rd., Munster Park, London, S.W.” American issuing is about to ex- an Colonial Edition. NOSTER SquaRreE, Lonpon, E.C., and leading pub- 14d. or 1d. stamps may be sent in payment. N.B.—In sending for single copies, 344d. in stamps must be sent by Post Office Orders, payable to THos. GRASSAM, HULL ; or, if sent in Foreign Stamps, please send value in one or two stamps only, of high value.—P-O.O. made payable to ‘‘The Model-Yachisman” will not for the future be accepted. Travel, English and or America…… paid in advance…… 3/6 per annum To Foreign Subseribers!—All subscriptions must famous Magazine, of Sport and The publication of the English edition has been undertaken by Mussrs. Carr & Co., 26, ParEer- is published on the Ist of each month, and can be had of any bookseller, or will be sent on application to the Publishers, on the following terms :— . ” Post-free to any part of the United Kingdom, Europe DVERTISEMENTS should reach this office not later than the 21st of the month, to secure insertion in the following issue. Rates on application. The u J Nn tend its sphere by THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN & CANOKIST HuLL: THomMas GRassaM, 161 & 162, High Street. Lonpon: E. MARLBOROUGH & Co., 51, Old Bailey. Price 3@., Post-free 344d. * CANOEING Communications must be addressed be enclosed to cover postage. 1888. | lishing firms in Melbourne and Sidney (Australia) have the magazine in hand. The Yachting, Hunting, Shooting, Fishing, Riding, Bicycling and Tricycling, Canoeing, Rowing, Cricket, Ice Yachting, Photography, and Travel features will be continued, with an increased number of illustrations and other improvements. THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN AND CANOEIST CAN BE OBTAINED OF Messrs. JOHN LOWLES & COMPY., 76a, Queen Victoria St., London, £.C., Who will also receive ADVERTISEMENTS at lowest Office Rates. ” 62 THE ditorvial MODEL-YACHTSMAN Lotes, E-XHIBITIONS.—We are pleased to be able this month to lay before our readers particulars of two successful Exhibitions, one at South Shields and the other at Guernsey, and hope the examples will be an encouragement to other districts to show what they can do in skilled work and finish, suited for the Exhibition table, as well as ably sail their vessels on the water. South Shields and Guernsey have both held Exhibitions, but there exists in other respects a wide difference between the two places, for whereas in Guernsey a special model- yachting pond has been made, and everything done by the authorities to encourage the sport, there exists in Shields a number of people who, not content with holding aloof from the model-yachting, further display their want of common sense by proposing to spoil the water-space now in ex- istence, by maintaining in its midst several islands. These people are no doubt landscape beautifiers, but we would advance this statement that no island, no matter what its verdure, the wind, which in its absence would agitate and purify the water and make its banks a healthy and cooling resort in the heat ef summer. Nine ponds out of ten that are bestudded with islands, become little better than green and stagnant pools: every change in the weather turns the water dark and Let us hope that the South Shields Corporation will take these things into consideration. Model-yachting is a good pastime to encourage. It is out-door sport for the young, the prime and the aged, and besides the lessons in boat-building which it teaches, the whole art of fore and aft sailing may be learnt from it, as well as innumerable other lessons, and we venture to say that no one who knows anything about it can be found amongst its traducers. —_—O— CHALLENGE SHIELD FOR YORKSHIRE AND LincounsHIrE Cuuss.–The Xzugston club have offered a handsome challenge shield for competition, to bring about an annual meeting of the clubs of the district, which at present consist of Kingston & Albert clubs (Hull), Searboro, Grimsdy, Goole, and Boston. The conditions regulating the matches have been submitted to the various clubs for approval, before being finally adopted, and so far have seemed to meet with thorough approbation. This submitting of conditions beforehand is a good move, and shows the desire of the Kingston club to have a pleasant time for CANOEIST. these meetings, and no excuse for growls afterwards. The competitors will be of the 10-ton class, ‘1730’ rule, and the entrance fees will provide immediate prizes for the winner and runner up. The annual match will always be held in a district central for all the clubs, so that none will be shut out by imconvenience in travelling from having a cut in for the Shield. The inaugural match will most probably be sailed in Hull, and it is expected about thirty yachts will compete. _—.9— One ror ApRin.—We congratulate Edgbaston on the pluck shown by her model sailers in Evidently determined to have forming a club. some sport themselves, and also, that all others shall have the same opportunity, the club has We wish the promoters and been formed. officers every success, and shall be glad to hear of good sport in their town. The following letter conveys the particulars so far :— Wellington House, Wellington Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, is as pretty or attractive to visitors as a fleet of small yachts; and not only this but we can positively say that no moderate-sized piece of water ought to have an island in it. An island in such water as a rule provides plenty of vegetation to rot and stink in the water, and spoils the free play of malodorous. AND March 15th, 1388, Dear Sir,—-I have much pleasure in informing you that at a meeting held in Egbaston, a model yacht club has been formed with every prospect of success. At present we have determined to handicap the boats by weight, and in all probability our sailing station will be Edgbaston Canal I add a list of the officers—ComReservoir. modore, S. H. Knyvett; Hon. Treasurer, H. H. Winn. Yours truly, LL. B. Cuarwin, Hon. Sec. Oe A Serpentine pond of about $-mile in length is being constructed at Southampton, on the Common, to be used for boating, skating, &c., and if there was any life in the model-yachtsmen of Southampton, there would be such a revival at that town as to bring it on a par with other places of equal importance in the matter of model-yachting. The pond is to be 50 yards wide : just the right width for model sailers, but a mockery and delusion to canoeists and boat sailers; a good-sized canoe would be at the further side before she nicely began her journey from the nearer one, and the 4-mile stretch will not provide common amusement for wielders of the paddle or the oar. We think boating will be a failure on this piece of water, and should recommend the model yachtsmen of Southainpton to begin at once to organise, as the politicians say, that they may be prepared to take advantage of this water-space. A correspondent asks us how the increase in the price of our paper has aifected the circulation, and we are glad to be able to assure him that we have received numerous letters of THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN appreciation as to the increase in the size and importance of the paper, and that the circulation is steadily extending. Boarps v. Kueus.—There obtains in America a strong opinion that on this question we in in Britain are throwing up the sponge. A corres- pondent in Forest & Stream suggests several ways of adding to the lateral resistance of Thist/e, and feels sure that if she was made better on this point and a little more sail added, that she would beat Volunteer or any American centreboarder yet built. We quite agree with this view, and have expressed ourselves to the same effect before. Probably Mr. Coats, the new owner of Thastle, will not experiment in this or any other direction with her; like the rest of British owners, he would be too much afraid of the ridicule which would follow if a trial led to no benefit. Further than this, there is no very strong incentive in the competition in this coun- try toimpel Mr. Coats to further outlay just now, as Thistle has yet to be beaten. We should like to see an enterprising sportsman like Mr Coats, owner of the fastest yacht of her size afloat, and this we feel sure Z/ist/e would prove had she sufficient grip of the water to prevent her being blown to leeward, and to enable her to get the full value of the wind pressure on her sails at the smallest angle that is found to be effective. No doubt a plate temporarily fixed on Dhistle’s keel could be tried at a small expense, before any alterations which interfered with the structure of the ship, but whilst the Yankees are lowering keels and pouring lead into their sloops that have not proved successful, we shall go on in the ‘old sweet way,” and be content to play second fiddle. —Oo— THe Goole M.Y.C. begin their first with matches on Good Friday. GUERNSEY The Guernsey club season had magnificent Hali, which has been a great attraction and suc ‘he exhibition was duly opened by Sir cess. Edgar MacCulloch, Bailiff, who bestowed praise on the objects and the exhibits. The Guernsey Star said, “On entering the room a really beautiful sight is presented to the view, the white sails and polished hulls of the little fleet being a grand sight,” and other local display. Amongst those equally full present at of praise the J Col. Tupper, Capt. Gostling, &c., and a numerous many superb attractions in the case of show models, but these not being strictly in our province and our space being limited, we are compelled to confine our remarks to general approbation. We this exhibition will tend to still further popularise model yachting in Guernsey. hope SOUTH SHIELDS MODEL YACHT CLUB EXHIBITION. Owing to the success of last year’s exhibition, the members of the above club resolved to repeat the same this year, but upon a grander scale, and it was decided to hire the largest hall in the town for a week, and combine the exhibit of model: yachts with paintings, curious and industrial or mechanical models. he exhibition was opened by the Mayor, when a splendid company attended. After the usual formalities were gone through, inspection commenced by the visitors, and everyone seemed amazed and delighted at the amount of snowy on Tuesday, 6th March, sails and beautiful models ranged in their position along the tables, many of which displayed a con- siderable amount of skill. There conceivable form of model, from a the ocean racer, was every cigar ship to Schooners are as yet in a large majority with this club, but the change to yawl and cutter rig is gradually coming round, as it inevitably does in ail otber places. There was a fair sprinkling of the tonnage class, by ‘17 30° rule, including several from Gateshead, but beamy models were the rule. In the competition the boats were divided into four classes, 5 and TO, The exhibition was crowded out every night, some nights upwards of 1000 people were present display of 150 models of yachts, boats, various kinds of ships, and model yachts, in the Market press reports were 7 gathering of ladies and gentlemen. The Guernsey club were favored with the loan of two models from members of the Manchester club, and one from Mr. Bishop, of Bristol. Mr. Bishop’s model yacht was much admired, as were also some shown by Mr. Hartwell. There were at one time. a CANOEIST. 75 and 20, 21 and 30 tons, also length class. EXHIBITION. have AND of the opening were Messrs. Thomas Guille, Julius A. Carey, S. Barbet, No doubt the music and pictures were a great attraction, but the centre of interest were the model yachts. If any proof were wanted as to the popularity of this club in South Shields, it has been furnished in the thousands of people who attended, which must be very gratifying to the gentlemen who promoted the exhibition. Let us hope the municipal authorities will fully appreciate it in giving every encouragement to so elevating a pastime. Wednesday afternoon was set apart judging of yachts and awarding prizes, for the the fol- lowing gentlemen kindly acting as judges:—A. E. Long, Esq., Naval Architect; — Colvin, Esq., Board of Trade Surveyor; and J. W. Turnbull, Esq., Naval Architect. Owing to the number of 64 THE models exhibited MODEL-YACHTSMAN AND their duties were onerous, but pleasant, and the awards gave general satisfaction. OFFICIAL AWARDS, One special prize for the yacht of best lines only. One prize for the best complete sailing yacht (vessel and outfit) in each class. Best Lines Class to Class 20 …cutter…… Wj ; . IneSse’…… 5-tns. …… schooner…* Alpha’ …… 20-tns. Class 30 …….. cutter…… ‘Black Swan’ 25-tns. Length Class…schooner..‘Queen’…… 31-tns. Doings of the Chis. Reports for publication must be legibly written, on one side of the paper eZy, and forwarded to the EDITOR not later than the zoth of each month, to ensure insertion in the following issue, Scarboro Mf. Y. C.—QOwing to the wintry character of the weather the past few weeks, our early season programme of races has been rather interfered with, but on Saturday, March ord, a 8ft. length class race was run off, score: ‘ Alice ’ ‘Pass-by’ ‘Mischief’ 0 2 1 2 0 1 1 2 O 2, QO, 1, total 5 » A » 3 Saturday, March 10th, a match for 20-tonners took place in the presence of a good number of spectators. Nine yachts came to the starting flag and after some close contests the scoring was— ‘Yorkshire Lass’ 1 0 8, total 4 ‘ Rebecea’ 2 0 2, ‘Nana’ 0 2 0, ‘Valeva’ 0 1 Q, ‘ Hva,’ 03 1, » » 4 4 » The first annual meeting of the members took place in the Temperance Hall, North Street, on Tuesday evening, March 13th, when a large number attended, the Commodore, Mr. Henry Sewell, presiding. The Secretary’s Report and the Treasurer’s Statement were read and handed in, and in moving their adoption the Commodore expressed his satisfaction at the great progress made by the club during its first year of existence. He believed it was destined to find great favour with the public and would prove to be one of the most popular recreations. He urged CANOEIST. the club provided with better accommodation for their models at the Mere, as their Committee was in treaty with the Corporation, proposing an arrangement for the erection of a spacious Boat-house and Shelter at the foot of the Mere, and the leasing of the same by the clnb for a term of ten years. Mr. William Jones seconded the Commodore in a few brief practical remarks, and the reports, &c., were adopted unanimously. A special vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. M. J. Spyer and other members for the efficient way in which the recent Exhibition was organised and carried out. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Robert Cole, the late Secretary, who, owing to pressure of other matters, had with extreme regret tendered his resignation of that office; after which the election of officers for the ensuing year took place, the following gentlemen being elected :—President, J. W. Woodall, J.P.; Vice-President, Lieut.-Colonel Steble, J.P.; Commodore, Mr. H. Sewell; ViceCommodore, Mr. A. Strange; Treasurer, Mr. W. Wear Gibson; Secretary, Mr. M. J. Spyer; Assistant Secretary, My. D. Maynard; and ten A copy of the conditions of Committee-men. and Lincolnshire Model Yachting the Yorkshire Challenge Shield has been forwarded to the club, which will receive the early attention of their committee. Serpentine M. Y. C. (London ),—At our general meeting, held on Feb. 18th, at the boat-house, Hyde Park, we had to accept the resignation of Mr Dixon Kemp as Commodore, and elected Col. Sterling, to that office, and Mr. Fleurete to the office of Vice-commodore. The two latter gentlemen have been of great service to the club through its troubles in getting a boat-house, and The they are still continuing their favours. officers were all re-elected with the exception of one member of the committee, Mr. Brown, a Mr. Regis was very old member of the club. published in the interests of the sport they all proposed and elected in his stead by a large It was proposed to adopt a five-ton majority. class, but this was lost by the chairman’s casting vote. It was then proposed by Mr. Hemming, that we should have a 15-ton length and sail area rule, which was carried with three cheers for beam and a tax on the propelling power. There is only one prize to be sailed for in this class, and the tens will sail with them. We have increased our limited number of members to 24, and we have 2 vacancies. Our club stands in a better condition than ever, and as we have paid for our boat-house and fixtures it is out of * debt. The committee have been engaged for loved so dearly, and which during the four years of its existence has done so much good in bringing model yachting out of its obscurity into _ prominent Hight. He hoped before long to see be printed shortly. A vote of thanks to the | Chairman closed the meeting. the members who intended building new crait to fix a high standard of excellence for their models, and suggested that they would derive much benefit from the study of the science of Yacht Architecture, and other works now in print relating to model yachting. He dwelt upon the desirability of every member supporting their own journal, Zhe Model- Yachtsman, which was sometime past in revising the club rules, which were approved of by all present, and they will THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN Exe M. ¥.C.—The inclement weather, besides other things, has greatly disturbed our doings. We have had only one Saturday’s sailing matches, which were held on March 10th, when the races which were mentioned in last month’s number were sailed. Mr. L. Pollard’s race, being open to all vessels and without an entrance fee, attracted nine entries, and the result was :— ‘Cherub,’ 1st of the seniors, and ‘Thistle,’ Ist of the juniors. ‘Challenger’ won the cutter race, ‘Swift’ being second. The race for schooners was very exciting, there were only two entries, ‘Revenge’ and ‘ Minotaur,’ both being seniors. ‘Revenge’ won after a very good race, ‘Minotaur’ landing at the same time, but just outside the | mark. Broughty Ferry M. Y.C.–On Saturday, March 17th, a match between the yachts belonging to the Dundee M.Y.C. and the Broughty Ferry Mr. M.Y.C. took place on Claypots Pond. Robert Kidd, acting Commodore of the Broughty Ferry Club, was in command of the fleet, and 1t was a fine sight to see about a score of white winged craft—all about one size—scudding up and @acgeche pond, there being a fine easterly wind exactly suitable for getting a run right up or down the long stretch of water at Claypots. The result of the match was a grand triumph for the Dundee Club, the yachts belonging to that elub having beaten all their opponents, thus showing that practice makes perfection in model yachting as well as in most other things. Saturday was rather a damp day, but the members of the Dundee Club tramped the three and a half miles, and arrived an hour or two before any of the Broughty Club turned out. The hope is expressed that the Broughty Club will not be caught napping in a similar manner again, but that they will lay Saturday’s lesson to heart, and at the same time the keels of a few new clippers to wrest future matches from_ the Dundee Club. The Commodore, Mr. Kidd, managed to get five yachts from each club paired together, and started in rotation. The race was a run up to the north end of the pond, and a run back. The first lot went away-at 4.45 p.m., and the match was very quickly decided in favour of the Dundee Ciub, and their yachts all arriving before any of their opponents, a result seldom, if ever, heard of before in the world of model yachting. It is right to say that the Dundee yachts, with one exception, were all well tried, while two of the Broughty Ferry yachts were put in the water on Saturday for the first time, and they, being the finest models in the Ferry club, disappointed their The quickest record was owners considerably. done by Dundee 10-tonner No. 8 in 16 minutes, AND CANOEIST. 65 | while the fastest record of the ‘Ferry club was 21 minutes, by the 10-tonner No. 3, The competitors had great difficulty in walking along the edges of the pond, as the ground was a perfect quagmire. The return match is expected to come off on the Dundee pond about the end of April, and it is ramoured that an endeavour is to be made to obtain a Challenge Cup for these monthly matches between the Dundee and the Broughty Ferry clubs. These friendly contests tend to promote a friendly feeling arnongst the members, and induce them to excel each other in model yacht building and sailing. — Goole M.Y.C.–The club applied to the Aire & Calder Navigation Co., for permission to use the canal for model sailing, and have been refused on the ground that it would interfere with traffic. The club cannot perceive how this could happen, but as the refusal is a hard fact they have turned their eyes in another direction, and have secured the use of the Rawcliffe Bridge Brick Ponds, through the kindness of R. Creyke, Esq., J.P., the owner. The only drawback is the distance of these ponds from The club has permission to the town, 214 miles. improve the banks and build a boat-house, in fact, every privilege that a good heart could bestow, and we hope the mere matter of distance will not exhaust the enthusiasm of the model sailers of Goole, as many other clubs have as far and some further to go for their pleasure, and what it takes off our sailing it adds to the health. The large pond is 4oo yds, x 200 yds. We still keep adding fresh members and expect to do more now we have Mr. J. W. Simpson, 8, secured a sailing pond. Albert Street, is appointed Hon. Sec., vice Mr. Atkinson, who has had to resign through leaving the town. Llandudno M.Y.C.—The first annual general meeting of the above club was held on Saturday, March roth, at the Masonic Hall, when the report and balance sheet were adopted. ‘The following officers were elected for the ensuing season : Commodore, S. Bold Williams, J.P.;|Vice-Commodore, George F. Felton, Esq., F.S.I.; Captain, A. Melsom, Esq. ; Vice-Captain, W. Smith, Esq. ; Treasurer, Mr. W. Owen ; Secretary, Mr. 5S. Melsom; Measurer, Mr. R. J. Williams; Sailing Committee, Messrs. Parry, Jones, Griffiths, Roberts, and Williams.—The ensuing season 1s expected to be a very successful one, there having been built a great many splendid models during the winter. Foraclub only in existence twelve months we are as strong, and possess as fine a lot of models as any of the old-established clubs. Owing to the severe frost, several clubs have been compelled to abandon proposed sailings. 66 THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN Correspouderce. Letters must bear the name and address of the writers, (not necessarily for publication). Anonymous letters and enquiries will not be acknowledged. Al communications to be addressed to THE EDITOR YACHTS RUNNING OFF THEIR HELMS. THE Epiror, The Model- Vachtsman. DEAR Sir,—I must apologise for further taking up your valuable space, but I should like to reply to M.T.R’s objections to my position for the centre of effort of model yachts, Mr. Dixon Kemp may be quite right in placing the centre of effort of his sails .o1 to .03 before his C. L. R. for full-sized yachts, and make his spars in accordan ce with his calculations, because when his crew wish to sail to windward, they may run this jib in proportionately on the bowsprit, and by that means move the C.F, of sails aft of the C.L. R., but from my experience, J find that for model yachts it is much preferable to place this C.E. at the point I have selected. I have designed and built in all at least seven models, each of which was drafted on different lines, all their calculations carefully made, all their points carefully noted, all tried in every possible manner. In the first 6 I placed the CE, abaft the C.L.R. and invariably had reliable boats, One in particular, a schooner, was so well balanced, that I had only to let go her fore and main sheets, when she would of herself goosewing and go before the wind without any helm and still the C.E. of her lower sails was abaft her C. L.R,. and at the same time when close hauled I could sail her within 3% points of the wind in half a gale. In my seventh model (a cutter }, after studying Mr. Dixon Kemp’s book, I placed her C.E. .02 before her C.L.R. I found her a most uncertain boat, particularly when there was a strong wind, and although I examined all her elements I failed to discover anything wrong in her calculations, Asa last resort, I finally decided to move the C.E. abaft her C.L.R. and accordingly made her a new suit of sails, placing the C.E. -2008 of an inch abaft her C.L.R. (with jib headed topsail added .3050 of an inch before her C.L.R.) I have now no trouble with my boat. In light winds with topsail, or heavy winds with lower sails, I am always sure of her doing her work, so that [ have now no more anxiety with her than with my other models. My theory I think I can best illustrate with my own yacht. She isa 20-tonner and 51 inches on her water-line with a fine though powerful entrance, her centre of gravity of displacement .55 from her bow, and in placing her C.L.R. at the same point an amount of drag (about a proportion of 3 aft to 2 forward) was required. The effect of the drag (as it mostly works in still water) helps to nulhfy the pressure on the lee bow, which I calculate js reduced to almost nil, so that under all conditions I preserve. – the balance of my boat and my sails being equally balanced, my model, I find, works well in all winds. I will now examine the problem of placing my C.E. .o1 to -03 before the C.L.R. In the first instance it would virtually add 6 inches to my bowsprit and about 150 inches to my head sail and as the C,E. of the extra sail would be 34 inches from my C.L.R. would give the moment, to drive her to leeward, at 5too and at ib. per foot wind pressure would give a little over Ilb. excess over after sail (and that at the end of the most powerful coupling lever) At albs. pressure a little over 2lbs. 3lbs. da do lbs, 4lbs. do do 4lbs. Now the lateral resistance of my model length 51 inches by Iz inches average draught (say a little over 4 feet) would be naturally greatest when she was uprightin the water gradually decreasing as she heeled over with the following results:— At IIb. wind pressure heeling angle say 8° 2lbs, 3ibs. 4lbs. do do do do do do do do do 14° 20° 26° AND CANOEIST. At 26° inclination the lateral resistance would have very sensibly diminished, leaving the balance greatly with the sails and although they, of course, would lose some of their power, by the process of heeling, still they would be an increasing quantity until the 5100 moments would be so greatly multiplied that the vessel (as I found in my own case) would turn tail and run before the wind, in spite of all you could do to stop her. M.T.R. will therefore Iam sure, excuse me in preferring to have my coupling lever slightly aft, so that, when the stress does come, the tendency will be rather to go to windward than the other way, I may add, in con- clusion, that from the position of my mast, I can not only sail close to windward, but equally well make my model sail on a beam wind and by letting go her main sheet she will run before the wind without the aid of a weighted rudder, which in most cases is considered a necessity . W, Yours faithfully, Henry Drearer, Southport M.Y.C, THE Epiror, The Afodel- Vachtsman. DEAR Sir,—The very able correspondence that has been kindly published by you has doubtless done very much to clear up the vexed question of ‘“‘running of.” Some of the causes are now fully known, and can be avoided by us when designing future racers. But I venture to think there are one or two points that do not seem to have been dwelt upon sufficiently by your correspondents, and I beg leave to point out those that seem to me to produce or aggravate the evil:—In the first place, if a model be sailed to windward with a weighted rudder, although she may sail truly enough at a slight angle of heel, she wiil very likely run off if buried by a puff, because as she lays down and loses way the rudder drops to leeward and finishes the matter by running her off I think ita good rule that no boat should be sailed close hauled with a weighted rudder, although to my knowledge many are so sailed, and do pretty well until pressed, If the boat will not balance ona wind without lee helm she should have more head sail. Again, a low cut clew to the mainsail is a great evil, generally causing a model to run off becausethe boom sail drags to leeward when the boat heels, and in any case causing an immense loss of speed. The boom should always be kept well up, very much higher than seems at first yachtlike, and if the mainsail can be kept out of the water, it helps all the more to keep head up to windward. the boats’ Too much sheer to the deck is another cause of running off, especially when combined with a low freeboard and high bulwarks, when heeled the water hea; s up on the after part of the deck, and is quite as bad as heavy quarters, or worse; because heavy quarters give great stability although not good for speed. Finally Tam convinced that a very large proportion of models are over burdened with lead and sails. As you have often pointed out, moderation in these respects is eminently conducive to success, and the little «Flying Cloud” exhibited in our late exhibition, and illustrated in your last month’s issue, is a proof to this effect. When models are sailed on large exposed pieces of water like our own (of 7 acres) they want to be of good displacement to hold their own to windward in anything like a breeze, but a heavy boat overdone with sail is worse even in this case thana lighter one lightly canvassed. Sails should never be reefed, it ruins them in the matter of setting flat, separate suits should be provided for different strengths of wind, and if the boat is rigged in simple manner a fresh suit can be set quicker than a reef can be taken in, and the boat can thusalways be properly balanced, and sailed fairly upright, Iam sure this will be found to pay in the long run. The ‘*1730” rule has a good deal to do with boats being failures, because men naturally wish to get the greatest speed from the greatest length, this, the rule (in models anyway) prevents because so-much has to be sacrificed to gain the length—For 1o-ton models 3834 l.w.l. is about the limit of safe length, and certainly makes a handy sized boat easy to carry about, and large enough to givegood THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN sport. In drawing this lengthy communication to a close, I should like the opinion of yourself or your readers as to the advantages or disadvantages of adopting a rule by length on }.w.l., breadth and mean depth combined not to exceed one-half or say, °6 of l.w.]. length, but in any proportions. If, for instance, a 36in. class were established, a man would have a large choice of dimensions as to beam or depth, as a little caleulation will soon show. The merits of the rule seems to me to be simplicity and elasticity, and it does away with the exceedingly unsatisfactory measurement of sail area, which would be one continual bone of contention if ever the length and sail area rule were adopted by clubs. I think it would prevent the ‘‘monstrosities” engendered by a length rule pure and simple, but it may conceal dangers and evils that have escaped the notice of him who introduces it, and if so, they will soon be pointed out by your readers. Nobody loves the ‘*r730” rule very much, and we are all looking for something simpler and more rational, now the Y.R.A. has come to its senses. Faithfully yours, ALBERT STRANGE. . [Respecting the establishing of a 36-inch class; with beam and depth taxed as suggested, our opinion is that it is unnecessary, that it would be no improvement on what we have, and that it would be impossible to introduce it. Our correspondent’s opinion that the introduction of such a class would give a large choice of dimensions, would be correct in the beginning, but wrong in the end, as it would after reasonable experience become known exactly what amount of beam and draught was the best for 36 inches of length, and there is little room to doubt that 18 inches of allowance for beam and depth would result in 9% inches beam and 844 inches of depth and this would mean a length class)5 We may further point out that the 1730 rule was adopted as the only one that could be carried through for adoption by all; that in Model Yachts it allows very considerable scope for variety ; and that the end of its possibilities have not as yet been reached. Further than this it is questionable iif variety in yachts is the only desideratum. Model Sailers often attribute their defeat to their boats, when in reality it is their want of care and attention in sailing them. Ultimately, no doubt we shall have to follow the yachts in matters of classification, and it is best for many reasons that we should doso, Some simple form of applying the sail-area rule is however wanted before we can with any hope of success, recommend its adoption, and until this is evolved we may well perfect those classes we have, and no doubt shall prove that the 1730 rule is not so bad as represented, and witha slight modification could have been continued in force with every prospect of success for yachting.–ED] aj CANOEING. BRITISH CANOEK CLUBS.* ROYAL C.C.—-T. G. F. Winser, Sec., 72, Mark Lane, London MERSEY C,C.—C. Livingston, Mate, 20, Exchange-alley, Liverpool. CLYDE C.C.—H. K. Bromhead, Sec., 245, St. Vincent-st., Glasgow. WEAR C.C.—T. 0. Todd, Sec., 7, Winifred-terrace, Sunderland. FREE ROVERS C.C.—E, 8. Cook, Capt., Curator, Council House, Birmingham. HUMBER YAWL & C.C.—G. F. Holmes, Capt., Hornsea. Hull. TYNE C,0,—W. Atkin, Capt., 64, Marian-st., Gateshead. BRITISH CANOE ASSOCIATION.—P. Nisbet, Sec., 1, Water-street, Great Tower-street, City. (The B,C.A. is established for the promotion of cruises and meets, whereby canocists in Great Britain, irrespective of clubs, may unite for the purpose of cruising, camping, and racing.) Corrections Solicited, % In permanently placing this List in the M.Y. é C., we do so with a view of facilitating communication between Canoemen, and we trust to be fully posted in new Clubs, and in correct details regarding the above List. Mr. Grassam, on receipt of a stamped directed wrapper will post a specimen copy of this Journal with order form.—Ed. AND CANOKIST. 67 EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS. Several letters have come to hand of late wherein remarks have been made by canoeists that they would like more space in this journal. We are afraid that the increased space will have to meet their requirements for the present ; but they must. bear in mind that we have not a sufficient number of canoeists, even if one half of the whole in the kingdom took in the paper, to sustain it. Surely, in all probability, apart from the Canadian canoe loungers, for the majority of the users of this boat seem only to utilize it for this purpose, we have not many more than a thousand canoeists in the kingdom. This is a rough estimate, and if anyone has more reliable data as a ground for a different opinion, I shall be glad to know it. —_Q-—- In America it is acknowledged that there are from three to five thousand canoeists—-men who go in for the sport with a zest and energy— hundreds of them cruising for long distances and for considerable periods—that is enough to put the English canoeists to shame; and yet, alas! in a private letter from an American editor, we are informed that at length the American Canoetst has ceased to exist. o-—— If, then, ‘key cannot sustain a canoeing paper in America, what a small chance we have of sustaining one here. Yet it 1s some gratification to know that steadily this journal has increased its circulation, and we hope that the humble sphere of its usefulness will be amplified very materially by the energy and good word of individual members. We must confess that there is a great deal of scope for such a paper to increase its circulation, and if our readers would only talk about it, recommend it, propose it, as well as subscribe to it themselves, then it would go to a still wider constituency. = ied It isa matter profoundly to be regretted that the at one time promising effort to construct a solid, durable raft, at Hendon, has fallen through. The old one is to be patched up, and a new open float added. The shareholders will thus be provided for and the rest must find quarters at or near the hotel as they can, All this will read “peculiar,” when I state that at the spring meeting 460 was promised in ten minutes towards a durable structure. —O— THE second committee meeting of the B.C.A. was held on the r7th March, at the Angel Hotel, Liverpool, when Messrs, Tredwén, Nisbet, Wilmer, Livingstone, Holmes, and Holding attended. A large contingent of new members was elected, which brings the muster roll up to 56. 68 | THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN AND CANOEIST. THE Hon. Sec. attended the Mersey Camp Fire the previous night, and did a roaring trade in B.C.A, badges and ensigns, both these were very much admired, as they deserve to be. —O0—- THE Committee, after a lengthy discussion, determined to adopt the suggestion made three years ago in the Fed by “Nautilus,” to hold the second camp on the scene of wild beauty but a few miles from the Clyde, Loch Lomond. —_—o-— It will occupy two weeks, as our trans-atlantic cousins say, from July 25th onwards. —_o— AFTER business was over, some of the party went to camp “in a cottage by the sea,” down at Helbre Island; the rest spent the afternoon revelling in Bond’s master-pieces and the Mersey club house, under Skipper Bartley’s leadership. WEAR You will no doubt WATFS. With regard to boats, we hope to make a good show next time we get afloat. have noticed, and perhaps Canoe Club as regards matters canoeical. This it, and I have done so since its columns were first devoted to canoe matters, It might appear from the series of articles published lately, that the Wear Canoe Club has adopted a distinct type of canoe. It would appear also that the solitary example of the typical canoe is discernable in the “Zephyr,” from the fact that she has sailed against boats, less in size and not possessing, as she does, the necessary adjuncts for going to windward. The members of the club that a canoe Two or three new canoes launched at the end of last season, and used only once or twice, will get a fair trial, in addition to these, several of last season’s boats have been undergoing severe structural alterations, Many of these alterations are being kept dark, so that we have prepared ourselves for some startling revelations. There are also several new canoes on the stocks, notably the “Aquila” which is destined to be the “masher” of the club. When all are afloat we hope to create a sensation. There is also some talk of having a local meet about 4o miles down the Northumberland coast, where there is ample sailing water, but no definite action has yet been taken. None of our members have yet subscribed their silence I may inform you is due partly to the slackness of canoe affairs during the’ winter months. I may say I have taken great interest in the progress of your paper since I first subscribed to concluded we shall expect better results than on previous races, names wondered at the continued silence of the Wear have shall not meet with interruption, and having a good stretch of water and nearly always a breeze, possessing 3oin. and half-guineas to the British Canoe Association. They are mostly ignorant of the intentions of such an association and to them it is only a name. Perhaps a little enlightenment would induce some of them to join. Let me congratulate you on the very successful reproduction of Mr, Clark’s plans of the “Iris” canoe, The design, boat, and plans are all worked out by the owner and are to him a great credit, and your re-production of the plans, is, without doubt, one of your Best efforts. STARBOARD, * Our correspondent is in error. The term used in this journal has been a ‘‘Wear type,” not a ** Wear Canoe Club type.” We admit the wording was open to the construction ** Starboard ” names, tWhat does this mean, and where lies the connection, and why is sail limit done away with ? THE R.C.C. CAMP FIRE. The first “Camp Fire”, as these social gatherings of canoe clubs are now pretty generally called in beam and carrying 75ft. of sail area is, all round, the handiest craft, and if these limitations constitute a “Wear type” of canoe, then we are the England, took place on Thursday, Feb. 16th, at the Anchor Hotel, Cheapside, Mr. Baden-Powell desires to arrogate to itself the bers, and a few of their friends, assembled to partake of a steak supper at 6-30. After supper the men, as by common consent, grouped themselves in little parties and seemed to be generally fortunate possessors of a type. Apart from these conclusions Iam not aware that the Wear Club* possession of a special type, and I know as much of the working and intentions of the club as anyone else. Already the sail area limit has been removed.+ I know you desire to hear of our intentions with regard to the coming season. We are looking forward to a good number of race meetings, as we are convinced that nothing will develop the sport more thoroughly than competition. We intend changing our sailing “ground”! and instead of competing in the harbour, where we are often at a disadvantage through the traffic of steamers, we will sail our events on the Pallion flats, where we (mate) presiding. A goodly number of the mem- enjoying themselves whilst they indulged in canoe- istic talks on things pertaining to the sport in general. The elaborations of a new rudder absorbed the attention of a certain group at one end of the table, under the enthusiastic presidency of R. de Q, Quincey ; anotherlittle group discussed photography and lanternology at another corner of the table; whilst in one way or another jokes, yarns, adven- tures, &c., ad l7b, occupied the time and attention of all, until Mr. Nisbet may be said to have opened the evening with the inimitable song, which he so b/bieFeiendj/,dhu.tahvltbnolrop,cuykbaslcihtshieendganwEdsrqo1.8,Pf7Kl,arenml2sp6tTthhkDeiNxodoyn.y “SEVRN” DLeptehi¢n7″g2ft¢Brheadt15£* Canoeist, and Model-Yachtsman The ORDCONUAaBUnHLTEOoICLLeRUDE,SWI..N)SGI.CNr£G.(LuMTEiO.DsICFAnERDgYTO e FOOT STEERING GEAR ror CANOE “SEVERN” HO i 9090 Dia. 4 SKETCH OF GEAR FIXED. <=> <= TABERNACLE FOR MAST of Cruising Canoe “SEVERN” ecw ‘INE THE drolly renders—‘‘ Bathing.” MODEL-YACHTSMAN At half-past eight Edgar Holding put in an appearance, and at once put the limelight lantern into focus, preparatory to the display of some seventy photographs taken by Messrs. Graves, and Holding, Senior, during canoeing expeditions on the Ouse, the Trent, Hendon Lake, and the Thames, Many of these photographs were of fair excellence, and, a number of them being very artistically coloured, they were enjoyed without a feeling of monotony. It is to be hoped that, owing to the satisfictory nature of this first social meeting, on some lines or other these camp fires will be repeated, by this and other canoe clubs. Lantern slides may be produced from absolutely any negative regardless of size. So that if any one or two amateurs will unite their forces in this way a full evening’s enjoyment may be thus provided at anytime. In the end, we think it pays best to have the slides made by professional hands, the charge being only 1/-Much time is saved and a good picture certain from even fair or medium negatives. STRANGE FACTS. AND masters, What is human frailty? why capability of being means 73 ‘a substitute delegated to a deputy. in power,” The B.C.A. representative of the clubs, may be, power not being and probably is representative of individuals, so is the committee of every club ; therefore the B.C.A. is only a new club, of a migratory species which has assumed the title of association. Mr. Tredwen’s letters to the “ied in the Spring of 1885, were directed against the formation several canoeists were of the association which backing me up in asking for. He says in April, 1885“ Why need ‘Ariel? seek further for a canoe association, when the R.C.C. offers such practical proofs of its desire to adopt any practicable suggestions for the improve- ment of canoes and the promotion of canoeing.” “The American Canoe Association has its retson @’étre in the existence of some twenty important canoe clubs in various parts of America and Canada; but I very much doubt if all the canoe clubs combined of Great Britain can muster one fourth of the number of members enrolled in the Royal Canoe Club. The Royal Canoe Club therefore exists as the Canoe Association of Great Britain.” NauttLus’s REPty, CANOEIST. I presume, therefore, the R.C.C. has ceased to give that “practical proof of its desire, &c.” and hence the spontaneous and spirited gulied : was a canoeist ever so tempted to yield, as action I ought to be, by the persuasive eloquence or the imperious threats laid out by the chairman of the B.C.A. in last month’s Camoerst. Mr. Tredwen, honours me by quoting many paragraphs from letters of mine to the /e/d in 1885, in relation ‘Tredwen having as he says, in effect, backed, and filled for a time in doubt, then cast his lot in with the “Association.” I say and believe that the B.C.A. is nothing but a new club; unless the fundamental principle of its constitution can be to the formation of a British Canoe Association ; glad am I that he does so, for it saves me time and trouble and this paper’s space, for there is not a word in all ] wrote then which differs with the position I now hold: No change of policy on my side, as to the other side we will see presently. But please to read the lines and not to imagine stuff and nonsense, which does’nt exist, from between the lines: without going to other letters than those quoted by Mr. Tredwen, let me shortly extract from what he has actually printed as support- ing his case—as follows :— “Nautilus” wrote in Spring of 1885.—“ Why is there no English Canoe Association”? “At the meet an Association could if necessary be formed with an executive representative of all clubs, and all conditions of canoeing, “ That the American Canoe Association is not a club éut an Association of clubs.” Well, these lines clearly show that at that time as now I was in favour of creating an Association, but an Association of clubs, the executive to be representative B.C.A’s. clubs: of all clubs: and executive is for instance, not the I say that the representative Royal Canoe of the Club has not acknowledged the B.C.A. and is not represented on the executive thereof. “ Representative” according to the dictionaries and village school- of the Autumn meet of ’87, where Mr. changed so as to create it representative of clubs’ as to its executive (allowing of course a member- ship of unattached-to-club canoeists). this change can take place by I deny that action of the present B.C.A., but it is quietly hinted by Mr. Tredwen, that “the difference between what the B.C.A. is, and what ‘ Nautilus” wants it to be, are so very slight and the executive of the B.C.A. is so amenable to any reasonable suggestions, and moreover what the committee can’t adopt now, may be adopted by the general meeting six months hence, that it seems mere captiousness on the part of “ Nautilus” to oppose the Association in the way he does.” The B.C.A. “cannot change its spots,” any more than could the Ethiopian. An association of clubs can only be formed by the clubs in delegate meeting assembled, after due notice. The associated clubs with their local influences and prestige, seconding the acts of the general executive, may achieve great benefits for canoeists in general: railway companies, canal directors, steamship freighters, and others, might be expected to listen to such an undoubtedly representative body, whereas they would not long listen to a union which can only by arrogation say it is the representative of British canoe clubs. After all, we have but a common object in view— 74 . THE MODEL-YACHTSMAN AND CANOEIST. that canoeing may flourish—I am entitled to lay my own course to that end, and I merely wish to point out that in my opinion the other ship ain't seaworthy, and “I don’t think she’ll get thar.” She has a first rate crew, but they’ll have to work hard at her pumps to keep her afloat; they’ll have to stick to the ship till she sinks or the new seaworthy craft “A.B.C.C.” comes alongside to the rescue. THROUGH SWITZERLAND IN CANOES. IN these over-travelled, over-done, and exhausted times, it is positively audacious to pretend that there is anything novel to relate about a Swiss tour ! Nevertheless, I feel that such genuine enjoyment as fell to my lot ought, in some degree, to be laid open to others. We were a party of three, and our claim as to any originality about our proceedings consisted principally in the fact that we determined to enjoy Nature’s grandeurs from the lowest possible altitude, content to skim the blue waters in which these giant mountains lave’ their feet in our light and fast canoes, named respectively Roberto, Koh-i-Noor, and Shooting Star. These we launched, on a bright morning in May, at Arona, upon the Lago Maggiore, and in them, during the three following weeks, we passed onward from lake to lake, on river and rapid, with just an occasional lift by road or rail when necessary.