Sketcher.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2029, 11 February 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Sketcher.

Cv. were in n-;c many centuries ago ! y G,|. c.nlv iubabii.iuis of Great Britain ami Ir.ivod. Canoes of ancient pattern have Hutu dug up in the countries named. Tucy v. ere in use by Indians when America was discovered. Those used by the Indians were of the rudest description, and were hoilowcdoiit of the trunks of trees. Canoeing is of necessity a solitary sport. But few double canoes are now made, and but one person can sit in an ordinary craft without capsizing it. Its very solitude has charms for many. Modernized canoeshave sails which permit the frail craft to make good time in smooth waters. Only the boldest sportsmen venture out in a canoe when the water is rough or a storm is brewing. Recently two members of the Brooklyn Club attempted to paddle their boats mi a choppy sea which was running high, and were rewarded for their pains with a thorough wetting, the canoes becoming upset before they were 200 feet from shore. The typical canoeist’s co.stumoconsists of a Norfolk jacket or blouse, a light felt hat, canvas shoes, and a gray or dark blue shirt. All clothes worn are unshrinkable. Many prefer knickcrbockursas being cooler and more convenient, in case wading is to bo done. It is highly essential that a canoeist should know how to swim. Frequently it so happens that he is thrown into the water far from laud, or else his craft springs a leak when most unexpected and sinks rapidly. It is the adaptability of the canoe which makes it popular. In case cue becomes tired of paddling he can hoist sail, and if a breeze is stirring rapid progress can be made. The canoe has sometimes been dubbed by envious sportsmen the “ poor man's yacht.” Canoes in recent years have been perfected, and bring much higher prices than formerly. They were originally made M feet long by 28 indies beam, and cost £.") each. The most approved style is now fifteen feet long by thirty indies beam, and some boats of these dimensions, with their fittings, cost as much as £IOO. The Brooklyn Club colsbrat'.olits first aniversary at the Clarendon I bud on January 12, by a dinner, at which the club was presented with a challenge cup by one of its members. The cup, which is of silver, and an elegant at: lir, iviil remain the perpetual property of the organization, and will be held in turn by the winner of each race sailed for its possession. The holder is liable to challenge at any time, by any other member of the dub. A silver tablet allowing space for name of winning canoe and captain, together with the date of each race is placed at the base of the cup. Professor Fowler, of the Columbia Institute, is an enthusiastic canoeist. Shortly after the formation of the Brooklyn Club he read a paper before the organization on canoeing, which was very entertaining. Many of the more interesting parts of the paper aro given below : “ All hero who have handled a paddle and hauled on a main sheet know why they honor and love the canoe,” said Professor Fowler. “Their affection for it has grown with their growth and strengthened with their strength. Around it duster hosts of happy memories of river, lake, and ocean ; long summer days spent in threading the meandering of some sequestered stream ; romantic paddles in the gleaming moonlight, where the only danger was from the bright eyes of the passenger. “ One of the earliest instincts of the savage. long anterior to that of domesticating the horse or dog, was to fashion some light vehicle in which he could cross river, lake, or estuary ; could chase his game with swifter motion than that of the swimming deer ; could steal upon the watchful wa'erfowl, and could make himself lord of the plains and forests. * * * In comparing tho canoe with other varieties of boat it is to be remarked that it is quite unfair to select one point of use and judge her by that alone. A schooner will beat her sailing, but cannot be paddled ; a four<>ared racing skill’ will row incomparably faster, but cannot sail at all. It is tho wonderful adaptability of the canoe and the great variety of the pleasure you gain from her that constitute her chief claim. A canoe is a charming and very effective little yacht, but she is also many things •hat her older sister can never aspire to. Even as a sailing machine, pure and simple, she has some incontestable advantage. No one can appreciate more keenly than myself that noble amusement, yachting. I know no pleasure more manly and inspiring than a splendid run on a well formed sloop or cutter.

“ The canoe does not exclude the fair sex. There is no more charming ladies’ boat. Ladies and children can manage it the first time they enter it. Last summer 1 was instrumental in founding a canoe dub at a summer hotel. The beautiful little emit became prime favourites with all the young ladies, especially the pretty ones—and, if I would, I could a tale unfold of exquisite evening paddles by.our younger members. One of the most delightful trips I ever made was with my wife. Scorn as a base slander that the canoe is inimical to woman’s gentle influences. It is a man’s last and best device for bringing young people close, very close together, and married happiness is never so truly connubial as when if is enjoyed in a canoe. A canoe meet is a collection of gentleman, not dissipated, betting, coarse-mouthed sports. It cultivates nerve, muscle, skill, endurance, and develops manhood that is pure because it is vigorous and wholesome. * * * An unattached canoeist is as badly off as a lonely old bachelor—he is a sort of unhappy nondescript, water hermit at best. A club is like a marriage to a rich wife—it halves your expenses and quadruples your pleasures.”