1899 - Yachting on the Bay and Lake Ontario





“In the 1890s, yachting was a favourite pastime among those Hamiltonians wealthy enough to support the owning and racing of high-class boats. 
In August 1899, a reporter was given the opportunity to experience yachting through the courtesy of a member of the Royal Hamilton Yacht. His column describing a trip on the famous yacht, Psyche, appeared on August 3, 1899:
"There are few summer pleasures that can equal an afternoon with good company on a staunch and well-handled yacht. Such a pleasure fell to the lot of a party on the Psyche yesterday, and the log which the owners take on every trip contains the following comments today:
“The day was made to order; the light was perfect. The multitudinous laughter of rippling wavelets could be heard from Huckleberry Point to the Desjardins Dundas ravine. All had been ready for starting promptly at half past 2. Precisely at the stroke of three bells, the lagging guests came ambling down the hill – a half hour late.
“The passenger list was checked off, and the guests were invited to take their places in the dingy.
“The hardy ferryman piled the willing oars vigorously.
“Our staunch little lifeboat was tossed on the crested waves for a few minutes, but we were soon comfortably settled on the spacious deck of the Psyche, the pride of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.
“With a beam sea and a wind that followed fast, and all sails set, the trim little sailor rode majestically down Hamilton Bay to the entrance of the canal. Here was noticed the Dominion Government’s new red light signal station and combination weather bureau. At the end of the pier, a few lone fishermen were exercising their patience. At the club house, a party of summer girls waved adieus. We glided out into Lake Ontario, whose invigorating ozone was delightfully refreshing. The steamer Modjeska was sighted off the piers about a mile from the lighthouse at 4:30. Then distant sail was described by the lookout watch. The wind was now blowing vigorously, and a reef in the main sail was taken off.
“Returning on the starboard tack, the entrance to the piers was made on time allowance at 5 p.m.
“Light refreshments were served and two group photographs of the party were made by the chaperone and special artist.
“Sailing homeward, a black cat story was brought out – the kind that does not take a rubberneck to make it purr.
“The afternoon’s sociability was very much enlivened by conundrums propounded by the guests.
“One was worthy of mention. The Chicago lady of the lakes and the wooly west was asked the question : what can be made of
        3-7 of a chicken
        2-3  
        1-2 of a goat,
“The answer – Chicago, was contributed by Master O. Burnham North, of New Haven.
“Then the Chicago lady asked why our good Queen Victoria could not be interred in a Presbyterian church yard. None of the British subjects aboard knew why, so the western lady informed the party that the Queen had not died.
“The wheel was in charge of Mr. Alex. E. Garrett, of Vancouver, and the young ladies say he is hard as nails afloat, and best of friends ashore.
“At the moorings, the solo and chorus, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ was heartily sung by the party in honor of the American guests, the leading part being taken by Mrs. Geo. Vallance.” 
                        Royal Hamilton Yacht Club

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