The Star-Democrat from Easton, Maryland • Page 27

Tha Star-Democrat Waakantf Mogozlno July 2, 1988 Poga 7 Pago 6 July 1, 1982 Tha Stor-Domocrat Wknd Magazine Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes race on Know your log canons will Fourth SsjpnjaSjai The canoes by number, name and owner are i 1 Noddy Robert M. Murray, USN 2 Silver Heel Robert M. Hewes III 3 Magic James H. Wilson 4 Island Bird -John C. North 5 Billie P.

Hall Justin T. Callahan 6 S.C. Dobson Walter H. Dobson 7 Sandy -William C.Hanlon 8 Mystery Francis Schauber 9 Island Blossom John C. North 10 Oliver's Gift Duke III and Guy Adams Ml Rover Marion C.Marshall Jr.

I H12 Persistance Louis E. Jallade III 13 Never issued 14 Daisy-Belle no longer sailing 15 Jay Dee John C. North II 16 Island Lark Blaine and T.C. DuPont 17 Island Image James H. Smith 18 Spirit of Wye Town Sidney H.

Dickson 19 Patricia Duke III and Guy Adams 20 Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum 21 Tenaceous JohnChamberlin 22 Flying Cloud Allen Noble 76 Faith P. Hanlon Mrs. William C. Hanlon Looking like toy boats, five Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes round a mark in a race on the Miles River. By CONNIE RINEHART and the nimble boardsmen hike out to balance the boat.

By adjusting their position on the boards, the crew can compensate for subtle changes in wind and course. One wrong move may be enough to send-everyone into the drink, so the job of the boardsman is a tricky one. The Chesapeake Bay Log Sailing Canoe is a unique craft. It Is an adaptation of the Indian dugout canoe, which was hoUowed from a single huge log. Because the supply- oMarge trees on theuShore had dwindled by the time the Chesapeake log canoes were -built, two or more lop were fastened together before shaping the boat.

of the canoes now racing are built from five logs, although a few of them have only three. boat needs a last minute repair, or scooping up a wayward toddler before he wanders too close to the water, canoe people are always there for each other. For many sailors, the after-race activities are almost as important -as the race Itself. Hot and thirsty racers traditionally gather around an Icy keg to review the day's activities. Rehashing arid good-natured banter often continue well into the' evening hours and end reluctantly only When sleepy children and impatient wives call halt to the festivities.

Log canoe sailors are not exactly typical, but then, neither are their boats. There is to this sport than Just the sailing. Since the first recorded race in 1857, tog canoe racing has meant fun and friendship. The devotion of the crew to its boat often outshines that of the most solicitous mother. Each canoe has a personality of its own, and crew members always refer to their boat by its given name, albeit with the occasional addition of an expletive or two.

Log canoe racing is a family affair. It Is not unusual to see a father and son or even a mom or daughter aboard during a race. If they don't sail, chances are the rest of the family will be aboard the tender, ready to lend a hand in case of a capsizing or to tow the tired crew into harbor after a race. Tiny babies and grandparents, are frequent spectators at log canoe races. Although earners come from all walks of life, they are an exceptionally close-knit group.

Whether lending a hand to an owner whose The Fourth of July in Talbot means flags, fireworks, picnics and the advent of the Chesapeake Bay Log Sailing Canoes on the Miles River. Like some rare species of graceful, white bird, they spread their wings and race with the winds. Most sailors are incredulous the first time they watch a log canoe In action. They have never seen so much sail on a boat this size and no keel? How do they stay up? The answer to that one is simple. That's what the boards are for.

Depending on the strength of the wind, the size of the boat and the nurnuer crew, one to four boards are run out to the windward side a 'TiiiliillniU -A I 9 It takes lot of epoary, sandpaper and elbow grease to mdya log canoe tor the racing season. Crew and friends of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's canoe, Edmee S. provldrtender loving care. TT 1 in i in, 1 1, i i mi wwvmw.t mm jaw; wvvi i ''i ''F Mil log canoe racing. Since then, except tor the years during Worid War II; each summer has seen the famous boats on the Miles and neighboring rivers.

This summer they will race on 10 weekends at various Shore regattas. The season begins with the Fourth of July race at the MUes River. Yacht "borne" Of the log "canoes, and lr'-'i continues through the third week in 'J September. .7 ''-A i "1 Lit. 'V ftrt Since' the renaissance of the Bay colonists added masts and sails to the canoe.

The sails are "leg of mutton" rig with clubs and sprits (pronounced spree a design which allows for more sail area. t--. The log canoes originally -used as oyster boats. According to tradition, the first waterman In to snore each day received the best price for his catch. Because of this, -sails were made larger for speed.

As a natural turn of events, the watermen began to race each other shore. Today's canoes have taller masts than the early boats, making them more unstable, but the canoe's days of longing for oysters with two or three men aboard are gone. Today they carry from five to is crew members. When' motorized, boats came to' the Bay, many of the canoes were -converted to power or were left to -die In Isolated coves. It Is largely mim hnvii hann-restored to theirs original, glory and-several new ones have been built, the fleet i now -numbers 22 and.

is, stUl It t' growing. owing. Owning a los canoe means more 4 than summers filled with exciting saillns. These ancient- beauties I III an r''''- i require lots of tender loving care. Preparations for the new season 'begin months In advance.

Sanding, scraping, painting, caulking, sail; repair, modifications, new parts -J the list is. Skippers call their crews together and the work begins. For the late starters, it Is often a race to be ready tor the -( opening gun. -j---v in'iiiiiiMii-iliiiiif 1 ii i oue ine interest or one -man, WiUlam "Captain Bill" Green, that the log canoe survives today. In the late 1920' ho persuaded Mia Uflaa DIm.

Vt.A 1 Riding a board Is tricky business. One wrong niove can send everyone In for a swtan. Log canoes often fly a colorful topsail or "kite." These distinctive badges can help spectators identify the boats when they are too far away to i In Bood winds. log cant tklms across the waters Uke a mw win wvjbt xatuv VIUU III Ol. UIkuJ tk.

1 wiumw icvivu stimuli ill graceful, white bird..