Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1909 — PASTE THIS IN YOUR HAT. [ARTICLE]

PASTE THIS IN YOUR HAT.

And Don’t Forget If You Go Boating, Or Yu May Pay the Frfeit. There are chontcled every summer a long list of fatal drowing accidents which plunge thousands into mourning, and the pity of it Is that a little knowledge of watermanship and ordinary care, might have prevented most of them. To ignorance of carelessness in entering or leaving a boat or while in it: to venturing in open water unprepared, and to neglect of the rudimentary principles of watermanship can be traced half the recorded fatalities. No one shouldAever take out rowing persons who do not know how

to swim without first ascertaining that the boat is safe "and seaworthy and provided with the* necessary paraphernalia for eventualities. It is when one leasts expects that accidents occur, and the only way to avoid them is to be prepared at all I times. A stout bow line, enough life preservers to go around, an anchor, something to bale with and an extra pair of oars should be carried on principle. You may not need them ninety-nine times out of a hundred/ but on that hundredth time they may mean life or death. In getting into a boat one should try to step right into the bottom over the keel, or if this is too great a reach, on to the middle of the seat and then down. Stepping on the gunwhale has been responsible for numberless capsizings and it is a good idea when inexperienced people are embarking to take hold of the boat and steady it. Enter if possible where you intend to sit and in such a manner that you will not have to turn afterward. The weight should be distributed as evenly as possible, in a small boat, with slight preterence to the stern. If the bow is buried the least head swell will flood the boat aqd if the stern is too deep a following sea may swamp it. In making a landing one should approach at an angle, shipping the inward oar a few yards away and rounding up by backing with the outward one. It is dangerous to stretch out over the gunwhale to reach for float or pier. In landing the person in the bow should be first, taking the bow line w ith him and steadying the boat for the others.

I will not insult the intelligence of the reader by advising against rocking the boat or indulging in like idiotic skylarking. One must be decidedly lacking in gray matter to choose such pastimes. There are certain rules about one’s behavior in a small craft, however, which should be kept constantly in mind. For instance, should it be necessary for two people to change places thejg should keep well over the keel until ready to pass each other and then standing face to face move to either side simultaneously that the boat may not lose its balance. Also whether in picking up anything from the water or in helping a swimmer it is advisable to use the stern and not the side. When a boat is capsized do not try to climb into it again. It will sustain you easily if you just lean on it, as will any fair-sized piece of wreckage like an oar, a spar or a board, but attempt to climb over them and they will surely sink with you. And, speaking about this*, when you are being helped or towed do not hang onto your rescurer or boat with bent arms, as this draws the body up and offers great resistance. Outstretched arms will increase your chances of getting ashore.—Recreation.