Torch Not !!: Schooner Days CVI (106)

Telegram Readers Win a Reprieve for Lyman M. Davis

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TELEGRAM readers have spoken and here is the answer—the Lyman M. Davis shall not perish in flames this year.

She will face the winter winds behind the sea-wall at Sunnyside, spared from man's ingratitude through the affection of other men!

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REPRIEVE for her, the last grand old lady of the Great Lakes, is contained in an announcement by D. M. Goudy, manager of attractions, Sunnyside Beach, that she has been berthed for the winter a short distance along the sea-wall from the spot where the torch was to have been applied.

Next spring? Next summer? What then? Will covetous eyes wander over her stout planking and tall masts with renewed thoughts of a "fire spectacle?" The answer to that must be, not a chance!

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HOPE of sparing the Lyman M. Davis comes in the growing flood of letters and petitions bearing the names of Telegram readers who demand that she shall live to tell the story of the grand old days of lake sailing to future generations. And what a story that is!

And here is another ray of hope. Next year the city celebrates its centennial. Thirty-four will be a year when the minds of men are glimpsing the past. Would anyone then at that time possess the hardihood to destroy one of "Mr. Past's" most precious relics? Let us carry on the drive then in the belief that Toronto will clasp the Lyman M. Davis to her centennial bosom.

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But, here is the statement of D. M. Goudy, the man-with-the-torch, and it is not entirely one for rejoicing.

"The 'Lyman M. Davis' is safe from destruction so far as this year is concerned.

"Joe Martin, the Harbor Commission superintendent, and his staff have moved her out from the sea wall, lowered both her anchors, boarded her up securely, and let her snug-down for the winter in her present berth. She will rest there until spring. Experienced sailors say that with the seawall to break the heavy seas in storms from the south she is in a good spot.

"Her fate will not be decided before the concession operators, with Harbor Commission representatives meet and plan next summer's program of attractions. She is jointly owned by all the interests at Sunnyside Beach. Their general plan is to give the public what it wants and I dare say that they will be guided by public opinion when they make their decision."

There you have it. It is only a reprieve, not enduring safety.

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START NAUTICAL COLLECTION

Sir.--The burning of one of the

Iast of a good type of sailing schooners, just for the thrill of seeing the smoke burst from her ribs, and flames sizzling and crackling around her poor old spars and rigging, lighting the sky with an uncanny glare, cannot be an enjoyable and pleasant sight for anyone who has any imagination at all. What has gone wrong with the finer feelings of

people here? They seem to have had

so many facilities for enjoyment that the abuse of them has robbed them of most of their thrill.

The Romans did the same thing

and soon it should be no surprise to see nightingales' tongues listed on the menu cards of the "swell" hotels. Toronto has many people who have travelled far and have seen very interesting corners of the earth, who know how such items of interest have been preserved through the ages for the education of passing generations

Maybe some can remember the old sailing ships that rested at Port Skillion, Isle of Man, with their staunch old skeleton ribs and high old poop rails, with gilded angels folding their wings around their forepeaks. Hundred of years old, but firing the to the doings of the buccaneers in the ages past and giving useful hints to scientific shipbuilders of modern times.

The old Union Castle and Cunard liners, early examples of steamships, that once plowed the seas with their snub noses, queens of their time, all past their period of usefulness, came to their rest moored side by side in the sandy waters of the Solent, swinging on their cables and rolling quietly to the swells, with a few real old sailors still frying their bacon and herring down in the galleys, trailing out the years in memories and surroundings they loved and could not leave.

Who has been in Salem, along the rocky coast from Boston and seen the marvellous collection of nautical wonders? Things of the sea that are almost beyond belief. Pieces picked up that have lain on the ocean bed for centuries. Flotsam and jetsam that have given clues and solved many a mystery of the deep. Models of vessels, fishing and racing schooners all the way down the ages, showing the change in construction and line, marvellous object lessons that have brought about the creation of the sleek and beautiful racing yachts and the comfortable and majestic ocean liners of the present day.

In Brooklyn Navy Yard still lies one of the first crude attempts at a submarine boat, a fish-like iron construction of tremendous bulk with propellers turned by an inside crank handle. It took one dive below and that was its last, but who knows what valuable lessons have been taken from her by the expert designers that have come and gone since?

Right here in Toronto was built a thing of freakish design called "The Roller Boat" a new departure in every sense of the word. It proved a dismal failure, but who can say but what it might have inspired a thought of wonderful importance if we had it still for reference?

Let us have a thought for the generations to come, a nautical collection is an excellent idea. Why not start right now?

Everyone knows that the dread of

any sailor is fire, and wanton destruction of a ship that has proved its worth for so many years as the Lyman M. Davis has done, just for , the thrill of a novelty-mad crowd, must tear the heart-strings of any who love ships as I do.

DON CLINK.

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KEEP THE DAVIS TOPSIDE.

Sir,—Although I am seldom in the neighborhood of Sunnyside, I have no fault to find with that amusement area, which doubtless affords

welcome recreation to the younger generation of Toronto folk, but I would gladly see it a waste rather than that a fine old vessel like the Lyman M. Davis should be burned to make a spectacle for those who have no appreciation of ships, their beauty and romance, apart altogether from the part they have played in the development of our country.

Doubtless at times like the present, when there is not much surplus money to spend for amusements, those who cater for the public in this direction are hard put to find anything novel and attractive as a money-maker and crowd gatherer, but surely something could be found to amuse a multitude that would not hurt the susceptibilities of those who hate the very idea of destroying the last of Lake Ontario's sailing fleet. I am loath to believe that the Sunnyside management are anxious to run counter to public sentiment in this matter and hope the Davis will see many more years on the topside of the water.

—NANCY LEE.

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HERE IS AN ANGLE.

Sir,—After all that has been written and argued about the proposition to put the Lyman M. Davis to the torch, surely it must be apparent

to those who entertained the idea that they are risking more than the proposal is worth in continuing to defend the destruction of this old vessel. If self-interest is motivating those at the back of the scheme, let me inform them that they are standing in their own light. I trust the Sunnyside people will pause and consider this angle of the question.

—ONE OF MANY.

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BURN A GLORIOUS MEMORY?

Sir,—It is doubtful if Nero really fiddled while Rome burned. If he did, he had about the same brand of cynical humor and morbid mentality as that displayed by those who take pleasure in watching the destruction of some old and venerable vessel that has contributed to the picturesqueness of the Great Lakes, ere vanishing forever before the engined iron packing cases that shoulder their unbeautiful but necessary way through our water. To anyone who remembers the era of sail, the)

days of clipper ships, of lofty four-masters; the day of smart barquentines, brigantines and schooners built like racing yachts, so beautiful were their lines, the idea of burning the last of a type is particularly abhorrent. A couple of dozen tar barrels placed on a flimsy raft would make a good blaze if that is all that is desired, but it would appear that sentiment is to be jettisoned, if, indeed such a thing ever formed part of the spiritual cargo or equipment of those who could witness such a spectacle with pleasure.

One cannot very much blame the younger generation for wishing to see a sight of the kind. They were born too late to be familiar with the romance of the sea and lakes as typified by the gallant sailing craft we knew in the late 80's and early 90s. But even with this drawback

surely they have the privilege of using their imaginations to visualize the vessels that sailed Lake Ontario a generation ago and to lament their disappearance forever.

What would have been said if the fate of the Lyman M. Davis had been suggested in the case of the American-built clipper Lightning of the Black Ball (British Australian Line) that reeled off 436 nautical miles on March 1, 1854, when on her maiden voyage from Boston to Liverpool? At one time the ship's log showed a speed as high as 18 1/2 knots an hour. Think of it!

What a howl of execration would have ascended to the heavens if it had been even hinted that burning was a good enough fate for the British tea clipper Thermopylae, which, also in the year 1854, sailed from Liverpool to Hobson's Bay (Melbourne) in 63 days, 18 hours and 15 minutes.

Again, take the Cutty Sark, one of the most famous clippers of her time. She made a passage on one occasion from the Lizard to Sydney, N.S.W., in 75 days. After being under the Portuguese flag in 1913 she was restored to British ownership. I think she is now laid up at Falmouth, very likely the last of the tea clippers in existence. What would the people of that west country port think if it were suggested that the torch be put to the Cutty Sark (Scots, short shirt)? Whoever had the temerity to broach such an idea would run some risk, to say the least.

Let the Lyman M. Davis remain afloat.

BLUE WATER.

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CHILDREN CRY FOR IT!

Dear Sir,—Like thousands of others. I too, feel that it is a downright shame to burn the schooner, Lyman M Davis, at Sunnyside.

Men travel to the four corners of the earth to collect articles of historic value. Our museums are full ot workmanship of bygone days; workmanship that is a continual source of delight and admiration to all who love the history and development of the arts and crafts. Even in Canada we preserve historic buildings. The old country proudly guards Nelson's "Victory." At the present time the clipper ship "Cutty Sark," is preserved in Falmouth harbor. Although the Lyman M Davis may mean nothing to us his-

torically, surely we may prize her as

a representative type of her time.

When I took my children to Sunnyside a few days ago and told them the schooner was to be burned they almost cried. Even the children thought it was a terrible thing to

do.

Surely there are among us, historians, yachtsmen, artists, parents, shiplovers and the general public who cry "Shame," at the thought of such wanton destruction.

Yours truly,

—SHIPLOVER.

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Here is a petition bearing the signatures of a representative group of Oshawa, Belleville and Toronto citizens which speaks quite eloquently for itself. The petition was circulated by a too modest young man who wishes to remain anonymous for the present.

"We, the undersigned, most strongly protest the burning and wanton destruction of the last survivor of the Great Lakes sailing fleet, the Lyman M. Davis, which vessel it is proposed to burn at Sunnyside Park, Toronto.

"We feel this old schooner should be preserved as an historical relic and subscribe our names hereto in the hope that this may be accomplished."

J. A. HARSHAW, accountant, Oshawa.

F. E. GRAHAM, clerk, Oshawa.

R. B. SMITH, Div. Const. Clerk, Columbus.

O. B. WHITE (late R.N.) messenger, Oshawa.

A. P. TURNER, clerk, Oshawa.

F. J. QUINN, bank clerk, Oshawa.

J. T. CROZIER, bank clerk, Oshawa.

C. T. COLLEY, bank clerk, Oshawa.

J. W. WORRALL, Navy League Ch., Oshawa.

C. J. JAMES, Oshawa.

D. C. FORRESTER, city agent, Oshawa.

F. H. HARE, salesman, Oshawa.

J. L. BEATON, dairyman, Oshawa.

E. CAY, lumber, Oshawa.

ROLAND S. VIRTUE, hardware, Oshawa.

JOE HEARN, automobiles, Toronto.

THOS. W. KAISER, manufacturer, Toronto

E. M. SILLAN, auditor, Toronto.

R. N. BARSETT, Oshawa.

A. S. ROSS, agent, Oshawa.

H. M. COOKE, dentist, Oshawa.

ANDREW D. ROBB, clergyman, Oshawa.

M. MCINTYRE HOOD, editor, Oshawa,

B. A. BROWN, physician, Oshawa.

LEN V. DISNEY, real estate, Oshawa.

W. S. MILLMAN, physician, Oshawa.

O. G. MILLS, physician, Oshawa.

E. J. O'REILLY, dist. manager, Oshawa

G. R. GINN, druggist, Oshawa.

J. E. MCLEOD, job printer, Oshawa.

E. L. COUSINS, gas and oils, Oshawa.

R. E. FLINTOFF, hardware, Oshawa.

A. F. COX, automobiles, Oshawa.

A. L. HARSHAW, 218 Oakwood ave., Toronto.

W. C. MIKEL, magistrate, Belleville.

W. K. ROGERS, master yachtsman, Belleville.

E. J. BUTLER, barrister, Belleville.

J. J. JENKINS, Hotel Quinte, Belleville.

C. MACFAYDEN, barrister, Belleville.

P. H. WILE, broker, Belleville.

W. G. BLACK, gentleman, Belleville.

T. H. MARSHALL, gentleman, Belleville.

CAPT. J. WATSON, master mariner, Belleville.

J. V. C. TRUAISCH, postmaster, Belleville.

G. F. OSTRUM, harbor commission, Belleville.

JAS. DONAHUE, reporter, Belleville.

J. V. FREEMAN, theatre treasurer. Belleville.

C. F. TOPP, secretary, South End Yacht Club.

Belleville.

C. B. TREVERTON, Corbyville.

CHAS. H. SYMONS, merchant, Belleville.

M. J. CALLAGHAN, president, South End Yacht

Club, Belleville.

F. M. MCKEOWN, president, Conservative Club.

Belleville.

J. CADAN, 48 Norwood road, Toronto.

J. MITCHELL, 117 Queensdale road, Toronto.

E. S. CREASE, 250 Warren road, Toronto.

W. H. BLACK, 28 Elwood boulevard, Toronto.

C. B. GRANT, 336 Roehampton avenue, Toronto.

H. F. BONNICK, 245 Wanless avenue, Toronto.

A. K. SAKER, 713 Dupont street, Toronto.

E. MCKNIGHT, 70 Craighurst avenue, Toronto.

C. SNETSINGER, 26 Adelaide street west, Toronto.

H. G. KILRALL, 32 Adelaide street east, Toronto.

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Reprieve Comes with the Dawn !

THE LYMAN M. DAVIS, moored at her winter berth behind the sea-wall at Sunnyside- (Photograph by an Evening Telegram staff photographer.)