At your verbal request, received through Mr. Codman, I shall aim in this letter to present for your consideration certain tentative views and suggestions in regard to boats in the waters of the Columbian Exposition.

First: What we have called an omnibus boat service is assumed. The boats of this service would move in regular order, keeping always on the right of the mid-line of the channels through which they were passing, thus leaving the middle of the channel everywhere free, and also, (there being no landings on the Island), leaving more than half the water around the Island free.

I would propose that there should be as many as four electric boats more than are necessary to be used at any one time in the omnibus service. These boats would answer, primarily, as a reserve from which boats would be

Electric Launches on the Lagoon, World’s Columbian Exposition

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Second: I would propose to build a pier extending eastward from the point between the bridges at the east end of the islet south of the Island, and at this pier have a fleet of gondolas, some of which would ply on regular voyages around the Island, keeping within fifty feet of the left shore, thus leaving a considerable space between the course they would follow and that to be taken by the electric boats. These gondolas to take all passengers offering, at a given rate of fare, omnibus fashion, but to make no intermediate landings. Other gondolas might be let by the hour at the same pier.

Third: I have had a conference with Mr. Bowyer Vaux, late President of the American Canoe Association. This Association has numerous branches in different parts of the United States and Canada, and altogether a large membership. Mr. Vaux thought it probable that canoe-makers would be willing to supply a considerable number of canoes free of cost to the Exposition, and that the Canoe Club of Chicago would be willing to take charge of these, and perhaps to add to the number. It is suggested that any man certified by the American Canoe Association to be an expert canoeist shall be allowed, under suitable regulations, to navigate the waters of the Exposition, either in his own canoe or in one of those supplied as above proposed. The more important of such regulations would be that he keep as nearly as practicable in the mid-waters of the Lagoons, and well out of the way of the omnibus boats.

You will observe that none of the boats above proposed to be used would be rapid in their movements; that all would be without oars or outriggers, and relatively narrow; easily turned to the right or left; that the director of the propelling apparatus, whether for the electric boats, the gondolas, or the canoes, would be facing forward with a clear vision of all before him, and under the most favorable conditions for avoiding collisions.

These three systems I consider to be perfectly practicable, safe and convenient, in every way. I think it might be desirable as an element of picturesque interest, to add a number of canoes, either comparatively small ones of birch bark or the larger ornamented dugouts of Alaska, with Indians in costumes to paddle them, which would also carry passengers on excursions around the Island. My impression is that these would be a very interesting addition to the attractions of the Exposition, to Europeans, and that the fares for passengers using the canoes would compensate the cost of the service.

So much for actual transportation service for boats. It would be very desirable to have boats of a variety of kinds, not to be kept in motion, but generally moored or drawn up near the shore as objects of curiosity or decoration, and for the suitable furnishing of the waters. It would be desirable that among such boats there should be sanpans and pleasure boats from Japan and China, Malay proas, caiques from the Bosphorus, dahabiyehs from Egypt [492]and small boats from the Italian ports and others of the Mediterranean, small boats from the Italian lakes, Norwegian fishing boats, such as were exhibited at the Philadelphia Exposition, native surf boats from the South American and the Pacific Islands, and Eskimo kayaks. My impression is that most of these can be obtained by a suggestion to the governments that they would be desirable, but it would have to be arranged that if obtained in this way they would be an exception to the general rules with regard to exhibits, an exception by which, as far as I can see, all parties interested would profit. The boats might generally be placed near the ends of the bridges, and on each side of the bridge ends, so that they could be looked at horizontally from the shores and from passing boats, and looked into from the bridges. Fishing boats on the shore of the Fish exhibit.

I have thought out the above scheme considerably more in detail, but before proceeding with any written elaboration of it, would like to know how these main propositions strike you.

It would be desirable, if practicable, to have larger boats than any of the above, with masts and sails, lying in the harbor.

I think means to obtain a considerable number of gondolas and gondoliers should be taken at an early day. I find it difficult to believe that the gondolas at Cincinnati are in such bad condition that they could not be put right at less cost than that for which others could be obtained direct from Venice, and at any rate I should think they ought to be salable at a price which would

Venetian Gondola on the Lagoon, with Wooded Island on left and Mines Building in distance, World’s Columbian Exposition

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I should like to hear what the Government is doing about the proposed reproduction of the caraval of Columbus, what its size is to be, etc, so that the question where and how it can be most effectively exhibited may be thought out soon, and a suitable place be retained for it.

Since the above was written I have seen in a newspaper the enclosed statement that it is proposed in Norway to send out a reproduction of a Viking’s Galley. I believe that with judicious effort a very interesting marine exhibit can be had. Someone should be assigned to the duty of working up the matter who would have a special interest in it, and who would yet not be disposed to make what can be obtained insubordinate to the general picturesqueness of the Exposition, or incongruous with other details of landscape composition. The best man is not unlikely to be a resident naval officer.

Yours Truly