Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-10
THE CRUISE OF THE WILD PIGEON.
YACHT WILD PIGEON, |
Off Portland, Aug. 8, 1859. I

Off Portland, Aug. 8, 1859.
Messrs. Editors Here we arel las Mr.. Mer-
ryman SO startlingly remarks upon his first
leap into the ring, and strikes the sawdust
wrong end hindmost,) abreast of the city OF
beautiful women, although not yet ashore.
Thus far, every element has favored us. We
left Long Wharf about one o'clock P. M. on
the 9th inst. amid the cheers OF the multitude
on the wharf who watched our departure, and
the waving of hats and handkerchief OF
friends divers and sundry, who stood bare
headed in the sun to compliment us, longer
than was probably favorable to their capillary
covering.
One hour later we caught our Sunday morn.
ing's breakfast, and then stood for Gloucester
reaching the wharf in that place about eight
o'clock, after delightful sail. From one of
the mansions adjacent, very handsome sa-
lutte of fireworks greeted our arrival Our
crew generally perambuated the town until
ten o'clock, when all hands turned in, to pre-
pare for an early start. AS we made fast at
high water, those of our party who occupied
the seward berths, found themselves about
midnight tiattening their noses against the bot
tom of the berths overhead, in consequence Of
the tides running out, and leaving the Wild
Pigeon comfortably keeled over on the beach
Their opposite neighbors, occupying the port
side berths, might have been seen, some with
an arm, others with leg, swinging far out of
of their dormitories into the main cabin, while
the untortunates whose mattresses had been
placed upon the tables and lockers, were pro-
miscuously distributed about the floor. the
tout ensemble being decidedly picturesque.
Sunday, the 7th, dawned upon us fine and
clear, with southwest wind, and at six A. NJ
we babe farewell to Gloucester, the last human
object seen upon its shore being a middle.aged
female, dressed in deep mourning, who seated
herself upon rock near the Old Fort. and as
seen through our glasses, nearly motioness
with her face despondingly resting upon her
iands, appeared to be-like some modern
Nlobe-ln tears. The suggestion forced itself
upon the mind that the hapless creature was
the widow of some dearly beloved one, whose
retreating sail had last been seen by her from
that rock, and for whose return she watched.
like Lady Franklin, all in vain. The Pavilion.
the largest hotel in this port is at present
closed, the last two occupants having satisfied
both their friends and creditors that although
very nice men, they couldn't keep hotel"
so far as ascertained, the number of visitors
at present in Gloucester is small, and as at this
season of the year the fishermen are generally
off to the Bays of Fundy and Chaleur, the gen.
tier sex among the residents, outnumber the
ruder' Aided by splendid breeze, we soon
made the Isle Of Shoals off Portsmouth. law
ing-to occasionally to fish, without effecting
any great "take, beyond all we needed for
the table. In our way of life afloat, it has been
ordained that breakfast be served at A. NJ.
lunch ut noon, dinner between four and five p,
NJ. An excellent steward, and equally GOOD
cook, render our cares for the table light. Our
craft outsais all rash competitors, and is all
we can desire thus far, in every respect. At
seven O'Clock Z. NJ. we ran into Saco bay
some sixty-five miles from Gloucester and
anchored Off Woods Island for the night
Here we were fortunate in witnessing the
somewhat rare spectacle of lunar rainbow
which was distinctly visible for an hour. and
during thunder gust which met us as the
wlnd hauled to Northeast, only partially OBJ
securing the Queen of Night, as she lent to
numberless black clouds the brightest of silver
Innings, fringng many of them in the most
brilliant manner
Biddeford, a large and fourishing manufac-
turing town, is situate opposite Saco, her
equally populous neghbor, upon the banks of
York River, which empties into Saco Bay
about seven miles distant from where we lay,
which latter place is known to tourists as "The
700" and is favorite resort with Canadians
during the summer months, its facilities for
bathing and fishing being unsurpassed, al
though the adjacent country is not especially
inviting. After good nights rest, another
glorious morning greeted MS, and we weighed
auchor with faint breeze from North West,
winch, light as it has been, has served to watt |
us INTO Portland Harbor, where at this present
writing we are slowly working up to wharf at
q o'clock p. NJ
Our sail along this magnificent coast, with |
me everlasting submits of the Great White |
Hills continually in view, tempts us gratefully |
to remember the priceless gifts of the good |
God who cast our lines in places so pleasant,
III country so abundanty blessed, and has
refreshed both mind and body Laying-too,
OH Cape Elizabeth we commenced putting
down our fish barrels, and have sailed about
sixty cod and haddock for future reference
Portland harbor being familiar place to so
many of your readers, shall attempt no de-
scrlption Of it. We touch for the purpose Of
taking on board member Of the Club who
was here to join us, shall remain until morn