The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-08-18
That Boat Ride---A Perilous Voyage.
With moonlight and STARLIGHT we bound er the b

With moonlight and starlight Wen bound Ger the biow."
We, ninety in number, started from Lambert
vile, with the freight train, at $50, on Thurs
day morning last, on moonlight (O excursion
as gay party as ever came together, with
visions Of merry times dancing through our ex-
cited brain, feeling confident that we would not
be disappointed in our anticipations if mo damage
occurred to the cal containing the edibles. Ar
rived at Point Pleasant in about an hour and
half, and proceeded to the boat for the purpose
of crossing the river intending to spend the day
in a beautiful spot about three-fourths of mile
above the bridge. The water being very low at
this point we ran aground and were conveyed
to the opposite shore in small boats. Safe on
terra frnad, all was confusion and CONSERVATION
with reference to the best mode of killing time.
The day was spent in eating, drinking smoking,
fishing, boating, quoit-pitching, dancing, swing
ing waltzing and rambling, all endeavoring to
make themselves congenially entertaining to each
other All went ''merry as a marriage bell" I'M
til abont half past six, when we proceeded to
embark on the perilous voyage down the river.
About this time the Band arrived from Lam
bertville and after playing several airs while on
the shore; were conveyed to the already we'll
filled boat Amid cheers and huzzas we start
ed. At precisely 10 we passed under the
bridge and at $40 we had gained point near
ly half mile below the bridge, showing that we
were travelling at the unprecedented speed OF
one male IN three hours! About this time the
moon, which had hitherto been concealed from
our view by thick, hazy clouds, burst upon our
gaze with unwonted brilliancy. Every one
seemed inspired with new life, and, amid sing
ing, laughing and merry making, we were pro-
ceeding on our joyous voyage, when the pilot
demanded silence in order to give commands for
the safe passage through the Falls at Bulls Is
land All was hushed and during the breathlesS
silence on board, we could hear the waters mad
ly dashing among the rocks, and in the clear
moonlight see the spray, svery and sparkling,
thrown upward, when with sudden pitch,
roll bump, and an universal scream, we tonnd
ourselves in a fish basket. A biggerlot of suck
ers were never caught at one time in one basket
we warrant AS our good fortune would have
it, we had brought with us down the river
lighter, and we at once prepared to carry the
party to shore, that we might, if possible, get
our noble vessel from its perilous situation
The citizens Of Lumberyile Chow we do bless
their kind hearts and appreciate their valuable
services, and when we say this we speak for the
whole parity we're Immediately under our wea-
Their bow with boats ready to convey the terri
fed ladies to shore, which job being over, and
the rocks taken from the channel, with one long
pull and a strong pull and pull altogether, away
we bounded, leaving the Seething waves far be-
hind. Ye mighty pillows of Bulls, roar on, we
fear We not now, never shall we again trust our
selves to your wide spreading aClngs. Your
name shall be passed down to posterity, and eve
~ waterman shall be warned to keep to Jersey"
if he don't want his bows STAYED in and his bot
ties broken. Nobody drowned Notwithstanding
three of our merry party fell overheard in water
seven-inches deep. All on board, and with
three cheers for the noble hearted residents Of
LumberviHe, and music by the Band, we onward
started Again we were in our happiest mood,
the song and Jest passing around, when low
rumbling told us in distinct accents that some
thing was going to happen to our copper sheet
ing Howes Falls above Centre Bridge were
passed without grounding, although the craft
pitched and rolled like drunken man. Three
cheers more as we passed under Centre Bridge,
when the heart searching cry reached US that we
were sinking, eight inches of water already over
the lining boards The investigation which fol-
lowed gives US the following report seventeen
wet feet, four soaked hats, one dripping manti-
la, one basket of cake unpalatably soaked and
the loss of the vinegar bottle. The pumps "a
scoop shovel aud many were cleared for action,
when it was found they would not work with
out drenching with whiskey. No whiskey on
board, cask thrown overheard to Tighten ship.
Pumps work well, Again, joyous and free, we
were floating along, as we supposed, when some
one, more versed in water craft than the others,
discovered that we were not advancing at very
accelerated speed. Investigation proved the
fact that we were on rock. How long we had
been in that situation we know not, but we do
know that it is not SO much the position in which
we were placed, but the association which rem
dered US happy Off again. and in the distance
stands boldly before us antiquated, dark browed
Goat Hill Three hearty cheers for our favorite
land mark brought to US a feet of smaller craft,
a sort of delegation from the dear ones at home,
mama's and papa'S who were anxiously awaiting
the return of the pleasure seekers At five min
utes before one we felt our keel grating upon the
sand in the creek, and with cramped limbs, but
lively spirits we leaped ashore.