The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-08-31
New York Fifty-Tive Years Ago.

The Staten Island Ferry on fine after noon
in summer, is one of the pleasantest scenes
which New Yord affords. The island, seven
miles distant from the city, forms one of
the sides of the Narrows, through which the
commerce Of the city and the emigrant ships
enter the magnificent bay that so worhily
announces the grandeur of the New World.
The ferry boat starting from the extremity
of Manhattan Island, first gives its passen-
gers view of the East river, all alive with
every description of craft; then gliding
round past Governors Island, dotted with
camps and crowned with barracks, with the
national flag floating above all, it affords n
view of the lofty bluffs which rise on one
side of the Hudson and the long line of the
st.fringed city on the other; then round
ing Governor Island, the steamer pushes
its way towards the Narrows, disclosing to
the giant defensive works opposite to it, the
outrageous and lofty sides ol'Staten Island,
covered with villages, and beyond ALL the
ocean, lighted up by Coney Islands belt of
snowy sand, glistcning in the sun.
Change the scene to iilty.five years ago.
New York was then town of eighty thous-
and people, and Staten Island was inhabit.
ed only by farmers, gardeners, and fisher
men, who lived by supplying the city with
provisions. No elegant seats, no pictures,
que villas, adorned the hllsidcs, and pleas
ure- seekers found n nearer resort in Hobo
ken. The ferry then, if ferry it could he
called, consisted OF y few sail boats, which
left the island in the morning loaded with
vegetables and fish, and returned, if wind
and tide permitted, ut night. lfn pleasure
party occasionally visited Staten Island,
they considered themselves IN the light OF
"a, h,I E,, 4
the ordinary limits of an excursion. There
was only one thing in common between the
ferry at that day and this-the boats started
from the same spot. Where the ferry house
! now stands at Whitehall, was then the beach
| to which the boatmen brought their freight,
| and where they remained waiting for re-
| turn cargo. That was also the general boat
| stand of the city. Whoever wanted boat
| for business or pleasure repaired to White
| hall, and it was a matter of Indifference to
| the boatmen of Staten Island whether they
| returned home with load, or shared in the
general business of the port.
1t is to one of those Whitehall boatmen oil
| 1910 that VIC have to direct the readers at
tenton. He was distinguished fpon his
comrades on the stand in several ways
Though master Of Staten Island boat that
would carry twenty passengers, he was but
sixteen years OF age, and he RS one of the
handsomest, the most agile1lnd athletic
young fellows that either island could show.
Young as he was, there was that in his face
and bearing which gave assurance that he
was abundantly competent to do his work
He was always at MS posi- 51cc !!'m'"s. and OF
the alert for a job. He always performed
what he undertook. This summer of 1916
was The first season, but he had already al
ample share of the best of the business il
the harbor.
Cornelius Vanderbilt was the name ofthis
notable youth-the same Cornelius Wander
bilt who has since built hundred steam
boats, who has since made present to hi:
country of q steamship of five thousand tun:
burden, who has since bought lines Of rail
road, and who reported his income to the
tax commissioners last veal. at something
near three quarters Of q million. The frs
money the steamboat. king ever earned wa
by carrying passengers between Slater
Island and New York at eighteen cents each