Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-17

ana Walk S1ueWlse. IHcy cast tHSiI slINii
once year, and those having new coats are
much sought after as ''soft she'll crabs" One
of their peculiarities is the ability to shed
claw close to the body whenever it is requir-
ed. They lose their claws yearly. They can
be caught by dropping hook and line with
large bait, to the bottom. They will cling to
the bait with their front claws until you haul
them to the top of the water, when, unless
you put hoop net under them, they will let
go and drop into the water.
FORTRESS MONROE
we reached at noon the following day, and
found it to be the hottest place we have been
in this season. This famous fertilization is
situated at the extremity of narrow neck of
land running out into Hampton Roads, and
forming part of Hampton County. Va. 1t
is an immense concern, and has already cost
twenty five millions of dollars. tbs the only
first class fort, or the only Fortress in the
United States. 1t consists first of an outside
| fort of earth backed with granite, then deep
moat filled with with sea-water. Then the
principal or inner fort whose upper ramparts
hang perpendicularly over ne moat and over
look the outer fort. Heavy ten and fifteen
inch guns surmount the fort. 1t would be
harvest Of death for an enemy to attempt to
storm the place. and no possible chance for
success if it was bravely defended. The
classmates are bomb-proof on top, and situated
at the back of the inner fort. The target for
heavy gun practise is four miles across the
Bay The day before we arrived, as some
colored men under charge of white sol
der were emptying the charges out OF con-
demncd shells inside the fort, one OF the
negroes carelessly caused a she'll to explode,
which set fire to the small frame building in
which the four were at work, and burned up
three of their bodies and shockingly mutt
lated the fourth man. There were quite
number of shells in this building and several
similar buildings near by also containing
shells, which buildings were set on fire, and
for nearly two hours a fierce bombardment
went on, the pieces of shell flying about in
every direction. 1t was scene of nster-
nation, but fortunately no serious damage
done except the killing of the four men.
THE RIP RAPs,
an immense and unsightly pile OF half finish
ed masonry, are just across the channel about
two miles from Fortress Monroe. The great
derricks are standing there but no work is
being done. The fort or battery has been
built up with two tiers of classmates, and the
lower one is said to have sunk several feet, SO
that it is now almost on level with the
ground, which is made land. These two forts
cover the entrance to the bay and to the James
river.
NORFOLK.
We steamed in two hours from Fortress
Monroe to Norfolk. The town is famous only
for its fine navy yard, now rather decayed,
and from its history in the rebellion. 1t looks
like well laid out place, and has a consider
able trade, especially in fruit, oysters and
fish. Steamers rm from there to Washington,
Baltimore, New York and Boston. For
$3.50 person can go from Washington to
Boston on good steamer with meals free
1t takes from three to four days, including ~
hours stop at Norfolk. Norfolk from its fine
commercial situation, ought to become one of
the principal cities of the Union but there is
very little enterprise there. We saw lying at
the navy yard the old frigate Brandywine,
which brought Generel Lafayette to this coun-
try on his last visit
ANNAPOLIS.
The next day we visited this ancient and
1, T. &c cit cd no
shore of Chesapeake Bay and has always been
the Capitol of the State of Maryland. 1t was
many years ago the center of fashion and
learning. The town has not been improved
any in appearance for fifty years. The old
Colonial State House still accommodates the
State Legislature. 1t is rather fine build
ing for a hundred years ago, but very small
for the uses of present General Assembly.
In the Senate Chamber Gen. Washington re-
signed his commission and surrendered his
mental army.
The NAVAL ACADEMY,
which is really the life and ornament Of An
napolis, is composed of numerous brick
buildings occupied by the officers of the yard
and the "Middies;" the latter are nearly all
off now on foreign cruises in their school
ships. The grounds are very nicely laid out,
and are still being improved.
The "CoSsrIrUTIoN,"
the oldest and most famous war vessel of the
navy, lies at the naval academy dock. The
midshipman in charge informed us that the
only portions of the original ship left are two
posts or anchor cable bits in the stern; every
other part having been rebuilt. She is in ex-
cellent condition, and is used only as school
ship. The old frigate "Santee" is also there.
She is used for heavy gun practice. She re-
manned on the stocks about fifty years unfin-
ished, but few years since the navy dept
concluded to finish her.
The GovERNoR's HOUSE,
is the last built and handsomest building in
Annapolis. 1t is the custom of the Southern
States to give their Governors mansion free