The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-11
YACHTING IN CALIFORNIA.

Complimentary Excursion 70 Commodore
James Ashbury, o. the Cambria, by the SIM
ErnneiscO Yacht Club.
From the San Francisco Alta Ca ifornia Nov 81
On the arrival in this State some two weeks since
OF the distinguished yacht owner, Mr., James Ash.
bury Commodore OF The Royal Harwich Yacht
Club OF England, he was received In quiet but ap-
proprIate manner BY committee * or legal yacht
men, terminating In ride TO Seal Rock and dinner
at the Cha House. Since that time the Commodore,
with several friends have made the tour OF the Big
Trees aud Yosemite. According to previous APP
pontmcn he returned TO the city to be the recipient
of jovial welcome by the San Francisco Yacht
Club and their friends, which event took place yes.
terday.
A committee, consisting OF william Hayes, Or. A.
b. Stout. Q. W. Jones, H. G. Langley, Francis Der.
ton, William Craig and J. l.. Eckey, having made
the most extensive arrangements for the comfort
and pleasure OF the party, ISSUED invitations to
about forty citizens, and through the courtesy OF
the owners rendered the use Of the steam
yacht Brisk, the most elegantly furnished boat in
our waters.
AT ten O'Clock the party sailed gracefully away
from the Club House wharf. on Long Bridge.
The Brisk headed for the Dry Docks, at Hunters
Point, after winch Shs returned and passed the city
front, where nautical honors were paid to the dis
ingulshed visitors by the blowing OF steam Whistles
ringing OF bells and the dipping OF coors. The first
poiut Of interest reached was the Seal Rocks, and
the motion OF the sea was having q visible effect
upon the weaker stomacbs OF those unaccustomed TO
whispered some magic sentence In the ear or the
pilot, which soon had the eject OF opening the dis
lance between the party and the FarraOnes.
After leaving Hunters Point the entire party sat
down 10 sumptuous lunch, prepared by one Of our
most distinguished caterers. which was heartily
Toasts were drunk TO President Grant, Queen Vic
tora, the guests and many OF the company present.
which were fittngly responded to. At Fort Point
the party dsemDarked and visited The forthcatlonS,
receiving the kindest attentions from the officers in
charge. The with The station discourse
ed appropriate and patriotic airs, and amid CHEERS
the steamer cast or aud headed for Alcatraz where
an hour was pleasantly spent In the examination OF
the works III progress. The officer In charge, Cap
tam Rogers, informed the party that $z50,0O0 had
been app opriated Tor improving the defence OF that
age. The present mode OF war are would reduce
the fortincati0n, built or brick and stone, IN an
hours bombardment. Commodore Asnbury stated
that all the English forts were being rapidly covered
with l4inch iron plates to Withstand the shot OF
20-inch gun ut such close range as an iron-clad
monitor would venture. Captain Rogers ordered
several shells TO be fired from the large guns the
westerly side OF Acatraz, and this was one OF the
most ATTRACTIVE features OF the trip.
Reluctantly the party rc.embarked and were soon
at the barracks on Angel Island, in command or
Lieutenant Wood lson OF the late Colonel W. G.
Wood, OF this city, who invited the party to visit
The Communicates residence, where they partook OF
refreshments prepared by the Lieutenant. At this
returned TO the cabin OF the steamer where second
or rather third lunch, had been prepared roa SITS
were uTuHk anu d general BOOu time lnQulRcd In.
Letters we're read from his Honor, Mayor Sclby,
Hon. Eugene Casserly and Others regretiing that
previous engagements had proven ed their attend
ance. In response TO a toast in his honor, !
Commodore Ashbury made beautiful speech,
replete with sentiments Of emotion ana pride at
the receptions he mad received ar the hnds OF Amer
leans. He paid glowing tribute 10 our late lament
ed President Lincoln, with whom he was intimately
acquainted and also expressed the kindest feelings
towards President Grant aud the other representa-
tive men with whom he had come In contact. HIS
remarks were apropos to the occasion and elected
the warmesr applause Commodore Ashbury IN
formed those present that he would visit this coast
with the Cambria, some other yacht within three
years. 80
Appropriate speeches were made by Messrs STAN
ley president OF the day, sawyer, Hayes. Davidson
and others, and at hallpast ive the Brisk reached
her starting point and the party repaired TO The Club
House, wnere more creature comforts were as
pensed with liberal hand. During the trip the
Startled Fawn and the steam yacht Amela, captain
CanheIa, kent company with the Brisk
Commodore AshDury and friends start TINS morn
ing for Castoga and the Geysers, TO return on Sat
urday As the date Of his departure for the East
we are not Informed,