Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-03

The Shad Fisheries.
The River Front reporter of TIE STAR, hav-
ing concluded his observations down stream,
was despatched on a fresh cruise from the
Aqueduct Bridge 10 the Washington Monu-
ment.
A LOVELY SUNSET.
Sunday evening found him on the bridge,
where an extensive view could be had of the
river and surrounding country. A long string
OF canal-boats, extending from the bridge to the
curve above, were moored, bow to stern, along
the river side of the canal. Their four-footed
engines were snorting on the bank, and taking
in fuel while waiting for somebody 20 kick. On
the hill above, the buildings Of Georgetown
College are conspicuous. The river is rippled
slightly by the dying bree and the sun Is fast
sinking behind the hills OF the Virginia shore,
leaving that side OF the river yelled in the
tremulous, mysterious shadows OF twilight.
Below the bridge, where the fading sunlight
ere wonderfully lovely. Beautiful mother-of-
p 1rl tints are seen, and where the suns rays
strike the windows of the factories they are re-
tire. The dome OF the Capitol rises above its
surroundings, and, outlined against the clear
sky, resembles the summit Of snow-capped
mountain.
THE SHIPPING.
Near at hand, and beneath us, as we stand on
the lower side Of the bridge, are the coal
wharves, with staunch schooners moored along
side. The dinginess, nos to say blackness
observable here Dir shes the shading OF the pc
ture.
Descend ng the long flights OF steps We are
in the mirst OF the coal W 'ds. with the bridge
high above us. The waste wa n from the aque-
duct Is spouting out at dozen places, and de-
scribes graceful curve as il splashes into the
Potomac in featbcry spray. Keeping down
stream, along the pier heads, we pass numerous
trim schooners from Providence and Jersey
City.
WHARF RATS.
Presently the Sabbath stiffness is broken by
hammeripg and rafting OF wood and iron, and
We come upon q number Of boys engaged In
stealing spikes, which they were wrenching out
OF the rotten plsnks and tmbers. At first they
seemed aboutto take to their heels; but on sec
ond thought they continued their hammering
Shakespeare tells us:
"Ships are but boards, sailors but men, there
water-thieves."
urchins as those mentioned as whsrf-rats. They
extOrt toll from all nds of freight, unless it be
barr Of lion or blocks of stone. They bag Jumps
of coal handsfull Of corn, and occasionally make
way with a bit of hawser, the handle OF a griud-
stone, or the leg OF stove. Great pests are
these wharfrats, and it is seldom their sins (or
policeman find them out
A TUB FROM PHILADELPHIA
is next encountered. She 10 schooner-rigged,
high out OF the water, square in the bow, mar
might have been built By the mile and cut
OFF to suit
Now we come to fishing boats, and seines
spread to dry; heap of plaster rock; piles of
wood and lumber; the New York steamer "val-
and wood, and then the building OF
THE POTOMAC BOAT CLUB,
which was erected less than year ago. 1t has
q spacious gallery, commanding fine view. OF
the river, rooms for the use Of the club and &C
commodation for their oats. Boating received
great impetus last season, and the Potomac
Club has q long list of members, and is in a
fourisbing condition. The same may be said Of
THE ASALosTAN BOAT CLUB,
whose boat-house is just visible below in the
bend Of the river. Looking at the broad ex-
panse of water, now tranquil as a llnd-iocked
lake, and cleaning silvery white in the light OF
more boat clubs, more boats, more young men
to engage in the healthful pastime Of rowing.
regatta on the Potomac every summer should
be one OF the attractions of our city.
LUMBER PILES AND WOOD PILES
obstruct our further progress along the water
edge, and turning landward we come to the
lower bridge over Rock Crock. On the banks
near By are catered a number of red stone
flags, srch as are being laid down about the
Capitol. Thee are from
THE SENECA oUARRIEs,
in Montgomery county, Maryland. ~nis
property passed into the hands OF me pres
emit stockholders some three years ago, since
which time over 500, 900 have been expended I'm
opening quarries and building additional mills
for saving and dressing the stone, which is a
red sand stone, quite valuable for building
onsn institute i built Of eEs stone ssa the
beautiful pavem ent In front of the Treasury
extension, OF flags six feet by three, is from
diately on the line OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal, twenty-four miles from this city. The
stone lies very clear, runs TO great depth, and
is apparently ine1hsustable. Between three
and four hundred hands are employed; the
machinery is OF the most improved kind, and
the water-power capable of doing double the
present work. These quarries are owned by a
company composed Of wealthy capitalists of
Washington and Georgetown: .Dr. Kidweu,
president.
From the mouth of Rock Creek to
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
navigation is rather difficult, for pedestrian,
and ae the shades OF evening were falling fast,
We dropped "killick." The following after
noon we headed down 18th street, until the
Monument bore on our starboard bow, and
then stood to the north ard. On the port side
was dreary waste, with here and there a Dig,
goat or cow nibbling the scanty heritage; and
on the starboard hand, a row of tumble-down,
dilapidated as ii they had been standing unoc-
cupied hundred years or more. Around the
f0st OF the Monument are clustered more shah
" eoeuSs anu INC oniy Signs Ol uI6 visible are
the animals before mentioned, and numerous
hens. From one Of these sheds came the vail
ing and grunting Of porkers, who are doubtless
iamentlng the near approach Of Christmas. The
monument itself, with its dilapidated wooden
steps. the doorways barricaded with rough
boards. and the rough covering on its summit,
Is picture OF dilapidation and decay. North
and west Is seen the slnggish shiny water Of the
canal, and beyond, looking up stream, the noble
Potomac glisteniDg in the sunshine
When the brother Of Macsuley's New Zeal
snder stands on the Long Bridge he will doubt
less ind the Washington Monument not only
without Its browning statue, but in Its present
condition Of statu quo.
THE sAAD FIsHRRrRs
Our cruise "Aiong the Potomac" would not
be complete without some mention of the shsd
fisheries, which not only supply an excellent
breakfast dish, but ere the source Of consIdera-
BILE revenue. We have not at hand any Stats
tics Of this industry; but some facts In relation
70 the shad and its habits may prove tnterestist.
Inc late u. H. Perley. one OF the Joint Ameri.
can and British Fkhery Commiss.0n, thus de-
scribes the shad :."The bod Of this fish is deep
and compressed; lie lesath varies from one 20
TWO feet. The W3c.n across tho body. from the
Commencement OF the dorsal din 70 the anal, ID
AGrxol 20 49, .~SH 49,