The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-09

A HARBoR EXCURSION IN JANUARY.-Here-
tofore it has been the impression that really
successful water excursion could not take
place in this latitude except under the clear
skies and balmy atmosphere of the summer
months, but the contrary was fully demonstrate
ed on Saturday last under the following Cir
The Collector OF the Port, Mr..
Washburn, issued invitations to q large num-
Der of our citizens to participate in an exhibit
ton trip of the revenue steamer McCulloch,
lately arrived here for duty. Some seventy
five or more individuals, representing "all sorts
and conditions of men" acknowledged the
courtesy and gathered on board shortly after IL
O'Clock, to make the acquaintance of Capt.
Henriques and his officers and test the sailing
and other capacities of his fine vessel. The
morning air was just cool enough to sharpen
the wits of the party, and couple of hours
were passed right merrily; in fact, We have
rarely seen a more jolly and selfsatisfied COM
pany in all our excursion experiences. Just
after IL 80 the steamer got her paddles in mo.
ton and steamed down the harbor, the vessel
in the meantime being thrown open in every
part to the inspection of the guests, who uuan-
imously expressed their pleasure with her
broad and spacious decks, her superb accom-
modalions below and her excellent condition
for the work for which she IS intended. The
run from Custom House wharf to Mark Island
twelve miles, was easily done in sixty-one
minutes, to the surprise OF those on board, who
were not aware how fast they were going
through the water. During the run an excel
lent collation. was served in the cabin and
ward-room, to which half hundred sbai p set
appetites did exact justice. After this there
were some pleasant personal controversies in
the form of sentiments and short speeches.
An attempt was MADE to get speech out of
Capt. Heuriques, but it was inefectual-tbe
only duty we ever knew him to dodge 10
close acquaintance of dozen years. Then
discussion arose as to who was Irresponsible"
for the presence OF the McCulloch in these
waters: participated in by Collector Wash
burn, Mayo Kingsbury, S E. Spring, Esq, of
the Board Of Trade, S J. Anderson, President
of the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad, John
J. Poor, H. j. Murray the British Consul, and
others. Collector Washburn denied that it
was his work, and charged it upon the Board
of Trade, but that respectable body denied all
knowledge of it; ard the Maine delegation in
Congress was accused; but We believe the
matter was fnally left on the shoulders Of Mr..
Boutwell,, of Washington, formerly resident
of Groton Junction, in the Safe of Massachu-
sets; and as be bad no counsel on the occasion
he was convicted by the jury without leaving
the room, and the verdict was given with three
cheers and tiger. Before o'clock nearly all
the party was landed in the steamers boats,
but before they left the vessel, they expressed
their thanks TO Capt Henrques and officers
for their courtesy, and he was congratulated
upon having command of one of the finest
revenue vessels in the service.
The McCuloch, as we have before said, is a
side wheel steamer of about 500 tons, very fast,
and Of great power. Capt. Henriques, who is
thoroughly acquainted with winter duty on
this coast. assures US that the steamer is ad-
mirably calculated 70. the work, being splen-
did sea-going vessel, very easily handled, Of
light draft (onIy 8 ft.) strongly built and a
match in speed tor anything that revenue
vessel will have to contend with. Our mer-
| chants and all interested in the service may
congratulate themselves Of this fine vessel as a
protection to the revenue and an aid to our
| shipping. ..L -arI.r