The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-03
WESTMINSTER MD SATURDAY, MAY g. 1873
cobbs's Island.

A writer in Turf Field aud Farm from
Richmond, Va, gives a description of
Cobbs Island, and how to get there -
Having seen several inquiries about Cobb's
Island in your paper, and having made it
my resort for at least part Of the Summer,
for several years past, am led to think
that few remarks derived from expe-
rience might be Of service to some. The
first thing to do is TO get there and though
this may seem like very simple thing, it
requires some knowledge to do SO. Per-
sons in New York can take the cars to
Baltimore, and then take the boat down to
Norfolk. Or very pleasant way is to
take passage on one Of the fine steamers
Of the Old Dominion Line for Norfolk.
Having arrived at Norfolk, take the steam
er N. p. Banks for Cherry Stone. If the
day is fine you cannot fail to enjoy the
splendid sail across the bay. Having
reached Cherry Stone, take stage across
the little peninsula, and after delightful
% ride Of FIVE miles you reach the shores
Of the Atlantic. But the end is not yet.
Next you take the little steamer N. w. A.
Cobb for the island, which appears only
as few trees rising out of the water, nine
miles off, On the way numberless wild
fowl are seen on the low, marshy fats, if
the tide is out; and the sportsmen en-
Enthusiastically send shot after them though
generally out range.
Well, at last you are at the island, Just
in time for capital dinner, supplied with
all the delicacies Of sea and land. And
now let us look about little. This island,
sixty years ago, was mere sandbank in
the ocean, Of few hundred feet area.
Since then the sea has gradually receded,
till now it is about two miles long and half
a mile wide And here the sportsman, or
even the peasure-seeker, can pass the
time most agreeably. Going out to the
blinds, with one Of the fishermen to man.
age the boat, you can scarcely ever fail to
be highly gratifed with your days sport.
The waters are alive with fish, if you
desire that sort of sport But one species
of amusement for which this place is
celebrated is the shark fishing Going
out in boat at the proper time of the
tide, armed with strong lines and fish for
bait, let down your line, and, if fortune
favors you, you will soon have a bite.
The shark is very game fish, and resists
savagely. They are drawn to the top, and
and dispatched by ball from a revolver
or by being struck on the nose with club
They vary in length from four to between
eight and nine feet. This sport is very
popular among the ladies. The ladies
make fine collections of shells from the
neighboring Islands. The surf bathing is
unusually fine and perfectly safe, and is
not the least attraction Of the place.
could write on to an indefinite length on
the various amusements of the place but
neither time nor space permits. | nearly
forgot to add that there are no mosquitoes
to be found there. And, in conclusion,
would say that persons, in hiring boats and
engaging the services Of men, should make
their bargains beforehand, as in this re
spect they are inclined to be extortionate
And also, it is not expected that Capt
Cod fishermen can be transmogrifed int
either gentlemen or irst-rate hotel keepers
And sometimes guests will have to put W
with some Inconvenience, and perhap,
trough it" little; but think any one
going there will have a good time.
am told that during the coming season
a boat will run from Norfolk to Cobb
Island, going out between the capes anC
up the coast to the Island, which will b,
a great advantage