National Republican., 1875-07-20
TO FORTRESS MONROE.
Excursion Of the Young Catholics FRIEND
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TO FORTRESS MONROE.
Excursion of the Young Catholics Friend
Society.
Following a pleasant custom inAugurated by
them several years ago the gentlemen OF the
Young Catholics Friend Society treated them
selves their families and such friends Of the asso-
eIatIon chose to participate to excursion to
salt water, starting on Saturday night last and
returning carly yesterday morning. In former
years Leonardtown, Point Lookout and Piney
Point have been considered far enough, but this
year they determined to Set as near old ocean as
they could in the time allotted for the trip, and to
that end Fortress Monroe was selected as the
most available point for the purpose.
There may be- as there has been 10 the past,
some who are disposed to criticise these excur-
sions given Sunday, but IL any of the critics had
been on board and observed the proceedings
throughout they would have returned satisfied
that the trips are not only emineatly proper, but
that it was good to be there. The party was
made up OF all classes OF society Of both sexes
ing, and in charge Of them as It were, were two
priests Of this city, who seemed TO enjoy as much
The refre ching effects of the Journey as did
THElR PARIsHIoNERs.
Arrapgements had been made for the proper
celebration Of Divine service at an early hour on
Sunday, and that solemn duty performed, It be-
came evident that to all on board the day Of
rest" meant 8 day of recreation and in the most
prieiies in the meantme) did they SO observe 1t.
The party, to the number Of about two hundred,
left IN the steamer Lady Of the Lake at p. m,
river, past the various points so we'll known to
all who travel on the Potomac. About II p. m.
aboard bound for Point Lookout. AS we had
almost double the distance to 20 we simply ex-
changed compliments and sped on: The night
was clear and cloudless, slight wind from the
north was blowing, but 1t was so pleasant that
sleeping on the decks was decidedly preferred to
the staterooms. During the night a party Of
noisy ones, who imagined that fun consisted of
creating a racket and preventing others from
sleeping, INDUCED in some noisy demonstrations,
. venience ives overlooked by the sufferers. Be-
tween and a. m. most OF
THE sLREPERs AwoKE
and came on deck to enjoy q sunrise on the Poto-
mac The spectacle was certainly most bsauti-
full one. The hills on the far off shore crested
with crimson and blue, wrought into fantastic
shapes by the hands Of nature, and through the
the fnllness of his glory, shone the king of day,
casting his rays over the sparkling waters and
inpressing the watcher with some idea Of his
strength and power. After morning wash and a
quiet smoke breakfast was announced and hearth
Iy partaken of by the hungry eXcursonists. Then
another rest, and soon the dim outlines Of the
grim Fortress and its sister guard, the Rip
Raps, were in view, and speeding on as fast as
steam and wheel could carry US, by .. m, after
q sail Of near twelve hours, Fortress Monroe was
reached. The entire party Immediately landed,
and. in accordance with the programme, most OF
the passengers SOUGHT inc pretty Oal0Ouc clUrcn
of the Fortress, where low mass was celebrated
by Father Barrottf. That concluded,
HIGH MASS
was celebrated by Rev. Father De Wolf and
sermon preached by Father Hastey, the pastor of
the church. The choir was composed OF a num-
Ter of the excursiOnsts. and an orchestral accom-.
psniment was furnished by portion of the Fort
Monroe band. collection was taken up TO assist
in building parsonage for the church. While
these ;goodIy people were attending divine SER
vice, some few Bon-prolessOTs who were in the
party inspected the fort, witnessed the ceremony
Of guard mounting, strolled along the beach and
indulged in the luxury OF surf bath on the IA
NOUS beach.
wharf to receive the party and look out for HIS
friends, was Mr.. George Wright, master machin-
ist Of the arsenal and his SON. George Wright. ir.
TIE REPUBLICAN, representative was one Of a
small party who gladly put themselves under the
charge of Truthful" (" and were by him shown all
the points Of interests at and about the Fortress
A short visit was also made across the creek to
the village Of Hampton, where we became tempo
rary guests at
THE CHESAPEAKE HOUSE,
a perfect gem of a seaside boarding-house kept
by Mrs. HRyerty and her son, either Of whom
would at a glance impress the traveller with a
notion that under their roof he would be we'll
cared for Many similar houses boast Of aHordng
the pleasant, wellkept house, Just peep at the
temptingly spread tables, scent Of the odor OF
prepared, assured US that the Chesapeake was
Just such place as we would like to honor with
our presence when time could be spared Tor loaf
by the sea.
Leaving the hospitable house and the courteous
guests we had met there the steamer was again
headed for SewelI's Point, Just opposite, where
dinner had been prepared AS We stood out in
the bay all the points Of historic interest in this
emiIently historic section were pointed out, the
Merrmac was sunk by the little Monitor.
vUE DE L'EAU
hotel with Mr.. VIM. T. Howell as manager was
at once stoTmed by the hungry party and dinner
Partaken of. The dinner as announced on the
cursion parties such a rush was made that none
seemed TO be fully satisfied. After dinner a bath
was taken by those who desired to, and others
guests at this place from Washington are MIR.
Crosby 5. Noyes, Mr.. James q. Clephane and
Mrs. Morgan L. Smith and others. at o'clock
we returned to the fort, and remained there
quietly until about !, the hour named for start
ing. Just at that time a most terrific storm
sprung up, but fits fury swept It over the fort and
down the bay. leaving Tree to start home, which
one and without incident, save a race with the
HayaEn9, Baltimore boat, having on board an
excursion party from York river. We gave her
THE "GoBY,"
and kept steadily home. The wind was rather
tions, the party managed TO escape the terrors Of
sen-sickness, and reached the wharf at q. N. in
good spirits. If there be any cause OF complaint
seemed 10 think that their duty begins in |
seeing passengers on board and OF again. One |
half the staterooms were not furnished with /
water or towels. Yesterday morning the water |
In the public wash.r0om was in the same condi.
tion, and numerous other instances Of lack Of at
tentIon 20 the comforts OF guests In minor matters
were exhibited. For this there is no possible ex- |
cuse, and the captain, the purser and tho steward
should In the future pay Just little more atten-
tion TO passenger Ruests. The committee Of the |
ASSOCIATION IN charge did all in their power to rem
der the trip happy one, and TO AGessrs. Llckey,
Bingham, Dermody and McDermott are especial |
thanKs due aud rendered.