Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-20
THE FARMiNGDALE L0CAL NAV
TAKES An DISSERTATION.

THE FAR.niTGD4LE LOCAL NAV
TAXES An DISSERTATION.
From the quarter deck of our ship is view
we'll worth attempting to describe. Looking
southwark we see the "Narrows, with its two pro-
tecing forts, mounting guns Of enormous calibre
and just in sidr is Bay Ridge, where the Van
Brunt brothers shot the robbers Mosher and Doug
las, and as write aprety little steamer IS pass
ing to carry the people from that locality to New
York. On the other side rises the most beautiful
Staten Island. Far up its hillsdes are seen
churches and residences, and its steamers too are
seen starting with their living freight for the great
city. Directing the eye to the North of the island
is seen the lovely reach of water leading to Perth
Amboy, and the route to Philadelphia. All along
on the opposite side is the Jersey shore, with its
charming villas and water front, extending up to
Jersey city and Hoboken, making in all the res
licences of a vast population. It's numerous fer
ries are all running for New York as though for
dear life. On our own side the vision extends up
to Brooklyn heights, over acres and acres CT ship
ping, and from our side, too, the ferries as num-
erous as those Of the other side carrying their
thousands to mingle with the great tide from the
Western shore. Northeast from in the centre
of the whole, stands the Empire City, in full view
Trinity church, the Equitable Insurance building,
the Western Union building, the General Post
Office and the Tribune buildings tower far above
all the rest. Before us is New York bay, with the
Hudson pouring its tide down on side, and
the East river coming in on the other. Over all
its vast expanse fleet Of vessels is passing, the
like Of which cannot be seen in any other part of
the world-the largest ocean steamers in the world
the largest river steamers ever seen, great men-of
war of all nations and all classes down to the tim
niest craft ahoat. Sometimes thick fog will sud
denly shut down ON the whole and then the noise
of precautionary steam whistles is enouge to drive
one crazy. All the ferry boats are cropping their
way to and fro, hundreds of little tugs are darling
about, some towing canal boats. cargo boats, all
sorts Of boats; steamer launches running from the
ships Of WIZ al anchor, all screaming with all their
might. 1t is wonder more of them don't collide
and sink. Now we start for New York A short
ride in street car takes us to Hamilton Ferry,
and of we 60. Close to us Is Governors Island
with its battery and garrison; over beyond it is
Bedloes Island with more cannon and soldiers
few moments and VIC are at the Battery, in New
York. Here is something nice. \ large Mall
laid out in walks, with trees and solid stone sea
wall, with quays and steps for boats Now we
look from New York down the bay and we see
the same sights only the view is reversed. 1t is
lust splendid Great ships Of war are moored
little way of and their mighty guns frown DER the
beautiful scene. We hear the boatswain's shrill
pipe, and hundreds of men spring aloft Soon
great yards pass down from aloft all masts sim
ultaneously, and disappear on deck; great rows of
hammocks from the ships rail go out Of sight in
an instant, and so on through the routine of ship
life. Here is nice place to get the sea breeze,
and we had rather by far come here than 90 to
Central Park. Hard by the offices of the great
steamship lines, near are the foreign consus, and
not far of is the famous Castle Garden, where
Jennie Lind gave her first concert in America
We remember it well, being in New York at the
time, young officer on board ship.
From here start the numerous horse cars for up
town, and great many omnbuses. The place
has greatly improved of late, and we honor
New York for saving il from the insatiate nav of
business. The principal stores in the vicinity are
-four and feed, and not far away is the Produce
Exchange, and near it the Cotton Exchange, fine
wholesome looking buildings. There is the old
Washington Hall, a modest place. where may be
found many a downeast Captain. We have been
told it was the headquarters of Gen. Washington
once in the Revolutionary war, and hence its
name. No one should fail in coming to New York
to visit the Battery. On one side comes in the
Pennsylvania Central freight, and on the other the
Erie, by which one can see the enormous amounts
of produce these railways bring into the city, as
well as dispense to all quarters by of bauges
and tugs.
On going up town we prefer the elevated rail-
way which starts from the foot Of Greenwich st.
We have had occasion to use it several times. 1t
is on tressel work, built single line OF col
umns, set in the outer edge of the sidewalk,
and is about parallel in height with the second
story of the stores along the way. The stations
| are placed at about every four blocks, and you
ascend by convenient steps; nice waiting rooms
are ready for the passengers who have to wait.
The fare is ten cents, and the trains every if
teen minutes SO, some trains 90 direct to Forty
| Second Street without stopping. These cars are
Of them attached to each engine, which is also
very small. They have turn outs, or sidings, at
| convenient places for passing trains. Most people
know what is to be seen up town, so we leave that
to other writers TO describe. We should like TO
tell Of the great lines Of that start from
the North River side; they all can be seen from
the elevated railway cars as they whrl along,
and sometime we hope, also, to say something
about the commerce of the great city. Our work
here is about done. One of our ships is for sale,
and the other has gone with million feet Of lum-
at Augusta and IIallowell will carry If the read
ers of the journal want to hear anything more
from the Farmngdale Local Man, we shall be
happy 10 do something for them at some future
'av. d.