Litchfield enquirer., 1875-09-09
Aquatic and Aerial.


 Aquatic and Aerial. sss It is the popular notion that people liv- ing in our large cities, especially in the city of New York, are shut up in the heat with very little chance to get breath of fresh air. While this may be true to some extent, still no other city in the country affords so many opportunities to 60 on short and inexpensive excursions into the country or to the sea-shofes par ticularly to people of limited means, and in these times of dullness in business, economy is wealth." If one wishes to enjoy a snuff of the fresh sea air, let him take boat for Coney Island or Rocka- way, (the round trip costs but half dol lar) and after pleasant sail yon are land cd near the finest beach in the world, where the opportunity for bathing in the surf from the Atlantic ocean will be a source of infinite delight. If it is the country you would prefer then take one of the many steamers that hourly ply on the North and East rivers, and after delight ful sail they will land you at any one of the many favorite resorts of.pleasure that are to be found near those waters. Ap- preciating the desire for excursions of this nature. and at the same time reap the benefit of them, Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer, of Black Crook fame, conceived the idea of purchasing and fitting up the steamer Plymouth Rock for this express uErpose. This boat was formerly owned by Che Narrag Co.,. when that com pany was managed by the late Col. James Fisk, and was by him fitted up in magni- ficent style. The grand saloon is g per- feet marvel of elegance, with it's furniture as.a edornmehts of painting and statuary. While in New York recently, saw the Plymouth Rock announced for trip to the Atlantic ocean-and inasmuch as I had never "sailed the seas over" any far ther than to Coney Island, and being de- sirous of testing my sea-going qualities before taking trip to Europe, I wended my way to the foot of 23d street and took passage. Touching at "a pier further down town to pick up additional excursion ists, we were soon sailing down the bay, passing through the Narrows and getting a good view of the Notifications at that point; thence sailing down the lower bay past Quarantine and the Sandy Hook lighthouse, we were shortly out on the broad ocean. Attached to the steamer is fine string and brass band; giee club. and the Madrigal Boys,-th latter @ number of little boys who are splendid singers. With these musical attractions the trip was greatly enliyened. the music being of the first order, and none of the catch-penny kind so common on many ex- cursion boats. Besides the boat is fitted with . chime of bells which at times rang out most mel0dious music. Passing down the coast we left the Hghthouse on the Highlands of the Neversink astern and soon after sighted Long Branch. Near ing this point we observed 6 cloud of smoke ascending. which lady on board declared was from lGen. Grants cigar l; but . nearer approach dissipated this no- tion as it proved to be only the smoke from railroad locomotive. Running down the whole length of ''thes Branch the Plymouth Rock. turned and run in close to the beach, steaming along slowly past the many private dwellings and pub lie houses that line the beach, As,swe passed the hotels each one was salutedyby the steamers gun, which was Ieturned by the hotels dipping their flags; the steam CTS chime of bells were also rung, and the band played 's0n the Beach at. Long Branch" All this was very pheasant and exciting, and seemed to be enjoyed as much by the people onsthe beach as bS those on the boat. Then. after almost touching the dock which IS being built ih front of the East End Hotel, amid the cheers and handkerchief waving of those ashore and aAoat, the Plymouth Rock was headed for the city. On the pback several yachts were passed. all of which saluted with a gun. which compliment was suitably acknowledged by the steamef. After . pleasant returning sail we arrived at the city little after .sundorn, every one highly pleased with their afternoon;s entertainment. Perhaps should make exception of one young gentleman, who, from the wealth of blue r1bbon displayed on his hat, vas doubtless just from Yale This youth labored under the deInsiou that he was to have his supper included among the attractions of the excurslon, and thus lost . chance to get "square meal The Plymouth Rock having beer built for the navigation of Long Island sound. is every way fitted for sailing or the ocean. the swell of which had yer, little perceptible influence upon her.vher, a smaller boat would have rolled terribl, Not content with furnishing the people Q New York with a first-class excursion boa the owners of the P. R. have taken her [. Philadelphia and Boston. and given th, inhabitants of those cities a chance to us
 ner She has made three Sunday trips {.
 New Haven fl1is simmer, each time bring ing between two and three thousand pas sengers. a
 fo @ e naT ar