The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-07-07


Of the exeursionists out oftheir seats, but no
damage was done to train or occupant.
Twice the engineer halted the train to cool
the heated boxes, By which half an hour at
least was lost Altogether the trip was made
in admirable tune, without accident, The
train was run by Samuel Barrens, Engineer,
Eugene Messick, Conductor, to both of whom
the excd 'sonists were much indebted for
their safe and speedy transit, while Messrs,
Crawford and Mills were assiduous IN their
attentions to their guests. Lunch was served
by walters to the passengers in their seats,
and nothing was omitted that could minister
to the comfort and enjoyment of the guests,
throughout the route
Ocean City is new seaside resort. II was
commenced in 1875, aud the present is its
third season. The land upon the beach, for
SIX miles in length, was taken up and paten..
ted by Hon. Stephen Taber, member OF
Congress from Long Island, who gave hity
acres as the site of the city. The land was
laid of in lots of 90 feet front, and every sub
scriber to the capital stock was entitled to a
lot. Many OF these lots have been sold and
cottages erected, or are in process of erection
upon them. The sound of the saw and ham
mer can be heard on every hand, and before
the present season ends Ocean City will have
many accessions to its present number OF
houses The beach itself is continuous
sand-heap, sixty miles in length, thrown up by
the beating of the surf through the lapse OF
ages, extending from Indian river to Chinco
league Sound, 1t is nearly straight for the
entire distance, having a very slight imper
eeptble outward curve, and is very smoothe
and even, and inviting for ride or prone
made. Its advantages for sea.bathing, over
any known beach, consist in its gradual slope
to the ocean, which prevents any dangerous
undertow. A child. or any inexperienced
person, may hathe without risk. There is no
need Of land-ropes or surf boats to guard
against accidents or drowning, as at other
seaside resorts. In these advantages it ex.
GELS any other beach upon the coast. Another
advantage is, that it is exempt from that
plague of nearly all the watering places, mos.
quitoes Synepuxent bay, from a half.mile
to ten miles in width, flowing between the
beach and the main land, protects it, so that a
land breeze does not bring with it those sum.
mer pests. The improvements at Ocean City
consist of three fine commodious hotels, the
chief of which is the Atlantic, Mr.. John
Tracy, proprietor, Mr.. S. C. Beckwith, chief
clerk; number of cottages, stores, bowling
saloons, billiard rooms, soda water fountains
and confectioneries, and n large pavilion now
in process of erection by the Philadelphia
Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road, for CO.
tillion purposes, for the accommodation of
its excursionists. The Atlantic Hotel fronts
upon the ocean, and is within few yards of
the beach. All its spacious rooms look out
upon the ocean or the bay. 1t is 224 feet
long and IS feet wide, four stories high, has
40 rooms, of which 100 are bedrooms. and
can accommodate 400 guests. Its dining
room is 40 by 60 feet, and is also used as a
ball room. 1t has a broad vernandah II feet
in width, extending all around it except in
the rear, aifording grand promenade of 500
feet in length. Here the guests congregated
in the evening to witness the novel specta.
Gle to many Of them, of seeing the full moon
in cloudless sky rising up apparently ont of
the depths of the ocean. 1t was scene for
the poet and the painter, but neither could
have done justice to a spectacle of such sur.
passing loneliness. As she arose above the
surface of the waves she seemed like some
fairy ocean-queen just emerging from her bath
down in its mysterious depths Her long.
slanting, silvery beams, were reflected upon
the surface of the dancing waters which raw
ished the eye of the beholder and inspired
him with a strange mystic dreamy feeling of
abstraction which drew him mentally quite
out of himself until he nearly lost his own
identity and the Consciousness of where or
what he was For hours, until the noon of
night, the guests Of the Atlantic gazed with
delight upon this scene of enchantment, and
then retired to pleasant chambers and com.
Portable couches to enjoy most refreshing
sleep The rooms and corridors of the At.
lantic are spacious cool and comfortable; its
larder is well stocked with every delicaey,
and its table attended by active and attentive
Ananuay tic
may be found all the local fnny delicacies,
the soft crab and the finest of oysters, good
all the year round, and all the product of
Synepuxeut bay. A band of music is EMPLOYED
through the season for the pleasure of the
guests.
Other advantages enjoyed by Ocean CITY
over all other seaside resorts, are those af.
forded by the near proximity of Synepuxent
bay. On its placid bosom the most exquisite
yachting may be enjoyed There, too. the
disciples of old Isaak Walton may enjoy
the finest sport with hook and line. Rock
perch, sheepshead, drum, black fish and blue
fish reveal their silvery beauties at the gentle
invocation of your deity managed barb. In
July, August and September, the SPORTSMAN
may enjoy the finest shooting upon tho bay
There he mag bag the the Carew, the yellow.
legged Snipe, the robin breasted Shine. the
Beachbirds, and others of the ieathered tribe,
and all at a very moderate cost for boat and
appliances A party of four, at a quarter a
piece, may sail or fish for several hours; and
other charges are as low in proportion.
On Wednesday morning, the second day of
the excursion, the first blush of dawn was
hardly visible, when toilets were hastily made
and the ''early birds among the excursion
lists were out for the 'worm" Of a buff bath
in the surf along the beach. After a refresh.
ing bath and breakfast an informal meeting
was called in the ladies' parlor, and resoln.
tons of thanks were unanimously rendered to
the Philadelphia, Wilmington aud Baltimore
Railroad Company, and especially to is off.
GERS, William Crawford, Esq, General Agents;
Ii. +. kenney, Esq, General Superintendent,
and Isaac N. Mills, Esq, General Agent Of
the Delaware division Of the road, for their
courtesy in rendering the excursion and max.
ing it such success also to DR.. II. G. Pitts.
President of the Wicomico and Pocomoke
Railroad, and to Mr.. John Tracy, proprietor
OF the Atlantic Hotel, aud his clerks. Cap
tain Willard Thompson, Superintendent of
the Eastern Shore Railroad and Steamboat
Company, who was present, extended an in.
yltation to such of the party as chose to avail
themselves OF it to return by the steamer
Maggie, Capt. Veazey, leaving Crisfeld that
evening for Baltimore The offer was also
accepted with thanks. The flow of eouuence
then began and several gentlemen who had
hitherto been silent displayed remarkable
aptitude for public speaking. Among those
who responded to the resolutions were
James Hodges, Henry Vanderford, Judge
Carey, Il. Q. Taylor, B. Everett Smith, and
Matthew Clark, chairman of the meeting.
The meeting then adjourned, and shortly
after, train from Wilmington bearing six
hundred excursonists arrived, accompanied
by a brass band which brayed its greeting to
all the denizens Of Ocean City. After sunni.
tuous dinner, at about 4 o clock, P, NJ, valises
were packed, busters were donned. hearty
tarewels were exchanged, and regretfal
leave was taken Of Ocean City and Atlantic
Hotel and its generous host and his courteous
clerical assistants Before separating. how.
ever, Mr.. Tracy determined to afford his
| guests another evidence of his hospitality and
hearty good will, and his board was speedily
garnished with goblets and silver. necked con.
comitants, and champagne flowed in mart
ing bumpers; then, ''all aboard for Salisbury
and Crlsiied. In a short space of time Sal.
isbury was reached, about twenty. Eve of the
party Including the writer changing to A
special car in waiting to convey them 70 Girls.
field Bidding goodbye to their friends. who