Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-08-03
cOBB's ISLAND IND TIfEREIBOUT.

COBB ISLAND, VA, July 25th, ls,l.
Editor Sar:-After sojourn OF two week
at this charming summer resort we have
unanimously voted cur excursion a grand
success. Every member of the party has
improved in health and siren 9Th, and our
sports have been varied and interesting. But
before giving you an account of our fishing
ana hunting it may be we'll to say word
about the Island and Its iphabitauts. AL
though several Washingtonia ns h ave visited
here, comparatively little is Known of the
island or rs surroundings 1t was formerly
''sAND sHoAL ISLAND"
and as such was granted in 1884, by q Gorge
ii, to one Fabin. The parchment grant IS
Low in possession of Old Man Cobb, the
present proprietor, who purchased the prop
nsl grsn'ee. At the date of the purchase the
whole island was subject to overflow, at high
tee, but Low there are some fifty acres in
cultvation-with shade and fruit trees,
grave vines, &c and two wharfs leading
out into safe harbOr. where a large number
OF small boats are anchored. The island lies
exactly IS mills northeast OF Cape Charles
lighthouse, and the approach can be made
either through inlets between the main land
and " ad jacent islands, Or lin good wealth
err by the ocean route, which was the one
passage we had. The sea was SO smooth that
no member of the party felt the slightest
nausea. Between the island aud the main
land Northampton county, is beautiful
bay, seven miles across, which a. low tide
presents vast number of small islands or
flats filled with wild fowl OF all kinds feed
ing on what The tides may have thrown up.
On the north lies Hog Island with Its p.oIni-
nent lighthouse, aud on 'he Sou II Smiths
Islai.d lighthouse is plainly TO be seen. Bole
Island, Wreck Island, and many other
1 lands are in sight, and are visited every
day by some OF our party for hunting aud
fishing.
THE SITUATION, PRO AND CON.
OH COD1's Island considerable money has
been expended in the erection of buildings,
but 20 order and less taste characterize
every thing, and all seems TO be falling into
ruins, simply because the property is not in
the right hands. a more beautiful beach Is
not 10 lie found on the Atlantic coast, and the
surf is simply magnificent. For seven
miles it is equal to any In the world, and IL
is graduated by nature from the slightest
and greatest, in which children can pa he
W tn pei feet safety, to the heaviest, breaking
il some placts at height OF ten feet, with q
hard sandy beach as smooth az q floor, and
entirely free from any undertow. The build
ings consist of the principal hotel aud six or
eight other buildings scattered around with
out any reference TO order, and all OF which
seem to be falling into decay, owing, 1t Is
sa id here, TO family disturbance among the
Cobb brothers, (three in number, y to whom
the old man Cobb had given the control OF
the property. There are some dozen fami-
lies living on the island, pretty much all
connected in some way, and forming COM
munity of the toughest material ever saw
cOngre gated. The men are engaged in fish
ing and hunting for the markets, and when
pin alley or loaf around an adjoining bar
room. They badly wear clothes enough to
hide their nakedness, and uniform ~ go bare
footed Yet they all appeared kindly dis
posed and ready to serve US In any way for
Idy.
FISHING AND sHARKING.
But enough OF the land and islanding you
Will say-whaf OF your party? Our schooner
came TO anchor in the bay, but We after-
wards 'tied up to the wharf, where We have
been entirely cOmlOrtat lie In spite of several
n. when
the mosquitoes, for the first time, assailed us
most viilainously. To-day we shall come to
the pests. We have splendid sport both fish
ing and shooting, but no exact account of
either has been kept by the party. IL is esti-
mated that we have captured about 2.5CO Il sh
OF all kinds, and killed about 800 birds, OF the
snlpe family. Hence, you may know that
we have been living high. One day we had
boats party consisted of Mr.. Elkana Cobb,
Major DOOiittle, Mr.. Durvall and myself, aud
the result of the days sport was six sharks,
ing 500 lbs. each Mr.. Cobb threw the first har-
pOon and struck the largest shark, and the
enraged beast in his agony darted at our
boat until It looked as If rsked by a load OF
buckshOt. Your correspondent succeeded In
throwing the harpoon with accuracy, aud Sc
cured a fine large shark that fought despe-
rately. Altogether, 1t was the best days
sport we have had. During the same day
Major Bailey succeeded in capturing three
Sia1kS WIN hook anu Ilue, inc largest one
weighing $50 lbs, and measuring nearly 10
feet. To-day the Major has gone out with
Mr.. Durval TO enjoy another "sharking"-
while others OF the party have gone to the
Judge Clarke has been interchangeable in his
efforts as Quartermaster, commissary and
general superintendent, to make all cOmfor-
table; and not the slightest occurrence has
taken place TO mar the general harmony.
Our present purpose is to raise anchor on
Friday morning next, and make sail for
home If wind and tide be favorable Adios
f.