Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-07-26
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COBB,S ISLAND.
CHAPTER ..


II
King. Rob-. c. Combs, Henry Combs,
J. Simms Fenwick, Albert renwick,
Edelen. Freeman, Drury, Vile. Neal,
Captains Ben and Sol Foxwell and Tyler,
Morgan, Jno. Pump" Jim Stanley. Pc
ter Jordsn and ''Sport," who sailed from
Foxwelfs Wharf, in the Schooner
Father and Sons" on Wednesday
evening. the 18th instant. 1T 6 O'Clock
the anchor was weighed and the trim
little boat turned her bow toward the
Potomac, bound for Cobb's Island, On a
voyage Of discovery and sightseeing.
Many of Us had near and dear friends
who regretted our departure and whose
prayers were offered to Heaven for our
deliverance from the dangers Of the sea
and for our safe return.
The first order given after leaving our
friends was, "John, to the pump" and
as this was Johns occupation repeated
ly afterwards, we will dismiss him by
letting our readers know that at any
time when the balance of the party were
doing nothing or asleep, John was at the
pump. The next order was drink to
the success ard pleasure of our voy-
age, which was toasted all round, and
at = o'clock our vessel turned Higgins
bar and headed for Smiths Point Light
with fair wind and bounding graceful
ly over the waves of The clas-ic river.
A short time aud it was announced
that the hour for retiring had come.
Our beds had been arranged in the hole
Of the vessel, and thither We went to
pass our first night beneath the waves.
We were unaccustomed to this mode of
sleeping and many of us passed our first
restlessly. Your CORES pendent, unable
to sleep, came upon deck about 10
o'clock to witness the sights 10 be seen
upon the water at night. At about IL
O'Clock We passed Smiths Point Light
and turned our course down the Chesa-
peake. About this time one of our par
ty came upon deck, but prompted BY
different motives. 1t seemed that the
motion OF the boat had unsettled him.
and from that time until we.reached
Hampton Roads more pit.ful specimen
of sea-sickness we never beheld. In
spite OF our sympathy we could not help
being amused at this, to us, novel COM
plant. He managed TO wear the night
through until sunrise, when the balance
OF cur party came upon deck TO either
sympathize or be amused. We have
come TO the conclusion that sea-sick-
ness receives no sympathy. IL is more
amusing than otherwise. Breakfast was
elegantly served by our cooks. to which
all did justice with whetted appetites
On we sped down the Bay. and about 9
o'clock passed the Wolf Trap Light.
We signalled the keeper in passing,
who courteously returned the compli-
ment. At IL O'Clock we were abreast
of York Spit and IN sight of Old POINT
Comfort, where We arrived about 2
O'Clock, p. m. We passed around the
Point and anchored in Hampton Roads
abreast of the Hygeia Hotel. After
dinner had been served TO us, the larger
part of our party Went on shore TO view
the sights for which this place and sur
roundings are renowned. Thinking
that our impressions expressed in the
form OF usual correspondence would be
deaultory, We have proposed TO individ-
ually give those impressions Of each
wonder and curiosity Witnessed by US,
and first we must begin with the
HrcEIA HOTEL.
This Hotel is a magnificent frame struc-
ture about three hundred feet in length
by fifty in width. Ii is composed OF
two wings, having>1n the centre an open
pavilion for dancing and pleasure. We
were pleased with the architecture, be-
ing that OF the graceful and airy style.
We were kindly welcomed bv the pro-
prietor, Harrison Phocbus, Esq, a ma
tive of the Eastern Shore OF Nd. who
gave us paper, Sc, to send the first
greeting to our friends at home. We
had rather spend the greater part OF our
Summers at home, but had nature
formed our inclinatIons differently and
had given us prediction for Summer
Resorts, we certainly would select this
grand place for that purpose. At night
we returned to the. Hotel to hear the
music and witness the CAV pleasures OF
the faSiiOnabiss. The Pavilion was
lighted up and many couples were keep
Jag time to the sweet strains OF some
waltz. We noticed an excess of brass
buttons. This being a station for army
and navy officers, of course they en-
loyed the near festivities of the Hotel.
We didn't like 10 see so many uniforms
mingling in the civic pleasures. especi-
ally when we reflected that amid their
riotous round of ga,ety some poor tar
was waiting at the wharf in his steam
launch TO convey his master 10 his sleep
Ing room on the Powhatau after his sur
felt of enjoyment. The Hotel fronts
the Bay, looking towards the Capes, and
the swell from the sea washing up
against the very foundations makes a
grand accompaniment TO the music OF
the dancers. After all our reflections,
we concluded amongst ourselves that
the Hygeia Hotel was the Summer Re-
sort of our part of the world.
We" have gone ahead Of our subject
somewhat for the purpose of giving a
fuller description of the Hygiea Hotel.
After seeing the Hotel early in the
evening, we embarked IN our little
Ocean Boat, the Magnet, for the pur-
pose of viewing the Rip Raps.. which is
in Hampton Roads. nearly opposite the
Hotel, and also for the purpose of board
ing the man -oi-war, Powhatan. Our
little boat was under the command of X.
c. Combs, but for some reason, either
owing to the heavy swell which pre-
walls here or from some other cause, we
were unable to approach near to either,
although the officer in command OF the
man-ot-war seemed anxious that we