New-York tribune., 1878-07-08
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
PLEAsURE TRIPS ON THE WATER.

PLEASURE TRIPS ON THE WATER.
GREAT INCREASE IN FACILITIES FOR EXCURSIONS
AND PIcNIcs-No ovFRcRowDING OF STEAMERS
APPLIANCES FOR ExTISGUIsHING FIRE AND
SAVING LIFE,
The great facilities offered to pleasure-seek-
ers getting away from the city aud spending the day
up the Hudson, the Sound or down the bay and few
complaints Of overcrowdng excursion steamers this sea-
son. show marked Improvement over the condition OF
Affairs former years. Picnic and seaside re-
have become numerous that the widest liberty
choice Is Afforded few years ago excursions Oh the
confined mainly TO boats that would accom-
modste only hundred people at most and until TWO
yenrs ago there only two firms from which boats
could be hired for picpics The demand from
all points within radius OF thirty miles of NewYork,
from population OF several millions. Consequently
greater efforts made TO provide for the COM
fort of pleasure-seekers. and the facilities
for recreation have been immensely increased.
This year larger boats have been provided,
and they have been fitted up in better
style and provided with every means for saving life
and for exnguishing fire. Lfepreseryers are placed IN
every part of the boats and small boats are owed asern
with In them. ready to from drowning per-
sons who may overheard. Much is taken the
inspection bS the local steamboat inspectors,
and the certificates are withheld until every appliance is
furnished board. The inspectors invariably require
that sufficient number Of good lifeboats shall be ready
for use, and In of deficiency the Collector OF the
Port is informed and the inspectors certificate Is sent 10
him.
The number Of excursions by steamboats, has increased
so per that of last year. notwithstanding the
backward In the early part OF June the pros
pects Of Of steamboats, aud barges for pcnics
looked dubious but thcres scarcely day left in the
for which the boats not chartered The low
prices and the multiplication Of boats and groves
have vastly increased the number Of excursion
parties. Said one steamboat owner yesterday
.swe can take crowds Of people at nominal expense
The expense excursion and picnic for 5000 people
few days ago the rate OF cents head bat the
price Of tickets so cents, was given without the
beast reluctance"
Among the principal excursion steamers may be men
toned the Plymouth Rock belonging to Jarrett Pal
mer, which, during the Winter, put in excellent
order. Thus far this season she has made daily excr
sons Newburg so cents being charged for the round
trip. The J. b. Schuyler has been thoroughly repaired
and partially rebuilt, aud is engaged for nearly every
n aag ye bsrs are engaged fop the st. Agne+ Roman
Catholic Church. of this city, and on July 20 26 ana ~
dence Rocky Point and Newport. The steamboat Long
Branch been thoroughly ovcrhauled and is in excel
John H. starlu has number of steamers and barges,
and has 200 engagements on hand now MIN sr PED
and d. Martin make daily excursions TO connect with
the trains for Manhattan Beach Besides these he has
the steamers Blackbird, H. NJ Wells W. II. Vanderbilt,
and Z. l.: Levy OF barees he has hye win double
nienoes equal TO those steamboat. As these are
chartered much cheaper rates than those for steam
boats. they generally engaged Tor Sunday-schools
On Monday aSt Mi. Starin free excursion TO all
the schools the North Shore OF Staten Island
and than 1000 children accepted the invitation
They went to Alpine Grove opposite YOnkers, on the
Hudson and spent the day in rambling on the Ellis back
OF the grove dancing enjoying games or sitting IN the
building which formerly the New-1ork Yacht Cub
House Alpine Grove is Of the most yorte resorts
Hudson. large iron fountain has been put up
back of the club house and Is continually PLAYING
reservoir has constructed which is fed from natural
springs and pipes from Ii the club house supply cold
water TO all who visit the grove
The largest excursion thus far this season took place
ago under the management OF the ST. Peters
Society Mr. Starin provided six b3rges one side wheel
eteamer and two tugs and about five thousand people
were received on them. On July Ii the Hayden
Maennerchor viii have an excursion 10 Alpine
Grove. and on the Sunday following tho bchl-
ler Bnnd will give its picnic; the Turn Nerein
on July 23 and Company G. l4th Regiment, on August
IA Tine steamer Biaekbird is chartered for one week
for trip up Sound Martha's Vineyard and Cape
Cod by OF the residents of PeekskilL .
In addition the large steamers for excursion parties
mentioned above there the Twilight, Rosed lie,
Amcrcus, Idlewild Hampton, ARROW smith, and John
Sylvester Some Of these boats make regular trips 10
Rockaway, Brighton Beach and ConeY Island and are
also chartered for excursions All are provided WIN
ample for extngulshing fire, hose leading 10 all
parts OF the deck and being connected VITA the pumps
Among the which popular with seekers OF
recreation Alderney Park, IN the Kills, hudson
Grove, Ncw-Rochelle HaTbor. EnglewOod, near Perth
Amboy, Dndley's, Columbia and Oriental Groves, Iona
Island, Pleasant Valley and Elm Park