The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-23
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispaseh.l
SCHOONER MILES, CoBB's ISLAND, }

- SCHOONER MILES, CoBB's IsLAND,l
IL, WEDNESDAY, August 1t, 1879.
"Let 90 the bow-line," sang out Captain
Nelson, OF our schooner, as he took the
helm; the tug Arnold steamed away from
the wharf at Richmond, our toW-line
hauled taut, bang went the cannon. and
our happy Club set sail, with colors flying,
for its annual cruise at 1904 P. NJ. on Fri
day, August 9Th. :.f. il.
awe are off, boys" said the Commo-
dore, as we glided away down the muddy
James amid the cheers Of our friends and
the happy anticipations Of all on board. A
ioller set Of fellows or a more congcnial
party never sailed together. But I need
hardly tell our friends that. nor remind
some folks in Richmond OF the ipnumera-
BILE "chins" we had before starting; but /
hope that history Of our trip will not be
uninteresting TO our wives and sweethearts
and friends ut home. need not tell again
who they are. Everybody who has heard
Of the Club knows their names.
KIND ATTENTIONS.
The wind was very light and variable,
the sky slightly overcast, and The weather
very warm when we left home; but the
motion OF the vessel created pleasant air,
and only when alongside the wharf were
we uncomiortably warm.
The frat thing Of interest happening after
setting off was meeting of the Club to cast
lots for choice of berths, the Commodore
having, according to custom and in respect
to his position, gone below and made his
selection. This done, the members un-
packed and made themselves comfortable.
The steamer Craigbill, OF the James.River
Improvement, having come alongside at the
wharf just before leaving, accompanied our
party as far as the bar, " here we fell In with
the Somers, fired our gun, exchanged other
salutations, and then parted. We noted the
points OF interest as we went down the
river, and upon arriving at Hardin's"
ashore 10 pay Mr. Joe Wyatt and his plea
SAINT family visit. A most cordial well
come was accorded US. Indeed we could
expect nothing else from the lady head OF
that hospltable Virginia home. But it
would take volume TO tell you Of oil that
has thus far been done for US on this cruise,
and so Pll content myself with only q hur-
ried note OF what has happened A,'-'a
We passed through Dutch Gap at 1:45 P.
NJ, at 3:20P. Nj. exchanged salutations with
the Ariel off Turkey Island, left Hardin's at
1850 Z. NJ, and at $40 P. NJ. came alongside
the wharf at City Point, where we found
the steamship Wyanoke, in command OF that
veteran officer Captain G. W. Couch. At
7:15 P. N. the Arnold parted with US on her
return to Hardin's, having ON board Mr..
Wyatt ana his wife, and, in fact; his entire
family, vino had accompanied us as far as
City Point. -..
OFF FOR HAMPTON ROADS.
The Wyanoke was receiving her freight
when we reached City Point, and finished
taking in her cargo about, 1920 IN the eve-s
ming. At 1925 our hawser was made fast. on
the steamer, and we cast offirom City Point
In tow OF that vessel, passing JOrdan's
Point light at 8 p. NJ, wind E. N. E.
and blowing very fresh, and the, sky ipdi-
eating a heavy storm. We passed the mon-,
itors at 9:45 P. NJ, and, having wellnigh
exhausted ourselves in chattering oyer, our
plans. turned in for the night.
TIE NORTHEAST sToRM. - ::
We cast off from the Wyanoke in Hamp-
ton Roads-or rather, under SewelPs
Point-about 2:45 O'Clock Friday night,
with brisk, high wind, heavy sea, and a
cold, hard rain. The storm continued to
increase until late in the day Saturday,
when the wind blew a perfect gale, the
thermometer and barometer falling steadily.
Our staunch craft, however, stood the
storm splendidly, and Notwithstanding the
pitless storm and driving rain, we all kept
tolerably dry except when on deck. The
thermometer fell to 57o, and. with wet
clothing, we were not as warm as might be
expected. It was my first experience in a
heavy northeast storm, and I realized In
some degree what such storm must have
been. .,er confirmed low, and the
Storm continued until Sunday, when it
ceased. Sunday morning the weather was
clear and cool, and we hung out our clothes
to dry and straig ghtened out things general
". / see by the Dispatch that the ther-
mometer was low In Richmond as we'll as
with us, where it has not yet been above
7So. ........-- "
; The storm ragged so fiercely in the Roads,
and the sea was 80 high, that 10 order 10
make our situation more. agreeable we
Ibifted our anchorage Saturday morning,
and under gib-sail went up to LamDerCs
Point, in the Elizabeth river, Wnere we tay
until Sunday morning, With botn anchors
overheard. The fishing at Sewers ROM
and Lamberrs Point was poor, OWING 10
the gale. no doubt. ,-.f.
At $3.50 A.. M Sunday we broke ancnor'
and Wltl ,cl6arshy nuU Sooa' oAAS01
wind, set of for the Roads In low OF tne %,
Richmond tug Vulcan, passing sewers
Point at s:45 A. NJ, when we let go ine
tug, made sail, and commenced churnlng
to the windward. We passed Old Point at
$3.50, the wind being about north, and 1n-
creasing. We fairly few along. The sea
was rolling high, and our. decks were
washed over and over again with wave
after wave. Everything movable was put
below, the matches put down, and The YES
sci prepared generally to keep out the con-
water upon her decks.
al 9:l5, one hour and bali after leaving
the tug at sewelPs Point, our tiller was
carried away as We were passing Bug
(Tbimble) LIGHT, and under 9 heavy, rolling
sea made about and returned, snchoring
inside .at Old Point at $50 A.. Msi aftef
having hsd one 50i; the most glorious ssiis