Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-15

Brave Captain Routed by a Fair
Book Agent.
Correspondence Of the Morning Neaos
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, August 13.-On
the entire extent of our Atlantic coast,
stretching from Maine to Key West, there
are to be found few, if any, beaches rival
ling in natural attractions that of Amelia
Island. If it was located in the vicinity
of one of our great Northern cities its
sands would speedily be transmitted into
gold dust by the magical touch of capital.
Various railroad and steamboat lines
would land swarming thousands at the
doors of numerous palatial hotels, and
the foam-capped breakers would be
darkened by the heads of multitudes of
merry bathers.
Amelia beach is incOmparably superior
TO those of Newport, CUney Island, Long
Branch and the many other famed sea
side resorts of Northern communities.
At low tide beach from $50 to 200 yards
in width, furnishes a magnificent drive of
eighteen miles in extent, perfectly level.
and so cOmpacted by Neptune's hammers
that the wheels of heavily loaded Yehi-
Gle leave but the faintest trace of its pas
sage. What q course it would furnish
flyers, or the fleet-foOted four-mile won
ders of Kentucky! Here nature provides
twice daily without cost and without
trouble, such drive as man is utterly
unable, with all his skill and industry.
even to approximate.
1t is delightful on summer afternoon
to indulge in a ride upon the beautiful
beach. Your brows are famed by the
moist inVigOrating breeze fresh from
their dalliance with the Atlantic. Your
horse needs not the stimulus of whip or
spur, but speeds gaily on without an
effort, and your whole being appears to be
soOthed and tranquilized by your sur
rOundings.
JUST BACK OF THE SAND HILLS
that serve as a barrier to the waves.
stretches fringe of mOss-curtained pines
and live oaks. Atar off to the left looms
up the pretty little island of Fort George.
at the mouth of ST. Johns river Here
and there fly labOriously along f1Ocks of
awkward pellcans, engaged in their usual
occupations. Clumsy as these uncOuth
birds appear, they are experts in the
way of capturing their fnny prev.
Let fish rise to the surface
but for moment to obtain breath of
air, and that fish is ''gOne sucker"
Closing its wings, the pelican drops like
cannon ball, disappearing beneath a
SlOuu VI opIdH, lIOn winch II soon
emerges, bearing in its beak the glsten-
ing captive, to be packed away with other
victims in the capaciOus wallet beneath
the birds beak. For the pelican con-
sumes his food slowly and dimes as if he
has an abundance of leisure. When his
fOraging sack is well filed he wends his
way to shore, and then in some favOrite
nook enjoys his well-earned repast, with
out any fears or thoughts of the future,
The more active and graceful gulls and
Ospreys are also numerous, and seek their
daily bread amid the briny billOWs
Along the waters edge run fiOcks of
sand-pipers and plovers, while here and
there scud the almost transparent forms
OF those brave little warriors, the sand
crabs. Rolling laZily along, just outside
of the surf, are to be seen the black glisten-
ing sides of the pOrtly pOrpoises as they
rise to the surface for breath of fresh
air, While occasionally the razOr-like back
fms OF the yoraciOus sharks, the free
DOoterS OF the sea, are to be seen in the
midst of a school of small fry, whose
shining scales show like silver bars as
they leap out of the water in all directions
In afrenZied effort to escape their relentless
enemy. Far off in the distance the white
sails OF vessels, entering or leaving the
harbors of Fernandina and Jacksonville
relieve the mOnOtOny of the view looking
seaward, while the horizon is frequently
dimmed by a lengthy pencil of smoke
from some passing steamer. The entire
scene is full of interest, and the exhilar-
atIng influence of the sea-breeze is felt in
every nerve and muscle of the system.
The StrathmOre Hotel is situated two
miles from Fernandina, directly on the
beach and so near the water that at a
very high tide the breakers almost wash
the front steps. 1t is an imposing edifice
in appearance, with wide piazzas running
the entire length front and rear, and capa-
bic OF accommodating sixty or seventy
guests. Mine host, Captain w. II. Clay,
formerly of the Gulf House, ThOmasyiIle,
and Barlow House, Americus. with his
amlable and agreeable wife, are the pre-
siding genii of the establishment, and are
untiring in their efforts to provide for the
welfare and entertainment of their con-
stant succession of visitors. The register
shows the names of parties from all por-
tiOns OF the State, a very large percentage
being from Jacksonville. 1t is a favOrite
resort for children, and it was pleasant to
observe how beautifully the little crea-
lures fraterniZed.
The days are passed in bathing, fishing.
pr0menading, and in the collection of
shells and sea-grapes, and the evenings
are devoted to music, dancing, cards and
various amusements.
Matters at the Strathmore wear a very
sOciable, home-like appearance. The in
mates dress to suit their own ideas of
comfort and convenience, and are not
trammeled by the arbitrary dictates of
fashion. Bathing is INDUCED in at all
periods OF the day and stages of the tide.
the long, gently slOping beach insurinG
almost absolute safety against accidents.
There is but little under-tOw. except when
one ventures beyond his depth. The cos
TUNES on the bathers are as diversified as
the faces OF the owners, and blue, scarlet,
yellow, gray and other dresses mIngle in
startling contrast. Peals of gay laughter
are heard when huge breaker rolls I'M
eXpectedly upon the merry group, tossing
them about like feathers and enVelopinG
them Ill seething cauldrOn of waters.
NEAR THE sTRATHMORE STANDS THE PA
VILION,
light, pretty structure, erected by the
town people, containing thirty bathing
closets, and a large central room for pic
mic, skating and dancing purposes. Here
they gather at early morn and dewv eve
for the refreshing bath and social pur-
poses. The people of Fernandina have
very inadequate conception of the value.
even in pecunIary sense, of their grand
beach. If they realized it's importance to
their material interests, railroad. with
cars moved either by horse or steam DOW
er, would long since have been construct
ed. Its cost would be but insignificant.
compared with the benefits that would al |
most certainly result. They are sleeping |
upon their rights ana privileges, and al |
lowing a truly golden opportunity to pass
unnoticed. Delays are dangerous. and al |
ready jacksonville has raised the requisite |
amount of stock, and organized a COM |
pany for the construction of railroad to |
Diego or South Beach, fourteen miles |
from the city. and next summer will revel !
III seaside retreat of it's own, said to be |
equal in natural attractions to that of Fer |
nandina.
Fine fishing can be had in the vicinity |
of the Strathmore, and your correspondent |
had the pleasure of taking several sharks |
from four to five feet in length. Fine |
sport can be had with these fish by using |
strong bass line, wired for two feet |
above the hook. No special bait is re- |
quired, and nothing is better than a half |
pound Of shark steak, as these greedy |
creatures are very cannibal. Wading |
into the surf waist deep, you throw the |
line by means of a heavy sinker as far /
out as possible, and patiently await the |
issue, With reliable line, two hundred /
feet long, such a fish as | have described |
will tax your skill and energies for |
several minutes. When landed. a 0afT |
is necessary to secure your prize. and a /
blow or two from a heavy cudgel will |
disable him from using his teeth while |
extracting the hook,
Rev. Mr.. 4erger, pastor OF the Presby- /
terlan Church in Fernandina, delivered |
quite an impressive sermon during one of |
Ihe sundays passed at the Strathmore. |
Inc persuasive tones of the messenger Of
dod, blended harmoniously with the deep