The Wilmingtonian. (Wilmington, Del.) 1882-188?, 1884-09-20
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1854.
OUR FIsH-sTORY.


1
When representative of THE WHINING
ToN1AN opened his eyes at four a. m. on
Monday last he was at first considerably al
a loss to account for his very unusual matu-
final vigilance till he recalled the fact that
the last impression on his mind when be
retired to rest the previous evening was that
the Morning News Fishing Excursion would
start at 6. 80 a. m, and that if not up before |
the sun he would get badly left. Dispatch |
ing an extempore breakfast, ard quelling a
rebellious hypo-gastric pain Camliar to
early risers) with teaspoonful of tincture
of ginger, he shouldered his paraphernalia
and betook himself with all convenient
speed to Fourth street wharf, whence at a
quarter before seven the Susie Mccall took
her departure with the following party on
board
William E. Hawkins, J. n. Robinson, J.
E, Rudolph, IL. L. Tatnall, Jr, j. ii.
Mehaffey, DR.. G. w. Curtis of Washington,
d. G., j. r. Crippen, j. X. Adams, Professor
W. A. Reynolds, A. II. P. Barr, S. B. Cool
ing, J. E. Nicholson, @. A. Rudolph, 5. ii.
Wilson, solomon Hersey, (Daily Republican,,
II. G. Porter, Thomas Porter, Charles L.
Smith, ]. f. Ryan, r. ]. Tucker, James
Greer, S. K Smith, E. H. Gayey, DR.. ]. +.
Frantz, L. A. Bower CIV. & N. r. R.), j. I.
Mullin, j. N. Hartman, Jr, Clarence II.
Lobdell, G. E. Kirkman, H. F. Dure, Frank
Wooley (Suhddy Starr, w. L. G. Thomas,
G. F. Thomas, DIR. ]. NJ Mofit, DR.. Elem
ming Carlow, Thomas Lawson. Charles W.
Gouert, Thomas NJ Culbert,J. 2. Doughten,
and MesSrs E. M. Hopes, E. L. Haynes
and w. F. Kurtz, of Tile Norntn9 Meas.
The morning air was quite cold and the
few who did not sport over-coats, fastened
to fortify themselves with yachting shirts,
cricketing flannels, sc, worn in Mother
Hubbard fashion over the regulation vest
Very soon the Mccall emerged from the
creek and made her way through the mists
down the Delaware River.
1t was to be expected that certain pro-
portion of the invited guests would waver in
their resolution to attend, when comparison
came to be invited between a pleasant con-
tinued snooze between the sheets, and the
hasty breakfast, shortened slumbers and
general chilling, which awaited those who
cast their lot with Captain Denny and the
crew of the Mccall. Three of the Ne'o,
staff were thus colnfort-bo und-to wit, r
E. Bach, the redoubtable General" ale
the genial Hill, the last named fairly plead
ing that to go to bed at $50 a. m. and ris'
at A was treating the divinity Morpheus in {
very discourteous way. One or two of tn,
''comps' on the Meas braved the rive
damps without sleep, but the majort.
(including Foreman Bdwards) were conten
to get left in the matter. They were left
but perhaps they were right
On the way down the parry broke up int
little knots and groups, after well-knowl
social principle of segregation. Cards am
cigars absorbed the attention of the majorit
and the ladies' cabin presented spectacl
that would have stricken terror to the hear
of Mrs. Grundy or the orthodox old-maid
Only of course there was no gambling 0
drinking; it was merely friendly tourna
ment of euchre and whist and ''seven-up.
On the deck Professor Reynolds and
brother collegian fell into an amicable COZ
troversy on the merits of classics or matht
matcs as subject for higher education
Solomon Hersey discussed politics, an
inhaled the a-breeze with avidity; it WI
plain that he had seen more sunrises tina
the whole of the party put together, for
was wide-awake from the start, which WI
more than could be truthfully said of
least two-thrds of the gentlemen presen
The Professor, with his over-coat buttone
up to his ears, shivered at he sat, and SUI
gcsted the idea of an Arctic explorer waltz
for his breakfast.
At 1890 a. m. the Ship John Light WI
passed, and the sun began to assert its inf
ence, rOusing the voyagers into full life al
activity. Fishing lines were produced fro
baskets, hooks snooded on and then Il
shrewder members of the party proceeded
quiet sort of way to make sure of a supp
of clans for bait. On the two previo
days every oyster saloon in Wilmington h;
been beseged in yaiu to this end, but Il
deck-hand of the Mccall had secured abo
hundred of the bivalves. which were We
quickly and protitably disposed of. VIII
the Mccall was seeking a suitable anchora
on the New Jersey shore some miles belC
the Light, the lnnch-baskets were attack
in the most vOracious manner. Then t
anchor was dropped off Fortesque Beach,
about 10 feet of water and soon all "
expectation among the holders Of the n
work Of fishing lines which hung over I
side.
1t was sometime before bite came, a
in the meantime row boat close by v
provokingly busy, the silvery sides of
fish sparkling every few minutes as Il
were hauled in. There can be no dol
whatever that the chances of securing
large catch from a small boat are as five
one compared with large vessel or steam
But in short timo bites began to
reported and within five minutes of
opening of the contest, Mr.. G. A. Rudo
had credited his score with the first fish
squeateague of half pound weight. II
two more were caught and there was Ii
Then, ON the same side of the ship, seven
eight more were hauled in, at receipt
which news the gentlemen on the Delaw
side began to envy their fellows who W
feastiug their eyes on the mudilats of N
Jersey. But the next catch, the best fish
the day, fell to Captain Smith and
hearts of the Delaware braves beat Ii
with exultation. In quick succession
lucky captor secured two more fish, =;
still no sign from the other lines. Then
Mccall slowly swung round with the ii
giving the entire crowd change of gu
tiers. The Delawareans We're now on
shady side of the vessel, and not only
but in shoaler water, so that for full h