New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-08
SEEN FROM RoCKAwAY BEACH.
A GREAT DAY FOR 4 wATcHMAS AND TWO BOYS
WITH A BARREL.

A GREAT DAY FOR WATCHMAN AND TWO Bole
WITH A BARREL
The solitary Waterman on the veranda of the big
unfinished hotel Mt Rockaway Beach was perhaps
the most favored In point or situation of all the
tens Of thousands of spectators of the yacht race
anoat or on shore. No one anticipated the condi-
tons of weather that prevailed especially that the
course to the windwaId would run past Rockaway
Beach vet such was the case. 1t was between
and 10 o'clock in the morning when two boys
stroled down on the beach in front of the hotel
and took possession OF big barrel that was being
rolled lazily up and down the white
hard sand Of the surf. Now and then
they pushed the barrel further out
where the surf increased its momentum. The sun
was crossing the meridian when they gave great
shout and the watcher looked mp expecting that
some accident had happened. The boys were stand
ing on top of the barrel and waving their hands to-
ward the Scotland Lightshp. The mornings haze
was lust lifting slightly before light breeze COM
ing from the southeast. From the lightship. ex-
tending seemingly for miles utTard aud almost
hiding the Highlands. a dense mass Of tapering
masts and white sails
The haze continued to life and the
scene changed. Shortly after half-past
the dim outlines took shape; great square
sails doomed up in battaons. intermingled
with tTangles OF Wnlttt hinOAtSlachs bccaHit
mixed with ma,is, mainsails and jibs. Graduay
n procession formed with several craft ahead.
Then two yachts became prominent
guarded by several steamers. Tho process
sion bore down along RoCkaway Beach so
close that the two boys left their barrel 10 drift by
iteelf and the Waterman climbed on the rail OF
the hotcl yeranda and franucally cutched post
IN excitement. When about n mile from the hOtel
"A fresh breeze caught the racers. One yacht with
sails as white as the petals Of lily and "a graceful
frul smd1quIW forged ahead
So that hcr attendants seemed at
anchor in comparison. 1t was the Puritan. trim
and pretty making use OF every tactic known to
an old time prIvateer escaping her pursucrs and
running IN the very face Of the wind. Such a sight
had never been sccu at Rockaway Beach. lbe
watchman lost his wits and the two boys went mad
with enthusiasm. Ii was great day for the
Waterman and the two boys
The scene changed again. The last Of
the boats disappeared and one could
see clearly as far as he could get above the curve
of the earth Along the greoD-banked highlands
were scattered the myriad craft awaiting the
finish on and around the outer lightshIp and on
beyond al intervals along the Horseshoe. wore
groups of sails huddled together like 80 many sea
birds. The racing yachts were ever visible, their
great white canvas and their bal loon iibs mak-
ing conspicuous objects which the field
glass easily revealed. After time tao
scene changed again. The sun sunk In crimson
bank of clouds ia the west, aud slowly the com
netting Yachts the steamers tspecked with human
forms the groups Of seabfdlike sails disappeared.
becalmod In night yet. along the beach nj Rocka.
vav the wind blew more hercely than u had all
day Then the solitary Waterman continued his
their barrel again and laughed heartily as II was
Oh md fro a "A iue sand.