The Wilmingtonian., 1886-07-17
ALONG THE DELAWARE.


ton in order to get holiday thoroughly full
of enjoyment. 1t was the writer's good for
tune on one Of the hot sultry days of last
week to take the river route to Philadelphia
instead of going there by rail.
Can there be anything more delightful on
one of these hot days than to recline under
the cool awning of the upper deck of
steamer such as the Brapdywne. There is
nothing, on such an occasion, to interfere
with the most complete and serenest physi-
cal enjoyment and rest The gentle motion
of the boat and TIE cool breeze tanning the
face induce feeling of repose which is aid
ed, and suggested too by the placid waters,
the distant hazy shore and the general ap
pearance of quiet and content all around.
The hot irritated and perspiring citizen
finds himself, in this pleasant frgidarium,
converted into a cool rational, and content
ed being, at peace with himself and all man
kind.
Under such circumstances fellow-voyagers
very readily fall into acquaintance. Broken,
diversified talk, just suited to the holiday
moments suggest themselves and are prompt
ed by the ever-changing panoama before
ones eyes.
We are just drawing near to Roach's ship
yards, and, looking around among those on
the lower deck whose appearance might
suggest one posted on the locality sailor
like man was approached.
"Had you successful shad season this
year ?" asked the scribe. ''Well, no." an
swered the man addressed, who fortunately
did turn out to be informed upon the ques-
we are doing pretty well with sturgeon just
now. caught one yesterday, guess she
was nigh onto eleven feet long. l took six
and half buckets of Toe from her. Sold
the roe to the Lindenthorp club at Marcus
Hook and sent the fish to Philadelphia. Yes,
it was the largest sturgeon I've heard Of this
season."
Just as he stopped talking a large iron
ocean steamer passed us. On her stern were
the words "Suffolk, of London"
"That's one of them ocean t. amps vol
unteered my new acquaintance. They're
the ones that don't trouble themselves but
drive right through our sbad nets and do us
a great deal of injury. However they're
more careful in the sturgeon season. Stur-
geon nets are much heavier and stouter than
shad nets. Sometimes the nets get caught
hin the paddles and stop the boat
"lt's strange" he continued, how busy
those tramp steamers are all the year round.
Bye and bye when we get up into the docks
you will see them full of these English
steamers busily loading and unloading while
right alongside of them are large American
ships laid up
The question was asked why American
merchants do not give the preference to their
fellow-countrgm ships The laconic re-
ply was 81 don't know that but | do know
that they dout-English tramps can get all
the cargoes they want in Philadelphii.
Suppose the foreigners can afford to work a
Al, EhoE 70
American Ocean ships to be laid up, Why
you may regularly see three Or four day of
these steamers going up and down the river
Some OF 'em bring iron ore from Spain and
other places to Philadelphia. They bring ii
just for ballast but make handsomely by i
here. Why, Woodbridge & Houston tn,
owners of the Rolling Mills and Blast Furn
, aces at Chester take their cargo of iron orr
0 and extract sufficient lead and silver from
: it to pay all expenses in connection with it
purchase and smelling and have the iron 70
4 nothing
! Mr.. Woodbridge is the head draughtsmal
s at Roachs works. lie is about to start th'
: Romer Iron Works at Marcus Hook. I'll
will lay the keel next week of new steau
yacht for the editor of the Philadelphia Re,
l. ord. She is to be schooner built aud 100 fl
= long"
Passing Koach's there was the great gre,
y colored iron ram Chicago lying of the whar
10 Near her was the other new cruiser, the Bo
T ton almost finished. Her propellers wei
:. making wonderful clatter and noise splasl
,r ing water and making small Maelstro
or beneath her stern. "She's trying her el
gines for the irst time to-day "a gentlema
is informed the throng Of Wilmingtonians wi
= watched her These two cruisers are &C
II tainly fornable looking objects
C. Every variety Of sail and steam craft we
az passed on the river from the wall-sided Nc
wegian barque painted all in dingy blau
of and unpronouncable name on her rail, to t
,ss filthy and untidy looking Italian brig lad
I'd, with rags from some choiera-stricken Me-
Nc terranean port-these contrasting strange
- with the handsome trim-bult Americ
1T. ,-ka,, r,,,,r,,I Rail onJ 1;uht t.papi