Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-26

"a Htnat river cnllls are dangerous, and
"M0Nthat if they are not careful the search
light on the steamer Charles Manchester, which
is handled by Capt. Tom Ross, the popular
pilot, is sure to find them out For that reason
there are not so many cases of that sort Of
| chills among excursonists as in former seasons,
although the shady side of the boat still gives
young lovers a chance to steal sly kiss with
out much fear of being detected. When the
National Guard camp at Fort Washington
opened Capt. Ross received the short but
stern message, "If you throw the light on us
we will load our guns"
NIGHT SCENES AT CAMP.
The captain felt little uneasiness at first
because he knew that the members Of the Dis
trict militia were brave soldiers and would
carry out instructions even at the risk of
| swapping steamer. For that reason he was
little careful at first, but soon he picked up
courage enough and turned the thumb screw
when the heavy reflector was turned toward
the fort All hands on shore seemed bewil-
dered Presently he lowered the light, when
| there was brought within the brilliantly illu-
minated field a soldier bow who looked as
though he was asking. What are the wild
waves saying, sister?' Whether sisters hearing
was defective or not their heads were close to-
gether and tho scene presented was interest
ing. On the wharf when the light was focused
seen. In front of the electric search light four
OF them presented arms.
The hour was late. but along the front line OF
the wharf was string of bluecoats. and each
OF them held fishing line in his hand. They
were fishing for cells on suspicion that the COM
ing breakfast would run short. All along the
river In front of the fort were many small row.
boats and sailboats while along the beach
stroled soldier boys with their sweethearts
Up on the hill only the top OF the canvas city
could be seen above the trees.
THE SEARCH LIGHT.
Capt. Ross is proud of his search light, and
to use his own words he is like a spoiled child
over it, and would feel lost on the river if he
had TO do without it.
The search light is run by the same motor
that lights the boat Although the light is a
powerful one the draught it makes on the mo-
tor does not materially affect the incandescent
lights which are on all parts of the boat The
light when thrown into the air above, it is cal
culated. reaches half a mile. while when thrown
across the land it can be seen as far as ten or
twelve miles. On the downward trip the search
light is never used, nor is it put in operation
until the time for leaving Marshall Hall ar
rlves. The men employed on the boat have
become accustomed to the light. but those who
are not well posted are apt to be caught in its
rays sometimes.
When Capt. Ross pulls the rope to open the
whistle and sweeps the ground with the light
he never fails to arouse enthusiasm enough to
get shout or hurrah from those on the boat
or wharf.
EXCURSIoNISTs AVOID IT.
When the procession of white dresses and
blazers and white flannel suits and black straw
hats reaches the boat it heads toward the stern.
for there the search light cannot shed its rays
and young lovers can spoon without fear of a
sudden bath of light. Those who take advan-
taSo OF the soft cushions in the saloon likewise
have nothing to dread, but those on the bow
have to be careful and are in constant fear lest
the good-natured pilot should turn his reflector
upon them.
The other night there was a jolly good
natured party on the bow and one man was en-
tertaining the entire party. Some man in the
party called out, Break away" for that is
what Capt. Tom is called by many. and almost
instantly the pilot flashed the light on the
group IN the bow. 'Oh, am all right, cap
TAIN" shouted the man who had entertained
the party so long. 'Ive got my wife with me
tonight"
That's all right" responded Capt Tom.
who had never seen either the man or his wife
before. but it wasn't your wife with you last
night"
Everybody enjoyed the pilots joke except
the couple. and the pilot afterward told
that the husband has been irving ever since to
explain where he was the night before the ex-
cursion.
AFALsE DAWN.
"Of course I am never on shore to see the
light remarked the pilot to STAR reporter
who had been watching operations from the
hurricane deck, and can't say exactly what
1t looks like from a distance, but l do know
that IT Is like carrying your own daylight or
sunshine with you.
why, the other night when threw the light
into farmers yard the chickens began to
leave the house and the roosters crowed SO
loudly that the farmer, like the chickens,
thought it was daybreak and got up"
The buoys and other channel marks and
small boats could be seen far in the distance
by the light being thrown upon them, and on
more than one occasion small boats were seen
directly IN the steamers path and had to be
whistled out of the way.
Sergeant Joyces house at Fort Washington
shows up nicely under the light, as does the
naval magazine. Not far from the latter place
Is an opening through the trees to a house and
the sight presented there when the light is
projected In that direction is IA picturesque one
frequently two or three cows are seen ON the
Lawn and the light so bewilders them that they
remain perfectly still.
ALEXANDRIA IN THE GLARE
When Alexandria was reached by the boat
there was gathering on Tunnel Hill and their
shouts could be heard clear out in the middle
of the river. Just around three or four old
buildings and lumber piles another scene was
brought into view by the light but it was a
ouc ITOll tile scene on the nil. There
were nearly two dozen boys on the wharf ready
to 20 IN swimming. and when the light struck
them they rolled off into the water like frogs
There was one boy in the crowd who was not
quite prepared for duckng. He was only
about fifteen years old, but he did not want to
spoil the only garment that he did not get off.
lie tried to get out of the garment, but failed
and SO he contented himself with burying his
face in his hands.
sTRoLLING on THE RIVER BANK.
Along the arsenal wall there we're number
OF young couples enjoying the cool breezes
from the river. Their feet were dangling down
the wall toward the waters edge and several of
them had their arms about each other as a pro-
lection, 1t Is supposed, from the damp air. The
pilot footed the whistle and such scrambling to
get from in front of the light was never seen be-
fore.
EQUAL TO THE OCCASION.
But Capt. Tom met his match The boat was
making its way over the water at twenty knots
an hour and he was amusing the passengers.
who were laughing and shouting at the differ
ent sights.
The Light was turned on and thrown ashore.
IL fell upon couple who were strolling over
In sort Of a ''no-you-don't' fashion the
man hOisted his umbrella and went along I'M
disturbed amid the cheers and applause of those
on deck.
When the excursonsts have been so we'll en-
tertained during an evening and the boat is
nearing the wharf everybody wants to know
who the stout man is who made all the fun for
them aud Capt. Ross is now one of the most |
popular men on the river.