New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-12
ON ANCIENT BLOCK ISLAND.
A GLIMPSE OF ITS HssToRY-sUCCEss AT SWORD
FISHING AND BLUEFI sHING.

A GLIMPSE OF ITS HbSTORH-SUCCESS AT SWORD
FISHING AND BLUEFIsHING.
Bloc, Island, Il. l.. July IL special).-Bock Island
otedates Plymouth Rock in point of discovery by
nearly a century it having been first brought to the
notice of the civilized world in 1924 by Verrazano,
Fponcb navigator It's name, however. is derived
frn The Dutch explorer, Adrian Block, who visited
the island some ninety years later, and whose crew
were probably the first white men, to land on Its
shore For the murder, in 1895, Of Captain John Old
ham a Boston trader the island was subjugated by
the Colony of Massachusetts,. 1t was transferred 10
John Endlcott and three associates in l65S who IN
turn sold IL 10 sixteen individuals for G400. This
marty soon settled on their newly acquired territory
and their descendants to-day form large portion OF
the ] 800 Inhabitants. Nicholas Bali. late Of the
Rhode Island Senate, is direct descendant In inc
sixth generation from one of the original settlers.
In the French War and the period Of the Revolution
the island suffered much, since its fertile farms and
fat herds and Aocks laid it open to countless maIaud
inc expeditions. The town records Of this little for
saken warpillaged island" show strong love Of free
dom and of democratic institutions.
The inhabitants long had only two Vocations, farm
nc and fishing ser.I rs oJs aclc H. The 1t o ia sty
Law In the lack of harbor facilities. Numerous small
breakwaters were built, only TO be destroyed by the
storms which rage around the island in winter
Finally in 1870 after repeated efforts The part of
the islanders the Government began the construction
Of brcakwater whose huge stone arm stretches loo
feet into the ocean. An inner closed basin affords
ample protection 10 the Of craft which come
here from other States 10 profit by the sword mackere
blue ard cod fishing, for which Block Island Is famous
The whole work cost $4,000. Shipwrecl was
Of frequent occurrence in early days, but with the
present equipment Of two lighthouses. Of them Of
the frsclass, and the establishment Of two Lifesaving
stations the loss Of life from this has been re-
duced 90 a minimum
United States Signal Service ctailon keeps the
fishermen we'll Informed weather probabilities and
The cable connected with ii affords the best Of tele
graphic communication with the mainland. From an
Isolated fishing and farming settlement, whose only
means Of communication with the rest Of the world was
an occasional sailing vessel Block Island has come to
be a modern summer resort with its daily steamers
from Nev-London, Newport and Providence, and its
score Of hotels Of all sizes. Still the place retains
not little OF SIS quaintress and rustic air and affords
4 met ara charming retreat from the of business
md home while with the two daily mails and with
tonsuct his affairs on the mainland and at the same
lime erjoy all the comforts and none OF the dscom-
forts Of an ocean voyage in the bright skies and in
MIGRATING salt breezes with which the place Is bcs
The most noted OF the many arrivals last weeh was
that OF the japanese Minister TO the United States
who with his family and attendants. has taken a cot
tage for the season.
The best Of success continues 10 favor the summer
guests In sword and blue fishing.
Among recent arrivals the following
Ocean view-Dr. George z. Brewer by yacht Gull