The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-18
THE FIRST OF THE SEASON.


tertainments Given. ..5...... ..
The palace steamer Republic made
her first trip of the season to CaIe
May yesterday, and by the courtesy oi
tho mnnagers. n representative OF the
RIruB1dcAS had tho pleasure OF being
on board. The ears connecting with
the boat at the W. a. n. Railroad Com
pany's pier on the Delaware river, left
| the foot of French street at 0 o'clock,
aud after delightful ride of about Ii
minutes, reached the pier short time
ahead OF the boat.
Upon boarding the boat it was found
that during the winter she has been re-
carpeted and repainted throughout,
and is now in as good condition as
when she WAS first built. Everything
is as neat and fire as new pin.
After the boat loft the pier, the pas
senger's attention WIS attracted to the
many dhierept points OF interest along
the river and bay. The first OF these
h the ancient town OF New Castle, well
known to the residents of this city,
but looked upon as somewhat OF q
curiosity by Philadelphians, from the
fact that in the jail yard there is the
post and pillory which beyond any
thing else gives this city an immunity
from heavy robberles.
The next place TO attract attention is
Fort Delaware, which stands on an is.
\ land that few years ago was known
as the Pea Patch. This is the main for
tiiication on the river or bay, to guard
this city or Philadelphia, and when il
was built was considered invulnerable,
but with the improvements that have
been made in heavy guns since that
time, would prove Of but little service
now. 1t is protected by bomb proof
earth works, and at the time it was
built was considered a model. The
Government has spent millions of dol
lars m these works, but with the i'm
provements that have been made in
heavy ordinance the fort Is now use
less.
Delaware City is the next point OF
interest, as it Is the outlet or com
mepcement OF the Delaware and Ches-
apeake canal. The spires OF the
| boat, and many of the inhabitants
make their living on tie water by fish
/ ing, their catches being sent to Phila
delphia and New York.
On the east side of the hay the spires
of the churches OF Salem can plainly
lie seen, and the smoke from the var
ious high stacks Is conclusive proof
that it is a hive of industry. Port Penn
next looms in sight, and is the place,
during n good season, for peaches,
from which thousands of baskets OF
this delicious fruit is shipped
The entire way down is marked by
buoys OF different colors and shapes,
which are anchored in the river to
mark the shoals and other dangerous
places, that must bo avoided 10y the
.tTatt . al hot n ai
pass the red huoys OIL the leil, and the
black ones on the right.
Further down. standing like n faith
full sentinel, is Iistun's Tree. n storm
beaten Delaware oak, which marks ihc
half way point between Philadelphia
and tho s0u. Before the lght-hoUGe
was built the river plots took theii
courses from this tree, and il was by
them considered of go much import
ancc, that they bought it to prevent
its destruction.
+. A few miles further down, perched
in the middle OF the bay, Is ship John
Light, which marks q dangerous shual.
Ii is built on a cylinder OF iron, 10 tect
in diameter which is sunk into the
shonl. 1t derives its name from the
ship John, II large vessel which was
sunk here many years ago, the figure
D.
the light house, The next light house is
ten miles further down, and is built on
a granite pier. On tho Jersey shore, a
few miles below SHIP John Shoals, is
what is known MS Maurice kiYerCovc.
This is one OF the aboriginal homes OF
the oyster. During he season there
are over 400 vessels here gathering
oysters the average capacity OF each
vessel being 1000 oysters, the greater
lpHrt of which arc taken to Phlladel-
phia.
The boat reached the landing at Cape
May Point shortly after II o'clock,
and the greater numher of passengers
took the cars Cape May City, where
for the next three hours they enjoy
cd themselves in various ways. bath
thing in the surf being the principal
amusement. While the boat laid at
helandinG the reporter was busy in
specting it throughout, and asking
Questions. lIe found that 1t takes
lfortyton Of coal each day 10 generate
tho steam which drives her pondtrous
machinery. The Republic as is well
known, was built hythe Harlan IL l1ol-
lingsworth Company Of this city. Fer
hull Is OF iron, and She has three large
and cOmmodious decks.
She ID liceLsed to carry three thou
sand passengers and there are often
DAYS ON which over two Thousand eN-
cursionist5 have to be fed. Three meals
are daily served on the Republic, and
tons of fresh meat, hundreds OF chick
ems, great quantities OF fish, etc. are
every morning during tho simmer
carted on bcurd to DO stored, until
ready for use, i'll the mammoth refrige-
Int0rs of this wonderful vessel. Nege-
tables are run on board by tie cart
ltad: berries are carried on in crates;
milk is received in scores of cans, and
huge baskets, boxes and barrels con
tain other provisions. And this ylciu-
alling occurs daily, for each night
wlen the bONt returns TO her wharf
her larders are empty. The meat and
provisions that in the morning sug-
gcsted the feeding OF great army
have by nigltfa!l all disappeared.
There are two distinct departments,
one being in command of the captain,
the high authority in navigation and
actual runEiug OF tho vessel. The
other department is in charge of an
experienced steward, who may he slid
To lie conducting hotel on tho water.
Tie captain has under his direction
seventy men, being the regular force
OF big ocean steamer Inc Republic
can boast of II triple complement, for
there are three pilots, three engineers,
etc. This assures absolute safety.
/ The ronnd trip to apo May Is made
every day withoutn II iar or note of dis
cord. The mammoth vessel goes oil
i's way to and from the ocean like