The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-01
THE WEST ISLAND CLUB.
An Organization Of Fame Down
Newport Way.
II Is FOR DEEP WATER SPORT.
The Members Ought to Join Our FishinE
Club In . Dody-They Pay for What
They Catch and Live Like Lords In
Their Little Domain.



NEWPORT, July 1.-The West Island
Fishing CLUB Is undoubtedly the most ex-
elusive as we'll as one OF the most beauti-
fully located in the United States. Its
isolated position renders it extremely
dificult of access, unless one happens TO
be the owner OF q steam yacht or other
sailing craft 1t is located on solitary
rock In the Atlantic Ocean some twelve
miles from Newport, the nearest point Of
mainland being the shores OF Little
Compton, the southwestern extremity OF
RHODE ISLAND. The club buildings proper
stand out prominent from the seaboard on
hugh frowning rock of about three acres
in extent, the approaches to which from
the water front are very dangerous I'M
less the mariner is initiated. The club
house proper was formerly the old
West Island Hotel. and was turned
into club in 1884,. since that time,
1ts membership has been limited and
with as much exclusiveness rs the Union
League Club of New York. The main
building is three stories in height. and
has accommodations for large number
of guests. On the two upper floors are
eighteen large bedrooms. all furnished in
the most comfortable style. Arriving by
yacht or boat, the visitor takes he
southern passage between two huge rocks
or else the western passage crossing over
Commodious landing staging here at the
southeast end of the island, and on land
ing q charming scene greets the eye. On
every side Is seen the surf breaking into
spray as the long sweeping rollers come
IN from the Atlantic. On the eastern side
is group of small houses used for the
storage OF boats, q tool-house, drying
house. ice houses and q house for the
storage of fish caught by the members.
Passing over the well-kept walks one
enters the clubhouse over wide piazza
on which hang number OF hammocks
At the entrance to the main hall stands a
large telescope on tripod and hanging
on tho walls near by are number OF
meteorological instruments. The first
thing to catch the eye on entering is a
Florida and sent TO the club as a magni-
ficent specimen of its kind. The first
room on the right Is the Office. The prin-
cipal object OF interest in this room Is q
large photograph showing ten fine sea
bass suspended ON a raj, reclining at the
foot of which are seen Mr.. John Whipple
aud Mr.. Isaac Townsend of Newport
This haul OF fish was one OF which the
anglers were extremely proud, the
weights of the several fish being AZ, SO, 46,
-, 81, IS. "a, 56, 80 and 30 pounds respec-
lively. Near by, to the left OF the writing
desk, hangs large water color painting
OF the schooner yacht Henrietta, dedi-
Gated to her owner, Lieut.. James Gordon
Bennett. Jr, U. S. K N, bearing date
1881.
The next room on the right is a large
reading and reception room surrounded
with high lockers in which the members
keep their fishing tackle. Here Is a very
old-fashioned large English billiard table.
with massive body aud hand carved legs.
One of the charms OF this room Is q gem
uine old-fashiored fireplace round which
when the weather Is unpleasant the mem
bers will congregate and spin yarns. On
each side of the main hall are dining. sit
ting room and library-all furnished in
the very best style. Over, the sideboard
I'm the dining room is a plaster cast Of a
fifty pound striped bass caught several
years ago by Thomas Wynan, who took
this plaster cast, as the fish was SO per
feet specimen and sent both fish and
cast to the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington where Prof Thomas Fergus
son OF the United States Fish Commits
sion had the cast painted In oil from the
dead fish. The production is most strik-
fngly lifelike. and Is regarded as a great
cnrio bv members and visitors. The
floors Of all the lower rooms are painted
in deep sea-mottled green.
The club Is supported entirely by its
stockholders vacancies are eagerly sought
after. The BOARD considering the stand
ing of its members, Is placed at the reason
able rate OF three dollars per day or seven.
teen dollars per week. There is a strict
rule that ali Ash taken from the island,
no matter by whom caught. will be
charged for at market rates The Presi-
dent Is Mr.. Charles X. Strong of 80 Wall
street, New York the Secretary aud
street, New York: the Executive Com
mittee are Mr.. Fred. ID. Tappen, MI.
Samuel w. Milbank and Mr.. Seth Is.
French. The following are members
Messrs- j. I. Atterbury, Herbert r.
Bishop, George $. Bowdoin, J. Adriance
Bush, Robert l.. Cutting, Jr., Seth B.
French, II. ". Gray. f. F. Hoibrook, Ii.
w. +. Mali, Is. w. Milbank. John O'Brien,
Oliver II. Paine, Fred. Robert, Il. Root,
Horace Russell, William IL Scott, Charles
=. Strong, Fred. ID. Tappen, Charles l..
Tiffany. Isaac Townsend, Sornelius Wand
ing and George Peabody Wetmore OF New
port, G. NJ. Hutton and L. G. Latrobe
Of Baltimore, William Sellars, Frank
Thompson and Clement r. wainwright of
philadelphia. and Henry q. Russell Of
PROVIDENCE.
A glimpse at the register of the last
two or three years shows that some OF the
most prominent statesmen of this coun-
try and distinguished visitors from
abroad have been guests at this ultra
exclusive club. Ex-President Arthur for
the seven years preceding his death was
constant visitor TO West Island, and
was most expert fisherman. Secretary
Chandler also spent considerable time
there, and to 20 farther back, in the time
OF Gen. Grants administration: Secretary
Bristow regarded 1t as the Mecca of anna
leur sportsmen. Chief Justice Gray Of
Boston was also constant visitor.
Adjoining the fishing club is a large
annex cottage OF three stories, contain
Ing eight large, airy bedrooms; ali fur.
nished In the most sumptuous manner,
the walls Of some Of these chambers
sh6wing the tastes OF their occupants by
the collection OF photographs, curios and
bric-a-brac. This cottage is owned ex-
clusiycly by S. " Milbank, s. B. French,
J. A Bush, Frank Thompson, Isaac
Townsend, Chas. Il. Strong, and g. r.
Wsinwright The building faces east
and west with n wide open hall running
through the centre.
Every room has magnificent sea view
and at all times will have every chance TO
obtain what fresn air is TO be had. At
various points ON the island are placed
eleven fishing stands for which the MEM
berx both morning and evening draw