Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-25
COBB'S ISLAND.
A WINTER AND A SUMNER PICTURE
CONT RASTEO.
DISTINGUISHED by President Cleveland
Tammany Hall Rebuiit-In Ice and In
winter-Ths Present Manage fient.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Disu,.sa.l

fCorrcsponfence Of tho Rich mond Disua.-a.l
CopB's ISLAND, June 23.-Cobb's Island
enjoys now a distinction that in sense
adds to its former attractiyeness--that IL,
its proximity to the chosen hunting
grounds of. the Chief Magistrate OF the
United States. Hog Island. where DIR.
Cleveland has recently spent his hunting
and fishing VACATIONS. is Just north OF
Cobb's and is separated from it by an inlet
not more than half mile in width.
SEASON OPENED.
EVERYTHING has been put IN readiness
for guest and the season has fairly opened
in fact, there arc about twenty-five visit
ors at the hotel. nice iirtse side-wh"el
steamer. rather more commodious than
any OF It's predecessors, began her regular
trips this week between the island and
Williams Wharf. on the mainland.
TAMNANY REBUILT.
Old Tammany Hall. which stood in
front of the hotel and between 1t and tho
pump. has Undergone quite metam0r-
ph0sis. The building was brought from
Cape Cod by the grandfather OF the pres
ent proprietor, and had become an ancient
landmark. Ii was thought TO be IN dan-
gerous condition and the work of tearing
n down was begun 10 the spring. 1t was
found. however. that the structure was SO
well made that the proprietors concluded
TO rebuild 1t, and the work Las been ac--
compished. AZ II now stands 1t Is one or
the most comfortable houses on the
island. 10 eau accommodate twenty-five
or thirty people.
Mr.. Ashby Jones's cottage. which was
so dangerously encroached upon by the
ocean. has been successfully moved TO a
lot purchased by him about nifty yards
west OF the church, and he Is now with his
family occupying n.
The s.orm of last Friday was quite Sc
we're and washed the beach some. l. DID
not, however impair It's bathing qualities,
since It has left hard sand bottom tree
from shells The short distance, too, f,om
the hotel 10 the surf is an improvement.
A FEARFUL CONTRAST.
From all accounts the cold and storms
OF last winter here must have been uuple-
dented. For over @ week they were CONF
pletely icc-bound. On every side as far AZ
eve could reach ont into the ocean there
was one mass Of ice, and as the heavy tides
would break up the lee IT was loft piled on
the beach and shores from ten 20 fifteen
feet in height. At one time the ISLANDERS
had serious cause for alarm. A heavy gale
from the north was forcing tho ice over on
the island from the bay, and every
moment the towering ayalanc5 came
nearer aud nearer to the houses.
Huge blocks with great rapldlty
would shoot over the crest Of the ice
mountain rs II propelled By some engine.
The situation grew very alarming. and 1
ON told by more than One hardy and cou-
rageous lfe-saver that they vera anxlously
looking about 10 devise means or escape
from this impending ice-trar. Fortu-
nately the wind hauled round from its
course and moderated, greatly 10 the re-
lief Of all. Ii is the candid belief here
that but for this change the lee would
have swept every house of the island.
What a fearful contrast Is this TO the
beautiful picture presented to nv view as
/ write. The ocean then 30 terrible IS
now placid and inviting as 1t Is swept by
cooling and inygoratng breezes.
IMPROVEMENTS.
With the exception Of that mentioned
above there have been no decided i'm
provements made. All the cottages. to-
g-ther with tho hotel have been put IN
thorough repair The wharf, which was
nearly all swept away by the lee during
the winter, has been rebuilt and the steam
er IS making her landings att. The hunt
lug and fishing during the spring was ex-
ceilent. the catch OF drumtsh being IN
usually large. Small fish are beginning 10
bite and we will soon have to chronicle
the wonderful feats accomplished by en-
thusiastic Richmond anglers.
Tho manner Of reaching the island IL
about the same as In past years. From
Richmond III the afternoon one can stop
at Old Point or Cape Charles for the night,
as he may elect. Returning, YOU can
leave Cobb's che afternoon and reach
Richmond the next morning or next after
noon.
The proprietors this year are Messrs I.
l.. Cobb and J. T. Spady. The former Ia
the son Of the late A bert Cobb, and was
clerk for his father when he ran the place.
Mr.. Spady managed the hotel III 1885 or
1856. SO both OF these gentlemen are well
known TO the hG5i1fes of Cobb's island.
Mr.. Williams is running the stage Inc
from Cobb's Station 10 MS wharf, and the
facilities for transferring passengers and
baggage are very good.