The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-02
THAMES HOUSE BOATS.

FROM the Nestfni Ulster budget
Half the people who go TO the Hen
ley are doubtless more attracted by the
Households than by the racing. The
house-boats, however. are not so plenti-
full this year as sometimes, and for this
the lateness of summer weather must
be blamed. There is a good deal of
mystery about households among those
who have never lived on board one.
There are well over 200 of such heavy
craft on the river. Kismet. 90Sl7 feet,
Is the largest of these comfortable YES
sells, and Rouge ct NOR, 5Ox25 feet,
the widest. Some idea of the
accommodation afforded by the
latter may be gained whep
we point out that the saloon
is 21x16 feet, and there are five double
bedded rooms. The Merivale and Sum-
mer Holme are both IS feet long. and
each has a tender 40xl5 feet for the
kitchen. The Satsuma is unique in
having two stories, and an upper deck
into the bargain, while the Domik, 80
feet long, is one of the smallest worthy
the name of house-boat, aud one of the
prettiest.
The price of a house-boat ranges
from e45 for tiny one TO 50. 900, or any
other sum that the imagination can
conceive. But a comfortable craft, con-
tanning saloon, kitchen and four bed
rooms, may be purchased for $3.50. The
lettings, especially for the Henley.
bring prices up The Thames season
lasts from June TO September, and is at
its height in July and August A large
house-boat may be hired for the sea-
son, including Henley, for any
thing between e2O0 and $500 OF
course if a house-boat secures
good station for the Henley the
rent of large boat might be
e150 for that regatta alone. Col. North
is said TO have paid e2OO for the ten
days on one occasion. But the house
boat that originally cost $3.50, already
referred TO, could be hired for $50
for the whole season, or 500 for the
Henley, or SCI a month or SO 6s a
week.
OF course the hirer pays the mooring
charges. The Thames conservancy Is
sue list OF stations where house boats
may be moored. Among the most pop
ular pitches may be mentioned Ship
lake, Henley above the bridge, between
Ditton and Hampton Court. just above
Molesey lock, round about Tagg's is
land, between Staiues and Windsor,
and the Teddington React The con-
servancy exacts no fee, but the house
boater has to settle with the riparian
owners against whose property he
wishes TO stay, and the owner
may charge whatever ne chooses
Some landed proprietors viii
not countenance the abhorred
thing. and one churlish person has
fenced favorite island which belongs
TO him with barbed wire. During the
Henley the house-boats are allowed 20
take up their stations on the course
scot free, but should any Of the oc-
cupants step onto the meadows the
owners demand a guinea.
Owners have 20 pay for n license,
which is e. for house-boat 80 feet
long. and 2 shillings for every sddi-
tional inches, and they must have her
painted every season. A large amount
is squandered on flowers and decora- |
tive luxuries, but a hoUse-boat holida y
may be as cheap as any other. and much
more comfortable than many. The
Thames boating agency, In the Hay /
market. have on their books all the /
available house-boats and other pleas |
ure craft-launehes, for instance, &c I
carry from 80 people % ..