Evening star., 1894-02-28
THE PRESIDENTS TRIP
Probably the Party is Now in Currituck
Sound.
The Country There the Paradiye Of
SpOrtsmen and Home of
the Wild Duck.

the Wild Duck.
Presumfng that the presidential party on
the Violet ran along through the Albemarle
and Chesapeake canal without detention
yesterday, as reported from Norfolk, they
should now be in Currituck sound, North
Carolira. The length Of the canal from
Norfolk to the sound is a little less than
thirty miles. and rapid progress would
scarcely be possible, so that 1t would prob
ably require most Of the daylight hours yes
terday to make the trip. The Violet draws
seven feet of water and the canal is eight
feet deep. so that the passage could be made
without difficulty on that score. Once in
Currituck sound the party would be in the
paradise Of sportsmen.
Great Salt Water Sounds,
This Is the first Of a series of great salt
water sounds comprising what is known as
the inland passage between Virginia and
Florida. Some years ago they were exam
ined by photographic experts. and II was
found that with a little improvement the
waterway could be used for the passage of
torpedo boats between any Of the points on
the southern coast. The sounds are really
almost vast salt water lakes, stretching
from Elizabeth City as far south as VIE
mington, n. c. They vary in breadth from
two or three miles to twenty miles. Con-
nected with the Atlantic by but two small
inlets, Oregon and New inlets, clear down
to Hatteras they are generally shallow par
ticularly toward the east and consequently
the water Is much warmer than the ocean.
From the many swampy coves on the MAIN
land pour in streams deeply tinctured with
the famed juniper marshes, of the color of
amber and alive with -mouthed black
bass. silvery perch and other fresh water
hah M ax-ny, nf fz
marked with the nets of the fishermen en-
gagged in taking early shad for the northern
markets Currituck sound. at the Lead of
the series, and connecting directly with the
narrowest Of the sounds separated from the
Atlantic ocean by a strip of sandy soil, in
places Only mile or two in width.
The Home of the Wild Duck.
This sound Is the winter Headquarters Of
the wild duck, and they abound in numbers
unknown In the north. They include every
branch of the family. from the swan and
the gray goose and the lordly canvas back
to the small but plump and toothsome teal
So great is the fame OF these shooting
grounds among sportsmen that nearly every
acre Of the sandspit between the sea and
Currituck sound affording a vantage ground
for blind has been taken by purchase or
lease by shooting clubs made up generally
Of men of wealth from Baltimore Philadel-
phia and New York. and. with the exception
OF few points where hunters are accommo-
dated by some of the natives of the place.
II Is almost impossible for a sportsman to
1nd shooting ground unless he has the per-
mission OF some of the shooting clubs
Doubtless Capt. Evans has attended to this
before leaving Washington, and the party
may avail Of the courtesies of some Of these
clubs. either by taking up headquarters at
the club houses or by enjoying the use II
their blinds and ducking paraphernalia while
sleeping aboard of their vessel or at one of
the life saving stations on the coast.
No Direct News From the Party.
Capt Evans Is known to be an expert
with the shot gun. and his associates in the
light house board say that his love for duck
shooting is so ardent that he would under
go extreme physical discomfort for a good
bag Of game. The President also. as is well
know. is game sportsman. Neither Mr.
Thurber nor Capt. Evans associates on the
light house board have heard anything from
the party since they left Washington nor
do they expect any news until advised of
their early return.
The Latest Dispatch.
NORFOLK. Va, Feb. 2s.-News received
here from the presidential party is to the
effect that the fame of Currituck sound as
ducking ground has caused the President
to make direct for those waters which are
said to be alive with duck at this time. The
Violet passed through the harbor here yes
terday morning, and at once entered the
canal. The last report received from her
announced arrival at the North Landing
OF the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal,
twenty-five miles from Norfolk, at II o'clock
on the way to Currituck.
Passed the Violet.
A steamer in last night reports passing
the Violet in the Virginia section Of the
Albemarle and Chesapeake canal at II m.
yesterday. The President. Secretary Gresh-
am and Capt. Evans were standing out on
the upper deck forward as the two steam
ers met They were passing the time ltis-
urely. The captain Of the north bound
steamer and lady who was by his side
saluted the President, who returned it with
marked politeness.
Another steamer in this morning reports
the steamer Violet tied up at II o'clock last
night at the lighthouse station at Long
Point, In the North Carolina division of
the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal Just
across Currituck sound. about sixty miles
from this city. If the party wanted to go
duck shooting in that section, Long Point
Is just the place for good sport. The Violet
could be left tied up there while the sports
men took launch and went into Currituck
sound When the last steamer referred to
passed the Violet everybody aboard of the
latter apparently were asleep