Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-09
FROM C0BB'S ISLAND.
Mr.. AsHBY JONES RELATES HIS Ex-
PERIeNCES DURING The GALE.
His Two Boatmen Wrecked and One OF
Them Narrowly Escapes With His
IIfe-Thc Voyage to Richmond.

Mr.. Ashby Jones and family have re-
turned from Cobb's Island. Mrs. Jones
came by the regular route, and Mr.. Jones
sailed in his handsome new naptha
launch. Maud all the way from the
island. reaching Richmond Thursday about
noon. He was seen yesterday by a Dis
patch reporter. to whom he gave the de-
tails OF the recent storm and his trip to
Richmond. The damage done 10 Cobb's
Island he reported az very slight, al
though II was the seyerest storm, save
one. in the memory OF man. There was
really only one tide which broke over
the island. The principal sweep across
the hotel property was east OF the Rich
mon1 cottage. and during the high tide
Thursday the 9th. the sea broke across
the island between the Richmond and
Norfolk cottages
MELTED AWAY LIKE SNOW.
Tho sand hills east OF the Richmond
cottage melted away Ike snow beneath
the sun. The water came to within six
Inches Of the level Of the porticos around
the hotel, but dil not rise over the walk
between the Trutt House and the
kitchen The first no0r Of the sheep-cOt-
tagr was submerged and the sheep were
rescued by knocking down the fence
ana driving them around the cistern.
The water came over the floor Of the bar
room, ana sail boats We're used on the
lot between the hotel and the big dock
az late as Friday.
There were probably 4 dozen guests at
the hotel. among the number, Mr.. J. j.
Montague AMI family. OF this city. Those
In a
hotel. though many OF the ladies waded
about the island in gum boots. The first
morning it WAS safe to do 80. the ma
Jorty # the guests chartered a sioOp,
which CHANGED 10 be at the island, and
left FOR the mainland. being satisfied with
their storm experience. The lighthouses
Were slightly moved, bat not washed
away. Mr. Jones's boat-hOuse fell after
t. storm had subsidized His surf-boat,
which Vas thought to have been wrecked.
has been rescued and found to be only
slightly damaged.
Had a PERILOUS EXPERIENCE
HIS boatman, Rennie Nelson, and his
brother. William, had a thrilling adven-
tuIe in rescuing the boat, as stated IN
last Sundays Dispatch.
They succeeded in capturing the dere-
lct and anchored it, as they thought,
sa'ely back Of Bone Island. They were
NJ bic to down the masts In the great
blow. and these capsized her. anl she
was dragged away from her anchor. and
thrown upon RapesOn Marsh. The Mel
son brothers leaving her. as they thought,
fl safety. lacked nOrthward, and tried
valnly 10 reach the island. The storm
Was increasing IN fury every moment,
but they made fast an oar down In
tn marsh and tying their boat 10 this
fixture, waited for an hour and a half
Fl tho hoTe hat the storm might abate
Is fury The velocity Of the wind con-
thu ! 10 increase. and their only hope
So m / 10 Boz To- scud for the mainland.
Their mast mad been cracked, and with
it standing there was danger of being
pitch-poicd and lost a. sea after sea
broke over them while they flew across
Akerchy channel Billy Nelson attempted
the hazardous Undertaking Of lowering
III. mast. lie did 50. and the mast WAS
swept ~ one side. and he was thrown
violently overheard on the other
JUST DID CATCH 1T.
In the twiuklng Of an eye the bateau
was flying by him. when, through d
supreme effort. h. succeeded In clutchlng
the gInWlie. Had h. been the tenth "
a second later. h would have been lost.
AS III was. TIC NrlOfilF bl tf4f bbaA ~ 10
50 great that IL almost jerked his arms
from their sockets. They succeeded finally
in reaching the mainland in safety, but
il was two days before this fact was
known to their friends on the island.
The two Nelson's sailed with Mr.. Jones
on his trip 70 Richmond, and ietC yes
terday for CoObs Island.
Mr. Nathan Cobb, finding that the
beach has made 80 many encrodchmcNt q
upon his residence. has det rmined 10
move 70 the northwest end OF the island.
near the house occupied by George
Isdel. Little change was made in the
bathing beach; it is about the same as
during The past summer
Rev Thomas Dixon Is having a fine
naptha launch built N New York to b.
run Nv cobb x Spa>y on the passenger
lin. TO the island. she VIII be COM
Portable and fast and Will I'll long
felt want.
THE TRIP TO RICHMOND.
Mr.. Joues's launch. Maud. * lying IN
the dock near TWeEly-second street. lie
proposes using hrr ,8r his pleasure on
the river until be goes 70 North Carolina
b.rI-hunting about tie LIST of Novtnher
81. h a - feet in length. By . feet q
beam, and can make FROM 10 10 = miles
an hour Accompanied 10y The two Mol
sons. MI Jones left cobb $ island Tues
day morning. intending TO 20 nuecrY
from there 10 OH Point Tho sea was
entirely too rough Tor the voyage, and
th. liltle vessel was pitched and tossed
uDm,rc fully B.; the waves. The lii"-boat
which was securely fastened on top OF the
launch. was swept away by a heavy sea-
and. il becoming evident to Mr.. Jones That
his boat would nud great difficulty IN
woatheriug the sea. be ordered her headed
toward cape Charles. lie anchored of tAe
cape IN a sheltered arm OF the sea untl
the afternoon. when. the sea having
Gained considerably. be- put out for pii
Point. where be- spent tie night Gong
10 Newport News carly wednesday morn
ing. tie launchs stock vi napthd was
rrpleni~hel and The trip up the James
was started Harrisons Landing was
made before dark and the little boat was
anchored there for the night. An early
start was made the next morains Ihur~-
day-anl Richmond was reached that az
terroon.
Mr. Jones IS very much Drowned and
t.f .rrf tho hrf L.