The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-24
LADIES LONG VOYAGE
From New York to Jacksonville, Fla, In a
Twenty-Five foot Cathoat.
CAUGHT IN A CHESAPEAKE BAY STORM
Hrs. Minnie Matthews and Mrs. Ella
IInIier. Mother ana Daughter, VIII
Make This Long voyage without
nann to Assist In Handlin. the
Little Bont.

I - l.
In n catboat. This would seem a big
undertaking for two men. yet II is just
what Is proposed by two ladies and with
every prospect of success. The little
boat on which these two ladies are
making this long voyage now lies in
the Eatern Branch Of the Elizabeth
River, between Norfolk and Berkeley,
just off the east end of Main street.
The little vessel is painted white, and
rs she lies at anchor anyone would
take her TO be one OF the ordinary plea
sure boats found In these waters. The
length OF the little vessel is twenty-five
feet. with II feet breadth of beam, and
Il drauEht of two and II half feet, yet
she Is provided with 4 cabin as complete
In appointments as q modern schooner
The crew of this novel little vessel
Is composed of two ladies and a dog, n
big handsome brute of the Newfoundland
variety. which.as one CT the ladies ex-
pressed 1t. Is the dog watch" And a
right good Waterman he makes. too.
for no one Gun approach the Herald
that's the Name of the boat-without
arousing the dog, who at once arouscs
the crew. The ladies who are making
this trip are Mrs. Minnie Matthews
and her Mt-'ther. Mrs. Ella Halter, both
Of IN CIV 4 York. a Virginian reporter
yesterday visited them on their little
craft A colored boatman was secured
at the end of Main street, and as the
Herald was neared there was
an ominlcais growl, bark
and Mrs. Matthews appeared on
deck She was dressed in a heavy
woollen yachting dress and cap. Over
her shoulders was heavy cape Tho
reporter introduced himself, the dog
which she called Bijou-was commando
cd TO lie down and the newspaper mar
was invited on board.
He was Invited into the little ab!l
and here he met Mrs. Halter. who told
the reporter something about the trip
1T is rather novel trip and crew.
ventured the lady, land many people
may think us foolish for attempting
such journey on such n little vessel
But why did you attempt the trip,
was asked
We'll, my daughter has always beer
accustomed to yachting and rowing, and
we thought II w7culd be novelty. The
water has n great fascination for us
both. We left New York on the 3lst
of October and came down through the
inside route. AT Trenton we had &c
make stop. where cur boat was hauled
out on tho ways to stop q leak. Al
; Chesa pealle City we again stopped fol
~cvcral days to do some writing, foi
that Us one of the objects OF the trlp-a
Ise"lcs OF magazine articles. While com
Ing down Chesapeake Bay we had q
very rough Tin2e CT 1t. II may be several
days before we start South, for we are
in no hurry"
Didn't you find II hard malsir- uI
your minds to start on such u trlp?'
was asked.
We'll, vas. We bought the boat
fitted her uptfor the trip and believe
would have backed out had we not
thought our friends would have chIded
MS about It, Even after we had started
we would have liked to have gone back
but the same fear kept us from it."Now
we have outlived that fear and have
no doubt that we will be successful"
| The cabin of the little boat. rs has
been stated, is fitted with every con-
IHenience for comfort. y gasoline stove
is used for cooking and a kerosene stove
for heating. There are sleeping quar-
| ters for the two ladies. II folding table
| and n kcnnfl fer the dog in the bow
at night when the boat is at anchor the
dog takes charge Of the deck. Mrs
is the captain of the vessel.
In one corner OF the cabin the re-
| porter noticed rifle.
| That" said Mrs. Halter, "was given
| us by n. friend before we left II is a
Winchester, and we also carry two re-
| volvers. We have no fears of harm from
| intruders. for both of us are experienced
| In the use OF firearms"
| Mrs Haller Is an inventor of some
| note and seemed to take great pleasure
| In showing the letters patent she had
received in this country. England and
France. These cover. among other
things. preserve jar IAN improve
ment in self-lightIng lamps" and i'm
| provements In clectro-motors and IN
| magnets for use therein and for other
| purposes"
| 1t was the intention of the ladies to
| reach the Georgia coast and there leave
| their little vessel while they went to
able to reach 1t in time.
|