The Washington times., 1895-01-14
PiraticaI Graft and Crew An.
Ch0red in the Potomac.
ARE SAILORS OF MISFORTUNE
Colony of Tramps Have Taken Possession
of an Old Sand soow-Used as a Mid
winter Hard-luck Hotel-How They Pro-
cure Provisions and Signal with Flash
Lights and Whistles from Shore to Boat.

Had it not been for long stretch OF blue
smoke which curled lazily upward through
the snow-laden atmosphere yesterday it would
have been almost impossible TO locate the
piratical old sand-scow which a number OF
tramps have converted into midriver, as
we'll as midwinter, lodGing-house
Closely pressed by the police, who charged
them with vagrancy if they sought free
quarters for the night at the several station
houses. and being without means to patron
ize the cheap lodging-houses which Line b
street. a number of homeless wayfarers first
established several dugouts along the river
front, where they could sleep and while away
the hours, free from molestation. The
watchful officers of the law, however, soon
ferreted out these subterranean resorts OF
idleness, and the 1eIl captured in them were
either sent TO the chain gang or
ORDERED TO LEAVE TOWN.
Old mother necessity, with her fertility for
overcoming obstacles and suggesting inven-
tons, came to the relief OF the wayfarers, and
one week ago scouting party returne 10
the Mission reading-room from an expedition
across Long Bridge and reported that they
had solved the sleeping problem. Ihey ionnd
in the marsh. near the Virginia shore OF the
Potomac an old sand scow with the nearly
obliterated name George and Lucy painted
on its stern.
The scow had been laid up for the winter
by It's owner. and was securely anchored, out
of mortal sight, as that individual no doubt
thought. The bow and stern anchors con-
sisted of huge pieces of brownstone fastened
to a long rusty chain, which creaked wicrdly
as the old craft rose and fell with the tides.
This discovery was regarded as a good
thing By the tramps. aud they straightway
as sort of can't-catch-me establishment Tor
the winter.
1t was impossible for TINES reporter to
get aboard of the scow yesterday, but be
learned her recent history from a former
member OF the illy-assorted crew last night.
! This party called at the Mission for lodg-
ings. and stated that il was too Internally
| cold ior him ''out on the river
IN THAT OLD cAEAL-BoAT.
I He said the men had worked the scow down
into n sort of cove where the water is shall
/ low. just beyond Long Bride, and where the
spontaneous growth OF shrubbery along the
flats acts to shield the boat both from view
and the piercing north winds. The cabin al
the stern has been filtsd up as combined
! kitchen. dining-room and siitiEG-room, while
apartment every nj ght. The front part OF the
scow is covered with tree boughs, old pieces
of canvass and other things of that sort
which the 'hobos'' gathered from the city
dump, just in rear Of the Bureau OF Engray-
I ing ana Printing.
In order to secure lodgings and food OF
board the applicant must agreeto forage dur
/ ing the day for vital Statistics term they
have applied TO food.
To reach the scow the "hobos" have a skiff
which, they say. was "borro we'd. Ia the
day time two short, sharp whistles. followed
by two longer ones. similar to a railroad sig
nal, made by party on the shore will be an
swered by series of similar whistles from the
craft, and in a few minutes the skiff will be
seen forcing its pow through the weeds as it
approaches the shore, guided and propelled
by
FRowsY-HEADED BoATMAS.
The night signal is made by whistling, and
then, after short interval. burning a mattel
or peiee OF paper by the party on shore. Tit
strictest silence is enjoined upon the mid
river lodgers and any violation of the rule!
or disor1eTly conduct is punished by th'
guilty party being thrown overheard an(
given ducking in the icy waters of the Po
tomac.
When asked how the rlen obtained thei
provisions. the reporter informant said:
Hustle for it the same as all other bum
do, and / guess some of the boys find pota
toes and meat sometimes where it is moi lost. >
One of the fayorite dishes on the menu OF
the George and Lucy is called 'spud
hash 1t is made from mixture of pota
toes and onions.
The kitchen is fitted up with an old drum
stove. found on the dump" and a variety o
tomato cans aud other discarded receptacles
Sergt. Daley and the police OF the Fourth
precinct know of the scow and its seedy col
ony but they have not interfered with th.
combination, as il is said to be out of th'
jurisdiction OF the District, near the Virginif
shore. The authorities on the other side ar
not inclined 10 interfere with the occupant
OF the old craft so long as they do not violat,
any law.
The worst fight the piratieal crew have OIL
their hands at this juDcture is with the ele
ments. The present wa We of ice and snow
has made it pretty severe on them, and las
night several of the crew sought lodgings ii
the city rather than risk freezing to death oil