The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-23
MID-OCEAN REFUGE.
Into the Breach OF the Great Pond at
Block Island.


Commissioners w. G. T.. Wardwell,
Robert Thompson and j. III. Wetherell
had royal company on board steamer
Block Island Saturday. The guests IN
cluded Governor Charles Warren Lippltt,
ex- Governor ID. Russell Brown, under
whose administration the commission
was appointed, members and ex-mem bers
OF the general assembly, state ana city
officials from all over this little common
wealth, representatives from Taunton,
Hartford, Bridgeport and other places,
all more or less interested in the big en-
ferprise OF making mid ocean harbor OF
refuge OF the Great Salt Pond at BLOCK
Island. 1t was a great and representative
gathering of about 500 men on the steamer
when her moorings were unfastened at
9:20 O'Clock. She was bedecked Tor the
occasion, too, and streamers and hags
waved in the warm september air from
every place where bunting could well be
displayed. Reeves American band began
playing on the stern end of the saloon
deck and as the steamer made way Gown
stream, footing whistles from all sorts OF
craft and ringing bells along shore dem
onstrated that the shipping knew what
was up and sympathiZed with the move
ment designed to benefit those whose
business il is to travel the ocean highway
i'm all sorts of weather.
A finer day for the trip was never
tured company never sailed the ocean
blue, or green. and the natural harmony
was enhanced by well-selected stock OF
refreshments OF all sorts on board.
Newport was reached at 11;20 O'Clock.
Governor Lippitt and about hundred
of that city's leading men came on board
while the band played the usual tune.
Old ocean was in its most peaceful mood.
The steamer rose and fell in the slight
swell without making anyone uncom-
Portable and that disagreeable intruder,
sea sickness, was not In evidence. Inc
breach and the pond were new sights 10
many on board and the magnitude ot the
enterprise and its Importance was freely
commented on. They knew very little
about ocean storms and their terrible 0
energy, bur such a magnificent harbor,
such complete protection could not De
else than powerful and convincing ar
gument that the State anc the lite town
OF New Shoreham had wrought almost
miracle OF safety for those who sail the
sea in storm and calm. The steamer made
a wide swoop OF the pond after passing
the 4O0-foot breach and big steam yacht,
the dredges and tow boats in the pond
screeched their delight at the Visit Win
steam. The company was informed tnat
at many places there were 10 feet OF waser
beneath the steamers Keel ana that IN u
greater part OF the broad expanse OF water
the sounding lead would drop 40 feet be-
fore stopping Here was harbor where
nations fleet OF war vessels could nnd re-
pose on even keels no matter howshigh
the seas were outside.
The inspection was eminently satisfac-
tory TO all concerned and then the steamer
was made fast to a barge while Tillinghast
served lunch on board. Governor Llppltt
and the following officials and ex-ofiicials
sat at two tables i'm the ladies' cabin
ex-Lieut. Governor Bull, and Congressman
Arnold, justices Matteson, Douglas ana
Stiness, ex-Governors Brown, Ladd
| Bourne and Davis, Lieutenant Governor
| Stearns, General Treasurer Clark, Secre-
tary of State Bennett, Senator Woods,
| Freeman, Brown and Anthony, Represen-
tative Allen, Attorney General Dubois,
| City Solicitor Colwell, Executive Secre-
| tary Griffin, Clerk j. +. Parker, Ensign
| Hill, Honorable W. G. +. Mardwell oi
the commission, William Il. DE Wolf,
| and officers from the War College, Rove-
nue., Marine and Torpedo Station, includ'
| ing Captain Dickens, Captain Ludlow,
| Captain Little, Captain Hall, Lieutenan,
| Rarroll, Lieutenant Harlow, Lieutenant
| Kettelle and Lieutenant Berthon.
The other gentlemen found plenty tc
cat i'm other parts of the boat.
Meanwhile, nearly the entire popula
tion of the "Island" had assembled or
| the eminence overlooking the hreakwatel
and entrance 10 the harbor near
staff. from which waved the nations flag
! IL was a great sight and great day fo
them, Many of them had never seen
governor OF the State and for this ieasoI
| n was decidtd after lunch 10 have tn
speech- making ON the hill. The inhabi
tants came on board the steamer and tn
steamers freight went ashore. Ii was nj
agreeable change TO both.
| The chairman os the commission. ex
Lieutenant Governor W. {. T. Mardwell
got into a buggy for the proper elevatici
| and told his listeners that the commission
thought II was eminently proper that IN
general assembly and all Others concel ne