The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-04-15

Chesapeake bay has an area Of ., S35
square miles. and is one of the greatest
inland bodies of water on the American
islands, and is the receptacle of several
navigable rivers which drain the in
terror of Maryland and adjacent states.
Its picturesque shores are indented by
many small bays, inlets and estuaries.
Its waters, in conjunction with those of
the Patuxent, the James, the Potomac,
the Elizabeth, the Nansemond and
other important streams, debouch on
Hampton roads, forming one of the
deepest, safest and most commodious
harbors in the world. From early
colonial times the articles of traffic and
commerce carried on the Chesapeake
between its various ports and landings
by steam and sail craft reach
stupendous aggregate, and the growth
of this business has kept even pace with
that of the towns and cities along the
Atlantic coast The facilities of cheap
and prompt transportation by this
natural water rout between New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and all points
south, defy the competition of land
carriage, and are better known and
more universally appreciated now than
ever before. The first steam vessel
on the bay was the Eagle, side
wheeler, built in 1873, which made
occasional trips from Baltimore TO
Norfolk during the three years follow
ing. In 1899 the Baltimore Steam
Packet Co. was organized and has
continued in existence ever since. II
was then as it is to-day the principal
line running steamers on the bay, the
Alabama, Georgia and Jewess, as late
as 1871, comprising the regular boats on
the rout. OF the twenty-seven steamers
subsequently purchased, two were
abandoned in a storm in 1850, one was
sunk by collision, one was burned by
the Confederates, and sixteen others
were sold or otherwise disposed Of
The Georgia and Carolina Included in
this iieet) were the first iron vessels
signaling marked improvement from
wood to iron) in marine architecture.
The Bay Line was also the first to
appreciate and adopt the manifold
advantages of electricity as cleanly
and brilliant illuminator The interior
arrangements of the Bay Line, to make
the journey on their steamers an ex-
perience of luxurious enjoyment never
to be forgotten, are all that lavish
expenditure directed by intelligence
and good taste can effect The grand
saloons, dining rooms, social hall,
elegant state rooms single or connected
and furnished with double bedstead,
fully meet all the up-to-date require
ments of modern travel Steam heating
and electricity throughout. The Bay
Line steamers excel in the feature of
Independent steam heating in each state
room; no other line has it. The cuisine
receives the special attention of the
management, and is distinguished for
its superior excellence. Aside from
the substantial features of the menu,
dishes Of game, sea food and various
deiicacies are served in the season. 1t
costs the company $4,000 annually to
supply their tables in the manner de-
scribed. The European plan of service
affords the convenience of selecting the
quality and variety each one prefers.
This was found to be the demand OF the
travelling public, and the increased
number of meals now served shows that
it pleases the large majority. The
prices are very moderate; lower than
can be found in any tirst-class hotel
steamer or restaurant in the country
e. W. Thompson, the gentlemanlS
traffic manager of the Baltimore Steam
Packet Co., has headquarters al
Baltimore, Md.