The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-05-13
TRAVEL OF TODAY.
SPLENDID FACILITIES AFFORDED BY
THE OLD BAY LINE ROUTE.
Southern Routes That Fascinate the
Tourist by Their Historic Interest
and Attractions-Among Them the
Chesapeake Bay, AptIy Styled the
''American Mediterranean
Manufacturers Record }

everything on his journey. The con-
trast between the modern and luxu-
rlous passenger cars and the narrow,
lll-ventllated, poorly constructed
coaches in service as late as a decade
ago, is almost as marked as that be-
tween the floating palaces carrying
thousands Of travellers on the Amer-
can inland waters and the small, Door
ly- finished and slow-going steamers
which the public in very many in
stances had to depend upon as late as
the Sos.
For many years the Chesapeake bay
has been one of the most popular
routes for the travelling public in the
world. This IS owing to the natural
beauties of what some have called the
American Mediterranean, and the su-
perb service afforded by the Old Bay
Line steamers.
The Baltimore Steam Packet Co.,
which nas Owned and operated the
Old Bay Line for over half century,
is truly an illustration of the progress
made in water transportation.
In its early days the public spirit
characteristic of its policy was dis
played by its management, who real
lied that the fact that a liberal pat
ronage depended on having the
staunchest and swiftest vessels, the best
appointments, and in furnishing every
requisite for the comfort of travellers.
As fast as improvements were made
in marine architecture, they were
adopted by the Old Bay Line. AS a
a consequence its fleet of vessels has
always been maintained at such high
standard that it has occupied the fore
most place in public favor. 1t is
hardly necessary to speak Of the AIa-
baMa, a steamer which has already
earned the title Of the "Queen of the
Chesapeake" being by far the swif,est
and most palatial vessel that ever piled
its waters; the Georgia, which has al
most an equal reputation with the
many thousands who yearly visit
the North or South by this 5reat high
way.
Within the last year the Baltimore
Steam Packet Co. has established a
route between Baltimore and Rich
mond by way Of the Chesapeake bay
and the James river, which forms,
without doubt, one Of the most inter
es'lng journeys in this country. While
the Chesapeake has many features of
historic interest in addition to its nat
ural beauties, one sees scarcely a point
of land on the James which is not as
sociatcd with some legend or poem, or
which does not mark the site OF a
flerCely-fought battle, either in the
last or present century. The soldiers
of three wars have struggled on its
banks. On Drewry's Bluff, rising
grim and high above its waters, are
still to be seen the Notifications dur
ing the late war, which give the place
the title Of the "Gibraltar of America. ;"
More than one Southern mansion can
be seen from the river, with walls
pierced by the cannon balls Of the
Union or Confederate guns. From
the thcket around Jamestown and
other colonial settlements the arrows
of Powhatan's warriors came in vol
leys as the bands of the Indian en-
peror attacked Capt. John Smith and
his followers. The ruins Of the first
church erected in America can still be
seen on jamestown Island. The fam
Gus manor houses Of Brandon, Shirley,
Claremont and Westover, all built in
the last century, and to which Wash
lngton Lafayette and others illustrious
statesmen were visitors, stand on the
picturesque banks. On the James
river are the blrthplaCes Of Tyler and
Harrison, two of the Presidents Of the
United States.
The Capital of the Confederacy, a,
the end of the flames River Route, y
presents strikingly beautiful appear
ance, with its parks, monuments, ven.
cradle Statehouse, churches and other
buildings of note. 1t was in Rich
mond that Patrick Henry delivered
his "Llberty or Death" Grafton. Wash
lngton in the Statehouse, which, with
his statute, form conspicuous feature:
OF the Capital square. The monu
ment TO General Lee, the great leader
Of the Confederacy, is erected in on,
Of its parks, and to those who still
cherish the memory OF the "los
cause" the old Jefferson Davis man
sion, with its collection Of mementoe
of Southern soldiers, has an especia
attraction.
But aside from the historic sur
roundings, the ever-changing scener,
along the river has a fascination to ,h'
lover of Nature, for it is here that sh,
can be seen in her most picturesque
garb. As the service of the Baltimor
Steam Packet Co. is direct between
Baltimore and Richmond, the travele
has the benefit of trip entirely b,
water, without transfer. The Iirg1na
an elegant side-wheel vessel, affordini
ample accommodations for 800 pas
sengers, leaves Baltimore Mondays
Wednesdays and Fridays at 4p. NJ, ar
riving at Richmond at 10 O'Clock mex
morning. Anyone desirous OF maxim
: the round trip can have five hours il
which to visit the points of interest an