The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-19
BLOCK ISL1ND LIFE.


mcnts Popular Now.
The beaches at Block Island were
thronged all Sunday with strollers en-
joylng the magnificent surf, which was
especially fine upin the bathing beach,,
and upon Clay Head point, where it
broke high over the picturesque wreck
or the three-master schooner Vamoose,
which went ashore there in the great
storm of LIST February. This wreck is
one of the most attractive points of in
terest on the island this summer, and
the goal of many a drive and walk.
She lies close in shore and at low tide
| one may wade out and board her. Her
Two forward masts are still standing
| with much of their standing rigging.
Ihe third mast went by the board and
broke the vessels back SO that now her
stern is entirely cut off and driven high
on shore.
From the top Of Clay Head cliffs, on a
level with the top of the masts, very
striking view spreads out below, Of
which the amateur photographer in
large numbers has already taken advan-
tage. A somber interest is lent to the
scene by the fact that the captain and
mate of the schooner were lost, the lat
ter trying to reach shore to get help.
After fearful night two of the crew
got ashore and the rest were taken off
at daylight in the breeches-buoy, the
coast guardsmen of the bathing beach
station having come to the rescue. This
is the most interesting and fatal of sew
eral wrecks upon the island shores in
the last winter The life-savers had a
busy season and are now well stocked
with exciting tales to entertain the
many visitors at the stations.
The great number of bathers during
the popular morning hour at the beach
augurs well for the season, and suggests
already full houses at an early date. |
The street cars are running on their
and the beach, and are patronized as Of |
ten for the pleasure of the pretty ride
as for the purpose of transportation.
Bluefish have come and are rewarding
early fishermen very well, and in num-
bers that promise record catches in the
height of the season. Swordfish are
very abundant. Some enthusiastic
sportsmen have been anxious to throw
the iron themselves, but the thrifty fish
ermen are very reluctant to risk the loss
Of fish, and want to be guaranteed the
price of every fish lost by the amateur
after the chance to harpoon is given.
AS the average val ue of these four hum
dred pound monsters Is about ten dol
lars, the ardor Of most sportsmen Is
cooled, and they are content to watch
the work of experts, which Is sufficient
Iy exciting for anyone not absolutely
blase The fresh-wat fishing seems to
improve every year, and those who dare
not trust themselves on the rolling sea
find that the black bass and pickerel
with which the many ponds of the is
land We're stocked by the state some
years ago have grown large fat and
gamey. Many of these ponds lie very
near the hotels. and fishing may be en-
ioyed with the least sacrifice to comfort
The social life of the season has hard
" commenced. Only little hotel hops
have been given yet. The cottage colo
ny is very quiet. outdoor sports are,
as usual, the favorte amusement in this
delightful climate. Golfers are more
md more in evidence The golf course
rear the south cliffs is still the only laid
put course upon the island, but it is so
'ar from the village and majority of ho-
els that many extemporized courses in
he neighborlng fields are being pressed
no service The open and changeable
contour of the islands surface gives an
excellent opportunity for fine golf
and a first-class course should
)e laid out at convenient distance
rom the hotels.