New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-12-22
A FLOATING VILLAGE.
IT TIES UP IN NETWORK FOR THE
WINTER. But IN SUMNER is
MANY MILES AWAY.

Not only ors the Chinese river Yangtse are float
ing villages found: Americans have them nearer
home no further than within New-York Harbor.
Not ten minutes walk from the Battery, at the
old Coenties Slip hundreds of families spend the
winter. listening the swirling waters Of the
East River around and under their homes until
the incoming swell rocks them TO sleep of nights
Here it is that the canal boats tied up for five
months of the year hundreds of them moored to-
gether in rows after rows, forming small towns.
with streets and yards in which children and dogs
! rorlp and play A picturesque sight it is,
sembling in many respects the sampan villages OF
/ China. The little cabins protrude just far enough
above the decks of the huge, clumsy barges to
allow them row of windows screened by bits of
lace curtains and green plants. Along the decks
are stretched lines of washing, and tiny curls of
smoke shoot up from miniature chimneys on the
cabin roofs.
They a people by themselves, these boatmen
and their families and have their ideas of
what makes home. Through the curtained win
dows you catch glimpscs of cosey parlors and
kitchens. Green plants in flower pots and birds in
cages are also visible Here and there cat
shows itself in doorway, If 1t thought Of COM
ing inquire the of the weather. but
never gets beyond the freside below is too strong
| attraction. Most of the cabins divided
| into rooms the parlOrs with carpeted floors, and
pictures decorating the walls. and more than few
have shelves Of books Occasionally a cabin pre-
| sents not quite SO cheerful an appearance the
| others. Through the bare windows lonely old
man is seen cooking his supper an old bachelor =
Most of the loafing about the decks. tell
! ing each other funny stories discussing the
| prices which the potatoes grain in the holds
below will bring them. Now and then one takes
| pull at mooring rope or gives the handle OF a
pump few jerks. but on the whole they take 1t
/ easy for their work for the summer is over.
Not with the women Here one is hanging out
clothes another peels potatoes. third Is spanking
a child-all that visible busy. The general
| air of both and women gives an impression or
| prosperity and comfort; all plainly but well
clothed stylish young miss comes down one OF
| the piers with bundles under her arms From the
| wharf she trips lightly on to the first boat. and
| disappears down the companionway of the cabin
| Ten minutes later she energies again in a loose
woollen gown. basket of clothes in her arms
| and some clOthespins I'm her mouth.
| And so these families pass the winter In No
| vember they down, their boats loaded with
| hay grain. potatoes. onions. apples lumber In
April they go up again with coal. On the surplus
earnings of the summer they live during the cold
/ season. IL the summer been bad the men
work at times Ion gshOremen. but that Is only
/ when in dire necessity. OF evenings they ga ther
in each others cabins talk. play cards. and some
to drink. A few of the have been sailors, who
with the earnings Of a cruise two on blue water.
! have invested In barge. settled down and be-
/ come semi-andlubbers The majority have been
farmers up the State. but life on the canal has
made them semi-nautical All of them together
| they form happy colony.