, 1904-10-05
. SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Three Young Men Take an Inter-
esting Trip to Baltimore,
Washington and Points In
Virginia, By Water.
What They Saw.

of taking a vacation to Baltimore ana
Washington. After watching for a
full half hour the novel scene of load
ing the lower decks of the vessel with
merchandise and freights of all kinds,
the deep notes of the steamers whistle
warned us that we were about to start
on our long planned excursion. After
a few moments hurry and scurry and a
jangling of bells, the immense propel-
lers began to churn the water into foam
and we were speeding on our way down
the picturesque Delaware.
But first, | wish to speak ofthe steam
er on which we were making the trip.
1t was n of the new fast steamers,
long and narrow, built especially for
this route through river, bay and canal.
1t makes an average speed of 70 miles
an hour and is claimed to be one of the
fastest vessels of its class afloat. SOO
people can be accommodated on this
vessel.
1t was a grand sight passing down
the Delaware river. Hundreds of crafts
could be seen, steam and sail, large and
small, continually going this way and
that way, while on the New Jersey
and Pennsylvania shores we passed in
rapid succession, vast sugar refineries,
grain elevators, oil refineries, immense
ocean steamship dry docks and immen-
Sc manufactures of every sort.
As we steamed still further down the
river our ears caught the sound of beat
ing drums and blaring trumpets, caus-
ing us to look-yonder lay the League
Island navy yard and the sailor boys
could be seen lined up in answer to
their calls. The famous old fort Mif1lin,
now deserted and neglected was pointed
out to us; once proud and defiant, now
meek and humble. The old q~uaranteen
station on Lazaretto Isla now abandon
ed was also pointed out. There were a
thousand and things TO claim our
attention and at first we strove to see
everything, but before an hour had
elapsed we gave W in despair.
The steamer rapidly took us away
from the bustling noisy and smoky
river traffic and soon we were passing
long stretches of green woodland and
farms, a beautiful sight to see from the
promenade deck.
We passed the city of Chester, then
Marcus Hook and the great stone hut
tresses or ice breakers opposite this point
which helpto keep open the river navi-
SublOn III WlnltI.
Next, we passed into the state of
Delaware and o could see the city
OF Wilmington, then New Castle Fort
Delaware on one side of us and Fort
Mott on the other seemed to sternly
point their cold gray cannon at us but
they failed to challenge and we went
on our way unmolested. Fort Delaware
IS the chief defense of the river, situate
on a beautiful island, Al miles from
Philadelphia, where its cannon have a
sweep of the channel for many miles.
During the civil war this fort held
thousands of Confederate prisoners.
About a mile above the fort we entered
the hrst lock of the famous Chesapeake
and Delaware deep water canal at
Delaware City, which stretches over a
distance of IA miles and takes 3 hours to
pass through. This part of the route is
full OF interest and sights for one who
mas never been through a canal, while
Tor a business man bent upon reaching
his destination as quickly as possible,
the trip would be almost unhearable
Inc speed through the canal is limited
pS law TO four miles an hour, as a large
steamer going at a high rate of speed
lhrouSh THIS narrow waterway would
force the water owe the sides of the
low II and eventually wash them
away.
Passing through a lock is an interest
ing scene. As you may know the water
IN the cana Is several feet higher than
il Is I'D The river and to keep it at a
UNIFORM helghth and depth large water
'lgnl gates or locks are provided through
Whlch the vessels have 10 pass. The
lock Is very simple arrangement of
TWO sets OF gates forming a sort of box
"hlch opens at one end allowing the
poals 10 enter, then enclosing the boat
III the water tight box. The other gates
lnen gradually open allowing the water
OF the ANA to fill the box and raise the
vessel ON a level with the canal from
winch 1t easily passes out. We passed
tilfough three OF these locks, Della aware
Clty t.George's, and Chesapeake CITY.
country passed through while in
u canal Is perfectly beautiful. Gentle
slnpeF, magnificent woodland and steep
n'llslaes makes it an ideal picture. con
tlnually changing and never firing the
eye OF OF a true lover of nature.
A very noticeable thing to a Norther-
ner on the trip was the distinction made
etWee the white and eolored races as
soon as the Maryland line was crossed,
IN that state the Jim Crowu law is i'm
effect, which provides that the races
snail nave separate quarters and these
laws are rigidly enforced. A few mo-
lhents after the state boundary line was
crossed every colored person was order
ed TO a e a section OF the boat, set aside
Tor their use and there they We're expect
ed to remain. Separate dining tables,
drinking cups, towels, toilets, etc.
were also provided for them and in
every way the race line was distinct
ly noticeable.
After passing out the canal we enter
ed the Xix river and thence to the
Chesapeake bay. At this point there