The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-05-15
Outing at Southwest Pass.
(BY ONE OF THE CUTTERS. J

A party consisting of Auguste
Maitre, Frank Poimboeuf, N. Abram-
son, Paul Robichaux and VI. Y.
Moore left Chargois' landing Sunday,
morning ut 5:25, in the Little Flor
ance, for five day outing on the
Gulf. The little Florance, Aug. Mai
tire captain, moved off at a lively rate
and all were enjoying the early morn
ing ride down the bayou anticipating
a quick run to Vermilion bay, but
about 9 O'Clock the boat struck q jam
of water hyacinths at Durratt' ferry.
but after about an hour and q half
pushing. pulling. backing and polling
through about half mile of this OBJ
noxious pest they were cleared, and
while there were numerous other jams
none of them impeded the party's pro-
gress to any great extent. Abbeville
was passed about noon. A cold lunch
was prepared and eaten without q
stop. Alligators, snakes and tnrtles
were shot at with shotgun and Colts
automatic without any apparent effect.
About p. m. stop was made to fill
up the tank with cistern water, after
which it was steady running until the
bay was reached at $50, when the boat
was slowed up and consultation was
held to determine whether it was ad-
visable to try to cross the I mile
stretch of water to Lake Fermin, as q
strong south wind was blowing and
the water looked rough to the mex
perienced eye. On the advice of Capt.
Maitre it was decided to 60 as far as
Shell island, about q mile out, and If
things were not too squally, to pro-
ceed. Accordingly, with Paul Robi-
chaux and Frank Poimboeuf taking
turns at the wheel, and Maitre at the
engine, speed was increased and the
Little Florance drove her prov into
the first of the waves and had not gone
far until both pilots were enjoying (?)
briny face wash and shaking the
spray from their hair. However, the
weight of the five men and provisions,
camping outfit, etc., made sufficient
ballast to hold the boat steady, and
as she was facing the wind there was
very little rolling. BY the time Shell
island was reached nerves were some
what steadier, and as everybody was
wet, it was decided to continue across
the bay, which was done, and the boat
was steered into canal leading into
Lake Fermin, which was crossed
easily, and the party passed through
Bayou Fermin and into the bay once
more near Cox Shell beach, where
they went into camp for three days
fishing, bathing and hunting. The
fishing proved good as shepherds,
drums, mullets, croakers, sea trout,
crabs, oysters and stingarees were
caught in abundance. The bathing
was delightful during the first two days,
out on the third day the north wind
made it rather cool. The hunting triE
was abandoned at the last mir ute or
account of reports of the mosquitoes
which we're said to be out in force
1 back in the marsh. However, thu
party obtained all the deer meat they
i desired from an old hunter who callet
at the camp and partook of refresh
ments from the interior. On the after
noon of the third day it was decided
that, on account OF the extra low tid'
icaused caused by the north wind pre-
venting return through Lake Fer
min, to start for home and cross th