The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-08-18
Mr.. Bellinger in Charleston.

Charleston, S. c., Aug. 6, 1910.
Editor Bamberg Herald-Dear Sir:
I am on the steamer Lawrence, the
ferry boat from Charleston to Mt.
Pleasant, returning from Sullivan's 8
Island, where I have been spending
a most delightful visit. We are now
| lust at the bend where the channel
makes a curve off from Castle Pinck-
ney, and near by is Fort Riley and
we are making in to land at the ferry
wharf near the custom house. This
is a building of magnificent proper
tions with huge pillows and solid
| foundation. Its artistic designs OF
strength, utility and beauty have
been we'll combined. From this
point we have a good view of the
city and the different church spires.
Most conspicuously sacred and ven-
erable rise the lofty heights of the
spires of ST. Michaels and St. Paul's.
And now the skyscraper on Broad
street near being completed will
hereafter be a most conspicuous land
mark.
But before we land let us calmly
look out and upon this magnificent
panorama that environs the queen
city by the sea. First we have the
inner port land locked, safe and Sc
cure from the great tropical storms
that have from time to time swept
our Atlantic coast. Sufficiently
commodious to shelter and to &C
commodate, not only all present de-
mands, but for the future, in which
we see a prospect for a greater COM
mercial outlook than the city has
ever attained. At one view we can see
the Cooper as it broadens out into a
considerable bay, reaching out to the
main land in the direction of Mt.
Pleasant and then next to the city
and extending up to the navy yard
and beyond, a deep channel ample
and sufficient for the passage of the
nations fleet and her vessels Of war,
now being constructed and repaired.
We are far enough out that we can
see the battery and the large hand
some resident buildings that adorn
that section of the city, and here
flows in the Ashley and widens out
into a broad bay, along the margin
of which is now being constructed the
great boulevard, an extension OF the
present battery, which will be more
fully adorned and beautified by the
many mansions, which are TO De
erected along the margin OF this
beautiful walk. And now look over
and beyond the bay, into which the
Ashley mingles it's waters, and see
that low level point of land with
forest growth sufficient to remind
one of the famous hundred pines,
which once so proudly lifted their
stately forms along James Island
and now exist only in memory.
And here is Fort Johnson where
the present quarantine is located
and farther on is Norris Island on
which is the light house, whose
friendly beacon light ever flashes sea-
ward to guide the marine and his
ship safely into port. From this
island also projects one arm OF the
lefty reaching out for the other arm
that extends from Sullivan. and
only leaves a narrow channel or gate
way, that all vessels either leaving
or coming into port must necessarily
pass under or in reach Of the great
guns Of Fort Sumter like guard or
sentinel ever keeping watch. But l
haven't said a word about the nice
sea breeze and how enjoyed the
surf. 1t has been many years since
I have been in salt water. Not since
2 bow. when 1 lived in Texas and oc-
casionally would try the rough waves
that rolled in from Gulf of Mexico's
stormy waters. But here when bat
tling with the waves quite naturally
nv thoughts turned back to my
Western home and visions of wild
broncos and mustangs, and once
again turned loose upon the bound
less billions of that prairie land.
Matters we're in confusion for at
times when borne upon the crest OF
swollen sea and I could imagine
that the wild bronco was doing very
we'll. then all at once cast down and
humping on terra firma. Sucn was
my sad experience riding the waves
that 1 wished I was a boy again ana
racing over the wild West.