New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
CHARMING, QUAINT
OLD BLOCK ISLAND
All the Lure of Bygone Days Is
Here, Coupled with the
Joys of the Present.

Block Island, r. l., Aug. S.-The
picturesque town Of New Shoreham,
better known to the many summer Wis
itors as Block Island, has again opened
its doors to weary sojourners from
cities all over the country. From
North and South, and even the Far
West, they come by every boat, some to
ENJOY the whole season and others to
spend their all too short vacation
where they know a good time awaits
them. Perhaps they remember the
bathing, the fishing trips, the many
pleasant walks along the country roads
and the beaches and numerous jolly
evenings spent dancing in one OF the
many hotel bathrooms. 1t may be one
thing or another, but there is always
that mystic something" that draws
one back to Block Island every year.
During July and August the Montauk
Steamboat Company sends boat five
times q week to the island, and the sail
is really part of the pleasure of the
trip.
The bathing conditions this year, rs
always, are ideal, and Crescent Beach,
just south of Clay Head, is thronged
with bsthers morning and afternoon.
Here old and young spend many pleas
ant hours, and children may frolic and
play about in the water without fear
The beach, having a natural curve, is
sandy and smooth and without under
tow Experts say that owing to the
changing northern current of the Gulf
Stream the temperature of the water is
much warmer this year than other sea-
sons. This TENDS to make the bathing
healthful and refreshing
Fishing, though it has always been
the favorite sport with many of the
enthusiasts of the rod and reel, is UNI
usually popular this year. Other sum-
mers it has been the fad to make up
parties and go out with one of the
many captains of the fishing feet to
troll for bluefish, or to be an interested
onlooker to the fight for the mighty
swordfsh. This year as soon as it be-
came known that the tuna could be
caught off the Block Island shores the
sportsmen began to appear in large
numbers. The tuna has always been
found along the Pacific Coast and Of
late in the Florida waters. Here the
sport and fishing clubs accept only
those as members who have caught a
tuna of a certain weight. The mighty
fish are running in great numbers, and,
though they are being caught each
trip, the fisherman often fights hours
for a single tuna.
Block Island has two hundred fresh
water ponds, none of which has either
visible inlet or outlet. These ponds
are filled with fresh water fish, and
the ardent fisherman may hire a row.
boat and fish by the hour for pickerel,
black bass, perch and trout. The
ponds, both large and small, are now
beautiful with water lilies, both white
and golden, and the little island boys
are doing a rousing business selling
these lilies to the visitors at the MANY
hotels.
Perhaps the most popular of all the
walks is along the cliffs to the South
Light. The Mohegan Bluffs rise 200
feet above the sea level and far down
telow us the mighty surf beats cease
lessly. After a good "southeaster" the
waves are wonderful and you feel re-
paid a hundred times for the walk
over to see them. On leaving the Light
one may walk home along the beach
way into the village again. About half
a mile from the town you come to
Pebbly Beach. This is one mass of
rocks large and small, and is noted for
it's garnets, which may be found by
careful searching. Many very fine
specimens have been found and when
polished are beautiful.
Any one who has visited any of the
quaint little fishing ports along the
New England coast knows the charm
of the little village with its narrow
winding streets and dozens of little
shops. Perhaps one of the most nota-
BILE reminders of bygone days is the
little horsecar line which runs from
the Old Harbor past the bathing beach
to the New Harbor, and for five cent
fare you may ride part way to the ball
game and have all your breath saved to
cheer for your favorite team.
The many hotels both large and
small were never so we'll equipped as
now 10 entertain the visitors arriving on
every boat. There are spacious verandas
with the inviting row of rocking chairs,
the cool dining rooms, with the flower
decorated tables, the CHEEKY and sunny
sleeping rooms. and the attractive ball
room, where the music invites one TO
dance away the summer evenings.
The drives about the island are many
and varied, each in its way more in
teresting than the other. So much
is to be seen along the shores that it
would take hours TO tell. This year
whales have been seen along the island
coast in large numbers, and this lis 4
bit unusual. The trial races for the
Americas Cup have been attended by
great excitement on the various hotel
piazzas. for the Old Harbor Break
water was chosen as one point for the
triangular race, and it brought the
beautiful yachts very near to Crescent
Reach.
The midsummer season is in full
swing and all the houses, large and
small, are crowded to their utmost.
The week has been one round of gayety
and fun for all, and if indications are
correct the season of 1914 will be
record breaker.