Evening star., 1928-06-17
BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR.

Gus or an excursion, and he
IL remembers one as long as the
other. OF the latter form OF
amusement there are many Washing
tonians who will recall with enthusiasm
the excursions they went on when they
were young and free and without the
cares and responsibilities which age nat
uraliy produces.
If one happens to be in crowd Of
native washingtonians-sa anywhere
over so wears OF age--all he has to do
to start food of "reminiscences is to
speak of the old side wheeler excursion
boat Mary Washington; OF course
they will remember the w. w. Corcoran,
the George Leary, Lady of the Lake.
the Excelsior. the Armenia and other
well known excursion steamboats,, long
since buried IN some ship graveyard or
junked for the few dollars worth of
metal the vessel may have contained
but the Mary Washington-in class
ell TO hcrself--will be remembered by
most.
The Mary Washington was of an un-
usual design. She was a large flat-hot-
tom vessel, with hull like box with
pointed ends-the only vessel of her
kind. it is recorded. that ever piled the
Potomac. She was built in 1874, at
Occoquan Creek. Va, by syndicate of
farmers headed by Col. Edward Daniel
of Gunston, Va. The idea of the build
ers was to construct light-draft boat
with which they could navigate the
small streams and thus enable the farm
ers to get their produce to market at
reduced cost. She was fitted out and
equipped at Alexandria, and when tried
out 1t was realized that for the purpose
intended she was a failure The owners
lost no time In disposing of their inter-
iynfn
the excursion field.
The writer's first recollection of going
on an excursion on this boat was on
july 4. 1876, Just 50 years ago this Sum-
mer. and one Will recognize from the
date that the vessel was then quite new.
The trip was to Mount Vernon Springs,
long since of of the map as an excur-
sion resort, but which was then just
south of the wharf of Mount Vernon
and only separated from that estate by
O cove which makes up at this point.
AS an excursion place it soon gave way
to other and more popular resorts. but
the old pavilion, with its weather worn
timbers, could for years be seen from
the passing boats. until it finally top
pied over from its own weight.
Since the entire saloon deck was one
large pavilion. dancing on the Mary
Washington was the principal attrac-
ton. and such square dances as the
QuadrilIe and the lancers were enjoyed
by the eXcursionists. The polka, the
schottische and the waltz were also
among the dances Of this period, the
waltz being the only one still with us
today. and this modified into more
graceful movement.
Another place. quite popular, espe-
cially as a Sunday school resort, was
Occoquan Falls. The Mary Washing
ton was peculiarly adapted to shallow
water, and it was invariably Of great
interest to see the long trail Of mud
left IN the wake Of the steamer as she
churned up the creek bed, the water
Of which seemed not over three feet in
cspth. When the water was clear, 1t
was easy TO see from the front of the
boat the bottom Of the creek as the
boat steamed slowly up this historic
stream. now quite close TO the city's
penal institution.
A FTER Mount Vernon Springs ceas-
ed TO be used as an excursion re.
sort. Clymont, Fort Washington and
Fort Foote were the main Sunday school
excursion places On the Potomac.
Marshall Hall was always popular, espe-
an today viii fondly recall the generous
coatsleeve which protected her from the
chilly night winds while taking in one
Of the evening trips aboard the fam
Gus and commodious tideshoyer,"
Mary Washington. Though the Sun
day schools usually arranged for the
shorter trips II was not unusual for
them 20 20 70 Lower Cedar Point,
Chapel Point. Colonial Beach and other
places within . days ride Of Washing
ton. River View came into operation in
later days and belongs 10 subsequent
period.
For the Sunday school excursions.
the boat was usually chartered and. Of
course, the bar was closed. and I do not
been sold al Glymont and Mount ver-
non Springs: and, since Fort Washing