The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-07-18
Prepared by National Geographic Society,
washington, ID. C.-WNU Service.


Prepared by National Geographic Society.
Washington. ID. C.-WNU Service.
II NGLAND'S sunny Isle Of
r. Wight is a sort of cork in the
- harbor of Southampton. The
incoming tide splits on the island.
It piles up the Solent funnel on one
side; then, a few hours later, It fol-
lows through Spithead on the other
side. That is why the worlds big
gest liners can dock at Southamp-
ton.
On the landward coast Of the Is
land Ia Cowes, famous city Of re-
gattas. Along its narrow streets
quaint, ancient houses alternate
with stores that display anchors
and steering wheels, nautical caps
and field glasses, marine photo
graphs and all the FURNISHED brass
appurtenances Of yachting. Every
few doors tearooms offer tempt
ing scenes and crumpets; and there
are miniature branches of famous
shops Of Regent street and Picadilly.
Along the water front spreads
the spacious Esplanade, with the
Royal Squadron headquarters pro-
jecting upon II. This is the yacht
ing capital of the world. The sun
glfstens upon the plate glass OF
the protruding gallery, grandstand
for royalty and high naval officers,
who largely constitute the member
ship of the most exclusive club
In the world" -.
There they watch the races Of
Regatta week, when the Solent wa
% tiers are flecked by fieecy clouds
of canvas, dotted by rainbow bunt-
ing and remnants, and, when night
comes, aglitter with myriad bobbing
lights. Members OF this club, and
none other, may fly the white pen
nant of ST. George on their yachts;
only members and officers Of the
Royal navy are privileged to land
at its near jetty. One world-famous
yachtsman, who spent millions upon
his hobby, was not admitted to
membership until shortly before his
death.
By night or day all the big ships
that put in at Southampton must
pass the deeper channel within
half a mile of Cowes. The para
pet Of the Esplanade seems built
as an elbow support to keep sea-
gazers from tumbling into the wa
ter. All the houses on the gallery
like hillside Of the town have enor-
nous plate-glass windows turned
toward the sea. As a place to
watch the world go by in ships
Cowes Is an unsurpassed marine
grandstand.
East cowes Is Industrious.
Across the leisurely Medina river,
East Cowes takes on the industries
which Cowes proper. and con-
sciously prim, seems to spurn. There
Is ship-building yard which sup
plies lifeboats for steamers and for
beach guards, and there is an air
craft factory which builds amphib-
ian planes.
Every store on the precarious hill
side streets is a reminder Of the is
lands intense preoccupation with
the sea, offering paraphernalia
ranging from oyster tongs to haw-
sers, and there are many shops that
make shiny marine engineering
parts.
1t was among the marshlands Of
East Cowes that Queen Victoria as
a girl collected seaweed, and formed
an attachment for the island that
led to her purchase Of Osborne
House, which became her favorite
place of residence. 1t is there to-
day, very much as she left IL, a
gift of King Edward VII to the ma
ton in her memory. The terrace
commands the marine view which
the good queen loved, vistas of blue
: ocean through groves Of exotic trees
-corks, ilexes, deodars, as well as
pines and cedars.
The one chamber Of truly regal
magnificence is the Durbar room,
with its stone walls and ceilings
carved In oriental designs, its
stone peacock extending its color
full tall over the large fireplace, its
cases with the gold and Jewel offer
ings of fabulous Indian potentates.
In her black mushroom hat and
white shawl, the queen would ride
for miles In her carriage and pair
around her own grounds. When
she drove out through the island
- roads she was preceded by an out
sider She would greet the resi-
dents, often stopping to chat with
neighbors Of the countryside.
To reach any part Of the Isle Of
Wight entails no longer journey
than taking taxi across Greater
London; IL is not quite % miles
long and nowhere wider than 10
miles. Driving due south from
Cowes, across its axis, gives a quick
picture OF Its peculiar geography.
At first the countryside is wooded.
and the clearings are fields and