The Nome daily nugget., 1937-08-20

Prepared by the National Geographic Society. Washington. D. C.-WNU Service. T NGLAND'S sunny Isle of Wight F is sort of cork in the harbor 1 of Southampton. The incom-
 ing tide splits on the island. It piles up the Solent funnel on one side; then, few hours later, it fol- ows through Spithead on the other side. That is why the worlds biggest iners can dock at Southampton.
 On the landward coast of the island s Cowes. famous city of regattas. Along its narrow streets quaint, an- .ient houses alternate with stores that lisplay anchors and steering wheels. nautical caps and field glasses, marine photographs and all the furnished brass appurtenances of yachting. Ev- cry few doors tearooms offer tempting scones and crumpets; and there are miniature branches of famous shops If Regent street and Piccadilly.
 Along the water front spreads the spacious Esplanade, with the Royal Squadron headquarters projecting up- )u II. lHlS IS tne SdSHliiS Capitai 1f the world. The sun glistens upon the plate glass of the prOtruding gal ery. grandstand for royalty and high naval officers, who largely constitute the membership of the most exclusive club in the world
 There they watch the races of Re- gatta week, when the Solent waters are flecked by fleecy clouds of canvas, dotted by rainbow bunting and pen nants, snd, when night comes, aglitter with myriad bobblng lights. Members of this club, and none other, may fly the white pennant of St. George on their yachts; only members and off cers of the Royal navy are privileged to land at its neat 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 mile of Cowes. The parapet of the Espla. made seems built as an elbow support to keep seat -gazers from tumbling into the water.
 East cowes Is Industrious.
 Across the leisurely Medina river, East Cowes takes on the industries which COwes proper. and consciously prim. seems to spurn. There is a ship. building yard which supplies lifeboats for steamers and for beach guards, and there is an aircraft factory which builds amphibian planes.
 Every store on the precarious hill side streets Is reminder of the is. lands intense preOccupatiOn with the sea. offering paraphernalia ranging from oyster tOngs to hawsers, and there are many shops that make shiny marine engineering parts
 It 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. It is there today. very much as she left 1t. a gift of King Edward VII to the nation in her memory. The ter race 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.
 To reach any part of the Isle of Wight entails no longer Journey than taking taxi across Greater London it is not quite g miles long and no. where wider than l3 miles. Driving due south from Cowes. across its axis. gives quick picture of its peculiar geography. At first the countryside is wooded. and the clearings are fields and meadows where cabbages, carrots, and broccoli grow. or sheep and cattle graze.
 Forests and Truck Farms.
 From the thick forests of the north ern island came the timbers of many an old mansion and cottage of south ern England. and today their dining. room tables are provided with vege. tables by the Wight's truck gardens and rich milk from its herds of Guern seys. Anyone who has eaten In Eng. fish inns or on English trains must wonder about the source of all the cabbage served with potatoes at nearly