Evening star., 1944-07-16

Ihe
Mary Washington-in class all to her
self-will be remembered by most.
The Mary Washington was of an un-
usual design. She was large fiat
bottom vessel, with a hull like box
with pointed ends-the only vessel Of
her kind, 1t is recorded, that ever piled
the Potomac. She was built in 1874 at
Occoquan Greek, Va by syndicate OF
farmers headed by P. H. Troth Of Ac-
cotink, Va.
The idea Of the builders was to con-
struct q nght-draft boat with which
they could navigate the small streams
and thus enable the farmers 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 Tor the purpose intended
she was failure. The owners lost no
time in disposing Of their interest, and
the boat found her way into the ex-
cursion field.
Mount Vernon Springs
The writer's first recollection of going
on an excursion on this boat was on
July 4, 1876. t.,st SO years ago this sum-
mer, and one will recognize from the
date that the vessel was then quite new.
Tho trip was to Mount Vernon
Springs, long since Of the map as an
excursion resort, but which was then
Just south OF the wharf Of Mount Vernon
and only separated from that estate by
q cove which makes up at this point.
As an excursion place 1t 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 toppled
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
quadrille 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 in vogue today.
and 1t is generally danced in modified
form.
Occoquan Falls
Another place, quite popular, espe-
cially rs Sunday school resort, was
Occoquan Falls. The Mary Washington
was peculiarly adapted to shallow
water. and 1t 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 feet in
depth. When the water was clear it
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.
After Mount Vernon Springs ceased
to be used as an excursion resort, Gly-
mont, Fort Washington and Fort Foote
were the main Sunday school excursion
places on the Potomac. Marshall Hall
was always popular, especially for night
trips, and many a woman today will
fondly recall the generous coat sleeve
which protected her from the chilly
night winds while taking in one of the
evening trips aboard the famous and
commodious tideshover," Mary Wash
ington.
Though the Sunday schools usually
arranged for the shorter trips, 1t was
not unusual for them to 60 to Lower
Cedar Point, Chapel Point. Colonial
Beach and other places within a days
ride Of Washington. River View came
into operation In later days and belongs
to subsequent period.
For the Sunday school excursions.
the boat was usually chartered, and, of
course, the bar was closed, and do not
recall intoxicating liquors ever having
been sold at Glymont and Mount Ver-
non Springs; and. since Fort Washing
ton and Fort Foote were Government
properties, liquors were not sold on the
premises. On other regular excursion
trips, however, beer was freely sold on
the boat. and on the grounds at Mar
shall Hall. as well.
The Mary Washington had q carrying
capacity Of 1900 people and in her day
she is said to have carried more pas
sengers than any other vessel on the
Potomac. At an early date she was sold
to Capt. E. S. Randall, and she ran for
years between Washington and River
View, until she was succeeded by the
Samuel j. Pentz.
After this the Washington was used
Tor colored excursion parties to Motley
Hall and other points on the river.
Later the vessel was sold to Robert
hoitzman, who converted 1t into club-
house and anchored 1t at AnaIostan
Island. near Georgetown. Her boiler
,