Year: 1872

Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM sD0wN EAST"


Boston, MASS, November 8, 1872.


Having days leisure, and being tired Of
the turmoil, smoke and dirt of the city, con-
cluded few days ago to take


A TRIP DOWN THE HARBoR,


And accordingly set out with the intention Of Of
seeing everything that was to be seen. will
give you some idea of what one may see du-
ring pleasant two hours sail to Hull, Hing
ham and Plymouth, to which places during
the summer and fall seasons, many steamers,
freighted with pleasure seekers, run from this
city. For very small amount of "scrip" one
can steam in and out between the numerous
islands, and enjoy during the summer solstice
cool and refreshing breeze and the most de-
ligbtful and ever-changing scenery. Among
many points of interest in the harbor may be
mentioned the lighthouses and Notifications.
The first fort of note is


FORT INDEPENDENCE,


On Castle Island, which is said to have been
first constructed as early as 1634-just two
hundred years before your correspondent made
his "first appearance on any stage"-and was
the place appointed, in early times, for the
confinement of criminals sentenced to hard
labor. This fort, as it now appears, is ofquite
recent construction. Opposite Fort Indepen-
dence as we leave the inner harbor, is the still
incomplete fortifcation called "Winthrop,"
on Governors Island. 1t is said that the
above named island was granted to Governor
Winthrop in 1882, and subsequently became
the property Of Winthrop's heirs; and judg-
ing from the story in vogue in reference to its
original cost. it was very cheap piece OF
real estate. It is said the Governor was
granted the island on condition Of paying to
the members of the Legislature zone bushel
of apples in winter, annually" When en-
tirely completed it will be very important
defense to the harbor. AS we proceed farther
we come in sight of Georges Island, on which
is situated


FORT WARREN,


memorable in the history of the late war be-
tween the North and South as the prison-house
of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and is the most
famous as well as the most important OF all
the defenses of the city. About two miles
from Fort Warren, in an easterly direction,
and at the entrance ofthe harbor, is the Barton
Light House, of which it is said that during the
Revolution was the object of considerable con-
tention, having been destroyed and rebuilt
several times. The top of the lighthouse is
ninety-eight feet above the level of the sea,
and has revolving light, which sailors tell
me can be seen at distance of sixteen miles
in clear weather. Near Fort Warren, is the


"sP1T," OR "Bue LIGHT"


Which is curious structure. The bottom
part is series of iron pillars fastened in the
rock, allowing no surface for the water to beat
against, thus entirely preventing its destruc-
ton by the waves. There is stationary red
light some thirty-fve or forty feet above the
level of the ocean, and in clear weather can be
seen for distance of seven or eight miles.
The object of the light is to warn mariners Of
the proximity of the dangers of Harding's
ledge, which is about two miles out at sea.
The next light of Importance is that on Long
Island, the tower of which is about twenty-five
feet above the level of the sea. This light is
some sixty-eight feet above the tower, (Which
is painted white) on which is placed a fixed
lantern containing nine burners; and on a
clear night can be seen atthe distance Of about
fifteen miles. There have been several attempts
to make the island summer resort, but wheth'
er it will ever be done remains for the future
to determine East of Long Island is low,
rocky island, on which stands curiously
shaped monument, constructed Of stone, about
twelve feet high, and forty feet square. The
stones are fastened together with copper, and
on the top of the stone.work stands an octago-
nal pyramid of wood, some twenty feet in
height, and is supposed to be monument
erected in the early days of the colony for the
purpose Of warning vessels against an ap-
proach to the dangerous shoals in this part of
the harbor. lhlS Island IS called


inks NATE"


And is said to have derived its name from a
story, long in circulation, that the mate of a
vessel, of which one Capt. Nix was the COM
mander, was executed on this island for the
murder of the latter. AS part of the above
tradition it is said that the mate claimed to
be innocent of the crime charged against him,
and asserted as a proof of it, that the island
would be washed away. Whether the proph-
ecy was ever made or not is only matter Of
speculation but one thing is certain, the island,
at one time, it is said, contained nearly twelve
acres, and now there is only about an acre of
shoal and not vestige of soil.


have only glanced at the harbor and a
few of its numerous objects Of interest.
There are many islands in the harbor, with as
many curious shapes, and from this fact many
of them have received strange christenings
for instance, Apple, Spectacle and Half Moon
Islands. Some of them are occupied, but the
majority are uninhabitable, though sail be-
tween and around them affords most agree
able change from the hot bricks and dust of
the city in summer. Beyond the harbor is
Revere Beach-one of the finest T have ever
seen-Lynn and Nahant. The latter is a
peninsula connected with the mainland at
Lynn, by long, narrow neck, upon which is
beautiful beach. Nahant is occupied by
wealthy citizens of Boston, who have erected
in this quiet spot some splendid summer resi-
dences, where, in the midst of their shady
lawns, gardens and groves, they can live as
..;atl, an thou mich and view the grandeur of