The Daily Gazette

Spending a Pleasant Afternoon on Pea Patch Island.

At 1.30 o'clock, yesterday afternoon, the steamer John A. Warner, which was engaged for the day by the congregation of St. Peter's Catholic Church, made a second trip to Fort Delaware, to which place an excursion had been arranged for this day. About 350 persons went on this trip which number, coupled with the 680 who went down in the morning, made a total of over one thousand persons participating in the excursion.

The boat arrived at the Fort about 2.35 o'clock, and the excursionists immediately landed and began examining the interesting points of the old fortifications. Those who arrived in the morning had finished their tour of inspection, and were engaged in dancing and other amusements.

Fort Delaware, aside from its array of guns and piles of shot and shell, presents anything but a warlike appearance. There is no garrison there now, the place being in the possession of a few tenants, who are retained for the purpose of keeping the buildings and grounds in repair. Most of the guns are dismounted, and the gun carriages are stiff from dust and misuse. As a means of repelling an armed invasion Fort Delaware has long since outlived its usefulness, and it is probable that it will never rise above the position it held during the late war—a receptacle for the prisoners of invading armies.

During the day every part of the Fort and of the entire Island was free to all the excursionists, and they vigorously improved their opportunity. They examined every nook and corner of the buildings, and explored all the fertile resources of Pea Patch Island. They peeped into the magazines and dungeons, cautiously inspected the big guns, and clambered upon the numerous battlements, to enjoy the splendid view of the river and surrounding country that was obtainable from their tops. When tired of this amusement they retired to the large dancing hall, or rested in the pleasantly shaded spacious grounds enclosed by the fortifications, where base ball, quoits, croquet, swinging, and other pleasant amusements were indulged in during the entire afternoon. The island proved most wonderfully attractive, and those who at first had been inclined to grumble and find fault with it as an excursion resort, finally concluded that Fort Delaware was one of the most decidedly interesting places they had ever visited.

At 6:30 o'clock the steamer started for home, with a fresh breeze stirring the river into a mass of white-capped billows, and a strong flood tide aiding her on the way up. Just before the time of departure, owing to the heavy tide, the boat broke her cable, and was carried away from the wharf to the great consternation of a number of persons not on board who thought they would surely be left. Just at this time the steamer Thomas Clyde came dashing past, on the return from Collins' Beach, and many of those on the Warner, who were under the impression that their boat had started, thought a lively race was in progress. They were disappointed, however, as the boat, instead of going on up the river, put back to the wharf and again made fast.

During the homeward trip, as well as during the ride down, dancing was indulged in, while some excellent vocal music was furnished by the Rossini and Mozart Clubs of St. Peter's and St. Mary's churches, who combined for this occasion. Among the splendid choruses rendered were, "The Wolf is on the Hill," "Hail us, ye Free," and "Come where my Love lies Dreaming." Joseph Featherstone sang "Good-bye at the Door," in excellent style, and a splendid duet, "Larboard Watch," was given by Messrs. Walters and Toner. Messrs. Curran and Mooney also sang "The Minute Gun at Sea," in a spirited manner. The singing, which was under the direction of Mr. W. D. Kavanaugh, was very much enjoyed, and proved one of the most successful features of the excursion.

The steamer arrived in Wilmington at 7:30 o'clock, everything having passed off pleasantly and to the satisfaction of all concerned. It was one of the most pleasant and orderly excursions that ever left this city.