|
|
July 1-August 3, 1924
Courtesy of Judy Swink*
San Diego, California
|
In July,
1924 Gilbert R. Swink Sr., together with Anna his wife,
sons Frederic and Gilbert Jr. and niece, May
 Catherine
Swink, undertook a fascinating journey from Norfolk, Virginia
to Montreal, Canada and back aboard the family power boat Rosina.
Setting out on Tuesday, July 1, the Rosina traveled up
the Intracoastal Waterway, along the Delaware River, through
the now unused
Delaware & Raritan Canal
across New Jersey from Trenton to the Raritan River. They passed
through Philadelphia and the Navy Yard there.
In New York harbor, they passed (and photographed) the
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Heading up the mighty Hudson towards
the historic lakes, they stopped off at the United States Military Academy
at West Point. Soon, they were within the
Champlain Canal, accompanied on
the way by the ever-present commercial traffic that has long since
vanished from the canal.
After an anchorage at Moosekill Creek and Troy, they
entered Lake Champlain at
Whitehall, proceeded north to
Fort Ticonderoga
and
Crown Point. By July 14, they had arrived at St. John's Quebec, where
they left their little boat for the final leg of their journey- by rail to
Montreal. At Iberville, Quebec they took in a rather unique event, canoe
races.
The Swinks chronicled their journey in this logbook, a
wonderful document describing a wonderful family adventure... The Log
of the Rosina.
Passengers:
 Anna
R. Swink [wife, "Cook"]; Frederic Gilbert Swink [son;
"Engineer"]; Gilbert Roscoe Swink Jr. [son; "Deck
hand"]; May Catherine Swink [niece, "Supercargo"]
Dishwasher [Hired hand]
Tuesday, July 1
Good ship Rosina left dock at 1230 P.M. in driving rain
- wind N.E. to East - sky overcast - cook depressed -- Engineer says
optimist opens oyster hoping to find pearls - pessimist fears ptomain
poison [sic, sic] - we are not pessimists.
Arrived Little Bay 140pm still raining, wind NE nasty
sea outside so decided to tie up to Staehle's buoy in Little Bay. Later
stopped raining - fished with Caille1 - caught two croakers & Caille engine
went bad and had to row in. Rigged up radio - listened to Bed time story,
supper started at 530.
Wednesday, July 2
Woke up at 810 all hands reported good rest. Started
raining again about 11 pm last night and continued. Breakfast - cantaloups
bacon, eggs, jam & coffee - ship shape - 930 moderate NE wind - decided to
go out to Rip Raps and if not rough to go up the Bay - Before leaving Eng
& deck hand went ashore for mail & papers.
Started out about 12 o'clock. Rolled considerably &
decided to return after passing Rip Raps - stopped in lea of Rip Raps,
caught a few croakers & super cargo got sea sick - came back to
Willoughby. Spent afternoon & night there. Listened in on convention in
NY. Bed 930.
Thursday, July 3
Arose six o'clock - sun shining but wind still NE -
Breakfast over at 8 - leave at 830. Passed Rip Raps at 9.00 Back River 10
am, York Spit 11 -
Wolf Trap 12.35 -
Windmill Pt. 2.20pm Very rough
weather to Windmill Pt. Waves coming over bow, cabin and cockpit roof.
Pumps manned.
Smith Point Light 445 sea calm, strong head tide for last 3
hours - passed Cherry Point Light & anchored in cove 915 - Dinner fried
chicken & trimmings - wind freshened from SE in trough, rolled dinner off
table. tried to reach Solomon's. Yacht Monroon of Baltimore came out and
piloted us in - fine anchorage and river breeze - good night.
Friday, July 4
Left Solomon 1120 sky overcast wind moderate NE - Cove
Point 1220 - James Pt. 120 - Chesapeake City 255 - Horseshoe Point 410 -
Annapolis 530 Stopped half an hour out to clean oil pump. Considerable
number of yachts in anchorage - pleasant night - good dinner steak
potatoes ice cream etc.
Saturday, July 5
Leave 745 Sandy Point 845 Sky overcast - wind E - cool
- Worton Pt. light 1130 bucking tide - Turkey Pt 110 Entrance Back Creek
215 Locks Delaware & Ches Canal 245 Locked in 345 - Locked out 4pm no sun
today 4 ½ miles in canal St. George lock 540 - locked out 645.
Sunday, July 6
Gas 60 gals.
Left Del City 11am Locked thru with Marianne [Stover?]
bound for Montreal - fair tide - New Castle 1030 cut off turn Wilmington
12 M - Hog Island shipyard 120 - Phila Navy Yard 2pm Passed New Bridge 240
Raritan Canal lock at Bordentown 630pm.
We stopped several miles below the locks for a swim.
Missed the entrance and went up the river 6 miles to Trenton Yacht Club -
gave us an anchorage but decided to come back to the locks - on arrival
found the Marianne from Norfolk. We had locked thru with her at Delaware
City this morning - she is on her way to Montreal - Mrs. Stover [?] aboard
- mosquitoes aplenty. Radio refused to work.
Monday, July 7
Locked thru at 5.10 following Marianne -...- #2 at 550
Newton 640 New Brunswick lock 130pm Pennsylvania Bridge 245 Tufts [?] Pt.
345 Statue of Liberty 515 Columbia Yacht Club 630 Gave us a [___?]
anchorage near shore. Anna & May Katherine went ashore & phoned Marie. We
later went ashore, [____?] Marie & Walter, had dinner, took subway down
town - came back about eleven. Rough & rolled all night from wash of
boats.
Tuesday, July 8
All hands feeling fine. Left anchorage 910
& put in at Spuyten Duyvil for breakfast. Left at 1140. Had just written LM
[brother Louis Melanthon?] that boat & engine working fine when clutch
shift broke about 4 miles above Yonkers. Got out Caille & with assistance
of small open motor boat pulled in at [TUCK?] City, a camping place on
Palisades. Tied up at dock, tried to fit in shift in reverse but would not
work. Tide running strong. Threw out big anchor & tied stem at pier.
Decided to run over to Yonkers with Caille and if necessary go to Cos Cob
for new anus. Began to rain so put it off until morning. Rolled
considerably from passing boats. Marianne passed about 3 P.M.
Wednesday, July 9
Got up at 6 am. Police boat came up to pier. We had
swung around blocking one end. Yelled for us to get out of way. Told him
couldn’t use our engine & was broken down. Deliberately fouled our big
anchor rope, breaking line to dock & then cut our anchor line, declined to
assist us & was nasty. Finally got out small anchor. Frederic & I left in
Caille for Yonkers. Went to NY for part, about 4 hours. Returned to find
Mrs. S very much excited - anchor had dragged & hook on bottom [??] Put in anus & left for north at 1230. Scenery perfectly beautiful. Arrived
Newburgh Yacht Club at 430. 100 gals of gas, saw Club Railway & decided to
haul out as we had loosened a plank in bow the first day out. Spent night
in Palatine Hotel.
After leaving Yonkers best day trip – Fair wind & tide
made between 10 & 11 miles – Scenery around West Point couldn’t be beat –
Thursday, July 10
Arrived Yacht Club about 9 am plank fixed straightened
shaft & left 1035. Fair wind, head tied, making about 8 miles.
Poughkeepsie 1220 several showers before & after leaving Poughkeepsie. 1
P.M. wind shifted north. [????] Elbow Pt. Passed [Esaus?] Island 120.
Large brick bldg on left Bank. Saugerties 330. Wind W. Head tide. Athens -
Hudson 505 Wind S 9. Scenery not as pretty today as yesterday. Now looking
for a creek. Dinner to be steak, potatoes & coffee & peaches. Wanted to
anchor at 530 in [Minderers] Creek just about 4 Mile Point. Seemed to be
good anchorage & nice beach. Cook objected strenuously claiming would
interfere with her dreams. Came on and at 550 anchored alongside large Ice
house just below Coxsackie at Pirates Glenn. Rain had stopped and sun
shining for last hour. Very little wind & river without a ripple. Sun
setting over hills – Hungry –
Friday, July 11
Arose 630 — 8 miles from Albany. Breakfast 830 left 845
Cool night. Radio good, listened to concert from [?WNY] - WJZ, WBZ & KDKA
– Slack tide – wind west – Nice sunshine – Albany 1115 head wind rather
cool. Smooth trip, clear sky - enjoying trip. Troy 12 o’clock – Locked
thru 1245. Just before entering Troy lock, 4 canal barges came out. Deck
hand on bow hooked up ladies purse in water, opening it he found
considerable money – Said it was $7500. Lock # one 130 Lock #4 Stillwater
320 Lock keeper reported Marianne passed thru Wednesday. 14 miles to next
lock Out #5 520 Anchored in Moosekill Creek 615 made about 63 miles -
certainly some service in this canal.
Saturday, July 12
Anchored in Moosekill Creek, very pretty. Water lilies
all around us. Near a general store where we took on supplies – very
quiet, perfectly calm. Arose 645 – unable to get balance of crew up and
through breakfast before 10 o’clock. Hope to reach Crown Pt tonight – wind
E by S.E. pleasant breeze. Left 1020 Locked thru 7 at 11 am Locked out #8
1125 Lock 9 - 12, thru 1205, Lock #11 at 110 wait 15 min - Locked out 130.
Whitehall 210 - stopped for gas (40) gals, [????] & provisions. Left
Whitehall 305 P.M. Slowest service in this lock - very [???] tender.
Arrived
Fort Ticonderoga at 6 PM. Rambled over Fort. Rained hard about 3
am. Passed through South end of Lake Champlain, river narrow & winding.
High cliffs on both sides.
Sunday, July 13
Left 750 - sky overcast, light sw wind. D&H Bridge 8
am. Went aground first time approaching [Ferry??] at
Crown Pt 850. Worked
off 855. Fort Henry [sic] 940 Sky overcast. Too dark for pictures – pretty light
house. Old French Fort in rear. Top of Mts in clouds. Diamond Island 11
am. Hard rain storm for 20 minutes. Couldn’t see. Juniper Island 1 PM.
Plattsburg 230. Sudden squall came up at 415. Anchored in cove just south
of Chazy??? Landing 430. Left at 510. Arrived Rouses Point [Canadian
border] at 6 P.M. at Dr. Marnes basin - sun shining. Pleasant anchorage
nice town - after dinner looked ‘em over. Decided to go to St. John &
leave boat there, taking evening train to Montreal which is less than an
hours ride—
Monday, July 14
Arose 7 am, cold wind. Breakfast & left 915,
Fort
Montgomery USA 925 Bloody Light, Canada 945
Ile Aux Noix 1030 St John
Yacht Club about 12 [P]M. Tied up. Unloaded & transferred baggage to train
station. First bottle of ale – Took train at 410 P.M. for Montreal. Arrive
5 P.M. Hotel Mt. Royal – Police convention as well as C.L.Lle??? Had
reservations made in May but could not get rooms. After taking it up with
Room Clerk, Asst Mgr. & Mgr. Finally got two separate rooms. Cook and
Supercargo [Anna & May Catherine] in one and Eng. Deck hand & Skipper
[Frederic, young Gilbert & Gilbert Sr.] in other.
Tuesday, July 15
Montreal
Wednesday, July 16
Montreal
Thursday, July 17
[notes in top margin:] KDKA W.B.Z.
W.G.Y. C.K.A.C.
Was advised to walk up hill near Hotel – real climb.
Skipper and deck hand worn out – Deck hand woke up with toothache. Saw
Dentist & went back at two – took out filling. Left Montreal 420 Arrived
St John 535 found ship in charge of Dishwasher in good shape. Spent night
in Natl {sic} Hotel.
Friday, July 18
Went aboard afternoon, splendid nights rest. Hauled out
at Iberville & straightened out propeller blade which was bent in squall
below Rouses Pt.
Saturday, July 19
Arose 8 am. Breakfast on boat. French Toast eggs
oranges & coffee. Went ashore & loafed around. 12 [P]M moved out near
booms to watch canoe races. Supercargo made mash on Mooney of Canterville
& used up all her films on him. Had none left for other races. In [ends]
Left for Rouses Pt. 6 P.M. on return trip.
Red spars on port to Ile Aux Noix, then on starboard to
Rouses Point. Ile Aux Noix 720, Rouses Pt 830. Reported at Custom House.
Inspection tomorrow.
Sunday, July 20
Arose 830 Breakfast. Sun
hot. Called at Custom House. Inspection 10 am. Looked thru several
bags - very pleasant & nice - no trouble. Took on 60 gals
gas & left at 1105. Wind S, SE - pleasant
breeze & cool - sky clear except a few clouds in sw. Hit
rock rounding Point au Fer 1150, no apparent
damage. Off
Plattsburg 140
Apparently big fire there near barracks. Arrived North Beach
330 near Burlington
 Vt.
Left for
Burlington 510
Arrive Burlington 525 Certainly was a beautiful
day, clear sunshine and after 1230 scarcely
a ripple on the Lake. Stopped at Champlain Yacht Club, good
mooring. Rather noisy on acct of lying near Central Vermont
Freight Station.
Eastern St Time
Monday, July 21
Arose 630 Day Light Sav time. Repacked trunk and
shipped by express to Father. Thru breakfast at 10 am D.L. time. Left 1020
very little breeze. Lake hazy. Yesterday afternoon after Lunch took an
hours ride over
Burlington very pretty town, magnificent shade trees,
mostly elms & maples. University of Vermont. Off Westport 1 P.M. Slight S
SW wind. Lake without a ripple hazy - mountains on both sides, talc both
sides from
Split Rock to narrows, very few boats, mostly row boats, for
past two weeks have seen many people fishing no fish except cats & ring???
perch. Arrived Crown Pt. 215 Went up in Light House & then walked over to
Old Fort Crown Pt. &
St Frederic very interesting. Left 335. Just below
Fort Ticonderoga tiller rope broke 515 Repaired on our way 6 PM. D&H Ry
runs just along west side of lake. Great many hills. Scenery perfect.
Tuesday, July 22
Whitehall – anchored just below the lock about 830.
Last 10 min dark on acct of mts. On east side & navigation difficult. Went
to bed as soon as tied up. Saw a bunch of Italian drunks about 5 miles
below. Mosquitos awful - no sleep. Breakfast & locked thru first lock 8 am
Eastern time - Took on supplies & waiting for ice man. Leaving Daylight
Sav time 11 am. Lock 11 at 1120. Locked out at 1230. Made us wait for the
Sea Gull. Lock #7 in at 320. Service coming out, not to be compared with
going in. Sea Gull is a raised deck cruiser, making not more than 5 miles.
Also had to wait on buoy tender. She takes care of lights & when several
are out between locks, we have to wait on him. Anchored in The Cove, not
Lock 5 or Lock 4 - at 6 P.M. Had dinner & fished for 3 hours. On good
authority last fish caught here in 1896 or 1897 – Rained a few minutes
after we tied up – Rained during night – cool and very few mosquitoes.
Wednesday, July 23
Slept good - feeling fine. Breakfast hot cakes, steak,
bacon, syrup & oranges. Oiled up & left 9 am. Cool with a bright sun - not
a cloud - a number of camps on shore, all seem deserted - light breeze
from NW. Thru Lock 4 with Tug Geo Fiel[?] of [Romida NY] at 1010. Gates
were closed but opened for us. Lock #1 waiting for us 1135 thru 1140.
Locked thru last lock at Troy 1215. Just before going into lock, saw
replica of Hudson’s Half Moon took a picture. Sea Gull passed us in the
Coney yesterday evening. He tied up at Stillwater. Picked him up here -
Arrived Albany. Had difficulty locating gas but finally got hold of
Steward at Albany yacht club. Took on supplies & 50 gal. gas – Left yacht
club 240 west wind & fair tide. Passed Castleton 325. Coxsachie {sic} 440
Passed Pirates Glenn {sic} where we tied up for night July 10th. Went in
to Saugerties 7 o’clock – didn’t like look of place & came on to Tyler Pt.
& anchored 815.
Thursday, July 24
Waited for tide until 1030 left 1045. Wind SW breezy.
Pleasant night no mosquitoes. Stopped at Kingston 1115. Went ashore at
Poughkeepsie & bought out a bakery. Left at 230 West Point 5 P.M. Looked
it over & saw a parade at 545. Dinner & left 745 for Peekskill or more
pleasant anchorage. Wash from passing boats made it uncomfortable.—
Anchored off Ft. Montgomery 830. Got out Radio and was listening in on
Carpenter-Tunney fight when guard ordered us to move. Argued with him & he
reported to inspector who said we would have to move. Ran down about half
an hour & anchored behind fleet of idle boats [WW I Idle Fleet] off
Peekskill. Better anchorage except for trains passing every few minutes.
Friday, July 25
Woke 6 o’clock Day L time – raining. Got up 745 left
815. Had cup coffee at 900. Dropped anchor at Nyack at 10 am for
breakfast. Left Nyack at 1205. Lost hour & bought another– sky overcast
and indication of rain & wind. Came thru NY harbor - rough and crowded -
wind died down coming into the Kill - sun shining - nice run thru the
Kills to
Raritan Bay and Raritan River. Went thru Lock 1 & 2 & anchored at Johnson
& Johnson factory about 815 PM. After dinner went up town & rubbered
[rubber necked?] – Cool.
Saturday, July 26
Cold – Left 800 nice sunshine weather - very little
breeze. Gas at Lock #11 – Arrived Princeton 215. Left at 4 - arrived
Trenton 505. Blooming bridge tender at RR Bridge held us up for 55 min.
Locked through Lock #14 at 730. Good service after leaving Trenton.
Decided to run down River in effort to get away from Mosquitoes. Anchored
in basin of HM &I Co. - this concern evidently large, natural sand and
gravel bed. Hooked up Radio and heard dance music from Steel Pier Atlantic
City thru W.I.P. Then organ recital thru same station. Splendid results.
Up until mid night - pleasant breeze.
During the trip spoke to several yachts - Everyone
cussing the Bridge Tender at Trenton - Refused to give him cigars this
time.
Sunday, July 27
Up late - Breakfast over 11 am. Waiting for tide.
Expect to leave dock 12 [P]M - when tide changes - pleasant breeze clear.
All hands feeling good. Asst deck hand and Super Cargo out rowing. Think
Super Cargo under instruction from Asst deck hand will develop into good
oarswoman. Cook took a few lessons last night but Asst Deck hand reports
that she was not an apt pupil. Leaving 1215. Stopped 1245 at a very nice
beach on Penna side - considerable number of motor boats & several tents.
Had a swim. Cook got beyond her depth & tried to breathe under water. Left
2 P.M. Trip down Delaware uneventful until near Canal. Arrived 825 &
locked thru. It was dark & we got lost only twice on trip. Couldn’t locate
entrance to canal. Some people on bank directed us. Some mosquitoes. Met
Capt Pear...... here, he is pilot for small boats & has been cruising up
and down for years.
Monday, July 28
Spent pleasant night at Del[aware] City. Rec’d mail,
including letter from Capt. Joe [Ennis] that fleet would meet us at
Mobjack [Bay] on Friday or Sat. Cashed draft on Bank, bought supplies &
left 10 am. Sunshining hot very little breeze. Stopped for 50 gal gas & 5
gal oil. Just as we were leaving large motor boat came up behind us. Lady
standing on side slipped & fell overboard - pulled out without damage
except to her dignity. Last lock Ches[apeake] City 1245 thru. Passed
Dorchester Beach 445. Anchored at Annapolis at 715 just as sun went down,
rather hot, Bay as smooth as glass. Beautiful evening wind shifted to N.N.E. after anchoring - very light.
Tuesday, July 29
Up at 7 - After breakfast went ashore, took in
Annapolis & pictures. Got 6 hard crabs & qt. crab meat. Left 1015. Sun
Light NE wind. Anchored midway between Cove Pt & Drum Pt for fishing.
Having got half a dozen hard crabs & some fresh crabmeat at Annapolis.
Fished for an hour caught a dozen spot & 2 trout, probably 50 or 60
croakers but threw them back. Came on into Solomons & had a feast of
crabmeat, french fried potatoes & ice tea, thru at 615 & hooked up radio -
movies - bed.
Wednesday, July 30
Up at seven - wind SW. Left at 9 breeze freshened off
Cedar Pt. & was somewhat brisk to Point No Point. Dropped after that. Head
tide until after we reach Potomac. Pt. Lookout 1135 weather clear. Sun
hot. All hands feasted on spots & every body sleep here except engineer,
who is doing his trick & the Capt. Engineer [FGS] celebrated his 17th
birthday. Rec’d Caille Liberty motor, $1000 bill, for Canadian bill &
several silk shirts. Supercargo worrying about getting home too soon. Put
in Great Wicomico at 2 P.M. & stopped at Reedville. Didn’t like the place,
too many fish houses [menhaden processing plants for fertilizer - stinky].
Came out and tried to fish. Nothing except croakers. Left 315, anchored
off red buoy in Piankitank [River] at 530. Caught sufficient hog fish for
dinner & breakfast & anchored inside of breakwater at 630. Dinner tasted
good.
Thursday, July 31
Arose 730. Varnished boat before breakfast. Sky
overcast. Cool breeze & pleasant. Had a visit from Forrest the crab man &
order crab meat for dinner this evening. Flood Tide will change about 11
or 12 o’clock. Later we painted boat and loafed around for balance of day
- Caught fish – went in bathing.
Friday, August 1
Left 930, came thru Milford Haven. Struck several times
& Fair Tide & wind. New Point 12 [P]M. Fished until 1230, picked up Lingerjo [Ennis boat] at 1 P.M. in Mobjack Bay. Sure was glad to see them.
Skipper [????] Bay looked good. Mrs E charming. Fished for awhile then
came into Phillpots Wharf. Made 2 gals of clam chowder for both boats. All
gone, visited with Mr. & Mrs. Phillpots until 9 o’clock. Tried Radio but
battery was weak. Hauled out into East River to avoid gnats. Ready for bed
10 P.M. End of a perfect day. Came thru hole at Milford Haven bumped
several times – Fair wind & tide. Made New Point in less than 2 hrs.
Saturday, August 2
All ate too much clam chowder. Didn’t sleep very well.
Arose at 730. Breakfast & fooled around until 10 am. Went ashore and
visited with Mrs. Ma???? & Mrs. Phillpots until 1130. Left at 12 – S.E.
wind - freshening - Stopped off New Point to catch dinner. Lingerjo kept
on - nothing but croakers. Caught up with Lingerjo at Thimble Shoal.
Channel choppy. Supercargo started for Europe, got us far as Newark.
Anchored off Ocean View 330. Caught mess of hog fish - Came into Little
Bay 630 P.M. Tied up at Staehle’s buoy. Lingerjo on stem.
Sunday, August 3
Started to rain about 530. Didn’t get up until 9.
Breakfast slow & boat cleaned up 11 o’clock. Visited with Lingerjo until
12. Stopped raining 10 o’clock, brisk NE wind, sunshining. Decided to go
over to striped buoy, fish & go into Sandy Pt for a swim & dinner about 3
P.M. Anchored in Lafayetter River above draw for dinner. Drake came out to
meet us. Came in to dock a little before 5 - with pennants flying - crowd
met us. Unloaded boat & so finished a cruise of about 1600 miles.
Everybody happy & sorry it was over.
1 a type of
outboard motor that is fastened to the side of the boat and angles aft
instead of down, perhaps designed for a canoe or shallow water use.
*America's Historic Lakes is grateful to Judy Swink
for sharing the tale of her family's journey. Learn more about Judy
here.
|
