STEAMER MONOHANSETT, Railway Wharf, Holmes’ Hole,

Sept. 8th, 1869, 7:20 P.M.

 

Mr Editor: - Perhaps you may be rather anxious as to our whereabouts, so I will just say, that we are all here and have been since about six o’clock and are likely to be, for the present at least. The passage from New Bedford across the bay was rather slow, owing to a very strong south east wind blowing directly in our eyes. After leaving Wood’s Hole it was very rough, the wind increasing in violence, creating a heavy sea which told severely on the dinners of several of the passengers.

 

Arriving at this wharf, being unable on account of the storm, to land at the steamboat wharf, the boat was made doubly fast to it for the night. The wind now is blowing a gale and I never saw anything equal to it, before. The wind would take the water from Lagoon pond and lift it like a snowdrift over the beach, and the surface of the water around the boat looked like a drifting snow-storm. One old shed standing near the railway house on the beach, was thrown down unceremoniously, much to the amusement of the lookers on. (You will pardon us, Mr. Editor, if we did think of a certain table waiting for our coming, at which to lose an appetite). Very shortly, however, a slight commotion was observed among the ladies who marched in a single file toward the saloon, below, where - well I’ll tell you what we found there.

 

After the ladies had finished their repast, we received a slight pull upon the sleeve, at the hands of Mr. Mayhew, (the gentlemanly clerk of the boat), with a request to “walk down and take a cup of tea,” which I must say we did without the least compunction whatever, and there greeted our eyes a glorious feast, consisting of hot tea, splendid bread and butter, pilot bread, broiled bluefish, corned beef, (better than ever trod the Vineyard,) and ginger-bread that “can’t be beat,” and if we did not do justice to the supper, it was not the fault of the steward.

 

Of course you were aware that there was to be a wedding at Edgartown in the morning (Thursday). Well, I saw the bridegroom elect a few minutes ago. Rather a sever joke I think but he takes it good naturedly.

 

The wind has abated somewhat and the rain has ceased to fall but we shall probably remain here till early in the morning. The upper or ladies saloon will be appropriated to the use of the ladies, and the lower saloon to the gentlemen.

 

Hoping to leave these “gay and festive scenes” ere long. I remain as usual,

Yours muchly, JIM.

 

Thursday Morning, 6:15

Passed last evening very pleasantly and were favored with some music, by Misses Pease and Purrington and Messrs Pease and Smith.

 

At an early hour we retired to our couches having been supplied with pillows, blankets, and cushions by the steward, and considering the novelty of the situation, I slept very well.

 

The wind is still blowing fresh and there is considerable sea on, in the sound. After landing the Holmes Hole freight, we proceeded to brig Village Belle of St. John, N.B., which lay at anchor in the sound opposite the harbor, with foremast gone, to the deck, the main topmast also gone. Being too rough to attempt any assistance we left for Edgartown, and will return to aid the vessel after the turn of the tide.

 

I learn that a large willow tree was blown down in Holmes Hole last night almost entirely blockading the street,

As ever JIM.