A dream which many Vineyard Haven people have cherished for years is about to be realized in the establishment of a yacht club in that town. Between fifteen and twenty boats have already been ordered and about fifty persons are ready to sign the club articles as members as soon as the organization is incorporated.
Quarters on the waterfront are to be obtained and put in condition for the use of the club before next season and all lovers of water sports, ships and salt water are filled with enthusiasm.
The Bark Franklin, which arrived at Holmes Hole on the 12th inst, from Jacksonville, Florida, had a slave on board, who secreted himself in the hold, when the vessel was loading. During the night, while the vessel was lying at anchor, he took a boat, and made good his escape to the shore; since which his whereabouts have been known only to a select few. He was from 25 to 30 years of age. The Franklin was bound to Hallowell, Me.
The submarine cable which is henceforth to connect us with the world, was safely and expeditiously put down on Wednesday forenoon last, between the hours of ten and twelve. It arrived at Holmes’ Hole on Tuesday. Before the cable had reached the Vineyard shore, and when mid way the Sound, communication was had with Boston. Communication was also had with the same place after the cable reached this side, thus proving it to be all right. While the cable was being laid quite a lively scene was presented off the West Chop, where numberless boats were passing to and fro.
THE NEW COUNTY ROAD, between Edgartown and Holmes Hole, is in a good state of forwardness; that portion lying within the Tisbury boundary, we believe, is entirely completed. We passed over the road a day or two since, and are free to confess that we consider this the greatest improvement to locomotion ever made on the island. Through a considerable portion of the route, the road is already as hard and as handsomely finished as any turnpike we ever passed over.
The Tisbury fire, which began one summer evening in the very heart of downtown Vineyard Haven, destroyed 62 buildings valued at $200,000. Photographs of the center of the village the next morning show smears and patches of black spread across a grid of lanes and roads. Every store but one burned to the ground.
The old Marine Hospital in Vineyard Haven has been placed on the market by the St. Pierre family, which has owned the property since the 1950s.
Built on a hill overlooking the Vineyard Haven waterfront in 1895, the hospital treated soldiers and sailors and their families, in peacetime and through two world wars. From the late 1950s until two years ago, the property has housed a summer camp for children.
The renovated historic Tashmoo Spring Building will be open for business this summer, and Tisbury selectmen approved the Vineyard Playhouse on Tuesday as its first tenant.
