Steamer past Coney Island

A Trip to Shrewsbury.

Mr. Editor--I left New York in the steamer Iolas, Capt. Allaire, about 8 o'clock in the morning.... On the left you behold our own splendid city with its environs, perhaps the most magnificent scene along the river. Passing on you notice "Owl's Head," situate at Yellow Hook, which is the highest eminence along the whole shore; a little further, and you come to Fort Hamilton and Fort Diamond; and beyond these you have a view of the beach of Coney Island. Now is about your time to go down into the cabin and get a glass of lemonade, from Louis, than whom a more gentlemanly bar-keeper, for a gentleman of color, there never was. After a sail of little more than two hours you arrive at the inlet, opposite the light house and telegraph of the Highlands. On entering the inlet you observe the Ocean House, with a number of sail-boats, ready to take you withersover you list....


--Brooklyn Eagle, August 13, 1842

To put the "gentleman of color" comment in perspective, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued a little over 20 years after this article.

Anyone have any idea why the Iolas sounds so familiar to me?