Skaters on Peek's Kill Bay c.1861 (drawn by Benson J. Lossing)
Source of Illustration: Benson J. Lossing, The Hudson from The Wilderness to the Sea, Troy, NY: H. B. Nims & Co., March 1866, p.276.
Note: This illustration was likely made following the March 14-15, 1861 snowstorm. In the Preface of his book, Lossing notes that the book's illustrations were made during 1860 and 1861. With regard to the specific illustration, Lossing writes, "On the following morning, when the sun had climbed high towards meridian [Noon], I left Peek's Kill for a day's sketching and observation in the winter air. The bay was alive with people of all ages, sexes, and conditions. It was the first day since a late snowstorm that the river had offered good sport for skaters, and the navigators of ice boats." (Lossing, pp.276-277). The March 20, 1861 edition of The New York Times reported, "Contrary to the pleasant anticipation of an early Spring which greeted us at the beginning of this month, March has won the reputation of having furnished the largest installment of real Wintry weather, in the shortest space of time, which has been experienced during the Winter. One of the heaviest snowstorms of the season began on Thursday last [March 14]. A single warm day, only, followed, partially melting the snow, the remaining days having been blustering, raw and cold to a degree not experienced before for twelve months."
