Fellow clergymen and their families were often guests of the Cookes at Gibraltar Island. In July 1896, Rev. Henry Cooke wrote, "This morning we had a very pleasant sail, taking out Rev. Mr. Shepherd, his wife and son. We believe Mr. S. to be doing an excellent work on the island of [South Bass], and pray for his success in this field in which there are so many elements of importance and yet of difficulty."