Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-02
VOYAGE OF A wAR-srEAMRR.
FOE THE NATIONAL IsrELLIoEscER.
UNITED STATEs SHR MASSACHUSETTS,.

FOR THE NATIONAL IsTELLIdEscER.
UNITED STATES SHrp MASSACHUSETTS,
Orr ORrA, FAYAL, AZORES, July "a, 1854.
The cry the creaking bulkheads is at last hushed
the lamp by the light Of which writing no longer
swings and fro with the roll Of the ship my chair does
not run away with me- the vagrant plates and dishes
have returned to quiet e and my pen and paper have
resumed their wonted sobriety and attention We
peaceably riding at anchor of.the blue Azores.
After long delay off the naval anchorage, Norfolk,
Virginia, and subsequently, at Hampton Roads, the
morning of July 9th the joyful cry Of all hands up
Choir resounded through the ship. The canvass wings
we're spread and the good ship moved slowly and grace
fully from her anchoring to The potboat like
Nautilus, kept dancing until 10 o'clock P. NJ
at which time the pilot having in charge many last fare
wells hastily pcnned in the cabin the wardroom and
on the birthdeck made preparations for taking his de-
parture. The courses hauled up and the Roadway
of the vessel stopped in order that he might descend into
the little boat that to convey him to his own baroue
whilst we stood out
"0er the glad waters Of the dark blue sea-"
So much has been said and so many changes rung on
language in describing the feelings of the heart on bidding
our native land good night" that shall attempt moth.
ing of the kind Many doubtless extraordinary
feeling, but one believe left without experience
ing SUCH At first the excitement Of the and the
active duties to which all called seemed to relieve
from recollection Of home: But night came on and as
the lighthouse Henry grew DINNER in the distance
found ourselves tossing upon the open SEQ, and
that SEQ begrt only by the horizon the heart felt its
frailty and many sigh attested how strong the cord
that binds us to country and to home. Thoughts
and went, and bright and gloomy fancies and dreams,
and Visions and sweet faces of mothers and sisters and
wives, and sweetheass looked under the closed eyeds
and vanished away and again. and again departed
The FIRST few days Of passage presented nothing
eresting being composed of Gains and very light Winds
while the water remained almost smooth as that OF
river We even passed through the Gulf Stream without
experiencing any rough weather. although it has almost
become preverbial that
In the stream
The Ightnings CLEAN
And Boreas blows his blast.
The first gale experienced in latitude 500 OIL
and formed for their first introduction fe It
is almost impossible for language to convey an idea of
the dstresses and suerngs of sea-sick yoyage-the
surings for woul experience has taught that of all the
ills which flesh is.heir to- is unpleasant
sea sickness The spirits droop the heart sckens to-
tai indifference life DEATH friends home country
ceeds the victim rules neither the inner the outer
mar, and every thing swallowed up in that nause
atng stupor which preys upon the very spirit itself The
certainty that the sickness is not fatal in its effects
courages others wantonly to sport with the detected feel
ings Of the sufferer giving advice to the udcious
of small piece Of pork attached to q string, Sc.
Upon the Oath Of Jnly made the Azores Isles of
Hawks frequently called the Western Islands OF these
the first land visible was Pico" whose lofty summit
was discernibe at great distance and approach
presented appearance nconceyably bold and majes-
tic; its insulated situation extreme elevation and uxu
pressive grandeur The Peak seen proudly towering
above massy Clouds which, hanging upon the sides of
at intervals occasioned partial obscurity,
and appeared to envelope the base itself The ex
treme height of the Peak is estimated at about 100
French toises about ~ fathoms 900 feet These
lofty regions not only unsubdued by human industry
but apparently destitute of the slightest yesge of
natural vegetation Here nature regned in the midst Of
the most picturesque and barren wdness striking
conrasted with the fertility Of the lower dis
tricts The summit of this mountain, whose sides are
neither very uneven surmounted with sugar
loaf very regular that appears to be the work OF art
rather than of nature.
At noon the same day we reached Faya an island that
takes its from the green Faya that grows in
such abundance here. We had been merrily rocked
passage and right glad to destined
port Those who still confessed the power OF the seagod
in their falterng steps and dizzy brainsfor we have
several green seamen amongst uscmbed with alacrty
the deck to view the were fast approaching
before the breeze The sight Of land is beautiful
and every appears from the to advantage in
his eyes who for time previous has nothing
but wide expanse of waters around him. Fayal, how
ever presented most beautiful picture The eye could
not to dwell it. surrounded as 1t was by hills
covered with luxurisnt verdurethe brilliant garb that
nature under the tropics and which was gstenirg
in the bright suns rays for delightful the climate
and prolific the soil here that both European and ro-
pca plants arrive at their greatest perfection The face
of the earth is diversified to exhibit in some places
within small extent gardens of aromatic plants pas
tures vineyards orangeries So, with volcanic hills and
productions The inhabitants have been described an
innocent good aud honest people, who prefer the olive
to the laurel and who would seek for distinction rather
by industry than by arms" Our delay here will be ne
cessariy very brief However doubt not but that shall
be able to give further account of the island the
people in my letter We indebted to the family
Of Consul, Mr. DABNEY, for very many kindnesses
and attentions.
Every thing promises speedy and prosperous voyage
Nothing is left undone by the Commander to meet the
fullest wishes and expectations Of the Department and
to maintain the usefulness and efficiency Of the navy, to
give to civilized and savage just impression Of the
power we possess, aud in what exercise
it when justice demands reparaton for nsued dignity
F. p.