Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-08-03
visiting the Great Eastern.

excursions OIL country cousins" are pouring
into New York. On the oath the Times
says the total number of visitors to the
Great Eastern was 10000, and reporter
who came down on the steamer Thomas
Powell with an excursion party of 500 from
Poughkeepsie, thus amusingly describes
the scenes outside and on shipboard:
About IL o'clock we drew near the Great
Eeastern. In the distance her vast hulk
loomed up like huge black wall. Sundry
smaller steamers were taken for her, and
one old lady told Elizur Jane, as we passed
the ship Sandusky, to "look at the pesky
critter, quick, " and then vowed she thought
it wasn't much after all. When We drew
up close TO the steamer, the rural mind be-
came confused, the eyes expanded, and for
while the tongue cleaved to the roof of
the mouth. "Bill Wilson, jest look at that"
"Tain't iron, know" just mind its big
ness" "Now, mother, who's right9 isn't
that as long as our barns high :" "Well,
OF all the big things ever saw, that's the
biggest" and so on ad infnitun. With
the crowd we pushed towards the entrance,
with ticket in hand, surrounded by wonder
ing, talking, curious, pushing, registering
thousands, amongst whom our little band
made but small, though virtuous leaven.
In we went, and and at the very first glance
detected in the vista n group of dancers,
who TO the whistlcd air of "Pop goes the
Weasel" are enjoying themselves hugely.
As we ascendedt 10 the deck n most remark
able scene presented itself to our unaccus-
toned eyes Walking up and down tho
spacious area were men, women and child
ren, OF all shapes, sizes and colors. Arm
in arm two lovers gazed at each other rath-
er than at the ship; seated on bench a
German matron dispensed with a liberal
hand to her swarthy husband and their Teu-
tonic brood huge Jumps of bread and slices
OF Switzer cheese; up and down and all
around, looking in at doors, peeking in at
windows, peering down through gratiDgs,
and peeping into holes generally, went the
hot, tired and curious crowd, wandering not
unlike that venerable "goosey gander," of
whom Mother Goose makes such honorable
mention in her book of poetry. Stumbling
upon man who sold us one of Fontain's
capital "guide- books" we managed to make
an intelligent tour of the ship. During
said tour we met with queer people, heard
strange sayings, and saw uncanny sights
In an unguarded moment we loaned our
Guide to stranger, who has not yet re-
turned it. Down narrow stairway we
attempted to go. Up that narrow stairway
others tried to come. Consequently, there
was tussIe, squeezing, ramming and a
jamming, and | regret to say it, on the part
of not few, there was also damning.-
"Don't come up" yelled the down-gocrs,
"there are only few moro of US and then
you can come up" "Oh, get out" said an
up conner, "there amt none of us at alp
"Mary Jane, hold down your Dress" said an
anxious mamma. "Tommy, be careful of
your clothes; take your hands off from
them oily baunisters;" cried a watchful
papa. "Derned eff I'd ha' come, eff I'd a
knowed 'twould ha' been so hot" said a
lusty, frowsy, red-chceked country girl to
her attentive friend from the Jerseys
"Well, now, aint that yere bully !" said
little ten year old to his sister, as together
they looked at the immense piston rod
"Yes, Charley, she replied, but how can we
ever get up starsr And sure enough such
Il getting up stairs was never before seen
or imagined. We turned from these peo-
pie and went down another pair of stairs,
then down another, and then.down another.
Hero there was wicker door, on which
was printed "No admittance. We went in,
and the door shut with slam. There was
no handle on the inside, and we could by
no means open it. So we moved on. The
low ceiling compelled us to bend our head :;
we went on and on, turned to the right in
a narrow passage which was quite dark,
kept on, brought up standing, and could go
no further. The air was close and smet
skunky, the walls seemed damp and chilly,
how to get out didn't know. l attempted
to retrace my steps, but soon became in
volved in labyrinth of passageways and
by-ways. What shall be done2 Call a
No ore could hear. Wait for some one to
comet Probably no one would appear for
a week. We laid our head against what
appeared to be door, and felt like imita-
ting Jacob, and lifting up our voice to weep.
Suddenly the apparent wall moved, and
with sudden lunge VIC found ourselves on
the iron deck, and then knew we had been
leaning against the door through which we
had surreptitiously passed. We will not,
in our thankfulness, allude to the pulling
of our hair, or the somewhat rough hand
ling we received on suspicion of being
thievshly inclined, but will add moral at
the summing up of the days adventures.
We went into the grand saloon, heard
remarkably slim and egolistical band play
the "Great Eastern Polka" and then en-
deavor to sell the same 10 tho young ladies
who hovercd near-then followed the crowd
to the steering apparatus, where in compa-
ny with many Others, we tarred our hands,
oiled our garments and satisfied our curios-
ity. Subsequently we assembled the paddle
boxes, lost our new felt hat and enjoyed
the view. Finally, having seen it all, we
joined our up-river friends, and en- masse
gave three rousing cheers and "tigah"
partly for the Great Eastern, and partly for
the fun of the thing.
In grand procession we marched to the
Thomas Powell, satisfied that the Great
Eastern is a great wonder, that she is
great ship, and that she is q great failure.
At 81 o'clock amid the noisiest and merri-