The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-08-04

THE TRIP OF THE GREAT EASTERN TO
CAPE MAY-THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
QUESTION. y
The following letter from a very responsible
source, and which, in its calm and cool way of stat
ing things, bears the internal evidence of impair
tiality and truth, presents very different view of
of the famous excursion of the Great Ship to Cane
May, which seems to have exhausted the eopous
vocabulary of the New York penny -a-liners, for
terms of sufficient denunciation While we have no
doubt that the arrangements were inadequate to
the occasion, we are disposed to attribute the
blame to the contractors who agreed to make pro.
visions for the wants of the excursonists. rather
than to the owners officers of the vessel. All
accounts, however, agree that the ship herself is
ALL and more than all, she has been represented TO
be, and, as in our waters she is merely an object
OF curiosity and not seeking passengers or freight
the only question for people here is whether she is
worth looking at, and that can only be answered in
one way, which is, that as piece of naval arcbitec.
ture she stands as unsurpassed on the water as ST
Peters on land. A most admirable onnortun;tv for
those who wish to see the hugest machine of m ans
construction in motion, is offered bv the Norfo,l
line this afternoon, whose fine steamer Louisiana
choose, e.
turn to Annapolis tomorrow, on board the Levi
athan.
, To the Editors of The ". Y Erpress:
know that you and yours will be glad to learn
that have enjoyed an excursion to Cape Island on
the Leviathan of the waters. | went aboard know.
ing no one, and made no acquaintance while there
my object being to see and hear in a quiet wav az
| much possible. The weather could scarcely have
| been more propitious The ship behaved admira
bly,, and the pilots did their duty WELL as evidence
of watch, we have been safely returned, without
moments detention on shoa rocks or sand-bars. and
| as New orker, | am glad that her harbor has
| shown her capabilities. The officers of the shin
merit the appreciation of the passengers for their
UNIFORM courtesy, dignity and forbearance; cool
ness and selfrespect characterized them individn
ally and as body. The patience and the yerv
special care which they exercised towards the safety
| OF the passengers is well worthy of note; the re-
suit proves it, In that the whole number were light
| cred twice. and the mass of them four times with
out an injury to the extent of the scratch of pn
as far as is known to myself; this is evidence of
| commendable care. stood by the officer who
| superintended the exit of the passengers at the
| Cape, and at New York this morning and know
that earnest expostulation, almost approaching to
entreaty, was employed by him in connection with
some OF our own police, in the effort to persuade the
passengers not to crowd down the gangway; and
they so arranged it that only one could leave the
ship at time; in cases of ladies and old men, the
| young officers were especially attentive.
AS to provisions, know frem personal observa-
ton at the tables that there an abundant sup
| ply for all, from the time of leaving New York un
til our return; mean abundant for ''lunch'' pur-
poses. The roast beef, the boiled ham, the bakers
bread, the butter, nor the beverage of tea never
gave out. once called for coffee, but all that had
been prepared was used up; but took a Gun of tea
| instead The 'lunch' was in every respect as GOOD
and at the same price as at Congress Hall at Cape
| May, where took lunch myself the butter of the
Cape was better. As to sleeping, find fault.
| went for sea air, and slept on deck both nights.
and but for the noise of some fast Young men
aboard, who insisted going the circuit of the
deck twice each night about II, in military stve as
to tread, and savage as to the yells should have
| had an unbroken rest from eleven until DAYLIGHT
There complaint as to want of mattresses.
but that was because more than half of all who Sc
ected to sleep out of berths, helped themselves to
two or more. l witnessed the operation, and re.
marked on its unfairness. had a choice of several
decks, and selected the upper one, under avn
ing, and there was Groom for more around me.
did not feel Inconvenience by rain or cnders
Some were, who selected to have the sky for a GOV.
ering, or who did not choose to 90 below when il
rained.
l had all the ice and water desired by simply
going for It, wanted neither after IL 2. ri.
heard high prices offered for both ice and water
but it by persons who were not willing to take
their turn at the table. In every case that came
under my notice, the servants refused these offers
l know OF no case where much penny was
demanded for either ice water, but | observed
that sometimes five ten cent piece was given as
n gratulty. The passengers were delivered to the
steamer and returned here and at the Cape, free OF
charge, when they chose to take the steamers con
veyance. There are two points which | think
merit very decided condemnation-the failure to
have an abundant supply of ice water at half a
dozen places on the upper deck, and the want of
facilities for washing the face and hands. With
these exceptions, did not feel that there any
reasonable ground for special complaint from the
time of leaving New York until our return | am
sure that the recollection of the whole trip will be
peasurabie to think OF by myself ever hereafter.
have been worlds traveller during the preceding
thirty years, land seldom have gone anywhere with
as lew disagreeab!es as were experienced on board
the Great Eastern. ! mean by that so few things
which ought, under the circumstances, to be consd
cred disagreeable let it, however, be borne in
mind that | am old stager, and have learned
two lessons, to take things by their smooth handle
and quietly take care of number one If | were
asked what pleased me most, l should say the care
and perseverance, and GOODNESS of the officers when
most needed, and the beautiful working of the ma
cbinery. EDITOR HALLS jour- OF HEALTH
NEW loRK, August l, 1850.
We publish the subjoined note from the director:
of the Great Eastern Ship Company respecting the
complaints of the excursionists to Cape May
Three directors of the company came over to thi
country in the ship, and they have the entire con
troll or ner anaIrs Inc Mr.. Cox referred to il
the provider of the ship, who came in her from En-
gland:
STEAMSHIP GREAT EASTERN
New York, August 2, 1860.
As it may be desirable that the public should b
informed of the steps taken by the directors of tn
Great Eastern to insure ample means of refresh
ment for the visitors board during the late ex
cursion to Cape May, am instructed to state tina
:, the whole arrangements for providing meals and
refreshments were undertaken by Mr.. Cox, witt
whom it was stipulated as foows:-"The utmos
attention to visitors will be required from thos
under your direction, and the refreshments to b.
e provided will neither in quality nor quantity fall
below the standard of first class hotel''
BY order of the directors,
am, sir, yours, very respectfully,
: | j III. ATS Sacrefarv