The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-23
CRUISE OF THE UNITED STATES STEAMER
QUiNAEBiUG.

Her Departure from MOntevide0--A Long and
Weary Voyage-Arrival at Cape Town,
Africa-view of tho PIace-Interesting Par
ticuiars-Hospitable Reception by the In-
hnbItants.
MONTENEGRO, Sept. a. 1869.
or Montevldeo we soon got weary. Even the view
OF the city from the vessels deck was sombre and
lifeless; 80 much 30 that have often turned my
eyes from 1t with loathng. and rested them for re-
lief upon the distant waters to seward. Then
almost every day, 1t blew 30 violently that no boat
could be sent on Shore aud to go upon deck for re-
creation was TO place your body In imminent peril,
owing to the danger OF being blown away. But to
all things there Is an end, and days or Monte.
vide0 were numbered, at least for the
present VISIT On the 14th April. 1888, we re.
ceved the following orders:-"You will sail
Immediately for Cape Town, Cape OF Good Hope,
and touch at the following places on the western
coast OF Africa, south OF the equator:-Ltlle Fish
Bay, St Paul de Loando, Maemba, Kabenda, Black
Point Bay and Mayumba; from thence you will
return to Rio Janeiro, touching at ASCENSION This
was TO be cruise which would occupy at least six
months. BY some who had never visited that be.
nighted but interesting part OF the world the news
was received with much satisfaction. Others who
mad seen the coast before were heartily sorry as
lone were delighted.
Oh ehS AVsu Vi Apin tHlVRb were Ill readiness,
nd on the forenoon OF the 10th we got under weigh
and stood out to sea. Once we should lose sight OF
the coast we should have to sail q distance OF 1000
niles or more ere land again would appear In view
The thought OF this to me, must say was not very
comfortable, for II there Is anything dread more
tan another in the service It is the monotony
q long and protracted voyages; and though
always feel delighted ut the prospect OF visiting
freign shores, yet the hardships-so to speak-that
one must endure ere those foreign shores are seen
rbs the novelty Of half Its pleasure. "But oh, 1t
must be delightful" methinks l hear the land
reder say, ito be out the deep blue sea- thousands
OF niles from land" "a life on the ocean wave,
a tDme on the rolling deep,n GLOW very romantic ~
Ists II you, my gentle friend think that there is
an. romantic pleasure In being tossed about for
fory or fifty days. without one moments rest-up
heH-down tnere-over yonder-rolled ed
tunbled jerked, tripped or upset, perhaps with
cupof coffee or pudding III your lap, you may
ha~ It, with all my heart; and as for "a life the
OCEAN wave" why
Tie man who wrote II was green;
Ii had never been to sea- ship had he seen.
That is my opinion, too, about the matter; and II
Weadd to this the 1ntoeraDle SameneSs, only relieved
by N occasional storm, we lay before you In few
woiis life which IL anything at all but agreeable
however much some may admire 1t.
Up to the twentyf first day after our departure not
single incident occurred worthy OF relating, II we
except two or three heavy gales, during the continu-
any man ever 80 foolish as TO sell his farm and 20 10
seal" Indeed, upon such occasions there is always
general demand for farms. The life on the ocean
wavn with all its fancled romance, would at these
times be readily exchanged for that OF the farmers;
andnot q few, stung with remorse exclaim, .What
on earth ever induced me 10 become saIorf have
said that up to the twenty first DAY nothing unusual
occgrred, by which the reader expects that on that
day something extraordinary did occur. BY no
means; nothing more than the catching OF an alba.
trosS by one oil the men with hook and line. This
event aroused the latent superstition OF the sailors,
uhnr afVOrd tad htC nxrtn
singular fact too that the gale predicted did actually
take place. and was OF all the others experienced
on the voyage the most terrific and lasted the longest
But the career OF the baronet on the Quinnebaug
was brief. The doctor took fancy to his snow
white Ilumage had him killed, and then stuffed his
skln-an act that tled some OF the crew with awe,
believing now that some dreadful calamity as pun
ishment would inevitably follow But happily their
expectations were not reaizedi for on the 24th OF
May our gallant cruiser dropped her mud hook, In
Table Bay, of Cape Town. cape OF Good Hope, all
safe and sound.
Cape Town presents lovely view from the har
Dor; II Is situated on the sea shore and has for
background chain OF lofty, unduIating mountains.
account OF Its summit being nat Is rears Its lofty,
ever surface 1000 feet above the level OF the sea-
Wh the 81 the place can OF vap pSc
CLOTH" 1t Is sure sign, they say, OF approaching
RAM weather. The southern extremity or this
chan OF mountains Is termed the ''ClOufu ON the
top which there Is lookout station, from which
an extensive view IL obtained many miles to sea-
ware, and when vessels are seen approaching Table
Bay he announcement Is communicated by signals
to te harpor authorities OF the place Lately road
has been made around this mountain, and
top 1t Is wide enough throughout TO allow
two carriages TO pass. NY friend and
myself shortly after our arrival, hearing 80 much
OF the pleasure a trip round the '.cIonfn would
AFFORD US, wa engaged horse and phaeton, and,
on beautiful afternoon, set out to make the
rounos. Never shall forget the qualification or
that romantic drive. Two hours-for the horse
could only ravel slowy-brought us TO the highest
part attained by the road. Here we halted, and,
II WI hvy I'M
commenced to feast our eyes upon the gorgeous
spectacle before and around US. IL was summer
evening" remember, aud the sun was sinking In q
flood or golden light In the west, far away behind
the deep blue sea. Numerous small boats, with their
snow white sails spread TO catch the gentle breeze,
were skimmlng the tranquil surface OF the harbor;
below US huge waves dashed against the craggy
rockson the beach, sending spray, glitterng and
bespngled with the rays OF the setting sun, high
in tie air; there was not q sound, save the
murnuring OF the sea, sad but sweetest lullaby: birds
OF various kinds floating on motlonless wings
hoveed over our heads and beneath our feet, and
whatwith the richness OF sunlt valleys the wooded
mountain sides and the elegant country seats or the
Cape crown merchants in the distance, we witnessed
sigt width Tor beauty and romantic spendor has
scarcely any equal.
Full headquarters OF an hour had elapsed ere
proposal was made to abandon the spot. Another
look and deep drawn sigh, then we entered the
carriage ard onward pursued the remainder OF the
way. Wehad not gone far when the shades OF night
begai to tnvelop the scene; but the moon-Gener-
ous glorious old orb that she is-caIhe up from
behid lty ridge and shed silyery hood OF light,
that possible, lent more encnantment to the view.
Coming 70 sudden turn In the road, Cape Town
cameunepectedly into prospect. What . magnin-
cent aght
Nov we began TO descend, the road winding in a
zig-zg direction we drove along This SIDE OF
the mountain was clothed with the most uxuriant
vegetation, and the wild flowers and blossoms OF
the tees emitted fragrance that was really refresh
ing. Here and there along the way we would lose
ana ain sight OF the town, while again we would
ente densey wooded part OF the mountain where
the nys OF an African moon could not penetrate;
and 80, driving cautiously along-and care was
nppAd-Wp al level road and. wnlrl- |
ing long, soon reached the hotel delighted beyond
meaure with our trip round the ''clouf"
Within but short time Cape Town mas grown to
be aplaCe OF considerable commercial Importance.
Heretofore Simon's Town, an available and safe port
for cmmerce, about sixty miles on the coast TO the
southwark monopolIzed IN great degree the trade
OF tn colony, owing to the shelter Afforded to ves-
sells Its harbor. Table Bay, on which Cape
Tow Is situated was until o few years ago much
expoed TO the southwestern gales common In those
lattuies, ana during the continuance OF which great
damae was done To whatever vessels were at an
Choir the bay. A large number were, from time to
time, driven on the beach and completely wrecked.
thfyear 1894 psS eighteen vessels