Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-22
An Ocean Journey.
INCIDENTS OF A TRIP FROM BOSTON TO
LIVERPOOL. -
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, !
June 3, 1871.

- .. June 3, 1871. !
After journey of ten days in crossing
the Atlantic, our vessel, on the evening OF
the 28th of My, arrived in sight of Fast
net lighthouse, on the southern coast OF
Ireland, and its sail homewsrd was nearly
completed. The remembrance of the
pleasant voyage will ever be happy one
to those ladies and gentlemen who were
| forced by circumstances to associate du-
ring the comparatively short trip. As it
was so ordered by Providence, we mortals
willingly submitted 4-. r. .
A journey across the ocean is produe-
tive of great enjoyment, however much
one may have read narration by others of
the chief matters of interest which usual
ly appear in every voyage. Fear OF sea-
sickness should deter no one who possesses
leisure and funds from visiting Europe
for few months at least. To person
who is intelligent, and who has common
sense enough to use his mind and eyes
more than his organs of speech, the prof.
its of brief tour in England and Conti-
mental Europe are incalculable and they
are not to be reckoned in dollars and
cents. AS different persons have divers
ideas regarding one subject, it is not i'm
probable that my thoughts regarding the
voyage may vary from those of the writers
who have preceded me in sufficient mea-
sure to afford some entertainment to the
reader. 1t must not be supposed that q
"log" of ships course, distance sailed,
ETC., is to be given but the matter in the
paragraphs which follow is merely des-
ultory description of various occurrences
during the passage from Boston to this
port 1t will be seen that there was no
very rough weather, and some days,
especially during the prevalence of the
fog the ocean was "as smooth as a mill
pond" Sailors who have crossed the At
lantic as many as two hundred times say
age throughout the whole of which the
weather was so fair.
At an early hour, Thursday evening,
May 18th, went on board the steamer.
AS the cargo was not yet entirely slowed
in the hold, there was time for me to
stand on the deck and contemplate the
scene before me. In all the crowd of
haekmen, long-shoremen, passengers and
their friends who had come to bid them
farewell. aid not perceive single famil-
lar countenance ; my friends were in dis
tant places, and our adieus had long been
exchanged On the wharf were persons
who had come only to satisfy curiosity ;
on the steamers decks were assembled
the passengers and their friends, some
being moved to tears by the prospect of
separation from loved ones perhaps for
ever. The cereal portion of the cargo,
the ladinp of which detained US, was at
last safely aboard, and the clangor of the
ferecastle bell warned visitors to go
ashore. Then tugboat was attached to
| the steamer which slowly moved out OF
the dock into the stream. The ride
through the harbor toward the ocean was
| y DTleI Ou6y huu db bCh " OAOSh bbO eNS
boat again came to the ships side, and
the pilot, accompanied by somei eiBostonians
who "came down for a ride" left us to the
care of our vessels officers. Parting
salutes were given by each boat, and we
were then fnally separated from our OWE
country.
Friday, 10Th, was clear day. Already
some of the ladies began to feel the pain
of sea sickness, though the sea was very
smooth, and there was no rolling Of the
ship. The appearance of the sea was
beautiful. I, who had never even been
to the sea shore, was greatly pleased by
the sight The sun, already several hours
high, shone brightly upon the ripping
surface of the resplendent water. Ovel
the ocean there was scarcely "a breeze tt
break the mirrors which its waters" made
Land had disappeared many hours before
and nothing was to be seen except the
blue sky above us and the blue water be
neath. During the day a number of sail
ing vessels were passed, but they were 6
great distance from us. The passenger
became acquainted very readily, and be
fore evening all were as friends of Longer
familiarity. Among the passengers were
) three ministers, judge, an actor, severa
officers of merchantmen, a number of per
sons travelling for pleasure, and Others
visiting Europe to purchase goods for the
} American market, all having travelled {
great deal previous to this occasion. Th'
conversation and discussions of the little
company were very entertaining. At th'
: close of the first day, slight and chill
ing wind prevailed, and continued during
the three following days. .s. .
On Saturday, the Goth, the warmes
portion of the vessel to which the passen
gers could have access (around the bas
of the smoke-stack) was thronged by tn
landsmep, who were plsyfully taunte'
by the officers for the lack of ability t
Withstand the sharp nor'wester. ~
passengers were 10th to seize their guide
o books at such an early stage of the voy
age, and ssuntered ABOUT the oecKs WateA
ing the "heaving of the log," and scar
t ming the horizon for ships. A sma
, whale was seen in the morning some dis
= tanoe from the ship, and several time
10 afterward false alarms were given /; n
;. more were seen, however. In the after
u noon steamship, supposed to have bee
p the "Oceanie," was passed. After te
70 there was an exciting discussion in th
n cabin, regarding the religious ideas {
q Charles Dickens. r4a4
.. Sunday, 21st was milder than the PR
II ceeding day, though by no means warn
K The vessel was supposed to be nearing tt
~ Gulf Stream and the Grand Banks. n
q religious services were held owing to a