Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-10-07
In Mid-Ocean.
Sept. 18th, 1874

| EdetoT Hepu63cGn
With all its enterprise I venture to say
that the REPUBLICAN, has never yet had
special correspondent on the broad waters
of the Atlantic, which circumstance how
ever, may be excused on the ground that
news is rather scarce here. One day pass
es much like another, the sight of passing
vessel or playful whale being about the
only events of interest.
THE CITY OF RICHMOND
| left her pier at New York on Saturday the
9th, at O'Clock P. M, and steamed out of the
bay with beautiful clear weather and bright
sunshine, about the only time on the yoy-
age, so far, that we have enjoyed those
blessings. The steamer is one of the finest
and newest Of the lnman fleet, and when to
this is added that she is also the fastest of
the line, if not afoat, it will be perceived
that the passengers can have nothing else to
wish for. The accommodations are such
as are usually found in a first class hotel,
and are really wonderful considering the
limited space. The community consisting
of about 80 cabin passengers and 500 stee-
rage, is composed mainly of Britshers who
have spent the season in America and are
returning home. but the storage passen-
gers are mainly those who, taking adyan-
tage of the low fare, only 3l2, are paying
visit to the old country, or who have met
with ill-success in the new world and are
returning home disgUsted The style of
living in the cabin is altogether British and
does not suit one used to American ways;
but, as fer the next three or four months
we must discard those ways, this manner
of being initiated into foreign customs is
perhaps as good as any.
FUNERAL AT SEA-
On Sunday morning, not yet "a hours
out, little baby died in the steerage, the
only child of a poor woman whose husband
had sent her to revisit old Ireland. The
body was placed in a perforated pine box,
the British flag wrapped around it, and the
funeral service read by Catholic priest
who happens TO be one of the cabin passen-
gers. The flag is removed, and the
coffin showed overheard by the sailors.
CYCLONE.
On Sunday night about O'Clock heavy
cyclone struck our vessel, and for some
hours all was confusion and trepidation.
The first indication the passengers had of
its approach was when the water burst in
over the boat and flooded the saloon. the
state rooms and the cabins. The sky lights
and windows were smashed to pieces, AID
it looked as if the vessel would be swamp
ed and sunk to the bottom. But great
energy and activity on the part Of officers
ana men saved us, while an occasional wave
afterwards reminded US that we had not vet
got out Of the clutches of the storm The
ship reeled to and fro, dashed whittier and
thither; the passengers, from fright and sea-
sickness mbined, were nearly wild, and
the groans and shrieks were enough to dis
hearten the strongest. When at last day
dawned the sight was fearful as well on
and drifting about in the main saloon
trunks were scattered in the halls; wear
ing apparel, bed clothing, cushions &c. were
drenched with water, while the waves seem
ed mountain high, the vessel now deep down
as if about to be engulfed in the foaming
deep, then again high up on top of gieant-
ic wave. The captain afterwards told US
that for Is years he had had no such ex.
perience and that for two hours he had not
known what to do.
Since that day the weather, although
shoWery and rough, has been tolerable
Our first experience has freed Us from sea-
sickness since, and most of the time has
been spent on deck, playing games, reading,
&c. But time is hanging heavily on our
hands and the shores of the Gem of the Sea
will be gladly welcomed, sight which We
hope to meet on Monday at the latest.
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
We are in sight of the coast of Ireland,
and expect to reach Queenstown by eve
ming, Liverpool by noon Of to. orrow.
The weather has continued dull and dreary
with an overcast sky and for the last "a
hours acc ompanied by q stiff breeze, which
makes it somewhat difficult to maintain
proper balance. The company on board is
generally feeling a little more lively at the
near prospect of an end to our journey, the
chief features of which have been eating
and sleeping. With meals a day besides
coffee in the morning, we have bee n pretty
well able to keep body and soul together,
but the sea air gives appetite, and with the
exception of one or two persons, We have
been doing full justice to our meals. 1t
would be difficult matter to find a duller
company of SO persons than the little COM
munity here assembled. With the excep-
ton of two American ladies, the female
portion keeps for ITSELF and of the gentle