The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1878-08-17
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
ACROSS THE OCEAN.
Leaving New York-Experiences on the
Voyage-Sighting Land-The Irish
Coast-The Clyde-Arrival
at Glasgow, &C., &c.

ed with baggage, people hurrying down in car
riages, men and women rushing along foot
passengers and their friends crowdng on board
the vessel, the whole making perfect pandemo-
mum of noise and confusion.
The half hour bell sounds and crowd on the
steamer begins to lessen and that the wharf to
increase. The ten minute bell only adds to the
confusion and at the last moment the shore people
on board the steamer rush frantcally off, the
bridge is drawn, the hawsers cast from the pier
the engine begins to move, there is great splash
ing of the water at the stern of the vessel, grad
ually the vast steamer to have the breath of
life infused into her, and slowly she leaves the
wharf amid the farewell call of friends, the wav-
ing of handkerchefs, the shouting of the crowd
and the friendly whistle of passing steam vessels
Just outside the light ship we begin to feel the
ocean swell and the great steamer rises and falls
in way that makes many look with doubt into
the future. Soon some of the passengers quietly
and without remark go down to their staterooms
while others sit upon the upper deck, in thought
full, meditative way until gradually paleness
steals their faces, and after half hour
they quietly disappear below.
During the voyage the passengers amuse them
selves in various ways, with games, music, read
ing, conversation, and one day the lawyers, of
whom we had an abundant supply on board gave
us a moot court which was scarcely less amusing
than some of the transactions of the real ones.
They also interest themselves in watching the sky,
the record of each days course, the officers they
take the position of the ship at noon, the varied
working of the vessel and the wonderful donkey
engines as they raise and lower the sails and ap-
parently do all the heavy work on the steamer.
At length one morning our captain informs
that in the afternoon we shall probably see land.
What thrill goes through we think of see
ing land once more and this time the shore of that
old world whose wonders and beauties have for so
long a time filled our imaginations. How eagerly
L II Al. H.
probably appear, each one hoping to be the first
to see the rugged shore and green hills of Ireland.
At length some one calls Gland in sight !" and we
all strain eyes in the direction indicated but
we only see what seems to be light cloud resting
upon the water. Much against the evidences of
our senses are persuaded that this is land the
green shore we had pictured in imagination, and
with a sigh of disappointment we turn away.
The captain promises to have us called at two
o'clock the next morning Git is broad day light
here by two o'clock to see the coast off the Gil
ants Causeway. Coming on deck at this early
hour we find all sides of us in some places less
than one fourth of mile distant, the rugged and
abrupt shore and out lying islands of the Irish
coast, which have for so many centuries battled
with the full force of the Atlantic. 1t is a dan
gerous coast in a storm, but steam along in
quiet sea, and wonder at the giant mass of black
rock along the shore andsadmire the green fields
and white cottages of the peasants.
The almost constant mist and fog which is found
on the Irish and Scotch coasts, give an intensely
green color to the grass and trees, so that the hills
as we look upon them for the first time after our
long voyage seem the greenest and most beautiful
we have ever known, and give us a most pleasing
welcome to the old world. We pass near the
Causeway, close enough to see its remarkable ba-
saltic formation which extends along the coast for
several miles. The high rocks near which we oc-
casOnally sail, return quick, sharp echo to the
L. ls,AIo e H. nha
sometimes family repeated from some more dis
tant rock.
BY eight o'clock of as lovely day as Scotland
ever saw, we are coming up the broad Firth of
Clyde with the beautiful green hills, and back of
them the rugged mountains of 'BOnnie Scotland
visible in the distance. For four hours we sailed
through as fine stream, with as beautiful shores
the sun shines upon, and we do not blame the
Scotchman for loving his native land, since
strangers joining him in its admiration.
We reach the harbOr of GreenOck at the mouth of
the Clyde. which is probably the most important
seaport of Scotland. 1t is constantly filled with
steamers of all sizes, more than hundred daily
plying to all parts of the coast and indeed of the
world Greenock is noted particularly for ship
building and sugar refining. There is, however,
little in the place to interest the traveller unless he
wishes to visit the Watts Institute, established as
memorial of James Watt, the inventor of the
steam engine, who was a native of this place; or
if Economically inclined he may wander into the
cemetery of the old church where Burns "High-
land Mary" is buried.
After sticking for nearly an hour upon the bar
at the mouth of the Clyde, we finally pass up the
river toward Glasgow which is % miles from its
mouth. On the left is the fine residence and
grounds of Stevens the great ship builder, and
directly in front of up the river the rock and
castle of Dumbarton. This nearly perpendicular
rock rises from the river several hundred feet and
was an important fortress in early times in the
wars between the Brtons and Scots. Ithas known
many masters in the varied vicissitudes of border
warfare and is associated chiefly with the daring
exploits of the historic Wallace whose massive
wo-handed sword is now among the relies in
its armOry. 1t also figured cOnspicuously in the
romantic history of the beautiful but unfortunate
Queen Mary. 1t is even yet fortress of c0nsid-
cradle strength and commands the passage of the
river
As near Glasgow yards for building iron
ships on either side, and the constant clang of
hammers is deafening. More than half the iron
ships ahoat are Clyde built, and although the
times are hard in England as well as in America,
we saw nearly one hundred on the stocks in vari-
Gus stages of completion. 1t is with the greatest
difficulty that the Clyde, which is only small
river can be kept open for steam navigation. A
large number of dredges are constantly employed
in deepening the channel. This work which must
be continually done over is great tax upon the
city of Glasgow, but she cheerfuly assumes it for
her supremacy depends on keeping the Clyde open
to ocean steamers.
By the help of two tugs, one at each end of the
steamer, we work our way slowly up the narrow
stream, and when within few miles of the city
our vessel becomes firmly fastened in the mud, the
prov and stern on opposite shores. We are trans
ferred to tug, and our baggage to another and
there we leave grand steamer which has car
ried US so proudly over the ocean, ANONYMOUSLY
stuck in the mud in the little Clyde, and with
many regret at parting with her under such cir
cumstances, and near her destination, we steam
| up to Glasgow.
| After passing the Custom House, that bug bear
| of Travellers we are at hotel, genuine Amer
lean house. The wife of the proprietor is
American, and all the furniture which is new and
of the Eastlake pattern, came from America, the
| greater part being made to order at Grand Rap
| ids, Michigan. The familiar look of things makes
it seem almost like being on American soil again.
And here in the midst of these surroundings we
will close this letter, promising readers, for
the next, trip through the TrOssachs and the
beautiful lakes made memorable by the genius of
Sect O.. r. BURCHARD.