Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-08-23
VOYAGE BX SEA TO SAN FRAN.
Cisco.
BY oUR OWN KgpohTEE. 7

4 kDA Oeh o~N hESOhIEh.
A description Of a voyage from Seattl,
70 San Francisco would not be Of inter
est to the general reader There are bu
few of our citizens who have no. a dis
tinct recollection Of the usual incidents
OF such voyages A ship load Of passeu
gers represent an epitome Of humanity
composed as they usually are of mer
and women of all nationalities, charac
ter and temperament. Such collec
ton affords an excellent study of human
nature: for on such journeys the strong
traits OF each person are apt to be de-
veioped. He has happy disposition
who resolves to make the best of every
thing fortune throws in his way. The
most disagreeable of companions is be
Who frets at and magnifies every petty
annoyance he may meet with. Of this
class OF persons among those who took
passage on the Mexico which left Seat
tie on the 12th there were fortunately
but very few. The most of them seemed
determined to have a good time and
succeeded admirably. The experience
OF the past two months has lessened our
faith in human judgment and We begin
to think that the average landsman
knows but very lntie about ships
and still less of steamships. We
met Mr.. A. He would not 90 on the
Mexico because she il so narrow, hus
rendering her liable to roll. Mr.. B.
would net go ON the Elder because she
was 30 broad and slow. Mr.. @. would
net 20 on the Dakota because her
wheels made 50 much noise strik ing the
water. MIR. ID. would not go direct be-
cause the sea voyage was 40 much
longer than by way of Portland. Mr.
+. would not risk by way of Portland on
account Of the bar at the mouth of the
Columbia, and to the end of the alpha
bet each letter had some fault To find
and wise opinion to express. But the
happy conclusion We have all arrived at,
now as We See the big city partly in
view. is that the Mexico ia the queen of
all steamships and her officers and men
are models of gentlemauiy courtesy and
attention. We have travelled pretty ex-
tensively and feel competent to judge in
this matter, and we have been surprised
at the kindness and patience shown to
everyone on board.
What wonderful change has taken
place in the conduct of officers and men
III charge Of means of travel during the
past twenty years. We we'll remember
a trip to New Orleans. There it was
profanity and roughness on the
part of tho officers, and quar-
reling, drunkenness and noise
on the part of the men. On this
voyage, We have not heard a profane or
angry word spoken. From the captain
to the least important of the ships
crew the passengers have received moth
ing but courteous and hearty atten-
tions. and it seems to Us impossible for
any reasonable person to complain of
in connection with the voyage.
Some may say this opinion is biased,
because Of the writer's connection with
the Post -lNTELLIoENCHR, and that the
officers knew there was one among them
taking notes. such Is not the case, as
that matter was kept secret. In fact,
II any one had occasion to "growt" it
was your reporter, for by some error of
the agent at Seattle he was left to take
his chance as to securing place TO
sleep after having, as he thought, So
cured state-roOm. But the matter
WAS soon arranged by the gentiemanly
purser, and without interfering with the
comfort of any other passenger.
Very few people have any idea of the
mental wear and tear to which the Off
GERS Of steamship are subjected.
Take the Mexico, as AN example, with
its zoo human beings and as many thou
sand dellars worth of property intrusted
to their care, out on the trackiess
ocean, through storms, fogs and
darkness. Captain Huntington told
az that frequently for many
days and nights in succession he
never removed his clothing. and only
was able to take his meals and sleep at
short and irregular periods. 1t is not to
be wondered at that such men become
nervous and irritable; indeed, it is a
wonder they can maintain such an even
and good -natured temper, especially If
they have captious and unreasonable
set OF passengers to deal with. II those
who travel could only know one-fourth
OF the vexations and perplexing condi-
tiOns which surround officers aud men
on all our large steamers. there would
be far less fault finding and discomfort
manifested.
On the second day out from Victoria
We had an opportunity to witness the
result Of discipline and obedience to or
ders on the part Of the men on ship
board. Suddenly and unexpectedly to
most Of us came an alarm of fire, truly
the most fearful Of all alarms at sea.
There was rush among the passengers,
and some unusually pale faces were
seen. but the absence Of alarm in the
features OF the knowing ones soon reas
sufed the timid. In less than ten SEQ
onds there we're ak immense streams of
water pouring from various parts of the
steamer. The steamer is supplied with
two steam pumps, throwing six streams
Of water; two hand pumps and i've
hundred feet Of hose. Ii has fifty buck
ets always filed with water; one dozen
axes, ready for use in reaching
dfe In any part Of the ship. Il
has six large iron life-boats, and one
wooden boat; TIVE life RATS, capable Of
carrying three hundred and fifty per
sons. These RATS are kept supplied
with broad and water. and other essen
tials for preserving life. Each berth is
supplied with floats or life-prsservers.
The steamer has crew of sixty seven
persons. officers and all. Twice day
Captain Huntington, with some of his
ofncers, makes a careful inspection Of
the whole ship.
For the purpose Of killing time and
having q little fun. the '.passsngers''
held meeting. and the following pro-
gram was arranged and performed, Mr..
A. Macktntosh AZ chairman, and X. j.
Graham. secretary:
PROGRAM.
Recitation ............. DIR. Mccoy.
Music. ............,.,... Reporter.
RocitatIOn n,.............A Btbbitt