The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-06-14

upon with eager interest to break the
monotony of the voyage as we sail on
day after day, apparently in the same
circle Of water in which we started and
which, viewed from the deck, is about
IL miles in diameter, the rotundity of the
earth allowing body on the surface of
the water to be seen at distance Of only
about six miles.
In the evenings The pbosphorescence
of the sea forms never ending source
of entertainment. The myriad flashes Of
light, produced by diminutive animal
organism, at times illuminate the dark
waves as they roll from the sides of the
ship like million electric sparks and
presentS q most brilliant and gorgeous
display, recalling those words of the
Ancient Mariner"
beyond tho shadow OF tho ship,
watched the water snakes;
They moved in paths of shining white,
And when they reared, the elrsh light
Fell off in hoary fakes.
Within the shadow of the ship,
watched their rich attire;
Blue, glossy, green and velvet black,
They colled and swan, and every track
Was fash Of golden fro."
Each day at noon, the captain takes
an observation on the sun with his sex
fopf 10 oeoarIaip tho ,,oa;f;on of tha
ship, ana besides this the log is cast at
intervals during the day and the distance
travelled by the ship as thus ascertained
is marked on chart which is hung at
the head of the stairs leading to the ga
loon. This is made the subject of much
speculation and many are the guesses,
bets and pools made upon it.
Although our voyage was quiet one.
yet when within about 500 miles of the
Irish coast, we struck, or were struck by.
what was evidently the remains of a
heavy storm and thus were given some
idea of the power OF old ocean. Mighty
waves from Is to 20 feet in height, roll
ling majestically onward, would catch
the ship in their giant embrace. rolling
it from side to side and pitching it about
mere plaything of their mad fury.
Standing on the prov, and looking out
over the undulating surface of this path.
less waste of waters and glancing back
ward at the ship tossed about like a
cork on a mill pond, how puny seem all
the devices of Man and how hopeless
the Infiict with the elements. And yet
modern science has triumphed over even
the ocean, aud hundreds of ships an.
nually. crowded with living freight, pass
and repass over its surface aud with but
few exceptions out-ride the heaviest
gales.
We have always entertained large
amount of respect for Columbus and the
other sturdy old navigators of his time
but since witnessing for ourselves the
power which they detied, we have felt
our admiration perceptioly increase.
Going forth as he did with no guide ex-
cept his own faith in an untried theory
and with no encouragement except his
own stout heart and undaunted will, the
world does we'll to honor his name and
to revere his memory.
But our voyage, like all things else
must, came to an end, and one day after
taking an observation the captain an
nounces that Fastnet light will be passed
during the night and Queenstown reach
ed at about 400 o'clock the next morn
ing. The evident satisfaction with which
this announcement is received by all,
proves that even among those who have
enjoyed the voyage there is a perfect
willingness to exchange the uncertain
deck Of the ship for TERRE FIRMA. Long
before reaching Fastnet light however,
dense log settled down over the ocean
and with fog horn sounding at frequent
intervals and frequent casting Of the lead
we felt our way slong, missing the light
house entirely, but later ON sighting the
light ship about six miles out from Cork
Harbor. The fog was still very heavy
and it was only with the greatest care
that any progress could be made with
safety, At last the watch cried out,
Land on the port bow" the anchor was
dropped and when little later the. fog
lifted, we found ourselves nearly opposite
the light house at the entrance Of the
harboT. The green hills of ireland,
fresh with the verdure Of spring, formed
pleasing change from the watery waste
upon which our eyes had rested for the
previous week and all rejoiOed at the ter
mination, or near termination of the voy.
age. In short time tender came along
side to receive the passengers and mails.
and without further delay we were LAND.
ed on the shore of the Emerald Isle, coz
cerning which we shall have something
to say in our next letter