The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-19

the vessel, the difference in time as we
go Eastward, the increasing length of the
days as We go Northward, the working of
the ship, an occasional sail or steamer
met on the broad ocean, are all seized
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 twelve
miles in diameter, the roundity of the
earth allowing a body on the surface OF
the water to be seen at distance of only
about six miles.
In the evenings the phosphorescence 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
preeeuts most brilliant and gorgeous
display, recalling those words of the
"Aucient Mariner ~
''Beyond the shadow of the ship,
yI-watched the water snakes;
They movedin paths of shining white,
And when they reared, the elfish light
Fell off in hoary fakes.
Within the shadow of the ship,
watched their rich attire;
Blue, glossy green and velvet black,
They coiled and swan, and every track
Was fash OF golden fire."
Each day at noon, the captain takes an
observation ON the sun with his sextant,
to ascertain the position of the ship, and
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 saloon. This:i
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, ne struck, or were struck by,
what was evidently the remains of
heavy storm and thus were given some
idea Of the power Of old ocean. Mighty
waves from Is to 20 feet in height, roll.
ing majestically onward, would catch the
ship in their giant embrace, rolling it
from side to side and pitching it about,
a mere plaything of their mad fury.
Standing on the Prov, and looking out
over the undulating surface of this path
less waste of waters snd glancing back
ward at the ship tossed about like cork
on mill pond, how puny seem all the
devices of man and how hopeless the con-
Aict with the elements. And yet modern
science has triumphed over even the
ocean, and hundreds of ships annually,
crowded with living freight, pass and re-
pass over its surface and with but few
exceptions outride its heaviest gales.
We have always entertained a large
amount of respect for Columbus and the
other sturdy old Davigators of his time
but since witnessing for ourselves the
power which they de6ed, we have felt
our admiration perceptibly increase.
Going forth as he did with no guide
except 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 come to an end, and one day after
taking an observation the captain
announces that Fastnet light will be
passed during the night and Queenstown
reached at about 400 o'clock the next
morning. The evident satisfaction with
which this announcement is received by
all, proves that even among those who
have enjoyed the voyage there is a per-
feet willingness to exchange the uncer-
tain deck of the ship for terra frma.
Long before reaching Fastnet light, how
ever, dense fog settled down over the
ocean and with fog horn sounding at
frequent intervals and frequent casting of
the lead, we felt our way along, 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 aud when little
later the fog lifted, We found ourselves
nearly opposite the light house at the
entrance to the harbor. 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
rejoiced at the termination, or near tern1i-
nation of the voyage. In a short time a
tender came along side to receive the
passengers and mails, and without fur
ther delay we were landed on the shore
OF the Emerald Isle, concerning which
we shall have something to say in our
next letter. TRAVELLER.
- Where cause is good, an appeal
should be directed to the heart rather
than the head.