Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-01

he New York World, June 3Oth.

From the New York World June 30th.
The telegraph operator at the ship-news Office
was in a happier mood yesterday morning thar
he was on Sunday. Then three of the crack
ocean steamers, the Republic, Normandie and
Etruria, were overdue, and dozens of men and
women were anxiously inquiring about them
The fog was so dense that the operator al
Sandy Hook telegraphed: wind east: can't see
across the river" The Etruria came up to the
bar enveloped In the mist and let 60 her anchor
at z o'clock on Sunday evening. She was not
made out until after O'Clock yesterday morn.
ing, when the fog raised sufficiently to per
init her being seen. Anchored near her was
the White Star steamer Republic. The Nor
mandle, OF the French line, was deserted coming
While the passengers on the other steamers
were fretting over their delay when almost In
70 a rare sight that put them in good humor.
Ihey had witnessed a beautiful mirage. The
Normandie crept in from sea, feeling her way
along ana moving at quarter speed. The fog
and sn;.ils pace were far different from the
beautiful weather they had experienced and
the quick run across the ocean, averaging
seventeen miles an hour. Everybody was on
deck anxious to catch the first glimpse OF land
that showed through the tog.bank.
All looked about dreading that they were so
close upon it that a collision was Imminent.
"Its White Star, it must be the Republic"
was the next announcement
Interest was intensified. Passengers looked
hrst on one side, then on the other. in front and
behind. but they could see no sign OF any ves-
sci. The dense pail OF mist that hung over the
water shut off all view of the vessel Whose near
ness was indicated by the fog whistles only.
After most of them had given up the search
gracefully on the crest of ominous-iooking
clouds that lowered up mountain high, they
saw the black-painted hull and yellow funnel
OF White star steamer The entire rigging
and appurtenances on deck stood out as clearly
as though the big steamer was near by. Photo
graphers skill could not have made the illusion
SO nearly perfect. for the phantom ship vibrated
as though chatting like chained racer TO be off
ana away. For some time the mirage was WISH
Sie: the real Republic was then over mile
The Normandte Kept on, the whistles grew
louder ana the water seemed to be alive with
that was distinguishable OF them were the
masts that stooa Up like trees in partially
hidden.
suddenly the fog lifted. A patch OF blue sky
that showed through a rift In the misty curtain
was taken as signal for fresh start at faster
rate OF speed. Tho Normandie's engines were
started up and the steamer forged ahead. The
clouds were chased away by the bright sun and
a grand picture was disclosed. Within a short
distance were three large ocean steamers.
Then commenced q race for quarantine. The
French ship had the advantage being under
weigh, while the others Were forced to heave
up their anchors. The former had good start
when the Republic took the second place in
line, and the Etruria swung round into the
procession.
Starting opposite the whistling buoy, off
Sandy Hook, the belated ocean travellers came
up the bay under full steam. 1t was an eNcit-
ing race. The decks of all the steamers were
crowded with passengers. Those on the Nor
mandie cheered not little because they kept
the right Of the line
But the Etruria spurted magnifcently, over
hauled the Republic and reached quarantine
at IO:O5 O'Clock, only ten minutes after the
Normandie had anchored. The Republic came
up five minutes later. AS she had the smallest
Cabin list one of Starin's boats ran IN alonp-
side, took OF the passengers and baggage and
ran up to the barge Office. They landed soon
after 1! O'Clock. The Normandie's passengers
came up.
81 have seen number of beautiful mirages
on the desert in Africa and on the Mediter-
anean," said Mr.. Eugene de Bocande one of the
directors of the French Steamship company
VINO came over On the Normandie, '.but never
saw anything SO grand as that of the Republic
We saw this morning. 1t was magnificent
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