The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-05-20
LETTER FROM J. ID. KING.
On BOARD BARKENTINE S. n. CASTLE. }
LATITUDE 30 DEG. 40 MIN. n. LoN. $50 DEG WEST. (

On BOARD BARKENTINE S. n. CASTLE. } |
LATITUDE 30 DEG. 40 MIN. n. LoN $50 peg peg wEsT.$ |
APRIL 25th. 1891. |
EDITORS DEMOCRATIC Press ;-If you will ex-
cuse the little interegnum that has elapsed since
my last letter-a matter of two and one third
years. which is a mere nothing. arch@logically
speakIng-I will resume my narrative But first.
let me tell of our present surroundings and
what we are doing here. A party, consisting of
a lady and four children. two young la
dies-Mrs. K. Fred. and me too" came aboard
the above named ship-the finest in the sugar
trade-at Honolulu, April 21st. at 9 a. m. At II
m. she let go from the DOCK and at once spread
out her white wings" and sailed grandy out of
the haTbor. and took her course n. W. along the
west coast of the island of Oahu. across the Ka-
mai channel. which had crossed so many
times leaving our old home. Kanai, to the west
ward, but out of sight. A fair wind sent
bounding along at lively rate.
When night came there was no land visible.
and a good sea running. and the ship with all
sail set, was rushing along-water to the right
| of her, water to the left of her," water under
| her, and some of the time water over her-but
she is splendid ship, and we know that Capt.
Hubbard is the prince of commanders. and Off
GERS and crew first class, SO we feel secure, al
| though cannot say happy, for tn at unaccounta-
| BILE generosity which prompts most people who
| go down upon the great deep. to give up their
| last crumb, had taken possession of all our party
except your " humble who so far has ever per-
sistentIy refused to pay any tribute to Neptune.
| When the morning of the 22nd dawned we were
still plowing ahead. with a strong wind. The sea
had been pretty rough and all were still sick. but
we had made good run, and were sti heading
| northwest.
Your readers may wonder why we are steering
4bo,, 10 cratt tr
California. The reason is. that at this season o.
the year the trade winds blow very strongly from
the north east in the region of the tropics. st
all sailing vessels work to the north in order tt
escape them and get the more favorable north
west winds. All this day was fair sailing but il
the night we were beset by calm. and hay
been loafing along for two days and nights. max
ing but little progress. At this point the cours
is changed, and we are now headed for San Fran
cisco on the home stretch, and are now bowlin
along with good breeze. and with continuanc
of favorable wind. will be inside the Colder
Gate in ten or twelve days.
We have now been out six days. and in all thi
time no living thing has met our gaze except
few flying fish and flock of gooneys-a specie
of small albatross-that have followed us all tn
way, and have become quite tame and seem hk
, friends Their home seems to be upon the cpe
sea.
We are having delightful weather. fair win
and pleasant company. and under such circum
stances a voyage to or from the islands is simpl
an ideal yachting excursion. The cargo consist
, entirely of sugar-nine hundred tons.
MAY 2d.-This is our tenth day out. and W
have had favorable weather until this morning
: when we had change of program. We ran int
a storm, and had pretty lively times for a coupl
of hours, 1t rained and hailed heavily. and tn
wind blew a gale from the S. E. so strong ths
the two upper foresails were split and the swell
were enormous. Every few minutes one woul
break over the ships side, and everything this
was loose was afloat. Now this ship was not d.
signed for torpedo boat. but she has given I
l | some samples of amateur diving this mornin
= that were first class. We had ALL in times pas
expressed desire to see storm at sea, but
think am safe in saying that the curiosity
y all on board in that respect, is fully satisfied.
SUNDAY NIGHT. MAY 3d.-This is the holy Sal
y bath. but 1 cannot say with truth that there is
holy calm upon the earth, or sea, rather, for
8 has been terribly torn up. and we have BET
climbing and sliding down hills of water all da
The ocean seems one vast prairie. covered WI
small hillocks crested with foam. A smart S.
wind has sent US along at about ten knots :
hour.
We are now about eight hundred miles west
: San Francisco. Near this point it has been T
. ported that there are sunken rocks, and our go
h. ernment has sounded the territory thorough
lie but failed to find them. To avoid them, t
Captain steered directly for the spot supposed
10 be occupied by them. II just told us we h
N passed the point. so we need not worry. 1t
e. wonderful with what precision they can dett
ly mine any point on this great illimitable ocea
r Perhaps will have more to say later on to t
la the patience of your readers.