The Portland daily press., 1891-04-06
THE CUBAN EXCURSION.
Log Book OF the Portland Party-FIne
Weather and Beautiful Scenery.

To the Editor OF the Press:
On the seventh day Of March we sailed
out Of Boston harbor, and lef the snow and
ice clad shores of New England for a four
thousand mile trip to the sunny tropics. We
had very fine weather the entire passage,a and
arrived at Bermuda In less than three days,
adlstance Of seven hundred miles from Bos-
ton Light. 1t is hard to realize that only six
hundred miles south OF Boston we may find
perpetual summer. st Bermuda frosts are
never seen. 1t Is truly land Of roses and
lilies, and might say Of potatoes and on
ions; for many thousand dollars worth Of
these vegetables are shipped to the states
every year. There are two ports at Bermu-
da, st. George and Hamilton, We landed at
the latter, where there are several fine ho-
tells. Our excursion party. of 1S0 Of New
England's best people, including large par
ty from Portland, after landing at Hamilton.
went In different directions to see the beau
tiful scenery of Bermuda. A company Of
US rode out to Gibbs Hill, the highest point
on the island. where stands tall white light
house that sends out a brilliant flash light,
visible to the mariner In clear weather, Is
miles at sea. We spent an afternoon in rid
ing over fine roads, and through groves Of
cedas and oleander. where we could enjoy
the grandeur and beauty of the scenery.
After spending nearly two days at Bermu-
da we again steamed out upon the deep
blue sea to continue our pleasant excursion.
Early in the afternoon of the 14th we made
the light house on the Grand Turk, one of
the Turks islands. There are three, Grand
Gall M
largest islands produce large amounts of
salt. but wherever you fiud place that pro-
duces nothing but salt you will see much
poverty. Once, while loading at Salt Key,
saw smoke coming out Of the roof of shan
ty. and asked what was being done that
caused the smoke. They said 1t was where
the people round about brought their corn to
be boiled. Think Of this; ye high livers.
Our excursionists will understand how l
might put in little joke here, but forbear.
Sunday morning, the 18th, we were passing
the island of San Domingo, and In sight Of
the island all day. Some of the mountains
are about nineteen thousand feet high. We
could also see Cuba In the distance, to the
north of Us. On Monday morning the 10th,
we arrived In the harbor OF Kingston, ) ANAL
ca. There Is no island OF its size on the
West Indies that surpasses Jamaica In
grandeur and beauty Of scenery. We visited
the International exhibition, where we saw
specimens OF the productions and the fine
arts from different parts OF the world. The
last evening that we were there our consul
and the governor OF the island gave our par
ty reception at the exhibition building;
and the band from our war ship, the Phila- |
evening. Many Of our party visited the fine |
ship Of war, which every American has rea-
son to be proud OF. When we were coming |
out Of the harbor In the morning, the band |
OF the Philadelphia gave US fine music amid
the waving Of handkerchlefs and the dip
ping of flags. The last pieces played were
America and Home, Sweet Home.
While at Kingston we rode by train thirty
miles into the country through fine scenery
OF hills, mountains, and beautiful valleys,
out through Spanish Town to place called
Boy Walk. The name is not pretty. but the
scenery was charming. The deep cuts 10
the mountains were perpendicular, nearly
feet high and covered with shrubs
and vines that made the scenery very pic
turesque. Near this place the mountain was
and at distance the entrance to
the tunnel looked about as large as hole in
a bee hive, the mountain being SO high above |
it.
On the evening of the 18th we arrived in |
Port Antonio after seven hours run from |
Kingston. Here we found the most charm /
ing scenery we had seen since we left B0s- /
ton. A large company from our party rode /
about six miles out Of town to place called /
Goldenvale, where the Boston Fruit Com
pany have large banana plantations. All L
along this drive we saw deep Iavines, hills,
and valleys, densely covered with /
Trees shrubs ana gnsss T,nes and ms al
through the Trosach Passes In Scotland. |
Port Antonio has fine harbor, though not
large The scenery surrounding 1t Is very
beautiful.
49, foF
nio and the Island Of Jamaica with many
pleasant rememberances. On Sunday, the
22nd, at noon. we passed the Grand Cayman
on our port hand. This Is a low island with
a few inhabitants. Many vessels have been
lost on this island. On the morning Of the
oath we arrived in the harbor of Havana,
one Of the best harbors In the world, large
enough to hold a thousand ships. The most
Of our party left the ship to make the most
OF two days stay at Havana. Several OF
the cave and to see the beautiful Yumurl
valley. The scenery along the route from
Havana to Matanzas Is very fine. As we
pass along we see sugar plantations, and
palm and cocoanut trees by the thousands
and beautiful flowers In bloom.
On the Goth our party came on board and
we steamed out of Havana bound to Boston.
Here let me relate little personal exper-
ience that Is rather singular. On the 26th
day of March, 1912, sailed from Portland
and on the Goth day of March, 1891, l sailed
from Havana homeward bound.l The last
passage home completes my 10th passage
between the United States and the West In-
dies. We arrived in Boston on the 3ist after
one of the most pleasant excursions that
could be made at any season of the year. We
had smart gale off Hatteras, just enough to
give the party little taste OF life on the
ocean wave. Captain Hill OF the Halifax
was a correct navigator and hit his mark
every time.
My long life on the sea has been a pleas
ant life. l am thankful that l have had so
many opportunities to see the grand and
beautiful creation. On our late excursion l
met two parties that were In Scotland year
ago last summer and went over the same
route that l went over little later, IL was
yery pleasant to compare notes with them.
ALVIN HALL.
Deering, April 5. 1891
Poriland's Ball Team.