Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-20

and wales to the land of their
nativity; and take this with the
broad surface of the Hudson river
and the sturdy grandeur of the
Catskill mountains made trip of
500 miles a delightful experience
in our lives; for that which we had
long desired to see, was now a
reality.
FROM NEW YORK TO LIVERPOOL.
The ship selected was the leu
tonic of the White Star Line, a
master boat under the polite cap
tain Irving who was captain of the
Majestic before the Teutonic was
built. We went aboard at two
o'clock in the afternoon of May
18th, and sailed at $50, just an
hour and a half later. AS a family
we had our own state room and
were comfortable. There were
1902 passengers aboard, all told,
and | presume to say that there
were large number who, by sun
down inwardly wished themselves
on terra hrma again, and as is
usually the case, they gave vent to
their feelings by gestures which
language cannot describe. A
large number of "sky pilots" for
that is what ministers are called
by the sailors were on board, but
though a term of ridicule, it is
nevertheless a fact that Christian
ministers should be able to point
and lead to realms beyond. The
crew were fine looking body OF
men, as fine body Of workingmen
as can be seen anywhere; neat and
clean in appearance, and gentle
manly in their demeanor.
We had crossed the Newfound-
land Banks by Saturday evening,
having travelled upwards of 400
miles from New York harbor.
Services were held on Sunday, and
though we'll attended, what a work
remains to be done On these ocean
greyhounds! What with open
bars dispensing intoxicants at a
very high figure, and gambling,
card playing, and almost every
conceivable sin, much remains to
be done. True, many ministers
and Christian people are to be
found on all these boats, but me-
thinks a chaplain for each steam
ship would be a veritable benedic-
ton. 1t does not take long to get
acquainted on board ship, there
is a mutual sympathy, and COM
mon feeling that binds passengers
together, at least during the voyage
and in some cases for months and
even years after. We sighted
passing ships several times, and as
soon as one appeared in sight what
a rush would be made to the deck.
| was told by a sailor that it
took $4,000 to run the ship once
across the Atlantic. Their receipts
being about $4,000 in the summer
would give them a profit per trip
of some $1,000. The salaries of
the stewards is meagre, about SIS
a month, more according to posi-
ton held; but this small salary is
usually supplemented by the tip
ping system, SO much in vogue in
England, and on the steamers.
When we drew near to Qneens-
town sailing vessel was sighted
about 5 p. m, on the 18TH, and the
passengers for Queenstown were
all getting ready to go ashore; but
alas, their hopes were not realized
for the dense fog around the coast
made it advisable for the captain to
give the signal, and go past to
Liverpool, and the Queenstown
passengers were treated to free
ride to Liverpool and return,
amounting to about 400 miles.
The fog lifted by noon the next
day, and the south side of Angle
sea was sighted, the first land seen
since leaving New York City.
Holyhead lighthouse is situated
here on the rocks, which presents
a picturesque, but seemingly very
dangerous aspect. At 4 o'clock
we were opposite the dock in
Liverpool, and in a few hours
afterward were through the Gus
tom house, and settled at our hotel
in St. Paul square. 1t was a
delightful trip.
Returning home | sailed by
Majestic of the same line on July
18th. Nothing eventful occurred.
l saw the wreck of the "City of
Chicago" near Queenstown harbor,
which run aground about two
weeks before in a fog, after having
across the Atlantic and |
was SO near to Liverpool. Arrived
in New York July 10th and in
Centralia on July 23d. Glad to
get home after the experiences of
the few weeks while absent, and to
enter work with greater determi-