Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-14
VIKING SHIP IN PORT.
Arrival of the Stanch Little Craft in Ne,
London HarbOr.

VIKING SHIP IN PORT.
Arrival of the Stanch Little Craft in New
London Harbor.
Special Dispatch to the New York Herald.
New LONDON, Conn. June 13.-Some of
the guests seated on the veranda of the Pequot
House soon after noon today were astonished
to see strengthening craft slowly making
her way through the Race. They were con-
siderably mystifed over the curious appear
ance of the vessel, but when one OF the party
recalled that the Herald had mentioned that
the Viking ship was on the way to Newport the
party Immediately concluded the stranger was
the boat which had been SO long and anxiously
looked for, and they were right.
The Viking came along across the sound with
good southeast breeze, and she dropped
anchor in this harbor at "a quarter before
o'clock. She was soon surrounded by i'm
mense fleet of boats.
The sails had hardly been furled before 1
boarded the vessel and was heartily greeted by
Capt Magnus Anderson. the Vikings COM
mander. One glance at the master of the YES
sci is enough to convince any one that he is a
thorough sailor and daring enough to face any
danger on sea or land. He is apparently about
forty years old. Of medium height nd we'll
knit frame. His hair is of light color and he
sports a fiery red mustache.
BEGINNING THE LONG VOYAGE.
left Bergen, Norway, on the afternoon Of April
80. great crowd gathered to bid the captain
and crew Godspeed. Scores predicted that the
ship would 20 to the bottom before she had
sailed a hundred miles.
The ship escorted out to sea for several
miles by fishing boats having on board the
wives. daughters and sweethearts of the men
on the Viking. and it was with heavy hearts the
final adieus were made.
During the first week Of the voyage every
thing went along nicely and there was no heavy
or tempestuous weather to speak of. The
bar ometer fell very perceptibly on May 10 and
Capt. Anderson and his crew Of twelve men got
ready for a stormy season. For several DAYS
the winds whistled around the stanch craft. and
| the waves tossed her about and rolled over her
as if she were a log floating along.
After seven days of this kind Of tumbiing
about the winds lulled somewhat. and all hands
set to work to bail out the craft, which was
| speedily accomplished.
| For the rest of the voyage there was no Incl
| dent worthy Of mention to mar the somewhat
| tedious trip. Several times during the voyage
| the Viking spoke Atlantic liners and sailing
sells. but as she was well supplied with provis-
ions and water no assistance was required,
although nearly all proffered help.
FIRST SIGHT OF LAND.
Land was sighted at o'clock on the morning
Of May 81, just twenty days from port.
on the west coast of Newfoundland, and few
hours afterward they met a fishing smack. the
master of which requested Capt. Anderson to
| put into Newport instead Of New London, as
was originally intended.
Capt Anderson safs the fishing smack's
skipper did not tell him the Newport people
were preparing grand reception in his honor,
and as his papers stated that the vessel belonged
| in Christiana, Norway. and must stop ut New
| London and New York route to the Worlds
fair. he concluded to keep right on to this port.
Capt. Anderson says his craft behaved re-
markably well on the voyage, and he is proud
| Of her. On nearing the banks Of Newfoundland
vicinity Of large ice field, but his men kept
| close watch day and night and managed to
| elude several monster bergs drifting in their
direction.
| After sighting land the Viking sailed along
| down the Atlantic coast under the most favor
| able weather and nothing further worthy of
note happened until the boat reached here this
| afternoon. Capt. Anderson said the vessels
| greatest run was made on MAY 20, when she
| covered oil miles. Her average rate of speed
was between eight and nine knots an hour but
| frequently when the wind was favorable she
| covered eleven knots an hour.
! Capt Anderson and his crew celebrated the
Norway Independence day on May II, and
although there were thirteen in the party they
did not mind it Bit but drank and sang. de-
| livered spec ches and danced 10 the old familiar
Norsomens tunes in the joiest manner con-
| ceiyabe. They were hundreds Of miles from
home and land, but they were not going to al
| low the memorable day to pass without OBJ
| serving it.
WILL GO TO NEWPORT TODAY.
| Capt. Anderson came ashore this evening and
wired the Newport reception committee that
his vessel would sail for that place in the morn
| ing if it was SO desired. He received word later
in the evening that member of the committee
would reach here at midnight and make all ar
| ranSements for the trip. 1t is expected she
will start for Newport at Z o'clock tomorrow
morning.
The Viking ship reminds one Of Venetian
gondola. She is between forty and fifty feet in
length and fifteen to eighteen feet beam. She
has a mast about midway, from which depends
a square sail carrying 200 feet Of canvas, made
with alternate stripes of white and brown. The
prov is surmounted with big golden dragon
about five feet high The rudder hangs near
the stern on the starboard side and is worked in
n manner similar to that ty which the Indians
guide their canoes. The booms OF the vessel
are painted bright yellow, and another
iugger sail is run from the mast to the front Of
the ship.
water-tight canvas awning. The men say they
never suffered any inconvenience during the
forty-four days they were crossing the Atlantic.
FLYING THE AMERICAN FLAG.
When the Viking came sailing up the harbor
this afternoon an American ensign was proudly
floating from her prov. The Norwegian flag
and Swedish union were at the stern, while a
red burgee, with the name viking" in white
letters, was displayed aloft from the main
mast.
Until late hour this evening crowds Of
sghtseers gathered around the strange craft in
small boats and gazed in wonder at the little
vessel. Old mariners looked at her obviously
! and declared they would never have ventured
to sea i'll her.
After the Viking arrives in Newport the can
vas awning on the deck will be taken down with
the sails and masts and the craft fitted with
large rowlocks. When she reaches He'll Gate
on her way to New York the men will take their
places, six on each side. with Capt Anderson
at the tiller. and will row the boat into New
York harbor, fankcd on each side BY the naval
vessels which are to act the Vikings escort
An Omaha Bank Fails.
The controller of currency las been notified
OF the failure of the American National Bank Of
Omaha. Neb. The president is J. L. McCaig,
and the capital of the bank is 5000, 900. j. NJ.
Griffith, the examiner in charge. telegraphs
that. from casual inspection Of the books. he