The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-29
ATRIP BIZ THE ROANOKE.
An Experience of Forty Eight Hours
Aboard tho Steamer,


Aboard tho Steamer.
Assunllt, lImitless sea, neither blue nor
green, but borrowing shades Of beauty
from every pristine color. and ceaseiessiy
changed by restless waves, against when
the gentle breeze that crossed my Dertn
could scarcely find resistance, Sllnt OF
the sun upon n far-On sail, ike the lldSis
OF a snow-white wing, and q patch Oh
bluest sky was my first view OF the morn,
Ing from a stateroOrn window on the GA
Dominion steamer Roanoke, DOund from
Virginia waters to the city or New YORK.
Loaded TO her fender sponsors WIN taI
hundreds OF hogsheads Of Virginia To-
baccO. emptied into her yawnlng hOld at
Richmond and Newport News, sne CRUSH
ed her way through the oceans sven.
She split the waves with scarcely more
motion than the swing of a Pullman tram,
and her powerful engines beat CONTINUOUS
assurance OF "a safe passage over the sea.
The sWiSh-sWash OF the water racing
by her side. the splash of the liquid on
her Oft-scrubbed decks. the suggested
odOrs OF a hot breakfast waited on the
breeze. naturalization Of silver ana OF
crystal as the tables were prepared LOT
the morning meal, sounding ntfuHy upon
the ear and stimulating the Imagination
for the coming menu. all wake the senses
10 full appreciation OF delsniuI sur
rOundingS.
Of the sea makes the sweltering heat
OF Richmond or Norfolk but the easier
forgot, and serves as an excellent sauce
for the splendid meal.
DOWN rGE RIVER BY NIGHT.
We left Richmond Friday at dusk after
taking a half load and waiting for the
tide. Captain BOaz was upon the bridge.
and the big electric search-ight sweep
ing the river from bank 10 bank. Very
slowly she picks her way through the
stand BY" The Captain speaks in low
but authoritative tone. stand ty it u.s.
sir comes a cherry voice out OF the
shadow
Let her go 10 starboardW "Starboard
ii Is, sir and the big boat swings around
a sharp turn in the James. STEADY now,
says the Captain. steady II is, SIR, re-
plies the hidden voice ana so the snip
threads her way 10 deeper and broader
waters. 50 much care and back talk seem
unnecessary TO the uniniuated, but the
Captain takes no risk. His bright eyes,
under great shaggy brOWs, are very
watchful in the gloom. and at times
low remark 10 the pilot indicates that he
has seen an object before the ringing cry
of the Waterman announces its approach.
Around Il bend myriad lights come In
view, and a village seems 10 have sprung
up where the river ran before.
When all are puzzled 10 know what IS
command, Bring her around Sharply as
soon as we are abaft those bargeS. ana
all soon know mat tug with a tOtilla
Of Oarges has anchored for the night. ana
seems 10 have monOpOliZed the channel
The big ship with propeller still, floats
quietly by. until the tremOr along her
keel soon tells that she has passed, and
then moves again and sweeps on her way.
All day at Newport News boxes, bar
rels. and hogshcads Of tobacco. to the
number OF four hundred, are stored away
in her iron stomach. ana when the
sailing hour comes she can holl no
more
When her nose is almost ready 10 turn
towards New York a telegram comes. g
10 Norfolk for passengers and instead of
the CaIes, we make for that city.
The beautiful new steamer. The James
town. with her long racv, rakish smoke
stack. like a factory chimney, is ready
10 leave. but She has not room for al
and The Roanoke takes the surplus
crowd. ships Immediately, leaving with
staterooms all occupied.
EOt the least pleasure I'm n trip upon
the O'd Dominion steamers IS the eN-
ce.leut fare. and the neatness with which
IL is served.
BLOWING WINDS AND PLUNGING WAVES.
1t IS true that the heavy tables and
revolving chairs, the swinging trays
ana swinging lamps are snssestlYe OF
blowing winds ana plungng waves, but
10 Is rare I'm the summer season that
the Old Dominion vessels encounter more
than the zephyrs OF the sea.
only those predisposed % the NAL der
mer suffer from the trip.
Leaving Richmond 1T j. NJ, the
vOyager may enjoy partly daylight ana
partly moonlight trip down the lower
james. and spend day at Newport
News Norfolk, or Old Point. and then
take fresh start for tho ocean: or Ior
quicker time he may catch the boat by
rail at one Of these cities. ana make the
trip I'm less than twenty-fOur hours
The great charm comes when. having
left the heat and dust Il the land, you
meet the ocean breeze. Gong nOrthWarq
the land is out OF sight on ne foIIowiHfs
morning and does not again appear until
Atlantic city is passed In the alter
noon.
Then comes in panoramic review the
many pretty and famous watering places
along the Jersey coast Field glasses are
brought out, and under shady awning
away from the glare OF the sun, this
ever chang ne scene is enjoyed.
and pass up the beautiful harbor OF
New York at the fall OF evening when
every mast and every tree Is lllumiued
with the prettiest light Of the dly.
recall this scene as an entranclng
memory that Will remain when The
balance Of delightful trip has faded
The steamer Roanoke having passed
many sailing craft and steamers slower
thau herself reached the narrows just
as the sun was sinking behind the green
clad heights Of Staten Island.
How beautiful America must seem 20
the storm tossed immigrant cooped up $40
the steerage for days, wneh such
sight Is the first 10 meet his eyes.
The brilliant lights OF the city are be
Ginning TO fash here and there a. we
reach pier 26 on North river the O.d
dominion landing place. aud makes
atting picture to close the other scenes.
Although the jamestown and yorktown
have recently been added to the line, the
popularity Of the Old Dominion route
keeps the vessels running tnh ooth