The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-03-15
Letter From II. b. Dewey.


The trip over occupied thirteen days OF
about two more than the schedule time.
The cause of the delay was the steady head
winds and Sigh DETECTION from the direct
route in order to get passing glimpse of
the Azores, about 1900 miles west of Spain.
AS seen on the map they are a tiny group,
scarcely visible. Nevertheless it took all
day and far into the night to sail through
them. 1t is said that they We're discovered
and settled by the Portuguese about sixty
years before Columbus discovered the West
Indias. Macy of the passengers wished
that Columbus had been less successful in
his western voyage. Personally, have 10
complaint to make. l was not sea-sick at
all, did not miss a meal.
The most interesting part of the Azores
was the little island of Pico, about ten miles
long and fourteen wide, or,about One-fourth
as large as Shiawassee county. In the CEN
ire is peak, rising 1913 feet above the
waters edge. For more than fifty miles
the outline could be distinctly seen, grad
ually enlarging as we approached. We
sailed within four miles of the shore, near
enough TO see the hamlets along the shore.
Perphaps twO-thirds Of the way TO the top
was the snow line, easily recognizable from
the ship. Pico is a typical mountain, al
most a perfect cone. We passed the island
just at sunset; the summit gradually changed
from pure white to perfect crimson, the
center of the mountain, meanwhile, having
become obscured by. the clouds, which
seemed to rise from the base upward, leav-
ing only the eakudscernable. The scene
was artistically perfect. Across the narrow
channel was the chief island of the group,
about seventy miles long, which we skirted
on two sides, sailing near enough to recog-
nize with the aid,of field glass; the cattle
along the summit and the men along the
shore. This island is the early garden for
London and seemed to be cultivated clear
to the summit, perhaps 5000 feet above
tide water. AS seen from the Kaiser Will
helm III the houses are remarkably similar
in design and, without exception, are painted
white.
Sunday, Jan. rs, was the thirty-seyenth
anniversary of the birthday of Emperor
William of Germany and the occasion was
properly celebrated on board the boat by
captain, crew and passengers alike. The
ship was Hastily decorated with the German
national colors and at dinner the captain
made a brief speech amid the roar of the
crockery and the splashing of soup. The
boat is named from the present emperor
and an autograph letter is posted i'm the
cabin. BY the way a dinner on board the
boat is somewhat formidable affair to one
accustomed to the rush of the restaurants
Nine courses were served, each requiring
ten minutes, or an hour and half in all.
Each course is served to every passenger
and he can eat or not as he wishes. You
do not order as in an American hotel from
printed menu card, choosing only such
dishes as are desired, nor are meals served
on the family plan where the eatables are
placed on the table and each person helps
himself. AT the commencement of each
course the band plays short selection and
the walters march into the dining room with
almost military precision. The consine was
excellent but many of the dishes were de-
cidedly German. The other meals were la
carte.