The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-11

up the picturesque waters Of Puget
sound for Alaska.
The early part of our voyage Is
through these waters. Before us lies
the broad eXoanse of the finest harbor
and inland sea In the world, the docks
lined with shipping al rest, for this Is
the Puritan Sabbath. The waters are
all dimpled and smiling in the beautiful
sunlight as we 81: on the deck of our
noble Queen, admiring the glories of
nature and drawing from the fresh
morning air new life at every breath.
On the left are the snow-capped serrat-
ed Olympic range, from 5000 to 5000
feet high, and the Cascade range on the
right with the eternal snow peaks of
Mounts Tacoma and Baker looming up
against the sky i'm regal majesty. the
former to nearly three miles above the
sound.
THE FIRST PAUSE.
This three hours sail Of forty miles
to Port Townsend was enjoyable In the
extreme. When the Queen left Seattle
she had nearly her full complement OF
passengers. but the purser, Mr.. II. Nj.
Rogers. informed us there was another
batch to be taken on at Port Town.
send and also Victoria. At Fort Town
send we found the steamer umatilla
direct from San Francisco, awaiting
us. We remain here two hours. which
gives the tourist an opportunity to take
In the town. Favored by nature In
many ways, Port Townsend has the
finest roadstead and the best anchorage
grounds in these waters. The city Is
picturesquely located on a gently slop-
ing bluff facing the harbor. 1t Is called
not inaptly, the Gate or Key City of the
Sound. 1t Is the oort of entry Tor the
Puget sound customs district and the
last American port touched at before
entering British waters. More Ameri-
can tonnage is registered In Port Town
send than In any other port except New
York The United States government
has a custom house costing $220,GhO.
and is about to erect fortifications near
the light house at cost of $500. 600.
The business portion of the town lies
principally along the water front while
the residences occupy level plateau
fifty feet or more above. affording
charming view of the sound and the
Straight of San Juan de Fuca, the out
let to the Pacific. The population is
1858. Its many fine public and private
buildings presented an impressive ap-
pearance from the steamer, especially
its churches. with their glistening
spires pointing heavenward.
IN BRITISH WATERS.
Leaving Port Townsend, the steamer
crosses the strait to Victoria, dis
tance of thirty-five miles. We soon
sight the heavily timbered British Is
land of Vancouver. and as we draw
nearer to the north the British flag
can be seen from the English naval
station Of the North Pacific. Here Is
experienced chOppy sea and the lady
passengers. as a rule, retire to- the
seclusion that the cabin grants" With
Mt Tacoma receding from view, or
growing more cloud-like against the
intense sky. and Mt. Baker gradually
Frightening we reach the English
Metropolis.
Victoria Is picturesque In every de-
tail. 1t Is located on the southeast eX-
tremity Of Vancouver Island, the larg-
est one in the Pacific coast of North
America, overlooking the strait of Fuca
This strait is twelve miles wide and
across it are the beautiful Olympic
mountains, on American soil. The city
Is situated in a rock-bound and land
sides, bordered by picturesque shores
and grassy hills, and backed by a
stretch OF dense forests. 1t is built
on the site of Old Fort Victoria, a
Hudson Bay company trading post
that great British monopoly that held
nearly all British America under its
control for two hundred years.
Victoria as a city Is quaint and calm,
staid and conservative. and thoroughly
English, but presents many interest
ing features to the tourist. Its beauties
do not command-they implore-atten-
ton. BY permission of Captain Carroll
we disembark and are allowed four
hours on English soil. Taking BAR
rouche we commence to inspect the
town. Cities. like individuals, have
their hobbies, and the municipal hobby
of Victoria is her macadamized roads,
not only through the city, but leading