The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-09-07
Characteristics of the
Passengers.
Steamer Passed Close by Bird
Island - Stemming the
Black Stream.
Especial Correspondence
On Board 5. 5. Doric,
a.. g Anolsr Ii 1907

On Board >. >. DOTlc,
AT Sea, August Il, 1897.
EDITOR P. c. A.:-The good ship
Doric is not making a record for her.
self on this voyage. She is too deeply
Iaden for fast sailing. Three thousand
tons Of -four for Hong Kong bring hel
near to the Phmsoll mark, but the
consumption Of coal lightens the vessel
each day; yet for pleasantness and
comfort, ] doubt if the record for this
voyage can be surpassed. Cool breezes
smooth seas and sunny skies make life
on shipb0ard as agreeable as the IN
stable support and narrow quarters OF
our floating home viii admit.
We have but few passengers, only Is
in all. all but seven for Yokohama.
presume that the ships officers would
be glad 10 dispense with the company
Of even that small number on the re-
mainder Of the voyage from Japan to
China. AT this season of the year the
heat is said 10 be almost unindurable
Pajamas are the only style for ordin-
AIRY wear. The Captain talks of swing
ing hammocks on the upper decks to
make the most comfortable arrange
meur possible for the night The ships
officers are fine, companionable men,
The mOnotOny of life on shipboard
where there Is no morning newspaper,
no change Of scene and life is one I'M
steady roll and surge, is alleviated by
all manner of social devices. The first
afternoon after leaving Honolulu and
its social hustle and hustle, the Cap
tain called all the passengers into the
geutlemen's saloon, and suggested the
appointment Of two committees-one
for indoor entertainments, the other for
outdoor amusements. The committees
were duly appointed, and have evolved
out OF abyssmal nothingness a series of
amusements. Nothing helps digestion
so much as a hearty laugh that shakes
the whole physical organism.
We have not an extraordinary
amount Of talent among the passen-
gers. but we are ready to utilize what
ever is available. The cuisine is ad-
mirable; in fact, so good that we are
tempted, as our first parents were or
iginally. to eat too much. Then comes
the penalty, tossing to and fro on the
narrow couch at night, folded hands
and woe-begone faces during the day.
time. But a brisk walk after break
fast. jolly game Of cricket after lunch
and lot Of fun in enjoying the varied
afternoon and evening entertainments.
prevent the fl Of blue from taking I'M
challenged possession of the voyagef
over this wide expanse of blue ocean.
] never have travelled on any steamer
where the officers have done so much
70 make the voyage agreeable as have
The officers Of the Doric.
The average Englishman carries
with him all over the world a hearty
love Of sport In all the ports of the
Orient there are athletic clubs. cricket
and tennis tournaments. In the Eng
lish illustrated papers. Of which are
hand files in the ships library. it is no.
uceahle how much space is given TO
sports and fighting. Yet when one
visits the great picture galleries of Eu-
rope. one cannot but notice the differ
ence between France and England.
Bartle-scenes by the hundreds fill the
arr galleries in France. In England.
there are few or none-home joys are
most commonly depicted by the great
English artists, and speak of the Eng
lish desire for home comfort. in con
trast with the French passion for mill
tary glory.
The Doric is & irst-class steamer in
every respect There is ample room
for whatever needs TO be done. whetb-
ct in the social hall. the dining room
the library, promenade deck. or state
room You can have a bath in warm
water in a marble basin. or take a
souse in a canvas swimming tank.
pumped full of water right from the
ocean every morning. 1t is 5 feet deep.
l6 feet by Il feet in length and breadth
Yet this large amount of water. with all
It's weight makes no perceptible diff
ference in the running of the shin. |
Breakfast is served at $50 a. m. with |
tea and toast in your room at any
earlier morning hour Beef tea and
chicken broth are served at II a. m.
and lunch al ! P. m. Dinner comes at
Z p N, with something extra on the
table from 9 till 10 D. m Electric lights |
and call bells and a well-trained corps
OF saloon boys, in white gowns and 1
caps for dinner. in blue for other meals. |
minimize the inconvenience of life on |
shipboard- A well-selected library of /
the best works of recent writers helps |
TO while away the monotony. As we
are travelling westward clock time is |
too fast, and each day at midnight the |
saloon clock is put back about half an
hour. As We crossed $50 deg. about 10 |
a. m Saturday we lost our Sunday al
together and reckon our days as they
are doing in the Land of the Rising
Sun" We have been making an aver
age daily run Of S45 miles, but yester-
days bulletin announced only SOS. We