The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-05-02

the Columbia river, but it was due,
think, to the heavy swell encountered
in crossing what is called Portland bar
The water there is quite shoal il
places, at times being less than five
'fathoms. Our boat is drawing nineteen
feet and as the tide was low she had to
proceed very cautiously. She got
across all tight, howe> er, but was a
full hour in doing it and breakfast
was not served until after 9 o'clock.
Many a strong man and kealthy.loo
ing woman escaped from the dining
room at the sight and smell Of the food
and fed the fishes for the rest Of the
day, but if they had eaten early in the
morning, before they struck the heavy
swell Of the ocean, I think most of
them would have escaped being sick.
It was what the sailors call a calm sea,
too. but I have never seen such Il heavy
swell on the Atlantic. The oscillations
of the ship averaged fully six feet.
which left the decks at an angle of
about fifteen degrees. It required a
pretty good pair Of sen legs to tired
them and some dexterity to even lie in
a berth. 20 I am somewhat incredulous
about all I have read and heard con
corning the placid Pacific. And those
who were seasick must have to draw a
heavy draft on their imagination to be-
lieve any of it. If it had been rough
weather 1t is hard to tell what they
would have suffered. My wife says I
am too mean to be- seasick under any
circumstances, and I am not ashamed
to admit that I glory in my
under existing conditions, but 1 would
not answer for the consequences if the
sea was rougher than it was yesterday.
I think it would take even Il meaDer
mar than myself to keep from uttering
New York. every few moments and
."heaving JONAH between times. But
it is somewhat calmer today, although
the swell is still quite heavy, while the
color Of the water has changed from
dark green to a blush tinge. There is
just wind enough to make a few white.
caps, which look like little patches of
off in the distance and the effect
is most agreeable if your stomach is
not squeamish.
The only sign of life on the ocean is
the flock of sea gulls that constantly
follow the ship and an occasional
glimpse of a whale as he rises to the
surface for a moment, three of them
being seen today. We have only sight
ed three sails Oh the trip a steam
schooner, the Columbia, Oh her way to
Portland from Frisco, a companion
boat to the one we are aboard of, and a
big square.rigged sailing vessel Oh her
way to the sound for a cargo Of lumber.
But we do not mind the absence Of the
handiwork of man: nature reigns SUI
preme all around us and, while her
beauties are not varied, the voyage has
not been too long for one to tire of look
ing at the restless sea. The sunset last
evening was beautiful, the great red
ball of fire literally dropping into the
ocean while we were out Of sight OF
land. One could almost imagine,
under the circumstances, that there
was no land, that the universe consist
ed, instead, Of the ocean. the sun and
the good ship which is carrying us.
They were the only objects visible, at
least. and if adheres to the adage
Of only believing what he sees, he
might accept such a theory.
We will miss the fine view presented
at the entrance Of the Golden Gate
the ship will pass into the bay during
the night and we will awake in the
morning tied up to one Of the San
Francisco docks. We expect 10 remain
there several days. but will see the
| Golden Gate on the return trip if we
take the steamer again, which leaves
San Francisco in the forenoon. That
is what I am in favor Of doing, but
doubt whether I can induce my wife tc
return by the ocean route. The touch
Of seasickness she has experienced has
not inspired her with the beauties OF
nature as presented by the briny deel
and she would rather trust the more
prosaic railroad train. Il cannot say
that I blame her for her choice, either,
It would probably be mine, also, if
had gone through what she experienced
yesterday. However, it may be my
turn to be sick Oh the return trip and
if I can get her to accept this view OF
the case she may consent to return by
boat to get even with me. 1t was with
fear and trembling that she first board
ed the State of California and she
blames Inc for what she has passed
through.
The fire drill today was one of the
novel sights of the voyage, the entire
crew of sixty men taking part in it.
The eight small boats carried by the
ship were all swung clear Of the decks,
ready to be lowered into the water in
few seconds, and eight streams Of
water were at the same time being
thrown. a sight which would have
made the Mavericks and the Billings
Water Power company green with envy
They could no doubt do as well, how
ever, if they had the same facilities,