The Florida star., 1900-08-31
NOTES FROM Newfoundland.
Catching Seals and odash the Most Prof
itable Industries.
Special eorresnoDden.a oF ql,s Urao-;a. St.~

Red Cross steamer Silvia, with Cap
tain Clark In command, bound for a
cooling on in Newfoundland, ''the
land OF fog and goldfish" The Silvia
was chartered by Mr.. W. Il. Hearst
or the New York Journal during the
Spanish war TO take his printing out
Mt TO Cuba. After printing the first
American newspaper In Cuba" on
board her the Silvia was used as a
dispatch boat for The Journal till the
end OF the war. During the trip Cap
tain Clark regaled the passengers with
many unpublished incidents OF the
war.
The Newfoundland coast was first
sighted at Cape Race, 30 miles below
st. Johns. The captain had told us
that we could "scrape the ships Sides
against Newfoundland. as there was
deep water Ut the coast line. This we
found to be true, and the land was
seen at close range.
incidentally IL may be stated that
we almost ''scraped the sides" OF
school OF whales that were dIsporting
themselves apparently for our amuse-
ment. They kept abreast OF us for
quite a distance. disappearing every
minute OF two and then coming up
and blowing themselves or" as one
passenger remarked. Though whale
fishing is almost n thing OF the past.
whales are still quite plentiful on the
Banks" where they probably find no
difficulty In getting three square meals
n day of the myriads OF fish that
abound there. There Is but one crew
OF whalers left, but they are doing so
we'll Ohey captured l20 last season. an
average OF one II day. that probably
others will be attracted TO this indus
try again.
The coast is irregular. bold and lof-
~, and is generously lndented with
bays and harbors. and studded with is
lands. Altogether IL presented an in
Viting appearance. Numerous isolated
sharply peaked SUBMITS rose before
us. suggesting burned out craters. The
highlands are dotted with lakes. and
the CLINT OF the waterfalls made by
their outlets as they leap hundreds OF
feet into the bosom of the ocean add
palisades OF the Hudson could catch "A
hint here OF how TO increase their
charms.
But where was the fog? The ocean
was as calm as n mill pond. and the
sky was ClOudless. The course OF the
transatlantic greyhounds is over the
Banks" and no European trip is COM
III ri -
tO the innocent inquiry Of IL passenger
concerning the fog cannot be quoted.
\ sample:
Iady Is there always fog here. captain?
CapIain-IIaw do know, madam! don't live
here!
Another:
Lady-Captain. nobody answers your whistle.
Captain-Ihank God they don't! We never
Nant 'rm near enough 10 be heard.
But We did encounter fishing boats
They were there 10y the hundreds, and
how they managed Ia keep out OF one
anuthcr'S way was marvel We Ger
tainly saw our share of the 2J,OUO
boats said To he engaged in the shore
fisheries. They made the whole cX-
panSr of ocean seem IL veritable marine
Town.
When our good ship suddenly swung
from its ocean course into the Mar
rows. a strait about 900 feet wide and
quarter OF mile long, we got our
IrSt peep III ST. Johns, beautifully
situated upon the hills surrounding
the harbor into which the Narrows
lead.
ST Iohn'S was discovered 10y and
owes its name to John Cabot, and on
the highest point Of its harbor Signal
hill stands handsome memorial
building named in honor of the great
navigator. The cornerstone of the
observatory Was laid June II. 1891,
The four huudrrdth anniversary of the
discovery. ''and in the jubilee year of
Nicturia'S rciga.' the loyal subject
adds. From this point Of vantage the
approach IF all ships iS Signaled. and
at noon each day the gun is fired
which announces The official local time.
The ocean view from This prumuntory
cannot hc surpassed. During the long
wars between France and En@land f5r
supremacy in Newfoundland. Signal
hill was strongly fortified. hut today
only the ruins of the fortiIicati"nS re
utaiu