The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-09
Writes OF His Voyage Across the
Atlantic Met Many Notable PeO-
ple--GOeS Ashore at Gibraltar.
On board Hamburg American liner. Fuerst

On board Hamburg American liner, Fuerst
Bismarck. Feb. %:
Editor OF Providence News:
The departure OF an ocean steamship
on long voyage is always an event OF
interest. 1t Is more SO when you are
passenger, rather than an onlooker.
1t was cold day and the northwest
gale had not yet spent it's force when the
Fuerst Bismarck cast off her moorings
from the Hoboken wharf. The crowd on
the pier was large. The docks We're
thronged with passengers The deep gut
teral OF the ponderous whistle sounded,
the final orders were given by buge call;
the ships band was playing
"A Life on the Ocean Wave,
A Home on the Rolling Deep
The vast crowd broke into cheer; the
whole pier seemed white with iut-
tering handkerchiefs;the huge bulk OF the
steamer was drawn into the channel.the
prov was pointed eastward-and we were
or.
We crushed our way through the fields
OF ice. down by Sandy Hook. through the
Narrows and the came the first great
rollers from the ocean.
IL was not as rough, however. as one
might imagine. The gale was from the
shore. If II had been from the East. II
IL doubtful if the first meal aboard ship
would have been an event of much inter-
est TO the majority. As II was, however,
IL proved 10 be a function quite numer-
ously attended. The next day turned out
10 be our banner day for the ups and
downs Of life. and there was plenty of
room TO spare at the rack-lined table.
PROMINENT PASSENGERS.
There are a number OF "notables" TO
Le found in the passenger list. Among
them might be- mentioned the genial
Bishop of Massa chusetts, who Is on tour
of visitation TO the American churches in
Italy. France and Germany. lie conduct
cd services in the main saloon on our
first Sunday At sea.
The Baroness Won ketteler. widow of
the late German ambassador 10 China is
also on board on her way TO the Father
land
The baroness mingles more or less with
the passengers and is a most agreea bic
converSationalist. although naturally re-
served and reticent when any allusion Is
made 20 the recent tragedy IN the Flow
cry Kingdom.
We have also very wonderful German
pianist aboard with most unpronounc-
able name. lie was asked 10 give an ox-
hihition OF his talent on Washington's =
birthday for the benefit OF the poor sail
0rs' home or fund
lie replied that he would not play, no,
not one wee bit for Mr. Washington. hut
would touch the instrument just once for
zee poor sailors
We are awakened each morning 10y a
smart. little German carol played upon
the bugie and we have music
every ulght al dinner time; the
program always closing about the
time coffee Is served. with "a vocal Sc
lection by the ships glee club
Time II changed twice every a hours as
We progress Eastward and many are the
amusing mistakes made by those who
reglect io adjust their watches. on Sun.
day morning when the bugle sounded the
.hnrch call AZ half past ten. some late
fisers supposed it was the signal for
brfakfast and were much disgusted wher
they learned that that interesting func.
ZION war long over and past
When We are cut on from tho great
World outside such minor incidents as