New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-04
TOURISTS BLAME CLERGY.
THEY SAY MINISTER'S FOUND FAULT
WITHOUT REASON ON CELTIC.

Most of the eight hundred and forty passen-
gers who sailed on a three months tour in the
Mediterranean on February S on the Celtic. of
the White Star Line returned on Friday night.
AS the Celtic was kept back week at Liverpool
some of the tourists returned on other steam
ships, among them being the Rev. Josiah Strong.
Mr.. Strong said. when he arrived two weeks
ago, that he and several other passengers, were
dissatisfied with the way that the excursion
had been managed, and that the most blame
should be put on Captain H. St. G. Lindsay.
On the arrival Of the Celtic Captain Lindsay
replied to the clergyman's accusation as follows:
The whole trouble was caused by what
seamen term a lot of landlubbers or to use a
more polite term, people who had never been to
sea before, and were entirely ignorant of what
should be done with a ship. In a party of so
many there WAS bound to he some discord but
/ have returned with my ship and my passen-
gers in as good condition when they went
away, and satisfied. OF course, l am
sorry that any trouble occurred, but l think
you will find the majority of the passengers
on my side
All the passengers who talked blamed the
ministers and their wives and daughters for the
unpleasant occurrences that had taken place.
Mrs f. P. Bates. of Boston, who was accom-
panied by her husband on the trip. said:
Captain Lindsay did all that captain could
do for the comfort, safety and convenience of
his passengers. At Malta where We anchored
outside the harbOr. and thereby caused dis
turbance among the clergymen who wanted to
land. Indignation meeting held in the
cabin, and several letters. one of which was
written by J. H. Bird. of the R. ]. Dun Mer-
camille Agency were sent to the steamship
company complaining of the way in which Cap
tain Lindsay was running the ship. No one
seemed to realize that the harbor was too small
for big ship like the Celtic to turn around in.
but. without stopping to reason. rushed at the
conclusion that they We're being badly treated.
Why, the way Those Clergymen pushed their
way into the small boats that came alongside
TO take them ashore was awful. We made up
a rule, which proved very effective 'CIergymen
first, ladies next. and gentlemen last This
rule was repeated all around the ship. and we
noticed after a while that the cIergymen were
a little more polite when entering or leaving
the boats"
Miss NJ McQueeney. of No. Is East Thirty
second-st., corroborated Mrs. Batess remarks.
and also added to them:
When we were in AIgiers. which you know is
very wicked town 1 and some other women
thought we would ike to see one Of the vaude-
Vile shows running in the town. We went to
the Casino, where were Mortified TO see the
front rows entirely occupied by the clergymen.
l spoke to one OF them and said: I am very
much surprised TO see you here I only came
/
l told him and left him with a very red face
but he stopped and saw the show through. all
right lot Of the passengers bought dogs at
Malta, some very pretty ones but most OF them
are 5Orry now. The dogs cost originally about
81 each. but after paying customs duties at the
different countries. the dogs cost their owners
in some cases, fifty times the original price
You can depend upon it. every one got his
moneys worth and 1 hope to make the trip
again some day"
An amusing story told by a passenger
who would not give his name.
when he reached the River Jordan" he said.
"A lot Of the missionaries rushed into the water
until II reached their waists. They then walked
around in their wet clothes. refusing to change
for fear OF the effect OF the water wearing on
Another story was told about young clergy
man who insisted on having horse while
the road 20 Samaria more fiery than the rest.
His request granted. and he rode a steed
that ran away with him for over two miles
General r. A McAlpn and his wife also
rived on TIE Celtic. Mrs McAlpin said that in
a collection taken up on the ship for the benefit
or the Redeeming Society for Criminals. of
which she is at the head in Ossining she
realized $3.50 in cash and nearly $1,000 more in
pTomissory notes.