Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-24
THE PASSAGE ACROSS.
Prince Proves Himself Good Sailor and
Becomes a General Favorite.

New York, Feb. 23.-The north Atlantic
served to the big Kronprinz Wilhelm five
days of weather that tested Prince Hen
RVS sea legs. But the prince showed his
SaIlorly qualities and never missed
meal Each afternoon and evening
found him in the smoking room. and in
spite Of wind. waves and spray he spent
hours on the bridge; The voyage was
was a most democratic passenger and
the big company CT his fellow voyagers
united in declaring him an amiable.
charming and unassuming gentleman.
The Kronprnz Wilhelm sailed from
Bremerhaven. Saturday, and, Sunday af-
ternoon. touched at Southampton. From
there she ran to Cherbourg and by .
O'Clock Sunday night, put to sea.
The ship was now headed for New York.
Dinner was over and the passengers who
came aboard at Southampton and Cher
bourg were all on deck endeavoring to
get a look at Prince Henry. His royal
highness did not keep them waiting long
for he walked the deck alone, entered
the smoking room and took seat at
were already seated Here he drank his
coffee and smoked cigarettes for a while
and then filled a pipe He jOked and
laughed with his party continually and
was the soul of good nature. The atten-
ton he attracted. however. did not seem
to annoy his royal highness in the least.
This described the situation on Sunday
and Monday night but on Tuesday the
great ship began to encounter heavy
weather and the battle between ship and
sea made many of the passengers seek
their staterooms. This thinned out the
smoking room crowd considerably, but
the prince appeared every day after lunch
ting at the same table. The heavy seas
did not affect him in the least. for he Is
an excellent sailor. While he did not miss
meal or omit one of his twice day
visits to the smoking room during the
entire voyage, some of the royal party
did fail to appear at their meals or in the
smoking room. Even DR.. Reich. the staff
surgeon of the prince, had a severe at
tack of seasickness.
This indicates the rough weather the
Kronprinz passed through during almost
the entire voyage. But 1t was the strong
head winds and the fact that the pro-
pellers were out of water every few min
utes that so greatly retarded her speed.
Every morning after breakfast the
prince took his constitutional around the
deck two or three times among the pas
sengers. His thoughtful consideration OF
others gained for the prince the admira-
ton of every one OF his fellow passen-
gers. The American passengers particu
larry were characteristic in their praise.
Capt. Richter who; was on his first voy-
age as commander of the Kronprinz had
hoped to make record trip. but the
weather was against him He did not
leave the bridge except at short intervals
during the entire voyage. W.
On Tuesday the prince went on tour
of inspection OF the ship, with the captain
and the ships surgeon. He visited the
steerage and second-class passengers and
examined their quarters.
On Wednesday, the Kronprinz spoke
the Cunard liner Lucania and the cap
tain, crew and passengers of that ship
sent their compliments to the prince IN
a message by wireless telegraphy. The
prince answered as follows:
''Heartiest thanks to captain, crew and
passengers of Lucanfa. and good passage.
(Signed) Henry OF Prussia.
Two instruments of the Marconi system
were fitted up especially for the use, OF
the prince, whose messages, of course.
had precedence over all others. $50
One of the most enjoyable features of
the voya sc was the excellent music. On
Thurstsas night at dinner the band of the
Kaiser yacht furnished the music, in
terminl ing German and American airs.
"Yanke Doodle and Dixie" were play
ed, creating great enthusiasm. At the re-
quest of Prince Henry. Yankee Doodle"
was rendered again. and 1t was no sooner
finished than a request came from the
same source for repetition of Dixie"
Friday night, the prince left his own