Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-06-19
REV. Mr.. BURK'S LETTERS.
THE INCIDENTS OF AN OCEAN VOYAGE
IN MAY.


PRoACHING THE AzoREs-THE ISLAND
OF FAyAL--suNDAy SERVICES AL
TAR-PAssING INTO THE MEpIrERRA-
NEAN-THE CAPTAINS DINNER, ETC.
IFrom Norristown Daily Herald. May %
Our ocean voyage has been most inter
esting, many incidents relieving the dull
monotony of many days at sea- The de-
parture from New York was attended by
the usual scenes on such occasions; the
nervous crowds, the leaving of friends
tears and cheers-and the belated traveller
pulled on board after the gang plank had
been removed. Very slowly the vessel
moved from the wharf, the music of the
orchestra on deck sounding Joy which
was not felt by all. Then, as the familiar
went below to write the last hurried letters
to be sent back by the pilot.
Sandy Hook was reached without incl
dent, but when the pilots work was almost
finished we ran into dense fog, SO that it
was a long time before the pilot boat could
find us, notwithstanding the constant
signalling. 1t was surprise when at last
the ''New York" came into sight, SO sud-
denly did it emerge from the depths of the
fog. A boat was quickly lowered and man.
ned by two rowers. By this time there was
a heavy sea, which made their work more
difficult, but in few minutes they were
alongside, the pilot stepped into the boat,
the mail packages were lowered, and with
a farewell salute the "HOhenzollernn head
ed for the open sea.
Almost Immediately we ran into storm
which lasted until Monday. The ship
rolled heavily from side to side, and day
and night there was constant uproar OF
pounding waves, creaking timbers, slam
ming doors, and sliding trunks, with an &C.
casional sound of breaking crockery. Every
thing movable in our stateroom told of the
motion of the vessel. The most comfort
able places were the berths. Only twenty,
out of some one hundred and fifty pas
sengers, were anywhere else during those
days.
The Captain afterwards confessed that
he had never had SO much sea-sickness
among his hands. The chief engineer,
first assistant and five helpers were unable
to raise their hands. Fortunately we knew
nothing of this at the time and looked upon
our experience as nothing unusual.
From time to time, after the storm, new
faces appeared on deck, when the long
days were spent in reading, conversation,
etc. The events of Importance, in addition
to the luncheons and dinner, were the
sighting of passing ships. At first this
was rare occasion, but as we drew near
to the coast of Portugal we came more into
the path of commerce and found more COM
panionship in steamers and sailing vessels
A whale passed astern one day and for a
long time we watched it, sending up great
spouts of water. On another day five
passed near the ship and we could plainly
see their motions. At another time, look
ing over the bow, we saw three dolphins
abreast, swimming ahead of the ship, as if
in truth they were our sea horses, drawing
US through the water.
1t was calm day when we approached
the Azores, so Capt. Choppers chose the
passage between Fayal and San Jorge. The
first faint outline of Fayal on the port side
was hailed with delight, and we watched
as the mountainous island became
more distinct with the lessening distance.
We could see the rock-bound shore, the
green-clad heights, the white-washed
villages, and then all was lost, as a storm of
rain broke upon the island. We ran in
very close to San Jorge, and all the rest of
the afternoon we enjoyed one of the most
beautiful sights we ever beheld. The
coloring of volcanic rocks, ploughed fields,
and fields of grain, etc., as they
from our deck was Undesirable.
At the village of the villages boat came
out to take our letters and gave US well
come of slyy-rockets. The effect was not as
brilliant as it might have been after sun
set, but we cheered Justify in return and
were aided by the steamers whistle. The
barrel was thrown overheard and we saw it
taken aboard the boat-the second novel
transfer of mail which we had seen.
Frequent waterfalls added to the pictur-
esque appearance of the island, which is
we'll cultivated. Although we saw houses,
churches, monasteries, wind-mills and
roads, only three people, beside our boat
friends, were visible, and not an animal.
Early in the evening the last of the island
vanished and we were once more on the
wide ocean.
Early Sunday morning a German carol
was played on the horns, and at 10. 30 we
had service in the dining-room. Behind
the reading desks Old Glory was draped
with the German flag. There was q good
supply of prayer books and hymnals on
board, so we had the regular service of the
church Morning prayer was read by the
Rev. r. r. Upiohn, assistant in the Church
New York, while I was
the preacher, the text being ''And there
was no more sea. REV. 81: 1. In the
evening many of the passengers assembled
hn md
hymns of our holy region.
On Monday morning Cape st. Vincent
was sighted, standing out boldly in the
sunlit sea, and for hours we steamed along
the coast, the mountains in the distance
cloudlike. Later, we passed the
scene of Nelson's famous victory, the quiet
sea and peaceful air making it hard to pic
ture the great sea fight.
In the afternoon we caught our first sight
of Africa, far to the south, a rocky head
land, seeming at first but the insubstantial
substance of cloud. Time revealed its
true character and we could see the white
houses glistening in the sunlight, the rocky
heights and sandy beach.
Darkness had covered the face of the
deep before we were near enough to see
Gibraltar, but far away the reflection of
the lights told of the location of the city,
and there was intense excitement as the
crowd on the bow watched eagerly for the
first faint outline of England's mighty
fortress. The nine o'clock gun was fired
before we had come to anchor in the great
semi-circular harbor Above us rose the
dark mss against the sky, and many lights
revealed the course of the gun chambers
Below and all around the harbor were the
lights of city, more Spanish than Eng
fish.
Through the darkness came the boats
bringing flowers, strawberries, oranges,
etc., for sale ON board. From the upper
deck we watched with keen interest an i'm
promptu market on the lower deck among
the people of the steerage. The light from
a single lantern shed its uncertain rays on
buyers and sellers and merchandise, while
there was no haste to conclude sale, each
side looking for some better advantage. One
sale was especially noted. 1t was only a
bunch of flowers, three or four red roses,
but the care in selection, the quarter cheer
fully given, and then the retreat into the
steerage quarters all told the same old sweet
story of love.
1t was midnight before we passed into
the Mediterranean, having left passengers
and cargo at Gibraltar, and received those
going on to Naples and Genoa. Once more
we ran into storm which did not abate
until Wednesday night. The rough seas,
rain and cold, were not what we had antici-
pated from the many delightful accounts