The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-08-04
Across the Atlantic.

tDI1 lllk Lllue was ~ 49, ~
friends adieu ana tears flowed from many
ewes. Rev. r. F. Bumpas and tins scribe
had none TO weep at our departure, our
girls were far away. The big Brooklyn
Bridge and the sky scrapers with their
flags flying remained long IN view. Coney,
staten and Long Island looked pictures
que and beautiful. Fort Wadsworth and
Hamilton stood grandly on the right and
left Of the harbor. The Statue Of Llber-
~, near the centre, was magnflcent-an
inspiration to all Americans. Our steam
er glided like a swan around Sandy Hook,
where the biggest guns IN the world made
all feel secure from all foreign toes, whose
thunder was occasionally heard by all IN
the harbor. Slowly the noted places and
splendid buildings faded away and our
native land sinks like a cloud below the
waves, and then these familiar lines float
ed through my mind:
LAS far as the dark waters glide the bill
lows foam,
Survey our empire, behold our home!'
| The ocean is almost as smooth as a lake
upon hose DoSOI1 L SSSh lldIS II HhltS
sail and smoking engine. At length our
proud ship Is monarch OF all we survey
the blue sea around US and a clear sky
above us. If you would see New York
Alright enter in at this gateway. The
waves begin to make music, whose surge
is as gentle as a cradle.
At six p. m. the bugle calls all the
cabin passengers to dinner. The menu IS
a 4th of July banquet. Miniature flags
adorn every table, and such an elaborate
and varied feast l never saw before. The
closing course was brought in by a pro
cession by the crew, all carrying illum-
mated ice cream and cake with stars and
stripes flying.
Sunday, July 5th. the King of Day
comes up grandly without a cloud on his
brow, a bracing breeze overs the sea
with white caps, while rainbow hues
gid the spray as we pass. The good peo-
pie aboard desired divine service, SO Rev.
r. F. Bumpas gave us a very appropriate
sermon in the large dining hall. The
songs, Nearer. My God, to Thee and
Jesus Lover Of My Soul" blended sweet
~ with the surging waves, and made all
feel as near heaven as you on shore.
On board we have 227 cabin passengers,
225 steerage, and a crew of 250-a1 Ger
mans. The ship, with crew and passengers
is ideal. l have never heard a complaint,
but everything is complimented. Our bill
of fare is in French and German, and
very elaborate, but some strong fellows
take the whole course, French, German
and all. Delicate persons have to skip
about.
The company aboard promenade around
the long decks (ten times around is a
mile), read, write, play games, sleep, and
a few are too sick to do anything.
At noon every day the captain posts
his log book, and sticks up his chart for
all to see. Every day we have TO move
our watches up 80 minutes.
July 9Th. Our captain says we are in
the Gulf stream, but strange to say we
wear our overcoats every day while en-
deck. ''12 a. M. 2,553 mile to Gibraltar"
Four parties arc aboard for Europe,
the largest, to which this writer belongs,
is Cooks. with II.
The steerage are italians and the show
of all aboard. They sing, dance, play and
sport all the time.
Now we see a steamer passing US on
larboard side, 5 miles away. A number
are taking kodak shots at it. This is
quite a fad ard pastime with many TO Ic-
lists. The chief engineer just carried a
party of US through the engine room and
showed US all the machinery Of the big
snip. We were % feet below the level OF
/ sea and 80 feet beneath the upper deck.
Here fresh air has to be pumped in al
the time in order that the f1remen may
live, and still the heat is fearful.
Our dining is ALWAYS 3ccOmpapiod Wit n
music from the orchestra and ever and
anon during the idle hours splendid music
Is given us.
Again the captain has posted his log
book. run in "a hours 1863 miles; to
Gibraltar, 2,19O miles. North Lat. 80 de-
grees, II seconds. West Long, 81 degree,
IS seconds"
We are 1000 miles from land with the
constant music of breaking pillows as a
chorus to the sweet piano strains within
while | look at a rainbow uniting sea and
cloud with Il seven-cOlOred ribbon woven
by the Creator himself.
July 10th. The Captain had all aroused
early this morning to see the Azore Is
lands. the first land seen since July 4th.
We have had eleven views of them all this
a. M. The homes. fields and villages were
picturesque with mountains in the back
ground, wrapped in clouds. This is a
magnificent region with temperature rang
ing between 80 degrees and Is degrees,
the entire year, hence they have the fruits
of the tropics, their oranges among the
finest Of the world. The natives were seen
gliding hither and thither in small sail
and row boats.
Many porpoises have been seen. and a
huge whale on the Sth rose in full view
a few yards from our vessel, his spouting
water remaining visible almost a mile af-
ter we passed.
Everybody aboard is charmed with the
| voyage. To me it is the best place to
rest, and the finest travel on earth. The
steerage and cabin passengers are bound
for Italy.
Nearly every State is represented and
most of the professions. There are four
| ~clergymen, and scores of lawyers and doc
tors; President Hadley, of Yale, and one
| professor of Harvard. and as many ladies
! as men. The captain and crew are SUI