Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-04-07
A LETTER FROn
r1R. LAUnASTER
GIBRALTER, March 18th, 1904


ing this communication to the News
for publication, that through its col
umns, friends in Danville and else
where may receive information con-
corning the splendid cruise | am now
enjoying to the very fullest extent.
We left Hoboken, n. J. at 4 O'Clock,
.. m., Tuesday, March Sch. amid
cheers, waving of handkerchiefs, hats,
canes, and umbrellas, of several thou
sand persons, who stood on the pier to
see Us Oft. The proverbial late conner
rushed on board with bag and baggage,
just as the band played a parting good
bye. and We steamed out into mid
stream. The crowd on shore which
filled every available space of the large
pier, and the hundreds of earnest faces
on the monster steamer, waved their
adieus and shouted their parting mes
sages until they were lost TO each
others view.
Flowers, books, fruit, candies and
packages of ali sorts were brought on
board before starting and given to the
tourists by their friends, with fond
good byes and expressions of love and
IN many cases with sobs and tears. l
was glad that among the great throng
which pressed up to say goodbye, there
were at least four friends from Dan
Vile who came to wish the writer
God-speed and safe return home, which
was not only pleasant surprise, but
greatly appreciated.
Once out of hearing distance and
when friends and loved ones could no
longer be distinguished on the shore,
the tourists began to settle down to the
fact that they were starting OH jour
ney which would occupy many days
and introduce them to conditions,
people and circumstances that would
not only be of the greatest interest,
but also new, strange and startling,
and that would put miles of starry
distance between them and loved ones
at home. But time and distance will
be no barrier to the prayers and best
wishes of those who are leaving home
for those who remain behind, and so
the days lengthen into months, and
we are absent one from the other We
shall keep them in heart and mind,
with the hope of seeing each other
face to face, stronger and better for
our experiences.
Some time was spent in getting &C
quainted with each other, finding our
state rooms, familiariZing ourselves
with the vessel, learning the meaning
of the ringing of the ships bells. and
asking questions about the various
terms employed by the sailors, after
which a tour of inspection of the yes
sci was made, which revealed its size
and magnificence Everything about
the boat is first-class IN every way.
The furniture, trimmings, decorations,
! LlShN5, liSSCoihS anu Sdi lbCto ar hAA II
keeping with art and good taste, and
the meals are rs fine as those served
in the best city hotels. The state.
rooms are roomy and comfortable.
Cat flowers of every variety abound
in the dining rooms and Throughout
the entire boat, and there prevails
everywhere the suggestion OF refine
ment and elegance which adds greatly
to the pleasure of an ocean voyage
We were favored with pleasant
I weather the first and second days out,
but on the third day there was heavy
rainfall, accompanied with high
winds, which caused very heavy sea,
and our good ship rolled and plunged
like some mighty monster, but We
kept ourselves steady and trusted ouI
Lord and the captain and the ship.
For the first time since setting sail,
we were impressed with the power
| and the magnificence of the waves,
which rolled so high and looked sc
terrible. We passed but one large yes.
sci on our way to Madeira" The
Kaiser Wilhelm 2nd"--close enough tC
exchange greetings. Our route was
farther to the South than that taken
by regular liners, and for this reason
we did not meet other vessels
The music furnished by the ships
| orchestra, at meal times, is a most de
| lightful feature of the cruise, as is al
so the uniform kindness and courtesy
| shown to all Oh board by the Captain
and his splendid crew. There are Az
persons employed on board the ship
and these, with 804 delegates, make 6
total of 1914 persons to provide for and
entertain during the long cruise The
cost of the vessel was five million dol
lars, il is nearly two squares long, 6;
feet wide and 80 feet deep, from the
main deck One hundred and fifty
tons of coal are consumed every
| twenty-four hours in driving the ma
| chlnery that pushes the great shlI
through the water.
The following supplies were loaded
at New York while other supple!
were taken on at other points:
Meat, 1896 lbs. Poultry, %. 90(
lbs. Flour, %, 600 lbs. Potatoes. 143,
S97 lbs Eggs, $1,000; Citrone
80. 780; Sugar, %, OBS lbs. Coffee, T. 34t
lbs. Fish, 1881 lbs. Vegetables
38, 100 lbs. Milk. 9,2G2 gallons; But
ter, 81, ,2l5 lbs. Orang es. 40, $50; Ict
l35 tons; Tea. 735 lbs. Coal. 1906
tons; Dried Fruit, 1866 lbs FresE
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