Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-08-01
FROM GEORGE HUNTINGTON
Interesting Letter Describing
His Trip From New York to
the Isthmus.

Relatives Of George Huntington
received letter from him Saturday
in which he described his trip from
New York to the Isthmus of Panama,
and telling Of the incidents that oc-
Cured on the way, including death
on board, fire drill, the methods of
the health officers at Panama, and
other interesting Incidents. The
letter is given herewith in part:
New York, July 5, '05. At four
in the afternoon we cast loose from
the pier, headed down stream, past
numerous craft OF all descriptions
and belonging to all nations. We
had fine view of New York and
Hoboken past the Battery where lies
u S. transport, and out past the
forts, and statue of Liberty. We are
fast leaving an ocean steamer behind,
for we are fast ship, capable of
making eighteen knots, or twenty
one miles. That is almost as fast as
an ordinary railroad train
1t is nearing dinner time and as we
pass Sandy Hook we drop our pilot,
who is in good luck, for he is again
picked up by an incoming single fun
neled steamer from across the ocean.
Dinner is called and we must take our
places to determine our location at
| mess for the remainder of the trip.
Here is sample OF our dinners:
Rice and Tomatoes
| Baked Spanish Mackerel Italian Sauce
Fricassce of Chicken
Harricot ofOx-tail
Orange Fritters.
Boiled Corned Beef and Cabbage
Roast Ribs of Beef and Dish Gravy
Leg of Pork and Apple Sauce
Plain Lettuce
Boiled and Mashed Potatoes
| dashed Turnps String Beans
Stewed Onions Beets
Sage Pudding Cream Sauce
Apple Pie Assorted Pastry
Apples, Raisins
Figs Assorted Nuts
Teas, Coffee, Cheese. Crackers
Wine Jelly
When we come on deck again we are
far from land though it is still in
view on both sides, and we are passing
numerous boats of all kinds and de-
scriptions. Members Of the crew of
our boat tell US what kind of boats
they are and how they are rigged.
The sailors know almost every boat
and who its officers are, and can tell
them almost at sight.
AS the night comes on the light
houses begin to show up, cleaning
across the waters from the eastern
shores. Far in our rear we catch
CLEANS of light from the torch in the
hands of the Goddess of Liberty in
the harbor we have left. We stay
on deck till ten o'clock in the evening
and then retire to our state room to
sleep.on old Atlantic Ocean for the
first time. He is restless tonight. for
there is stiff breeze blowing from
dead ahead. 1 have the lower berth,
the upper being occupied by young
carpenter by the name of Babcock,
who,. like myself. is bound for the
Canal Zone. [ think we shall get
along together in fine shape.
We have with US nurses, railroad
engineers, bridge builders, track fore
men, clerks, sanitary officers, and
even two canal commissioners. Upon
awaking long before daylight we hear
deep voiced whistle blowing and
suppose we are passing number of
boats, though we hear no answer to
our whistle. The noise keeps up and
finally when we arise at six O'Clock,
and go on deck, we discover the noise,
which is an unearthly one, to come
from our fog whistle, which is now
necessary, as we are in the midst of a
dense fog. We are alone on the ocean
now, and hemmed in by a seemingly
solid wall that ever gives way for us
but closes behind US again. We see,
when the fog rises, what seemed to be
beer bottles in the water, and we look
for the steamer that lett them, but
are told by the first mate that the
objects are called Portuguese men of
war, and are kind Of water animal.
We made a bet on our distance
from New York, in which I was only
two miles out OF the way, the distance
being 244 miles. We saw porpoises,
flying fish, and we have a covey of
"s1other Carey's Chickens" in our
wake. All at once the fire alarm
sounds, but there is no confusion.
The passengers are told to keep calm,
and the officers and men keep them
in hand. Apparently the fire gains
headway, for the signal comes to man
the boats. This is done and the pas
sengers and crew gain the boats, but
are taken out again, for this is only a
| fire drill gone through with every
day to keep the passengers and
men prepared to keep cool
| in times Of danger. Now we have
lunch, and afterwards see several ships
We all turn In at half past nine and
sleep better than last night We arise
at half past five in the morning and
| find ourselves in the Gulf stream,
sailing due south. A number of
| the boys are sea sick, but so far have