The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-05-28
BY
w. n. TRIM NJ Err,

runJaD Inc most nOrtherly province
drew heavily on the fine cavalry regi
ments. | well remember the transit
OF these troops being sent to Lord
tough and Sir Henry Hardinge
through the London streets.
! The paddle wheel steamer Hibernia
! reached Boston after an eighteen
Gays passage on January %, 1886,
bringing late news of President Folks
message TO congress and of it's discus.
sion in the English parliament. Only
one line OF railroad then ran from
Boston to New York. The representa-.
! tiyes OF the New York Herald and Trib-
une had each locomotive ready when
the steamer arrived The Tribune's
engine got five minutes start but the
Two trains arrived at Worcester, Mass,
nearly together. Thence the Tribune
mails were despatched by relays of
horses to Hartford where a special
| engine for New Haven was waiting
SeVenty-five miles more on horseback
brought the messenger to New York
and the news appeared at 2 a. m. on
the Gath to the amazement of the Her
aid.
McElrath, the publisher and part
owner OF the Tribune, conceived the
lGea OF despatching a fast sailing boat
10 England and as ! have stated. the
Romer was selected. The talk in
London, both in the clubs and the
different newspapers. was arrogant
and more or less belligerent when Nc
Elrath engaged the pilot boat. She
was OF about 100 tons and was con-
hn
everything was prepared secretly,
sne being provisioned for an ocean
voyage. On February 10 congress, by
vote of 163 to 81, requested the pres
lednt to give notice to England of the
termination OF the former convention
with regard to Oregon with resolution
for amicable settlement of the dispute.
Upon receipt of this news by tele-
graph tonly just come into use) from
Washington, the Romer sailed. A
good deal of mystery existed as to
the destination of the pilot boat. The
Herald announee0 that she had been
chartered by the British legation at
Washington; others said the state de-
partment had chartered her. Some
said she sailed with sealed orders not
to be broken till 1900 miles from
Sandy Hook.
The Herald published that special
British messenger had arrived with
southern mail. The mysterious indi.
vidual was wrapped in a heavy pilot
coat and wore a glazed cap with
visor drawn down over his face. The
individual really was Monroe Gale,
assistant foreman in the Tribune COM
posing room. Captain James Mcclure
commanded the vessel, Wilkie, first
mate, James Conner. second mate. also
Jour seamen and cook.
The Black Ball packet ship Patrick
Henry was being towed to sea and the
Romer sailed past her and led her by
several miles when arriving at Sandy
Hook.
The first night out the Romer's
iecks were swept and the rigging and
leck were encased in ice. On the 18TH
she was struck by a hurricane COM
peiAng the captain to lay to under
Storm stay sail. For two DAYS the
vessel was continually in danger of
and this experience was
three or four times during
he next ten days In a succession of
,ales. The matches were kept closed
md the steersman was dashed to the
Wheel. For three days and nights
mis- continued and all below were fear
ui that the deck would be crushed in
rom the weight of water she was
buried under. On March 1st the
weather. bc-ap to improve and on the
tn, the twenty-fourth day out. the first
Try spot on her deck showed and the
rlsh coast was sighted on the 7th.
l Cork pilot was bauled on board
nrough the water. On reaching Cork
dr. Gale Immediately started for Liv-
rpool with his mails and Tribune dis
,2tches.
Next day the first officer of the Eng
sh sloop OF war Crocodile was sent by
ne admiral on board the William ]
Toner with the demand that Captain
icGuire should haul down the Ameri-
an flag. This Mcguire positively re-
used to do, threatening resistance I'M
ase the attempt should be forcibly
made In an hour the lieutenant REL
urned with an apology from the ad-
nlrai, who, up to that time. had rel
useG TO believe that an American pilot
oat had actually crossed the Atlantic.
Mr. Gale returned from LiyerpooIl
n the 18th and the next day the Ro- Z
her started on her voyage back. The I
however. was not a suc-l
ess in its main object. On her ont.
yard trip nine days and nights were
est In laying to. Captain Mcclure