Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-05
BILLY PORTER
Third Baseman of Old Diriso Team
Now Commands Ocean Liner.

Doubtless many of the older boys
of Augusta remember Billy Porter, the
star third baseman of the old Dirigo
baseball team Of this city, the team
that went up to Massachusetts, years
ago, and showed many OF the teams OF
the Commonwealth how to play the
game, and who We're banquetted ana
takon to the IheaterS, and entertained
in way that they have never forgot
ten, and doubtless. too, many OF the
bows have often wondered what mad
become Of that same Billy.
The old nine is pretty well scattered.
The lapse of years has turned their
footsy aps in different paths. Some nave
gone to their reward. others nave wan
dercd far from their native heath ana
there are at present in the city, only
two or three.
Among those who have wandered far
from home is Billy Porter. But though
bis home is on the other side III the
continent, and his life which Is a Dusy
one, oftentimeS takes him thousands
of miles across the Eastern seas, the
thoughts OF old Maine and the base
ball team on which he used to play, are
still with him. W. W. Morse Of this
city. had a letter from him, the other
day, in which hr recalled the Old team
and inquired about some Of the play
erS.
Billy is now III the employ of the Pa
ciic Mail Steamship Co, and is the
commander of the steamship Mongolia.
running between San Francisco and
Yokohama. The size Of the steamship
was not mentioned, but the letter,
which was written on the voyage to
Yokohama, stated that there We're 900
passengers on board and 1890 tons OF
freight, and also that it takes a crew
of 2I5 men to handle her.
Enclosed in the letter was copy of
a bulletin which the captain had post
ed on the day that the letter was writ
ten for information to the passengers
and in answer to 4 great many queS-
tiOns which We're asked about he day
lost going west. ana as it may prove
of interest to readers OF the Journal, 1t
is given below
Any one not familiar with the sub
iect finds 1t difficult to understand the
dropping Of lay going West. The
sun. the GiVidcr IF DAY and night, ana
marker Of time, in his daily course al
each meridian on the ealth'S surface,
marks the hour Of noon for places on
that me riGian. 1t matters not what
seas he NAV be navigating, the sailor
considers il noon or bells the mo-
ment the sun is up or on his meridian.
Now. starting Vest towards Yokoha-
ina. ne and the sun are moving in the
same directi ion, and the instant the sun
arrives at his meridian, he makes
bells or noon. Ii is past noon az the
rIact. he left. yesterday. ard is not noon
II tho place he hopes to reach. tomor-
row. In fact, going West. you length
Ell your DAY in the proportion of one
hour for every l. degrees of longitude
you advance. Now. if you leave san
Francisco on the good steamship Mon
COLA for Hong Kong, thence TO New
York via other steamships. and from
New York via the n. y. c. r. r., Chi
cago North Western, Union and South
Crn Pacific railroads TO San Francisco"
and not alter your date, if you thought
you would arrive on a Saturday, YOU
would be surprised to find 1t Sunday,
and all the good people going to church,
or a baseball game. To avoid any
such complication, for anyone. on
board who contemplates making this
trip, will drop Tuesday, Sept. 5iiI.
1905. and call it Wednesday. Sept. 9Th
1905,