Milford chronicle., 1907-05-03
FROM MILFORD
TO PANAMA.
WRITTEN BY JOHN R. BENNETT.

AHE previously secured positions as tele
graph operators in the servics of the Panama
hailroad Co., the 9th OfJanuary found Harry
H. Carpenter and myself on the steamer Fl
nance bound for the Isthmus of Panama
we went on board about noon, and after at.
tending to our baggage and eating an excel.
lent dianer, went on deck to watch the men
load on thelast ofthe freight an baggage. and
make ready for the voyage. The steamer and
dock was crowded with the passengers and
their friends, and as none OF our friends were
there to see us of we had ample time to watch
the partings which were taking place around
u.s. many OF which were affecting
AT last the ropes were cast loose. and we
swung down to the end of the pier and out in
to the North River. AS we passed down the
river the wind was blowing hard, and it was
bitter cold, and we we're Informed that we
would strike heavy seas outside.
The Finance" is a small boat, OF only 200
tons burden, and about $50 feet long. and our
nrst impression was that she was too small
cram for the high seas but she is strongly
built and rides the waves like a thing Of life.
As the sun was setting and casting its rays
on the massive sides of the "Campania" Iy
ing near) our pilot LEFT us, and our journey of
seven days began.
When we came out into the ocean the wind !
was blowing gale, which caused the steamer |
to roll and pitch. and many OF us had queer
feeling in our stomachs which is known as
seasiekness. Harry and stayed on deck as
long as we could, although It was bitter cold,
and while we encountered young man who,
irom the expression on his face, had lost his
best friend-his superior he was deathly
pale.
viii not dwell on our first right at sea.
A4rsr
loWer' and although he was pale, he said he
ieit u a. suffered all the pangs OF seasick-
ness, which are mary.
Sunday dawued clear and cold. with no land
in sight and nothing but white caps all ar .und
us. Although feeling very weak. I managed
TO get on deck after much persuasion from
Harry. Here we found many of the passen- 1
GERS like ourselves, trying to find their sea I
legs and it must have been amusing TO see us =
staggering around with every roll of the ship. .
Monday morning found me Ike eujoying life I
pace more, and l started in to make up fer I
The time lost on sanday. iC
We entered the Gulf Stream Monday, which ?,
made It much warmer. The lemperature Of ;;
ne water Mondsy evening was ~ As we -
we're IN heavy seas Monday night, tn ought
Dest to let the supper go by, but Harry did o
iot miss meal; he got all that was coming II
o him in that line
Tuesday passed without incident except d
nat the engines were stopped about two and o
halt hours In the evening to make some re. e
airs to the machinery, which Of course. p.
aused us to feel the motion OF the ship much -
nore. u
Early Wednesday morning we sighted Bird az
Jock Island, one OF the Bahama group. which NJ
'as the first land seen after leaving New York. st
bout nine o'clock that morning we STONED :;
Fortune Island to take on some negroes. -
no were going to the Isthmus towork on the VI
anal This island is $50 miles from New We
ork. 1t is from two and half TO three miles w
ng, and quite narrow, and Is peopied wholly
negroes. negro who looked cry much -,
ke monkey, brought the agent out to us in -
small boat There were no negroes ready to
on that trip, but the Agent took our letters c.
mail on The next north-bound steamer or
opping there. -
Alter leaving this island we passed over VI
mparatlyeiy smooth seas, there was not a Sn
lite cap and the water was as blue as indigo. no
the sun was setting Wednesday we came In ize
,ht of Cuba. 1t was a beautiful scene-there n
Is not breath of air stirring. Overhead vi
sky was blue, and beneath the water was Gu
let, and it seemed as If we we're moving po.
Z
sup sink behind I9 the Inup hs s as we watched tor
bt o'clock Wednesday night we passed all
pc Maysi Light on the south erstern coast aft
Juoa, and eStered the Caribbean Sea. Early an,
mipgo and Navssso We ,i'a paSssu Uss"een san sor
last land seen until we reached the Ger
lmus. SuC
mad become very warm Wednesday, and or I
ny OF the passengers put on their summer 81
Is There Were lOl passengers all told but -
were not bound for 1.-The Isthmus, as many 90
e going via the Isthmus to points ia South or
Central America, and the western coast duf
he United States. There were few who D..
e returning to the Isthmus after their va .
on, and It delighted them 10 get several of II 81
elbows together and tell us stories Of the t1ga
mus to work upon our imagination. as a
] Friday all who could no. show some vac ,-ae4
ltion marks we're vaccinated. l should
e preferred having thls done before leav- stat
home home, but there was no alternative. ton
,ok my medicine with as good grace as ther
tUITi iDrdav r,orn,,o a,,,nos .. -. gene
d thatwe had arrive during the night and lIiIHl
living at an uehor in Mosquito Bay. upon the
h Colon is situated. We hurridly dressed max
went on deck to get first view OF the ssS
mus.
our right and skirt,no tho oo.s, mo-. PeaC
trees. and back of these we could see have
ofwooden houses neatly painted. These copi,
the American quarters, called Cristoba. Dlico
'tly in front and to the left lies Colon. -
} quarantine Doctor came on board HuS
seven O'Clock, and examined us while corp
Gamer was being moored The pier was sWOr
led with negroes ready TO unload the shall
Ie and several ~ cars '9 ,,n i% $1,000 ., loco quest
ngers to their various destinations. state
made our way through the crowd to the same
ma Railroad building where we were maxi
d very cordially by Mr. Bergen, the &c
n aster, and he afterwards took us out -
something of the town. make
found Colon to be a very old place, many fidavi
buildings being old and rotten. The in this a
nts are principally negroes and people -, -,
nigh daoant vyffh fam M a MO