Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-03-25
AT SEA FOR UssLE SAM.
Vernon Boy Tells of Sight Seeing While
on Famous Cruise.

/ DEAR EDITOR AND FRIENDS: As we
are now passing some of the most
beautiful mountain scenery imaginable.
| will endeavor to describe a few of
the beautiful scenes which we are pas-
sing. 1t is quite cold here but in a few
days we shall be in white clothes again,
for we have to recross the equator be-
fore we get to Callao. We left Punta
Arenas, last night at 1880 p. M, and
! had to be upon the bridge where nv
duties were, until we got underway.
1t was grand sight to see the ships
last night as they steamed out of the
harbol and formedin long single column,
to begin the treacherous and dangerous
way of the straits. All the ships were
signalling with semaphore lights and
every twinkle at the mast heads and on
the forward bridge meant something.
The bells were striking the hour as we
steamed into our place in the long line
of ships. Then the comet would be
shown on all the line of ships, which is
four red lights one above the other,
which meant: There is a message to
be received, and then all the signalmen
on the bridge were on the alert to
catch whatever had originated from
the Flagship, the Connecticut, of the
cOmmander-in-e chief. Rear Admiral
Robley ID. Evans gives all the orders for
signals, wireless kilograms, and every
other important movement of the fleet
which takes place.
| turned in at midnight last night and
upon getting up and going on deck
grand sight met my eyes; we were
steaming through narrow channels, and
the fleet was writhing and twisting
around to keep on its course as a ser
pent does when it is cornered. Here is
where the men on the bridge have to
keep their eyes open, for should one of
the ships steer a couple of hundred feet
one way or the other il is liable to
mean disaster to half the fleet owning
to the fact that we are sailing at the
rate of ten knots per hour and a col
lision could hardly be avoided if one
ship were to strike the rocks. The
mountains are on either side of us,
piled up ia grand chaos and presenting
sight which is awe inspiring and
wonderful to look upon. Eleecy clouds
float around their SUBMITS, hiding the
tops of some of them from view, and
when the cloud passes it and leaves a
clear sky beyond it can hardly be no
ticed, because the clouds are so nearly
the color of the snow. How easily one
is deceived by the appear ng distance
of things when it comes to estimating
distance on water or upor land either.
If the weather is fine ard the air as
clear, as it is here, | would not want
the task of walking to the foot hills of
some of the peaks can see from here,
for fear that | should never arrive
unless carrying an ample stock of pro-
visions with me to last a couple of days.
This place along the straits is inhabited
By cannibals so am told, but as yet
we have seen none. We are going to
just touch Vala Fariso and fce salutes
and show them who we are, and then
proceed on to Callao, where we shall
receive mail and money again. We
will stay there about ten days, from
Whence we shall 60 to Magelelena Bay,
where our target practice comes off.
Yours very truly,
a. NJ. CAMPBELL. Seaman. IT, s. ~