Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-03-25

Several Centuries Old-Christopher Co
lumbus Said to Have Married Native
Woman Of this Island.
BY FRANK N. KENNEY.
At O'Clock on the morning of
October 10th. 1909. we sailed out of
New York Harbor on the magnificent
American steamer "Cleve-
land" This ship is Cos feet in
length. and is rated at $4,000 tons.
1t is provided with submarine signal,
wireless telegraph. gymnasium, ele-
vator and both ordinary and electric
light baths. The service and food is
of the highest class; in short there
is but little that has not been pro-
vided for the convenience Of those
who are so fortunate as to be num-
bered among people who are making
this, the first trip ever taken around
the world in the same steamer.
The first day the weather was ex-
cellent, and all were feeling very
well, even though we had left our
friends behind and would not see
them for quite a length of time.
The next day it was a trifle rough,
and as we were not, as yet, accus-
toned to the ocean, many were COM
PEELED to pay tribute to King Nep-
tune. The succeeding days until
our arrival at MADEIRA, were most
delightful and those who had been
suffering from NAL de mer quickly
recovered and were enabled to enjoy
the pleasing sight of
MADEIRA.
This island is one of the posses
sions of Portugal and it was settled
about 500 years ago, or long before
America was discovered. In fact we
are informed that Christopher Co
lumbus resided on this island and
here took unto himself q wife, whose
father was considerable of naviga-
tor, and they say it was through the
teachings of his father-in-law that
Columbus was induced to undertake
the voyage of discovery resulting in
the good old land Of the stars and
stripes being placed on the map.
The island has a population Ol
about 135, 900. of whom 40, 900 reside
in Funchal, the chief city. This vas
the port visited by us and most in
teresting one it was. Long before
the city came in sight. the decks
were thronged with people eager tt
catch the first glimpse of land
Field glasses of every description
were in evidence, from the costly
binoculars to the common Opers
glass. Anything that would quicker
bring into view the city was eagerly
sought by those who were so fortu
nate as to possess glass themselves
and the prevailing goodfellowshil
showed itself by the sharing of th'
glasses with those who had none.
Soon after the ship came close Il
the land, small boats were seen put
ting out to meet US, and before w
had dropped anchor many small Graf
were alongside. Some had fruit fOl
sale, others fancy work. such as lac'
and embroidery, while others con
tanned men and boys who were eagel
to dive for silver coins, and we were
importuned by those natives t.
throw coins into the water for then
to dive after. Many of the passenger
did so and it was amazing how quick
ly they would recover them. "A coir
would hardly hit the water before I
youngster would be overheard afte1
it, and in no instance was a coin per
mitted to get away if it were visible
In q number of instances severa
would 60 overheard for the sam'
coin, and it was amusing to Sc,
them under water striving to be th'
first to get hold of the silver piece
One boy who appeared to be mo-
more than twelve years old, dow
from the highest deck of the ship ant
he did not seem to 60 more than ;
couple of feet down in the water
He had to dive at least sixty feet ant
did so for two shillings or PRACTICAL!
fifty cents in our money. They
would not dive after copper coins a
they claim it is necessary for tn
coin to be bright Or they cannot se'
it. Standing on the ships deck WI
could see a silver coin for quite ;
while after it struck the water, an(
it would sink very slowly, first tip
ping on one side, then on the other
I secured some pictures Of these div
ing boys in action.
The island is of volcanic formation
and it is claimed to have been seeded
by birds carrying seeds from Spair
Or Africa. The population is com
posed OF Negroes, Portuguese and ;
few Spaniards. The raising of sugar
cane seems to be the principal in
dustry, and it is remarkable how