Connecticut western news., 1910-09-22


 under way at Piraeus, Friday June 17th, at 9 a. m., bound for Alexandria distant 514 knots. The morning was passed ID drills, which consisted of fire quarters, collision drills, and abandon ship. These drills are very interesting and important, and it is surprising how quickly it can all be done. Most all day we were pass ing through the Aegean Archipelago, Sunday morning the 18th we sighted land at 6:30 and at 8:30 dropped our an chor outside of Alexandria. The captain of the port came out in his small boat and invited us to an anchorage, inside the inner breakwater, where we were very conveniently situated for commun- ioation with the shore. ...-a...-.-
 Immediatly upon arrival we were sur- rounded by great number of small na- tive boats, in which were the eager mer- chants of the town, from whom one could purchase anything from tooth pick to 1000 tons of coal. The harbor was crowded with great number of merchant ships of all nationalities, show : ing that we had come to commercial port Of great importance
 The following day we got ashore to see the sights of the city, and at the landing place we were greeted by strong husky natives who offered their services as guides. Their persistence and num- bers reminded me very strongly of Naples. We tried scheme of securing the services of one of these, that he might drive away all the others for the time being, then we later were to drop him. This scheme worked to perfection. We walked around the town for a while by ourselves purchasing now and then 8 few souvenirs, and then took trolley ride out into the country, returning on the ten o'clock boat. After taking aboard supply of coal sufficient to last us until we reached Alden we got under way for Port Said, Saturday, June 25th at 2:45 p m. and arrived there the fol- lowing morning at 5:15 g. m. the dis tance being 150 miles.
 Through the Big Ditch
 After taking aboard our Pilot, we got up anchor and started on our journey the Suez Canal. which is noth- ing more than big ditch, with no very interesting sights along it's banks. At the Port Said end on the west bank are found II ws of Pine trees bordering the railroad and beyond this are low swampy grounds, while on the east bank great salt mines can be seen. There are railway stations and signal towers every five miles of the canals length, and for the men quartered there, there are very neat looking houses surrounded by nice shade trees, flower gardens etc. The regular speed for ships while in the canal is 5 knots per hour, and these stations are for the purpose of keeping captains in check, also to facilitate the passing of ships. The canal is gradually becoming filled up with sand blowing from the desert, and a great many dredging machines are busily engaged keeping it open for usage. Our trip through the canal cost Uncle Sam $5 900, this sum going towards re- pairs. r ...f
 How the CameIs Work
 We passed several English ships laden with oil, and each time we had the right of way. We saw many caravans cross ing the desert, also many camels being used to haul out the sand from the canal The camels would lie down while the baskets on their sides were being filled with sand, and would then get up and go quite distance away where they were relieved of their burden by 8 per son who remained there for that pur- pose. At 2:90 p. m. we came to small lake and here exchanged pilots.
 The surrounding country was now no longer low and swampy, but consisted of great dunes of sand. We entered Bitter Lake at 4:40 p. m., very large land would be beautiful lake," had it any thing around it's shores but sand. The south shore are low rolling hills. We left the lake at 7:15 and from here on, used our forward search lights. We entered the Gulf of Suez at 9:15 and came to anchor, where we remained un- til the following morning, when at 5:30 8. m. we got under way for Eden.
 Scripture History Recalled
 Our passage through the red sea was without incident; still our lookout in the crows nest, kept sharp lookout for Pharaoh's army, and our gunners were ready at 8 minutes notice to man the two forward eight inch guns, in case we should have to give them battle. As they had passed several hundred. years ago, nothing in the way of hostility was encounted. We were told by those who had passed through before, that we had an exceptionally good trip, but to the uninitiated this would hardly be accepted as true, for from the first day of this L. q