The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-08-13
STORY OF TRIP ON OCEAN
CITIZEN OF VERNON CENTER
WRITES EXPERIENCE
He Saw Sights of New York City
And Then Went Aboard
Vessel
WILLIAM Fl. DENISON

WILLIAM Fl. DENISON
To The Free Press: Thinking that
a brief description of our trip from
home until our arrival in London
might be of interest to you, I will
improve the opportunity yf rainy
Sunday in London to write a few
lines. We left home June %, and
after spending a few interesting
hours in Chicago, we arrived at Nj
agara Falls, June 25. perfect June
morning and as the rails are the most
beautiful in the morning we lost no
time in getting out to see that in
spring spectacle which to my mind
has no equal. One might write vol
natures handiwork, but time will not
permit me to give more than a Jew
facts that appeal to me most.
The crest of the falls, three thou
sand five hundred feet, and the vol
ume of water passing over them which
is one million and one half gallons
per second, struck me as wonderful
as had not before realized its great
ness. Imagine if you can this vast
volume OF water passing through a
channel three hundred feet wide,
DIS IL uOSo tuC lhOoL "oAA0
derful rapids in the world.
Geogologists claim they are forty
three thousand years old, and in
that length of time they have re-
coded over seven miles.
After viewing the falls from all
angles, we boarded the train for AL
bany, where we stayed all night in
order to take the trip down the Hud-
son by daylight.
There are so many places along
this route that are so closely con-
nected with our early history which
made this part of our trip exceeding
ly interesting.
Were In New York.
We spent a few days visiting rel
atives and then proceeded TO take in
the sights in and about New York
city, which are many and wonderful,
some not coming up to my eXpecta-
lions and others far exceeding 1t.
Coney Island was somewhat a disap-
pointment as it consist chiefly OF
cheap attractions, such as merry
go rounds, ferris wheels, scenic rail-
ways, and a great many other amuse-
ments of similar character. The
whole thing which is on a tremend-
Gus scale is run chiefly by Jews.
The mansions on Millionaire Row
are the most wonderful residents l
ever saw or expect to see, both as
great number of them. The traffic
in the down town districts cannot be
described but suffice to say it Is in
striking contrast to what l have al
ready seen in London which l will
tell you about in my next letter
A few other things we saw that
consider worthy OF mention were the
Aquarium, Soldiers and Sailors non
ument Zone recently constructed),
Grants tomb, Central park, China
town, Ghetto, Metropolitan museum
of art, and the New York library.
On Board at Ten O'Clock.
On July l We were up and NOV
ing early as our steamer was SEIZED
uled to sail at noon and passengers
were advised to be on board at ten
o'clock. A good deal of time is con-
sumed getting on board due to the
red tape" methods that have been
in vogue since the beginning of the
war.
Although we should have sailed at
noon We did not get started until
about 4. p. m. due to strike of the
firemen about fifteen minutes before
time Of sailing.
After passing the Statue of Lib
erty we soon lost signt of land and
did not see it again until the morn
ing of July s. l will give you a brief
description of this great liner, "the
Mauretania," and figures on a few
of the many things it takes to make
a trip. 1t is seven hundred ninety
feet in length, eighty eight feet in
breadth, a displacement of forty
five thousand tons, speed twenty
five miles per hour and in walking
around it one travels over one fourth
of mile.
It was built to compete, If posi-
BILE, Guido German ships OF the "Va-
terland" type. The furnishings and
equipment are very elaborate and
this ship can hest be described as
"a palace afloat," capable of carry
and one thousand crew. 1t takes
twenty two trains, of thirty trucks,
each containing ten tons of coal to
make the trip from New York to
Southampton. For meat alone it re-
quires forty beeves, ten calves, one
hundred sheep. sixty lambs. two
thousand chickens, ninety geese,
three hundred and fifty ducks, one
hundred thirty hogs, one hundred
and fifty turkeys, two hundred and
fifty partridge, two hundred pleas
ants, four hundred pigeons, two
hundred and fifty grouse, eight hun
dred quail, two hundred snipes, eight
hundred and sixty pounds halibut,
six hundred pounds of fresh fish, ono
thousand pounds of salmon. twenty
five kegs of oysters, and other pro-
visions accordingly. A bulletin is
issued each day giving all the i'm
portant news of the world which is
much appreciated by the passen-
gers.
!. Had Real Celebration.
Soon after leaving New York pre-
parations were started for July 4
celebration which was carried out
in true American style. The cele-
bration began Sunday evening with
patriotic addresses by several prom
inent men on board. Monday and un-
til Tuesday noon were given over to
athletic sports, quite valuable prizes
being given to each Of the winning
contestants and were greatly valued
as memento of this rather unus-
ual accession.
On Tuesday a concert was given
for the benefit of the Sailors and
Seamen's Orphan fund, when four
thousand seven hundred and if
ty dollars were raised.
AS 1t was our first and quite likely
to be our last July spent on board
a ship it will be long remembered
by us.
Among the notables on hoard were
Lady GeddeS wife of the British