The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-05-06

pleasure and value OF the trip. Re-
turning to the city Monday evening
Colonel Joe dEstrampes, the presi-
dent Of Acera del Louvre, was the
host at q sidewalk lunch, consisting
of sandwiches and champagne punch,
served in front of the Ingiaterra,
which Is the headquarters Of the
Boys of the Sidewalk"
= = - y g..
Tuesday morning the editorial
party with the exception of a few
Orleans and ourselves went aboard
the Gov. Cobb for the return trip to
Key West. We spent the forenoon
doing some shoDping and wandering
ough some of the narrow streets,
looking into the little stores and
shops of Obispo and O'Riley. Mrs.
Roderick became anxious concerning
American flying cruiser Balboa at 8
o'clock. We waited at the hotel a
little more than an hour when a
cable advised us of her safe arrival
at Key West, then continued our
wanderings.
was mucn impressed Win nd :
vana's efficient police force: Officers
obliging and dressed in their bright
uniforms, much resembling the
French Army in form, they are a fine
looking lot of fellows and handle the
Exceedingly heavy traffic Of the
crowded streets in most efficient
manner.
In concluding my story of our visit
0 Havana / cannot help but confirm
the statements of The Havana Post:
We found Cuba wet but sober. We
found there many amusements and
a happy people. We saw nothing to
shock our sense of propriety. We
not unreasonable considering condi-
tons. we enjoyed the races, the
Jai- Alai games and the Casino de la
Playa. We saw happy. industrious
people, attending to their own bust
ness. We-did not see any native
drunk nor were we favored by being
in the midst Of a revolution. They
say they never have the former and
the latter have become ancient his
tory. We are glad we went I'd Ha-
vana and hope we can go again.
We returned to Key West Wednes-
lAay afternoon on the Governor Cobb.
About fifty miles out Of Havana we
L SlShtCu llO bdlUOt lOIly OuI
sea of the gulf stream with a dis
abled engine. She had her sea
anchors out and in the distance re-
minded one of a great gull riding
he rough seas. When we came
within speaking distance, the captain
Informed us that there were no pas
three would stay with the ship until
help came from Key West. The
wind increased as the night wore on
and by midnight when the American
cost guard cutter, Sigan, located the
plane, it was with much difficulty
that the crew were removed and tow
lines made fast. A few miles of
line parted and the Balboa drifted
away. In the morning the Key West
lookout reported that she had drifted
onto Key about ten miles away and
Captain Lamb of the Nina took a
crew and went out and TAXED her in
with the one remaining motor, little
the worse for the experience except
fabric on the lower wings consider.
ably torn by the pounding of the
waves. l was glad to see this dem
lonstration of the seaworthy qualities
Of these great flying passenger
planes.
Il
Key West is truly fortunate to
have an air line to Havana, not only
because of the added attraction, but
for conveniences and the city should
offer sufficient inducements, encour-
agement and patronage to make sure
Of its continuation. We had the
pleasure Of taking several trips in
This mode of travel much superior in
comfort and cleanliness to any other
way. Add to these reasons the ex-
filtration, speed and wonderful view
which air travel alone provides; then
consider it from the view point of
safety in actual aeromarine service,
and If one can afford the additional
costs, 1t most surely becomes the
chosen way of oversee travel
The Aercmarine Company have
had five of these great air cruisers
in operation between Havana and
Key West and for special trips and
tours, since December last, carrying
freight, mail and hundreds of pas
sengers without a single serious ac-
that period planes have been forced
to alight on the sea because of engine
trouble, but in every instance except
the one cited above, 1t has been pos
sible for the officers to make tenn
porary. repairs and take to the air
II again IL low ulluuL6S OF 20 on 10
port on the surface Of the sea-.
II
| 1t is utterly impossible for a person
to imagine the enchanting beauties
of trip in one of these great twelve
passenger ships of the sky, over the
azure seas to the south of Florida.
To sit in deeply upholstered chair
In coy drawing room and look down
from your window upon the receed-
ing city Of Key West, to see the
beautiful island dotted sea spread out
beneath In the clear waters of which
may be seen many kinds of big FISH,
and all manner of ocean going craft
upon its surface, is a sight never to
be forgotten. Once In the air there
comes sense of safety and giving
ones self over to the comk,ete enjoy
ment OF the glorious panorama Is a
natural consequence. Me for the air
route over the water every time
where possible and / can afford it.
Il Back in Key West once more we
settled down for several weeks of
rest and recuperation. Aside from
enjoying rest and visit with the
children there has been much for us
to see and do in this old town where
the "manana" habit has almost as
l firm a hold as 1t has in Havana.