Year: 1866

is, the quiet life on board of the good brig An
gelica, when wind and storm had ceased to
overturn everything on board and in the cabin
or the passengers hold. Perhaps it would
not be now amiss to state the number and the
personnel that made up the travelers-unite
at least for voyage of two months-across the
ocean, and who had then ample time and occa-
sion to learn each others social disposition and
| character. For if our readers have had any
experience in travelling, it is upon such voy-
ages that their characters may best be studied
and observed


Let us then state that besides our two pat
rons, the Messieurs Am Ende, there was the
much esteemed Mr.. Edward Schiff Sr, an in
innate friend of the former, and ancestor of
the Messieurs Schiff, now one Of the most solid
commercial firms in our city. These three had
in fact chartered the brig, which, belonging
to the mercantile firm of Merk & Co., of Ham
burg, was moreover consigned to the house
of Rochelle & Schif. Captain Harmsen who
commanded the vessel, had given free pass
| age to countryman of his, and an old sea-
faring companion, by the name of Captain
Winkelman; the latter made, however, his ap-
pearance at table only upon the near ap-
proach to the American coast having been
confined the greater part of the voyage to his
cabin, on account Of debility and exhaustion
So that our company, if we include the two
officers assisting the captain, and two young
cabin boys, may be counted in all say ten
persons behind the mast, or frequenting the
quarter deck or passenger cabin. Our readers
will, therefore, perceive that we were by no
means crowded, and although the vessel was
not very large one, still we had all possible
conyenienees on board of her. To mention
only some details OF particulars in order to
give a better conception of what in those
olden times when sea travelling was consid-
cred rather long lasting affair, it was neces-
sary to provide ourselves with, when all the
comforts of passengers were at their own
charge and expense, we shall now state that
we had laid in considerable stock of pro.
visions and all sorts of eatables. Our friends
and relations had been particularly attentive
in making up in jars, glass bottles, and vari-
GUS cans and boxes, a variety of sweatmeats,
salad, picked and other preserves; we may





1 tongues and Hamburg eels, the latter a most
delicate table rarity. Then there were West
phalia hams, pomerania Canvas ducks, )
geese breasts, lampreys, and great variety Of
fresh eggs, kept in well packed barrels and
boxes. But besides these preserved pro-
visions we had on board, upon deck, several
coops and cages with ducks, general poultry,
all live ones, four porkers, and as many lambs
or sheep, slowed away in the big boat in the
middle of the upper deck. So, that with
the ordinary supply Of ship fare Or provisions,
there was no lack Of creature comfort. As for
the liquid part of the life neeessaries there
was just as great a variety and comfortable as
sortment; and we need, therefore, not, make
any particular enumeration. Suffice it to say,
that even at that remote time, the old German
hook or Rhenish wine had to play a conspic-
uous part in the often renewed reunions.


0nboard ship, things generally go like clock
work, SO it was on board of our staunch and
comfortable Angelica, who with a fair wind,
was a most excellent sailor. The crew before
the mast mostly native born Hamburgers
were exceedingly active and laborious, always
doing something, either repairing old sails or
making oakum, or any other sailors work,
never idle when fair weather and wind kept
the vessel on her course AS for the after
cabin people, the passengers and officers of
the ship, it was most pleasant time to spend,
for every one had his routine of business to
perform, between the meals; and after dinner,
which would generally last to two or three
o'clock in the afternoon, the whole company
would turn to conversation, music, and gen
eral amusement In the evening, after tea,
again music and singing would often be the
order Of the night, though sometimes game
of cards, whist, or some other social sport,
would make up the days entertainment. Now
it may be asked what kind of music, and what
kind of singing could you carry on, there being
so few people in the cabin ?


Well, it does not take many Germans to
make up atolerable chorus, and particularly
at that time, we recollect that almost every
one would know by heart the then patriotic
airs and songs, particularly those Of the la
mented Theodore Koerner, who fell in one of
the battles against the French in 1913 or IA,
near Hamburg, that is, in the province of
Mecklenburg in its close vicinity These
patriotic songs every one then sung or knew
BY heart, and being accompanied by guitar
or some other instrument, all those. not par
ticipating, would listen to, with the same
fervid emotion. As for the routine business
of which we have been speaking. that each
one of us had to perform, it is in the first
place well known that captains as well as the
officers have their regular journals to keep,
besides the other business to which they
have to give their attention; as for the pas
sengers, all of us, we employed our time most
usefully in reading, writing ETC. There was
a multiplicity of mercantile writing to be put
in order; besides which charge; all of us
had undertaken to keep journal of the
voyage, in which each one consigned his par
tieular observations and remarks. This prac-
tice we have generally followed in after time,
upon our travels, and we find that it is by
these means that a great many of our passing
events have thus been much better preserved
or engrayen sin our memory. Such a
habit cannot too much be recommended |
to young people; it gives them, besides many