Excerpt from A Secret of the Sea &C

Time was when the r.m.s. Patagonia' was the greyhound of the Atlantic but that time was long past. Newer and larger boats, burning less coal and making more knots, had been built nearly every year Since the Patagonia' had beaten the record by crossing the ocean in less than eight days from Browhead Castle to Fire Island Light. Now not only were there other deer-hounds of the deep two days faster than the Patagonia had ever been, but the Patagonia herself, like the man who went around the world, had lost a day. Although the Patagonia had changed owners, and was now no longer a royal mail steam-ship, it had not yet fallen to the low estate of the sea-tramp, a home less wanderer over the face of the waters, bearing hides from Buenos Ayres on one trip, and on the next carrying coals from Newcastle. She still belonged to a line in good repute, and she still made her regular round trip every five weeks from Liverpool to New York.

Thus it was that the New York newspapers had to announce one Sunday morning, after the New England Spring 'had set in with its usual severity, ' that the Patagonia' had sailed from Liver pool the day before, having on board eighty-seven first-cabin passengers and two hundred and eleven in the steerage, and bringing also in gold. In due course the 'patagonia ought to have arrived at Sandy Hook about ten days after she left the Mersey. Except when detained by stress Of weather, the Patagonia was wont to arrive off Quarantine not later than Tuesday afternoon. But on this occasion Tuesday night came, and Wed nesday night, and yet the Patagonia came not. It happened that the r.m.s. Barataria, ' which was then devoting its energies to the lowering of the record, had left Liverpool an hour later than the Patagonia, ' had waited for the mails at Queenstown, as the Patagonia had not, and yet had landed its passengers on Sunday morning. Nor did the Officers of the Barataria' report any storms which would justify the tardiness of the Patagonia.' It was known, however, that the missing ship was perfectly sea-worthy, and, indeed, in excellent con dition, and her captain was a thorough sailor. So many little mishaps may occur to delay an ocean steamer - the bearings may get themselves over heated, or it may be necessary to stop the engines in mid-ocean to repack the steam-chest - that no anxiety was felt by the public.

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