Excerpt from Seeing Other Americans

A few minutes after twelve we pushed off from Man hattan and sailed down the bay, out of the Narrows and by Sandy Hook. Sixty-three passengers where one hun dred and fifty could be accommodated made travel easy, like a Pullman with only the lowers occupied. All of these Fruit Company ships carry a general cargo from the United States and a banana cargo back, while about twenty of the larger and newer boats carry the incidental item of human beings. Sultry weather in New York presaged fog at sea, and sure enough by 44 rm. It closed down, and the toot-toot of our whistle never ceased until about seven, when the weather cleared. Later, the appearance of the moon made us feel quite tranquil. I always did like the moon, for she seems so much more reasonable than the sun, for moonlight does not interfere with privacy. Sunday brought us, ao cording to the skipper, fine weather, a moderate sea, and a brisk s.w. Wind. Noon logged 361 miles from New York - 341 from Scotland Light. A few bold spirits have al ready embraced Shufile-board and quoits, but most of us are content to sit still and watch the sad sea waves. This is a quiet boat, no boisterous souls aboard, although inquiries are being made about planters' punches and other endemic trouble-breeders. The passengers are about evenly divided between those who are touring for a vacation, those who are returning home, and those who are going back to the various American-owned mines in South America. The mid dle group is interesting because it is difficult to decipher just how much Caucasian, Mongolian, Indian or Negro blood is necessary to make the perfect being.

Monday, July 13th. - Incidentally the thirteenth trip of this boat and a great day otherwise-my birthday. The a la carte method, so unlike most liners, is productive ofmuch good, for it prevents overloading of one's digestion. As you pay for what you eat, usually a sane attitude toward food is observed. The all-round tendency on shipboard is to overeat. We find that per day does the trick well, for the charges have been reduced since the inauguration of this system. The food is as good as on any boat of its size, and the service first class - mostly English stewards. The skipper says at noon that the weather is fine, brisk, ssw. Wind and choppy sea. Distance covered, 371 miles for the day. Among the ladies and the Latins there are some signs of indisposition, with actual evidence of mal de mer on the lower decks. We ate only two meals this day breakfast, mostly of fruit, at ten, and an early birthday supper of fresh broiled lobster and a quart of Cordon Rouge, the latter at the Judge's urgent request to duly celebrate the day. On board are two Jersey mosquitoes from Hackensack, patients of mine, and Mr. And Mrs. T fel low passengers on the Turrialba two years ago. Thus is demonstrated again that the traveling world is small, and one must never expect to leave New York without being well chaperoned. We have connecting rooms on the boat deck which we were fortunate to secure at the minimum fare. There are only eight cabins on this deck, and this is by far the best location on the boat. We have passed a couple of boats each day, but too far off to see well even with strong glasses, which should always be carried. The wind has shifted and we no longer get the strenuous breeze we have enjoyed on the starboard side for two days. Fine moon light night but to bed at 9 rm.

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