google-analytics-for-wordpress domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home2/grunard/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121redxunlite domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home2/grunard/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121SS Victoria in the Gulf of Suez, Friday morning, Jan\u2019y 28\/98.<\/p>\n
The latter part of my letter last night was very hurriedly written in order that I might catch the box before it got removed, & time did not permit reading it & correcting before disposing of it, as has been my usual, & there are, I find, a correction to make here & there, but the principle one is on the last page, 71, there read for \u201cAt Aden\u201d, Suez<\/u>. The hour spent at the concert took up the time I had decided should be given to recording the day\u2019s incidents on canal, & I further find there are a few items of interest forgotten, such as the recording of thermometer at Port Said\u00a0just when we left, 10 a.m. local time, I registered 40 \u00bd. The Capt. had remarked it being the first time he had ever wore an overcoat at P. Said. As we proceeded, however, it rose to 50 \u00bd, this on the sunny side of the ship. [1:73] The sun often obscured, & to the great astonishment of all, we had a slight hail shower at 3:30 p.m. I picked some up & put them in my mouth, & they were indeed wintry. \u201cJust imagine this, if you can, in the Suez Canal\u201d, many remarked, & truly, we could have got this at home where we\u2019ve left to seek warmer climes. This morning at 10:30, I looked at the thermometer on deck & it stood 55 \u00bd. There is a cold wind blowing from the north, & we are close to either side of the land. Very rugged, the hills are, & some lofty, cloud-capped, the one side Arabian the other Egyptian. It\u2019s not unpleasant on deck. I\u2019ve sat an hour or more reading in my chair but I found it desirable to promenade, & now I have taken this opportunity to record omissions of yesterday. It\u2019s risky to let much time elapse without committing to paper. I was awakened at 1 o\u2019clock this morning with the rattling [1:74] of winches. This had evidently been a stoppage, as we did not reach Suez till 3:30 & left again about 4. I had been asleep during the time. I arose a little after 7, had a refreshing bath, & felt fresh & well. Our tables are thinned now & more comfortable. We were decidedly too crowded before Ismailia<\/p>\n
Last night, as we anchored at Ismailia,\u00a0the new moon, first quarter, shone very lovely, starry clear night, the pole star & plough just over our stern on the port side. These always remind me of home, but we must soon loose [sic] sight of them & look (there\u2019s the band just commenced; every forenoon 11 to 12) for the southern cross.<\/p>\n
The electric light is in use over the canal system & every vessel fixes a huge box, on entering, over the bow, & the light is very strong on both sides of the banks & makes the white [1:75] sand look just like snow. It\u2019s a pretty sight, & all along the sides at intervals are lights for pilotage, supplied with gas: the holder fixed on the bank & contains 6 weeks\u2019 supply, for each light burns night & day, like the buoys on the Clyde,[1]<\/a> only these are on fixed poles, but all the way on the wider parts of canal are buoys: red on starboard & white on port side. As the trains passed there was naturally much merriment, & exchange of waving & hand saluting. The rails for many miles are close to the canal on the African side.<\/p>\n The band are playing a lovely piece. I oft think how Willie\u00a0would enjoy the music. It\u2019s charming to me, the 2 violins are rich.<\/p>\n As I came down to write, I saw the young ladies preparing for egg & spoon race. Great fun, especially if ship rolling. They had it one day such like. Quoits[2]<\/a> are popular, chalk rings on deck floor, [1:76] others 2 buckets. Some play shuffle board & so on. I hear the wind whistling outside, & we who haven\u2019t passed this way before were all warned by old hands to prepare for almost unendurable heat. They are rejoicing, it is so temperate. I\u2019ve still winter clothing & kept to that degree all along, but a change must soon come as we are daily getting nearer the tropics. In one of my former letters, I said I would give you an account of ship usage & as I\u2019ve been 14 days out now, I hope to devote a few lines to it tomorrow, as this will be a quiet, uninteresting day without incident, & the description will do for \u201cpadding\u201d.<\/p>\n (On Tuesday last we ran 375 knots & the following day 370, betting every day on the run.)<\/p>\n I got 3 or 4 snaps yesterday on the canal & I hope they come out good. I think I will get some developed at Bombay.<\/p>\n [1:77]<\/p>\n Local time 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n The bugle has just sounded \u00bd hour before dinner. We had a very nice run through the Gulf, shores very visible & with clear atmosphere we saw the immense rugged hills on both sides. The air became quite delicious & balmy as the day got on, & all were on deck. We entered the Red Sea\u00a0proper about 2 o\u2019clock, & fine expanse & water a beautiful dark bluey color. A few steamers passed, which attracted interest. At 2:30 p.m., the 2nd<\/sup> passengers had games & all 1sts<\/sup> invited. These were very amusing & varied, lasting till 4:30. They are a merry flock & plenty talent amongst them, many Scotsmen, chiefly young men, some married, & a few soldiers who are very leading in sport. Young women too had their sports & heartily carried them out. We are having a roll again. This has been going on for an hour or so, but [1:78] so far it\u2019s moderate.<\/p>\n