A Voyage in the 'Sunbeam', Our Home on the Ocean for Eleven Months

_She comes, majestic with her swelling sails,_ _The gallant bark along her watery way,_ _Homeward she drives before the favouring gales._ _Now flitting at their length the strea...

_Saturday, December 2nd_.--The anchor was dropped in the harbour of Papeete at nine o'clock, and a couple of hours later, by which time the weather had cleared, we went ashore,...

_I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds_ _Have riv'd the knotty oaks; and I have seen_ _The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,_ _To be exalted with the threat'ning...

_Friday, August 18th_.--The clouds still hung heavy on the hills, or rather mountains, which surround the bay, occasionally descending in the form of torrents of rain, and hidin...

_Saturday, December 9th_.--After leaving the harbour of Papeete we passed close to the island of Eimeo, on which we have gazed so often and with so much pleasure during the past...

_Dipped in the lines of sunset, wreathed in zones,_ _The clouds are resting on their mountain thrones;_ _One peak alone exalts its glacier crest,_ _A golden paradise above the r...

_Wednesday, October 18th_.--At 3.30 a.m. we were close to the land lying south of the Bay of Lota; at 4 a.m. the engines were stopped on account of the mist; and at 6 a.m. we be...

_Saturday, February 3rd_.--The occasional glimpses of the coast scenery through the sleet and snow were very fine. We passed Rocky Island, Lady Inglis rocks, and Matoya. But Mab...

_Sunday, July 16th_.--Porto Santo being visible on the port bow, a quarter of a mile ahead, by 3.55 a.m. this morning, our three navigators congratulated themselves and each oth...

_Wednesday, March 28th_.--At midnight the wind was slightly ahead, and we could distinctly smell the fragrant breezes and spicy odours of Ceylon. We made the eastern side of the...

_Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks_ _Grazing the tender herb, were interpos'd,_ _Or palmy hillock, or the flow'ry lap_ _Of some irriguous valley spread her store,_...

_Tuesday, April 17th_.--The breeze still continued and freshened, and we sailed along pleasantly before it, finding it a great relief to be rid of the thud and beat of the engin...

_Sunday, October 8th_.--At 6 a.m. we weighed anchor, and proceeded on our voyage. At first there was not much to admire in the way of scenery, the shores being low and sandy, wi...

_Thursday, October 26th_.--Our kind hostess at Lota had given us a letter of introduction to her manager at Santiago, who called this morning to inquire what arrangements he cou...

_Saturday, September 16th_.--Waking at half-past five, we busied ourselves until nine o'clock, when we again started in a special train for Carcaraña. After a short stop at Rold...

_Saturday, March 3rd_.--After our long day yesterday, I did not feel capable of acceding to our guide's proposition of being ready at half-past six for further explorations befo...

_Tuesday, December 26th_.--We went ashore at eight o'clock, after an early cup of coffee, and found Mr. Lyman already waiting for us. Two baggage-mules were sent off with the ph...

_Tuesday, January 30th_.--When we awoke from our slumbers this morning, it was very cold and dark, and we heard noises of a strange kind. On going on deck to ascertain the cause...

_Tuesday, November 28th_.--We passed Anaa, or Chain Island, in the morning watch, before daybreak. I came on deck to try and get a glimpse of it, and was rewarded by a glorious...

_Tuesday, October 31st_.--Throughout the night a flat calm prevailed. The morning was wet and foggy, or we might still have seen Valparaiso, and perhaps have had a peep at Aconc...

_Friday, September 22nd_.--Mr. Fisher called for me at 8 a.m., to drive me in his little carriage to the railway yard and workshops, and then to pay some farewell visits. We als...

_Tuesday, February 27th_.--Until half-past ten we were occupied in the pleasant task of reading news from home--all good this time, I am happy to say. At 10.30 we landed and wen...

_Tuesday, September 5th_.--We got under way at 6 a.m., and soon bade adieu to Rio, where we have spent so many happy days, and to our friends on board H.M.S. 'Volage' and 'Ready...

_Friday, April 6th_.--Our visit to Ceylon has been so delightful that I wish it could have been prolonged for a month, instead of lasting only a week; but in that case I should...

_Thursday, January 4th_.--It was very rough, but fortunately the wind came from a favourable quarter. Sorry as we all were to bid farewell to these charming islands, I could not...

At noon on July 1st, 1876, we said good-bye to the friends who had come to Chatham to see us off, and began the first stage of our voyage by steaming down to Sheerness, saluting...

_Tuesday, July 25th_.--There was not much wind during the night, and Palma was consequently still visible when I came on deck at daybreak. We had a light fair wind in the mornin...

_Monday, January 1st, 1877_.--At midnight we were awakened by our ship's bell, and that of the 'Fantôme,' being struck violently sixteen times. For the moment I could not imagin...