July 20

July 20
    Saturday, we were off promptly for Cherbourg, D.S. Burgess having left us a little earlier to take train for boat to England, where he was to visit at York, and then to Germany to study at Berlin for the remainder of the summer. Five of us now, we had our own compartment to Cherbourg

    Sharp at 5 P.M. we took the sturdy lighter across the amply fortified harbor to meet the promptly arriving American Line U. S. M. S. "Philadelphia". Rumors of strikes among the stokers had perturbed us, but our prompt embarkation reassured us of reaching N. Y. in reasonable time.
    A smooth sea favored us (64) through Sunday and Monday, but newly recruited stokers weren't up to keeping us going more than 17-knots an hour. So we were losing time. Then cloudy weather, or rather an overcast sky, lowered densely upon us. We rolled and pitched considerably. With our party variously engaged in walking, reading, chatting, or shuffle board and "quoits", Fred and Clayton were apparently masters of the tournament, only to lose the final match on the following Saturday.  I walked for exercise, making over ten miles a day, which dropped with rougher weather, only to sum to fifty m. for the trip.

    Thursday evening we had fog, and blasts from the heavy "whistle". Then Friday morning we awoke to huge seas and an increasing wind. (65) A tumbled sea caught us fairly, and heaved us around at most distressing angles and turns, - distressing for those inclined to sea sickness. Mr. S. and I missed the boys at lunch; they were more discreet than valorous, and ate on deck. Great seas broke over the forward deck, and stinging spray played around us as thick as beating rains. Canvas was of no avail on the windward side, but it kept the back draught from quite drenching us on the lee. The sea was of supreme beauty, with white foam breaking surgingly on every breaking crest while the whole ocean was running with foamy streams whipped along the blue and white surface by the wind and the sun shone brightly over (66) the tossing waters, varying the reflected sky colors with the myriad motion. Still, we were quite ready to resume a less riotous course, when drier decks and absence of quick shuddering tortions down our boat length apprised us that the heavier rollers had stopped pounding. The evening was beautiful, with a clear moon, and a heaving sea reflecting its spreading light, with mysterious shadows shrouding the hollows where the light could not reach. For the sea still remembered its frolic of the morning, and played a bit on its own account, though the wind had grown gentler.

    Saturday we packed and filled out our declaration sheets. We were due in N. Y. (67) at noon, but rough seas had added another handicap to that of the inexperience of stokers, by making them somewhat sick, at least so rumor had it. At any rate, a loss of a few miles each day had put us a whole day behind, so we contented ourselves by hoping to hail native shores on Sunday. The longing for the home country gets deep hold of one in that never ending, seemingly, dividing interval before seeing the home land.
    Sunday at 12 noon we passed Fire Island Light ship.  Soon Land! My, the thrill of that.  Then the shores of Long Island, many pleasure craft. and at last the entrance to the harbor.  We were not detained long for mail or medical inspection , and at a little (68) after two we were being teased into dock by several tugs.  The pier was crowded with happy folk awaiting friends.  "Customs" was easily passed, though C.B. had to pay $3 duty on a $4 piece of lace for his mother!
    On the pier we separated, the Strawbridges for Philadelphia, and Charles Brown to spend the night with me at Choate.
    So ended our great trip!  Nor is it possible ever to express to Mr. S the deep appreciation I shall always feel for the fine days he made possible for us so fully to enjoy.