[to be continued.]
THE UNITED STATES NAVY AT THE BALTIC CANAL.
BY A JUNIOR OFFICER.
"General Signal 6421 from flag-ship!" cried the signal boy to signal officer of the U.S.S. San Francisco, as our fleet approached the entrance to Kiel Fiord.
"Report to the Captain that we are ordered by the flag-ship to take position at head of column," replied the signal officer, referring to signal-book.
Simultaneously the U.S. flag-ship New York stopped her engines, allowing the U.S.S. San Francisco and U.S.S. Columbia to steam ahead, leading the column into the harbor of Kiel, Germany, in order that they might be in proper sequence for picking up the buoys assigned them during the festivities attending the opening of the large and important canal connecting the Baltic with the North Sea. Ahead, beyond the light guarding the entrance to Kiel Fiord, which is nothing more than a long land-locked harbor five miles long by one and a half broad, we could see ships and boats by the score.
We are entering the harbor. Ding! and the engines are stopped, lines are thrown to the small launch coming alongside, and a German officer is helped aboard, who volunteers to show us to our assigned buoyage. The first of the unbroken series of hospitalities shown us by the Germans during our entire stay has been performed. Changing course to port, ahead we could see the spires and buildings of Kiel several miles distant; abeam, the little town of Friedrichsort close aboard; on our bow, distant about four miles, lay the little town of Holtenau, really little else than a suburb of Kiel, and here was pointed out by the pilot the canal, the opening of which we had come to celebrate. On our port hand the shore extended evenly from Kiel to our port beam, clothed in verdure, sprinkled by occasional villas, and marked particularly by a small hill just opposite the entrance to the canal, which had been surmounted by an immense stand for the reception of spectators to the yacht races following the opening week. In this harbor lay the German fleet, consisting of twenty-eight vessels, aside from torpedo-boats, and the Austrian fleet of four, many yachts, tugs, and steamers chartered for the functions. While gazing at the array before us we are aroused by the 21-gun salute of the flag-ship, fired in honor of the port. We now approach the German training-ships. The men are in the rigging. Three cheers ring out from the mass in the rigging. "Stand by to cheer ship!" yells the First Lieutenant. "Lay aloft!" and our rigging is a mass of human beings. "Stand by to cheer—hip, hip!" and the three long, hearty cheers of the Germans are returned. Again and again is this repeated as we slowly steam up by the line of ships riding to their moorings, the cheers ringing out even above the guns of the New York, which, it must be remembered, are all of this time engaged in a constant fusillade in extending and returning salutes to the Admirals of the various fleets.
Arriving at our buoy, we find that the boat which we had manned, ready for lowering, is unnecessary, as a German boat was waiting to carry out our hawser to the buoy. We are moored. Our position is not the best, but, being near the town, it counterbalances the disadvantage of being some distance from the canal entrance.
THE WAR-SHIPS PASSING THROUGH THE CANAL.
The two days now elapsing before the opening of the festivities, the grand ball at Hamburg, are days of preparation. The last touches are put on our white lustrous sides; the smallest particles of dirt or stain are carefully removed; morning and evening the various ships' boats are seen practising for the coming races. Entertainments have already begun. The officers of each German ship diligently apply themselves to the entertainment of the officers of the ship or ships assigned them, while the crews of our vessels accept similar hospitalities from the crews of theirs. These days also witness the arrival of the other numerous fleets—Denmark with two cruisers and four torpedo-boats; England with six battle-ships, two large cruisers, and two torpedo-boats, and two yachts; France with the Hoche, Dupuy de Lôme, and Surcouf; the Italians with nine vessels of all classes; Holland with two cruisers; Norway with two; Portugal with one; Roumania with two; Russia with three; Sweden three; Spain three; and others, making a total in harbor on the morning of June 19th of eighty-six war-vessels, aside from torpedo-boats. Besides this, the numerous yachts, liners, and tugs made the harbor fairly covered with floating habitations.
On this date the Admiral of our fleet, accompanied by his staff, went to Hamburg, where he had previously ordered the Marblehead, our smallest vessel, to await him. Here, after the ball, which opened the festivities, he went aboard that vessel and steamed down to Brunsbüttel, the mouth of the canal, where a column of sixteen vessels, headed by H. M. steam-yacht Hohenzollern, began at 4 a.m. the passage through the canal. This canal connects the Elbe (at Brunsbüttel) to the Baltic at Kiel by a rather tortuous passage of 65 miles in length. It is from 27 to 30 feet deep, 70 feet broad at the bottom, and 120 feet at the top. The total cost was 156,000,000 marks—$39,000,000.
THE EMPEROR'S YACHT OPENING THE CANAL.
At 8 a.m., June 20th, the holiday aspect suddenly came over the fleets.
The few flags and banners that the smaller boats had flown proudly the past few days were put to shame when at one instant, on the stroke of eight bells (a.m.), every ship hoisted her rainbow of every flag, extending from water-line forward over masts to water-line aft. Then the celebration began at Kiel. At noon the exit of the Emperor's yacht with the imperial party aboard was celebrated by the firing of thirty-three guns by each ship in the harbor, with rails manned, and officers in full dress.
At 8 p.m. the grand ball was given at Kiel. Four thousand people were present, representing all nations. The Emperor and royal party were there, and officers not having already met him were there presented.
The following day the ships were full dressed at 8 a.m. At 1 p.m. were the inaugural ceremonies at the mouth of the canal. Uniform full dress. Rails were manned, and ships passing by the Emperor gave three cheers. During the afternoon the Hohenzollern steamed through the fleet, and was saluted and cheered as before.
This was the night of the grand illumination. The commanders of the visiting countries had their ships outlined by electric lights, taking in funnels, masts, rails, etc. Those of the United States had besides this their name in three-foot letters, and a large shield showing stars and stripes. In the midst of this display lights were suddenly cut off, and for an hour the flag-ship New York sent forth a display of fireworks not equalled in any other fleet. The most notable features were fire-likenesses of President Cleveland and Emperor William II. and the American and German coats of arms, all in immense frames, 16 by 20 feet.
As the festivities approach an end, so do I near the point where I shall leave you to fill in the omissions in your imaginations.
THE AMERICAN SQUADRON AT THE KIEL NAVAL REVIEW.
On the 22d the ships did not again hoist the rainbow, but instead floated a flag from each mast-head. A German manœuvring fleet went out in the early morning for fleet manœuvres, sham-battle, and review by Empress. At noon they returned, and the festival-time of Kiel was over.
The officers were still entertained, courtesies extended as before. Boat-racing received an impetus as the time approached. Visitors were received aboard ship, but the difference could be felt; the throng on the water diminished; the town, hitherto so gayly decorated, became more sober. Everything pointed that the festival was over, the canal was open, the entire celebration was a grand success.
America's fleet of snow-white cruisers, her display, her representation, when so far distant, have won unanimous praise and applause, and may be reckoned by all Americans as the grandest success of all.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Amateur Photographers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Camera Club Department.
PAPERS FOR BEGINNERS, No. 11.
INTENSIFICATION OR REDEVELOPMENT.
A negative which has been overexposed and developed in a normal developer, while perfect in detail, will be thin and without contrast. This is because it is underdeveloped, the chemicals acting too quickly to allow it to gain density. A satisfactory print cannot be made from such a negative, as the film, being so transparent, allows the light to reach all parts of the paper almost at once, and the print when toned is a dull slaty gray.
An overexposed and underdeveloped plate may be redeveloped, and this process is usually called strengthening or intensifying. Solutions come ready prepared for use, but the amateur who wishes can prepare his own.
The bichloride-of-mercury formula is one of the most satisfactory for the young amateur. This is in three solutions, made up and kept in separate bottles, labelled respectively No. 1, No. 2, No. 3. No. 1 is composed of bichloride of mercury, 120 grains; chloride of ammonium, 120 grains; distilled water, 10 ounces. No. 2 is composed of chloride of ammonium, 120 grains; water, 10 ounces. No. 3 is sulphite of sodium crystals, 1 ounce; water, 9 ounces.
Wash the plate for a few minutes, and then place it for ten minutes in a five-per-cent. solution of alum, and wash for half an hour. Place the negative in a glass tray, and flow enough of the solution marked No. 1 to cover it. The negative will turn white, and as soon as it is white, or nearly so, turn off the solution, and flow with No. 2 for one minute. Rinse the plate again, and cover with the solution marked No. 3, and let it remain till the negative has changed to a dark brown or black. Wash for an hour and dry. No. 3 can be returned to the bottle, but the others had better be thrown away after using once.
Another method is to bleach or whiten the plate with a solution of bichloride of mercury, and then treat the plate with a hydrochinon developer. Dissolve a quarter-ounce of bichloride of mercury in 12 ounces of water. Soak the plate for a few minutes in clear water, till the film is thoroughly wet. Place it face up in a glass tray, and turn the mercuric solution over it, till the image first disappears and again becomes visible. Take the plate from the tray and wash away every trace of the mercury. Place it in a developing tray, and cover the plate with a fresh solution of hydrochinon developer. (Any formula will answer.) In a few minutes the negative will come out almost as strong as if it had been properly exposed and developed. Wash thoroughly and dry. If the plate does not need much intensifying, leave it in the mercuric solution just long enough for the surface to whiten.
Another formula for intensifying is one which can be used as soon as the plates have been developed and fixed, and gives the required strength to quite thin negatives. This is prepared in three solutions, and used in the same way as the first formula given. No. 1, bichloride of mercury, 2 parts; water, 100 parts. No. 2, iodide of potassium, 3 parts; water, 33 parts. No. 3, sodic acetate, 4 parts; water, 33 parts.
Caution: Mark all bottles containing intensifying solutions "Poison," be very careful in handling, and keep them locked up when not in use. Bichloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate) is a violent poison, and a grain or two of it taken internally may prove fatal. An antidote is the whites of eggs beaten up with water and given promptly, repeatedly, and abundantly. The albumen of the egg renders the salts of mercury insoluble, and enables the stomach to throw off the poison instead of absorbing it into the system.
Mlle. C. de Gramont, Paris, France, asks "If an amateur can make a non-halation plate, and how, and what is the best method of sensitizing the salted paper described in No. 796?" Plates already sensitized can be covered, rendered almost free from halation by painting the back or glass side with a mixture of collodion and rouge. In place of the rouge any dark red or brown pigment may be used. The mixture dries quickly, and is easily wiped off the plate before developing. Another mixture may be made of ½ oz. gum-arabic, 1 drachm of glycerine, ½ oz. burnt sienna, and 5 oz. water. Heat enough of the water to dissolve the gum-arabic, and when cold mix all the ingredients together. Apply with a brush. After exposure and before developing it should be wiped off the plate with a cloth wet with benzine. In No. 803 will be found further directions for preparing plain salted paper. The easiest way to sensitize the paper is to cut it into 8 by 10 sheets, lay a piece on a pane of glass, holding it from curling by two or three letter-clips; or, if preferred, a smooth board can be used and the paper fastened to the board with small thumb tacks. Apply lightly and evenly, first one way and then the other at right angles. Be sure that all the paper is covered. Dry in a dark room, pinning the paper to the wall or some smooth surface. After two or three times trying one can apply the solution evenly. The prints are very beautiful, and if well washed do not fade.
Answers to several correspondents.—We have had many queries as to how one may become a member of the Camera Club. Any member of the Round Table may become a member of the club by sending his or her name to the Round Table. We hope all of our readers who own cameras will join the club, as we expect to give some new and original plans for work during the year.
Sir Knight B. P. Atkinson, Tilton, New Hampshire, asks, 1. What is Eikonogen made from, and what is the chemical name. 2. What is the difference between chrome alum and alum crystals. 3. When we expect to have another photographic contest. 4. Is Watkin's exposure meter a reliable machine. 5. How can films be kept from curling.
1. Eikonogen is the sodium salt compounded from three different chemicals, and comes in whitish-gray crystals. It is the name of a developing agent patented by Dr. Andreson about six years ago. It is not poisonous, does not stain the fingers, and gives a clear negative with plenty of detail. 2. The difference between chrome alum and alum crystals is principally that chrome alum has twice the strength of alum crystals, being a double salt, instead of the commercial alum usually sold. Both chrome alum and alum crystals are used for the same purpose in photography, for clearing and hardening the film of the negative. 3. The date has not yet been fixed for our next photographic contest, but we intend to have another soon. 4. It is out of our province to pass judgment on any kind of photographic apparatus. 5. Films may be kept from curling by soaking them after they have been developed and before they have been dried, in a solution of glycerine, ½ oz., distilled water, 16 oz., for five minutes, and then drying as usual.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
One of my girls inquires how to ask for an autograph of a person whom she admires, and which she thinks would add to the interest of her collection. Such a letter might be written in this way:
Daisy Mead, Brookville, New York.
Mrs. Sarah Maria Chester:
Dear Madam,—I am making a collection of autographs, and would feel much honored if you would kindly allow me to add yours to the number I have already received. I enclose a slip of paper and a stamped and addressed envelope, and thanking you in advance for granting the favor I ask, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Eleanor Alice Ames.
Or perhaps you may like better this simpler form:
No. 189 Ashtabula Street, Rome, Illinois.
Dear Mrs. Ladylove,—I am a little girl twelve years old, living a great many miles from you, but I have read your poems and stories, and like them very much. It will make me very happy to receive your autograph. Please use the slip of paper which I enclose in the stamped and addressed envelope, which I add to save you trouble.
Admiringly yours,
Emily Anne Jinks.
The form of address, you observe, is not arbitrary. But you must be polite. You are soliciting a favor. And you must certainly send the envelope addressed to yourself, and stamped. Always enclose return postage in a letter which asks a friend to do you a kindness, to send you information, or in any way to oblige you. One little two-cent stamp is not very much to either your correspondent or yourself, but postage-stamps soon count up when one has a great many letters to write and answer.
Another girlie says, "Please tell me how soon I ought to answer my friend's letter—the same day, or the next, or in a week, or what?" Bless your dear heart, my child, answer as soon as you please, and if you are writing to somebody you love, who loves you, the sooner the better. A lady who has a large correspondence tells me that she always replies to her friends while their letters are fresh in her mind, before the glow and tenderness have faded. It is, as a rule much easier to answer a letter when you have recently read it than when it has been put aside for days and weeks. Still, much depends on the style of the correspondence, and on the tie which binds you to your friend.
I have lately been reading some very remarkable letters. They are published in a book called Letters from the New Hebrides, and are by Maggie Whitecross Paton, the wife of the great missionary Dr. John G. Paton. I think these letters are very nearly perfect, so bright, so chatty, so full of simple goodness. Mrs. Paton has the gift of seeing things, and then telling about them so that we see with her eyes.
I wish I might impress on you the importance of answering questions which may have been asked by your correspondent. Before closing a letter which is by way of reply, why not read over the one which calls it forth, and make sure that you have not omitted anything concerning which you have been asked to give information.
Postal cards should be used exclusively for purposes of business, the exception being that when on a journey it is a good plan to carry a postal card, addressed before you leave home, pencil on it the news of your safe arrival, and mail it in the station before going to your journey's end. This often gives the home people news of you some hours in advance of the letter you write at the first opportunity after reaching your friend's house.
No letter should ever be marred by excuses and apologies.
