April 1903
Off to the Arctic Seas
Departure of the Whaling Fleet: Enthusiastic Scenes
The departure of the whaling fleet for the Arctic Sea on Thursday was as usual the occasion of exciting scenes at the harbour. Arising no doubt chiefly from the fact that three of the craft were leaving by one tide, the crowd that assembled to bid the crews farewell and god-speed was the largest that has gathered on such an occasion for many years, and the hardy voyagers got a send-off that could scarce have been surpassed in enthusiasm.The vessels that sailed were the Diana, under the command of Captain Adams; the Eclipse, under Captain Milne; and the Balaena, under Captain Guy; and all three are, as usual, to try their luck in the icy seas to the west of Greenland. The whalers were berthed at the west and south-west quays of Victoria Dock. From 9 o'clock onwards there was a steady stream through the main gateway, and as the hour of highwater approached the quays were lined by a crowd that must have numbered well on to 2,000. On board the whalers several of the men busied themselves applying the finishing touches to the deck arrangements, while others, more fortunate, were able to spend their last minutes prior to their departure in conversation with their friends on shore. There was no end of incident. On every hand was goodwill, and the spirit of hilarity was ever uppermost. About mid-day a boat shot out from the Balaena's bow bearing a rope, which was attached to the buoy in the middle of the dock, and shortly afterwards Captain Guy, by a shrill blast from the syren, announced that he was about to make a start. Slowly the vessel's head swung round, then the propellers moved, and the Balaena glided through the lockway at Victoria dockway into Camperdown Dock, and brought her head towards the river.
Hundreds had scampered along the quays abreast of the whaler, and when she halted momentarily in the lockway at Camperdown Dock, preparatory to going ahead, an immense crowd pressed forward - some to have a parting word with their friends, others in curiosity to see what they could see. Oranges and red herring were soon flying from shore to ship and from ship to shore, the usual means of conveying good wishes.
Exciting Incidents
A touch of an exciting nature was introduced by a wild-looking, breathless figure that struggled among the people and indicated that he was one of the crew and must get on board. His box was hustled over the rail, and the belated seaman made to follow suit, but he misjudged the distance of the step and fell headlong into the water. There was a cry of alarm, women shrieking and men shouting and a rush for a rope, but the man in the water was perfectly cool. He quietly but steadily struck out to get clear of the ship, and coolly awaited the rope that was lowered from the ship. He was then hoisted on board, and laughingly clambered to the deck, amid the cheers of his mates. Then the Balaena went ahead. The crew assembled in the stern and raised cheer after cheer - the greeting being responded to by those on shore. The Eclipse had now sheered off and was following in the wake of the Balaena. As she passed out into the river there was a renewal of the cordial scenes, and Captain Milne and his men had a most encouraging send-off. The Diana, trim and trig, was the last of the trio to leave the dock.
The crowd had now concentrated at Camperdown dockway, and this the final scene was the most impressive of all. Another late arrival! He is anxious to get on board, but the Diana slips through without coming within his reach, and as she slides further away he becomes frantic. Wrenching himself free from the grasp of his friends, he makes a leap into the water, and strikes out pluckily after the ship. A lifebuoy and a rope are thrown to him, but the vessel is now fairly well under weigh, and the poor chap is left behind doing his utmost. A boatman takes him on board his craft, and he is brought to the quay. Meanwhile the crowd had cheered the Diana lustily until the responding hurrahs of the crew came faintly over the water. Then the syren gave a parting blast and the crowd a final cheer, and the Diana went off in the track of the others down the river, leaving the crowd to disperse.
Have Your Umbrella Recovered
With our "Kimberley" cloth which never cuts at the folds. Don't dispose of favourite handles and good frames, but send them to us to be re-covered.
Alex Adamson, 36 Whitehall Street.
Under Keeper
Single man wanted. Good rabbit and vermin trapper
State age / experience. Copies testimonials only
Apply People's Journal Office.
Prevention of Cruelty to Children
The monthly meeting of the Council of Management of the Dundee Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was held in the Board Room, Dundee Savings Bank, yesterday. Mr John Earl Robertson presided. Reports by the Officer and by the Committee of the Council were submitted. During the month of March 34 cases were dealt with by the Society, 78 children being involved. The apparent causes of trouble were as follows:- exposure 2; homeless 2; ill-treating 14; imbecile 1; neglect 10; wandering 4; and want of proper care1. 26 cases were revisited, when it was found that 17 showed an improvement, 6 a slight improvement, and 2 no improvement. Sixteen children were admitted to the shelter, their duration of residence being from 1 to 22 days, and were disposed of as follows:-
* to Balgay Industrial School, 1
* to Mars Training Ship, 1
* to Imbecile Home, Baldovan, 1
* to East Poorhouse, 6
* to parents and friends, 1
* still in shelter, 4
In all 470 meals were given to children in the Shelter, and a number of articles of clothing distributed to poor children.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The officer of the Dundee Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in his monthly report, states that the following cases were investigated:-
* working horses while lame, 17
* working horses with sores, 31
* overstocking cows, 30
* cruelty to cats, 2
* Total 80
Thirty-seven offenders were cautioned and six were reported for prosecution, of whom three were convicted and fined and one admonished.
Dundee Free Library
The monthly meeting of the Dundee Free Library Committee was held on Thursday. It was reported that during March 28th, 868 volumes had been issued from the libraries in Dundee and Lochee - an increase of 1,250 over the number issued during March of last year. Of these 19,479 have been issued from the Lending Department Albert Institute - an increase of 852; and 3,925 from the Lochee Branch - an increase of 314 of the volumes issued from the Lending Department, 421 were from the delivery stations. Since the re-opening of the library on August 22nd, 7,714 new readers' cards had been issued - an increase of 622 over the number during the corresponding period of 1901/02. A large number of donations were reported.
Indolent Pimples
Get your blood pure and your skin active
Stop your salt and animal food; super-cook your grains;
Use no white flour; dispense with corsets; sleep with the windows open;
Have a nightly warm sponge of the whole body, and a good shampoo.
Bathe the face with hot water, then rub in lemon juice.
A Reprobate Son
Mr S, labourer, St Ann Street, Lochee was at Dundee on Wednesday convicted of disorderly conduct. It was stated that the language used by the accused towards his father and mother was most abusive. Bailie Nairn said Mr S was an unmitigated scamp and his sentence was 60 days' imprisonment.
The Public Peace
Can nothing be done to shut the mouths of the able-bodied loafers who desecrate the Sabbath and disturb the public peace by singing on the streets for coppers while citizens are making their way to the churches? Last Sunday I encountered a substantially proportioned vagrant bawling in leather-lunged fashion snatches from a sacred melody. His white-iron tones actually carried the length of three streets. Foolish people, I observed, were literally showering money upon this individual, and thus encouraging him and the others of his stamp to throw aside all the restraints of decency and regard for public sentiment in order to reap the benefits of misplaced charity.
Dundee Society of Spiritualists
Foresters' West Hall
Tomorrow 11 am, Members' Meeting
Sunday, 12.15 pm, Lyceum
Sunday, 6.30 pm, Spiritualism and week-day School Education Clairvoyance
Tuesday, 8.15 pm, Address: Clairvoyance
ONLY thruth-seekers invited.