FIERCE CHANNEL GALE.
STEAMER’S NIGHT AT SEA.
The story of a vessel’s experiences in the Channel during the fierce easterly gale which blew on Wednesday was related yesterday morning, when her passengers were landed at Dover after spending twenty-four hours on board, instead of the normal four. Leaving Ostend for Dover at eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning, the Belgian mail turbine steamer Pieter de Coninck had an exceedingly rough voyage across the Channel, and when she approached her destination it was found impossible to get alongside the Admiralty pier at Dover, owing to the gale and the heavy swell. The vessel had therefore to put out into the Channel again, where she cruised up and down throughout the night, tossed about by huge waves.
The steamer carried ninety-one passengers – fifty civilians (among whom there were a few ladies) and forty-one officers and men, on leave from the British Army of Occupation in Cologne. When it was decided that it would be impossible to land on Wednesday night the passengers made themselves as comfortable as possible in the cabins and elsewhere. It was a trying experience to be within a mile or two of Dover and yet be unable to land; but in relating their experiences the civilians – particularly those of Belgian nationality – were enthusiastic in their praises of the soldiers, who, they said, had done everything possible to keep their companions cheerful.
At daybreak the gale was still blowing violently, and it was decided not to attempt to make Dover until there was some moderation of the storm. Heavy seas were still running, and it was not until about eleven o’clock yesterday morning that a wireless message was sent to the vessel to come alongside the Prince of Wales’s pier, the landing-stage at the marine station being still unapproachable. Tugs assisted her to her berth.
FOOD SUPPLIES FAIL.
The first expressions of the passengers on landing were naturally those of great relief. The unpleasantness of their predicament had been increased by the fact that food supplies ran short, the mail steamers being only provisioned for a normal run of four hours. They were conveyed by train to the marine station, where they obtained refreshment, proceeding afterwards to London.
Although a bitterly cold north-east wind continued yesterday, the gale abated, and except for the 11.10 outward Ostend boat from Dover, the Continental services were resumed. The one o’clock boat for Calais left to time, and the mail packet from Calais and Boulogne arrived.
FRUIT IN PLENTY.
When the Shakespearian character declaimed against a desire for fruits out of season as being as unreasonable as seeking snow in summer it was a case of “sour grapes.” The march of science since the days of the bard has abolished seasons so far as luscious, healthy fruit foods are concerned. The world is our orchard under modern methods, and so, in February, we have the fresh ripe produce of the West Indies, of Canada, America, South Africa, Tunis, the Azores, Palestine, and other climes, not to mention Spain and countries nearer home, and the output of our own hothouses, such as strawberries. To indulge in the luxury of strawberries in February one must pay the price, of course, for it savours of “eating money” when almost a record sum of 50s per pound has been paid for them on the wholesale market at Covent Garden. But, what is wrong with the downy peach, the smooth nectarine, and the delicate-flavoured pear? No one can complain of choice juicy pears in February at 2d each, the price at which they have been selling in the suburbs.
These fruits are arriving in bountiful quantities from South Africa, the current two boats bringing 163,575 cases, including pears, 90,967; peaches, 28,826; plums, 21,126; grapes, 16,414; nectarines, 4,684; mangoes, 856; pineapples, 298; grenadillas, 63; and apples, 33. Under strictly enforced legislation by the Union of South Africa every one of these cases may be purchased by the retailer with the certain knowledge that the contents will be of the choicest and packed and transported in the most approved way. Every case bears the name of the grower, where grown, and all other details. In a large warehouse at Covent Garden many thousands of these cases were stacked this week, each variety of fruit being easily distinguished by a method just introduced. To ensure a current of air in transit each case is provided with cleats, which are now dyed a distinctive colour, peaches having red, grapes green, plums blue, and so on. This may be of greater interest to the importer and merchant than to the consumer, except that it illustrates the thoroughness of those who are concerned in the success of the South African fruit trade. The grapes are principally Hermitage, the fine-flavoured fruit from which the exquisite dessert wine of that name is made. The mangoes are in perfect condition. It is always safe to buy any South African produce.
APPLES – GOOD AND POOR.
There is a marked difference in the value of apples on the market, quality being good, poor, and negligible. Some from the Continent and others produced in this country do not attract buyers by reason of the impossibility of “giving them a name.” They are mixed, without any of the better varieties being included. There are some good English Bramleys and Newtons, and these realise full value when properly packed. Main supplies are from Canada and America, well graded and packed, and in excellent condition. Larger quantities of these are expected, and prices are a little lower than they were. Germany continues to compete with us for possession of fruit. After buying at very high rates and paying in English currency, Germany has attracted the growers direct, and an illustration of what is happening is provided by a shipment of pineapples from the Azores. The proportion coming to this country was about 500 and to Germany 5,000. Similar conditions apply to other fruits. Reference was recently made in this column to oranges upon each of which appeared the name of the brand. These are now being shown at Covent Garden, where they are offered as never having been touched by hand, being gathered, wrapped, and packed by gloved workers, the consumer on removing the paper wrapping being in the position, so to speak, of plucking the fruit from the tree. The peel is rather pale, but this is the natural shade of oranges from Florida, the source of origin. It may be added that the Jamaican are guaranteed stem-picked. There is a fair supply of Jaffa, and some Californian oranges are arriving, but the bulk of supplies are from Spain. All are of very good value and sales are satisfactory, probably owing to the recognised value as a preventive of influenza. A good method for those who have the malady, or those who wish to escape it, is to extract the juice with a lemon squeezer and add water, soda water, or, if sweetening is desired, lemonade. Orange juice and soda water is far preferable in every way to the sweetened aerated waters containing chemical imitation fruit flavourings. Soda water is generally plain water impregnated with carbonic acid, an excellent anti-germ, and combined with the beneficial qualities of the orange juice forms an excellent beverage in health and sickness. Lemons may be employed for the same purpose, and grapefruit must not be overlooked in the citrus diet.