1933 Handwritten Trip Diary Land Of The Midnight Sun Russia SS Reliance Icebergs
Item History & Price
WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES: 1933 WellI don’t think I’ve ever had a handwritten travel diary thatrepresented a trip to the “Land of the midnight Sun & Russia”before. The great thing concerning this diary is that it not only hashandwritten entries but 25 other pieces of loose ephemera that haveto do with the ship and this specific sailing. There is a 14 page“List of Passengers” booklet that not only lists the passengersbut the crew and additional information you would ...want to know aboutthe ship and the trip. Then there are 7 printed ships newsletters forvarious days and then 15 printed itineraries about the various portsand stops along the way. Those itineraries are really quiteinteresting and full of information about the sights and stops theyare making on the various days. Then a “Musicale”announcement/brochure and finally a large map and a one page“Announcement” piece concerning the money exchange when in theU.S.S.R. Theauthor is Ethel M. Saul and she is sailing on the “Reliance” aTrip Screw Steamer of the Hamburg American Line. There are 17 pagesof handwritten entries plus other additional printed bits ofinformation in the 18 page long book or diary. Following are a few ofthose entries…..1933“July1st, Sailed out of New York harbor 12:05 A.M. amidst shouting and fondfarewells. Band playing “Star Spangled Banner” and lightedtorches held from promenade deck by members of staff. Veryimpressive to sail out into the night. Upon awakening early in themorning we found our home on “The rolling sea.” S. S. Reliancewas doing considerable rocking. Sky was beautiful but sea rough…...”(More rolling, sleeping and constant blowing of fog horn. One daythey attended a classical musical in the Winter Garden on board theship.)“July3rd, Ideal day. Walked deck, inspected bridge. Playedshuffle board for an hour or so. Had deck chairs moved to boat deckin sun. Very pleasant. Saw 1 steamer, school of whales, seagulls, fishing schooner, not much traffic.” (Next day they had apatriotic dinner and in the dining room a huge fish was suspendedfrom the ceiling.)“July5th, Very cloudy with occasional fine mist. Weather did notinterfere with marathon or shuffle board. Unable to use deck chair.Attended horse racing in P.M. Quite exciting. A birth reported thisA.M. (stewardess). A rumor of wedding, 2 youngsters on passenger listwishing to be married by captain.” “Fridayevening Italian Flyers came aboard and captain gave a dinner in GrillRoom. An interesting sight. They are on way to Chicago Fair. Sunsetat 10:30 P.M. Very light all night.” “July8th, Weather very foggy. Awakened at 6 o’clock by strange maneuvers ofboat. Looked out porthole only to see huge ice floes. At 6:10 A.M.iceberg was visible at a short distance. Steward told us that at 6:10we passed between 2 icebergs. Ship made very little progress from 4A.M. to 7 A.M. We then proceeded very slowly. The officers and staff, also different stewards said they had never had an experience like itthis time of year. Thrilling to watch the beautiful colorings andformations but also very hazardous. For a time we were in a ratherprecarious condition. Came through safely into a beautiful open seaat 1:30 P.M. Fog lifted and water clear of all ice.” (On the 12they have a shore excursion to North Cape Norway)“July13th, Arrived at glacier 10 P.M. Beautiful sun. Walked through birch treesto foot of glacier. Colorings of glacier perfectly beautiful, blueand green. Gorgeous sunset behind mountains at midnight. Waited tosee sunrise at 1:45 A.M. Awe inspiring. Heavens a delicate rosy pink.Cloud effect lovely.” “Carinthia”anchored beside us. Passengers said weather conditions were sounfavorable that they had seen nothing. Missed Cape SvartisenGlacier, Trollfjord, etc. They practically followed our course only12 hrs. later.” “July17th, Weather very stormy, pouring rain. “Reliance” late in arriving.Little illumination in “Newport” of Norway other than hotel. Skyrockets sent from boat at midnight along with torches. A lovely sightfrom shore.” Herentries stop on July 21st while off the coast of Denmark.The diary is in excellent condition and measures about 5” x 8”.The ephemera is also in excellent condition.
