EAST COAST OF MEXICO. 



31 



ROUTE IV. 



BY SEA VIA CUBA AND YUCATAN, MEXICAN RAILWAY TO CITY 



OF MEXICO. 



In speaking of Mexico, we naturally presuppose that the capital is meant; and 

 it is with the City of Mexico as an objective point that these descriptions of 

 routes are written. Ten days' voyaging, and two thousand miles, intervene between 

 New York and Vera Cruz, principal seaport of Mexico. 



THE ALEXANDRE STEAMERS. 



A fleet of large iron steamers connects New York with the only port of any size 

 on the Mexican coast. These steamers call at Havana, four days out, and reach 

 the first Mexican port, at Progreso, on the peninsula of Yucatan, two days later. 

 Two of these boats, the "City of Alexandria" and "City of Washington," are the 

 finest of any engaged in coastw-se commerce. They are over 300 feet in length, 

 38 feet wide, and 33 feet deep, are built of iron, and furnished throughout with 

 every convenience and comfort that can be found upon the great ocean-steamers 

 between this country and Europe. Each has superb accommodations for 150 first- 

 class passengers, and, in place of the common tables usually found in our coast 

 steamers, has small tables, at which four persons can dine or lunch a la carte, 

 at any hour. The saloons are immense, and finished beautifully in fine woods, 

 showing every color, from black walnut to amaranth. A seventh steamer was 

 launched in 18S2, the " City of Puebla," that was intended to surpass, if possible, 

 all the others of the fleet. 



After leaving Progreso, these steamers touch successively at Campeche and 

 Frontera, arriving at Vera Cruz in from ten to twelve days, whence, after remaining 

 four days, they return to New York. Coming down from New Orleans are two 

 steamers of the same line, which touch at Bagdad, Tampico, and Tuxpan, reaching 

 Vera Cruz inside of five days. The journey there might be shortened, if long 

 delays were not made in every port. Eight days by the sea-route, and six via 

 New Orleans, ought to cover it ; but generally the passenger welcomes these stays 

 in port as opportunities for side trips into the country. The rates of passage are 

 as follows: From New York to Vera Cruz, first-class, $85; excursion, good for 

 six months, $150; New Orleans to Vera Cruz, $50; excursion, SSo. 



It is at Progreso, on the coast of Yucatan, that the steamer first enters 



