LETTER NO. Ill 



Hamburg, May 16, 1851. 

 I have always maintained and, still more, have always 

 found my convictions continued, that ships as well as 

 human beings, often reveal their character by their out- 

 ward appearance. To the initiated they are just like 

 men, at times light-headed and frivolous; again serious 

 and solemn, pleasant, sullen, melancholy, easy going, 

 swift, clumsy, top-heavy, some, lacking in character, and 

 other solid as a rock. In the last named category I count 

 the "Victoria." Having ascertained at Knohr and Bur- 

 chard's, the sbipbrokers, that this vessel, which is to carry 

 us to the New World, was still in dock at the well-known 

 Godefroy's Wharf, which is located on the Hanoverian 

 side, in the village "Reiherstieg," island of Steinwerder, 

 our curiosity became duly aroused. We hired a little sail- 

 boat and went to examine the vessel, which was to be 

 our floating home for many a day. The "Victoria" is a 

 fine bark, carrying about three hundred tons; but owing 

 to the fact that she was heavily laden and consequently 

 deep in the water, we saw but very little of her hull. 

 Shape and frame are just as I like to see them, well cut, 

 broad overleaning bow, notwithstanding which the ves- 

 sel is graceful in build, and has an evenly-running deck, 

 without quarter. As a few planks had been temporarily 

 removed from one of the sides, I was able to obtain a 

 glimpse through the solid, closely set ribs. The Victoria 

 is painted, as is customary with ocean vessels of its kind, 

 black, with broad white trimming around the waist, in- 

 cluding eight bulls-eyes for small cannon use on either 

 side. The riggings are very strong and heavy, well pro- 

 portioned, too; the sail-yards are unusually broad and 

 give the ship almost the appearance of a man-of-war. To 



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