THE BICYCLE AT SEA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1322, 10 December 1881, Page 2

THE BICYCLE AT SEA.

[Portsmouth (N. H.) Chronicle.] A passenger on the steamer Appledore. thus relates the meeting of that vessel with a strange' craft on the high seas :—' " On Saturday afternoon, August 20, soon after leaving the Shoals, and when about eight miles south-south-east of the New Hampshire coast, some of the passengers espied and pointed out a tiny spec on the ocean, which had something the appearance of a short .spar buoy, though it was evidently moving swiftly through the water. • On approaching nearer we dis» covered it to be a man, having every appearance of walking rapidly over the heaving seas. Great interest was manifested by all on board at this strange meeting with so novel a means of marine navigation. No smoke; no steam; no sail; no oara or paddles—in fact, nothing that, has hitherto been known as a means of marine propulsion was visible on or about this new water craft. Nop did the aid of the glass throw any lighi upon the subject. The sea was by no means smooth ; indeed, when the strange machine was first discovered it was visible only when it rose to the top, of each succeeding wave. We passed it at about an eighth of a mile to leeward, the lone navigator waving his hat while an? passengers generally returned the aaluto. We continued to watch with interest the progress of this animated speck upon the ocean until it faded entirely from view in the distance." The solution of this mystery is that Major Urch made his first visit" to the Shoal 3 with ths marine bicycle on Saturday passing the steamer Appledore both going and returning. He left the mouth of the* harbor at 2.45 o'clock, and arrived at tho Appledore landing at 4-7, making the run in 1 hour and 22 minutes. After leaving Appledore House the Major made a run to the Oceania, at both hotels being welcomed by the assembled guests, wno had espied him coming some time before ha reached their shores. Much interest was manifested by all at this visit to theijr islands of so small and odd a craft. Quite a number of gentlemen at the Appledore obtained permission and tried the machine,, manifesting much pleasure with it and its novel construction. The Major left the Oceanic for this city at 5.15, but, owing to a brisk north-easter, which kicked up tv heavy sea for a craft so small, did nofc arrive at the aquarium until 7 o'clock,