Off Cape Finisterre and Vigo Bay
Cape Finisterre, a headland on the northwest coast of Spain, and Vigo Bay, a long inlet of the Atlantic farther south in Galicia, with the port of Vigo on its southern shore. Thackeray's steamer passed them in 1844.
Today: Vigo, Galicia, Spain
A free ticket on an early pleasure cruise
William Makepeace Thackeray (“Mr. M. A. Titmarsh”), Notes of a Journey from Cornhill to Grand Cairo, 1846, on his P&O voyage of 1844 · voyage of 1844; preface and book published 1846
The day was as fine and calm as the night ; at seven bells, suddenly a bell began to toll very much like that of a country church, and on going on deck we found an awning raised, a desk with a flag flung over it close to the compass, and the ship's company and passengers assembled there to hear the captain read the Service in a manly respectful voice. This, too, was a novel and touching sight to me. Peaked ridges of purple mountains rose to the left of the ship, —Finisterre and the coast of Gallicia. The sky above was cloudless and shining; the vast dark ocean smiled peacefully round about, and the ship went rolling over it, as the people within were praising the Maker of all.
The day was as fine and calm as the night. At seven bells, suddenly a bell began to toll, very much like that of a country church. On going on deck, we found an awning raised and a desk with a flag thrown over it, close to the compass. The ship's crew and passengers were gathered there to hear the captain read the Service in a manly, respectful voice. This, too, was a new and touching sight to me. Peaked ridges of purple mountains rose to the left of the ship: Finisterre and the coast of Galicia. The sky above was cloudless and shining. The vast dark ocean smiled peacefully all around, and the ship went rolling over it, while the people within were praising the Maker of all.
In honour of the day, it was announced that the passengers would be regaled with champagne at dinner; and accordingly that exhilarating liquor was served out in decent profusion, the company drinking the captain's health with the customary orations of compliment and acknowledgment. This feast was scarcely ended, when we found ourselves rounding the headland into Vigo Bay, passing a grim and tall island of rocky mountains which lies in the centre of the bay.
In honor of the day, it was announced that the passengers would be treated to champagne at dinner. And so that cheering drink was served out in decent plenty, and the company drank the captain's health with the usual speeches of compliment and thanks. This feast was scarcely over when we found ourselves rounding the headland into Vigo Bay, passing a grim, tall island of rocky mountains that lies in the center of the bay.