Ahoy Shipmates

The second planned event was a train trip to the top of Mount Oroya, the highest railroad in the world. This recently completed line went through the mountains at a height of 13,000 feet. Two trains were planned for the journey, the first for the “official” party and the second for sailors and other guests. At a height of 10,000 feet, the second train stalled. Some were already suffering from altitude sickness from the quick assent, but now many more began to suffer. Then came word from the first train at 13,000 feet that there had been an avalanche blocking the line. At this point many were stricken with vomiting and laid out on the floor.

One passenger actually died from their condition. At this point the first train could not remain at 13,000 feet and made a slow decent to where the blockage in the tracks had occurred. Here there were accommodations of four beds for the overnight stay which had been commandeered by members aboard the second train leaving the members of the official party to sleep onboard the train that evening.

The next day, sick and exhausted they were able to climb around the obstruction and board a train to return to Callao. Surely this had become one of the more memorable event from the cruise for many of the crewmembers.

The next instalment will cover the departure from the port of Callao, Peru.

Regards



Sean