The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-19 00:00:00

AN ADYENTU_ROUS VOYAGE.

On Tuesday last Mr. Henry Sharp, wine and
spirit merchant, Trongate, accompanied by his
father-in-law, drove from Rothesay for the purpose
of taking a small boat, intending to visit some of the
islands of the Kyles of Bute. The day being fine
when they started, nothing of importance occurred
during their outward trip to mar their enjoyment.
As the day advanced, however, the sky became
overcast, and the wind, which had hitherto been
blowing very moderately, freshened into a smart
breeze, ultimately blowing a " regular gale."
Under these circumstances, the gentlemen speedily
bethought themselves of returning home, and
for this purpose they turned the boat's head in
the direction of Rothesay. Having been fa-
voured with a fair wind and a comparatively
smooth sea on their outward passage, they
were not a little dispirited to find that the task of
reaching Rothesay that night was likely to be one
fraught with difficulty and danger; but, putting a
stout heart to the work, they felt confident of sue-
cessfully combating with the stormy elements.
They had not proceeded far, however, when one of
their oars snapped, leaving them with only the re-
maining one to contend against both wind and tide.
Destruction now seemed to them inevitable, being
left entirely at the mercy of the tumultuous sea.
Meanwhile the small craft drifted about, the two
gentlemen being completely prostrate from sheer
exhaustion and anxiety, and as night began to ap-
proach their prospects were of the most gloomy de-
scription. The boat having meanwhile drifted close
to ono of the little islands near to Colintraive, the
voyagers determined to make for the island, draw
the boat up, and there encamp for the night. As
soon as the boat touched the ground Mr. Sharp
leapt out, forgetting, in his haste, to take the
boat's " painter" along with him, in consequence of
which the boat was again sent adrift—the rebound
given by Mr. Sharp's leap from its bulwarks pro-
pelling it out again into the current. Their several
positions had now bocome most critical. The one,
adrift in a stormy sea, having little, if any, know-
ledge, how to manage a boat, even though he had
oars, was now altogether helpless without them; the
other cast on a small rocky islet, without food or
fuel, and with the prospect of a tide speedily rising
and covering the small spot he now stood upon.
As the small boat gradually receded from the island,
the solitary " islander" gave himself up for lost, all
chance of the boat ever reaching the mainland seem-
ing to him quite impossible, and consequently no
intelligence would be conveyed to his friends of
his situation. The small boat with its solitary
passenger continued to drift about at the mercy of
the waves—its occupant knowing not whither
he was being carried. Darkness had now set-
tled down, the wind blowing fearfully ; and,
the sea breaking completely over the boat, every
moment he expected she would settle down.
Early in the morning, however, the boat provi-
dentially touched the land, when the gentleman
speedily jumped out and made her fast. Being a
comparative stranger in Bute, he did not know
where he was, but ultimately he turned out to be in
the vicinity of Karnes. He immediately, started on
foot for Rothesay, and reached home very much ex-
hausted. Mr. Sharp continued during the darkness
of night, and amid the raging of the storm, to wait
till the dawn upon his sea-girt perch, hoping to see
some craft in the vicinity whereby he might be re-
lieved. Morning broke, however, with no prospect
of relief, and hunger and cold were now pressing
him very hard. Daylight succeeded the dawn, and
still no help. The wind and sea were still raging
in increased fury, so that there was little chance of
any pleasure-boat being out in his vicinity that day.
At last a large black speck was seen far in the dis-
tance, but seemed gradually to approach where he
stood. Hope now arose in his breast ; but, alas !
it was shortlived, for the steamer Eagle (for such
she proved to be) passed at some distance with-
out having observed him. Despair, with all its
agony, seized hold of him. He screamed at the
top of his voice, waved his handkerchief, and
ran about in the greatest frenzy. Still the
steamer held her course, every moment the dis-
tance becoming greater, and consequently his
chance of being saved diminishing. At last, how-
ever, a chance eye caught the signal of this
modern Crusoe ; the steamer stopped, and a boat
being launched, this cast-away was saved from his
perilous position, Having arrived in Rothesay, he
immediately went in search of his father-in-law,
but felt afraid to ask for him, fearing the worst.
Their joy was consequently full when they again
beheld each other, and mutual congratulations were
speedily exchanged. Having partaken of some re-
freshment and enjoyed a night's repose,
on Thurs-
day morning all traces of their hardships were en-
tirely effaced. Great praise is due to crew of the
steamer Eagle for the gallantry they displayed in
going off to the rescue, the heavy sea threatening
every moment to swamp their tiny boat.—Glasgow
Herald,