The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-05 00:00:00

Sufferings at Sea.

On the 4th of May the New York ship Hornet
was burned at sea, in North lat. 2 deg. 20 min.
West long. 112 deg. 8 min., about 1,000 miles due
south from Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, and
2,500 miles east of Hawaii. In reference to this
event the Honolulu Commercial of June 30 says :
" Captain Mitchell distributed the men into three
boats, according to their capacity. In the long boat
with him were the two passengers, the third mate,
and 11 seamen. The provisions and water were all
equally distributed among the three boats during
the first night, masts fitted, and sails cut out for
them, as well as circumstances and materials would
permit. Being in the track of California-bound
vessels, Captain Mitchell concluded it best to head
north-west, in the same course, hoping to sight some
passing ship. The two quarter boats were taken in
tow by the long boat, and thus they started off in
search of some mode of deliverance. The second day
frequent light showers occurred, and some four gal-
lons of water were obtained, to add to their small
stock. The winds were light and baffling, and the
sun fell with scorching rays on their unprotected heads.
The fourth day the course was changed for Clarion
Island, located in long. 114 W., lat. 18 deg. 30 min. ;
but owing to strong winds and heavy sea, the boats
were unable to fetch up to it. On the fifth, sixth,
and seventh days six dolphins, a bonita, and turtle
were caught, and divided among the three boats,
giving the crew plenty of raw meat ; but as they
had no salt they were unable to keep it. All the
-boats' crews were now put on an allowance of a gill
of water, half a biscuit, and half a raw potato twice
a day. But when it rained all hands were privileged
to drink all the water they could catch. For the
next 13 days the winds continued light and baffling,
the long boat towing the other two all the while.
On the 17th day out two ' boobies' were caught,
which were divided among the boat's crews. When
18 days out, under a strong trade wind, it was found
impossible for the long boat to continue towing the
others, as the strain and jerking was so severe as to
endanger her, and Capt. Mitchell decided to cast off
the mate's boat, which was done in long. 114 W.,
lat. 13 N. Three days after it was decided, for the
same reason, to cast off the second mate's boat, and
after coming alongside, dividing the beggarly rem-
nant of stores, and bidding each other adieu, they
cast off, all being in good spirits. Up to this time
the three boats were still in sight of each other, each
having a navigator in charge, and heading on the
same course. That night they parted company, and
the two mates' boats have not since been heard from.
After reaching long. 117 W., lat. 17 N., Capt. Mit-
chell decided to head for 'American Group,' located,
according to Bowditch, in lat. 17 N., long. 133.30
W. The boat spent several days cruising over the
position, but found no signs of land. Thus far
they had endeavoured to keep in the usual track of
California-bound clippers, in hope of meeting a
passing sail. But failing to find land here, they
headed for Hawaii, distant 1,200 miles. At this
time they had no meat, and nothing to eat but the
bare bones of the ham and the canvas it was rolled
in, with their regular two gills of water. Pieces of
this canvas and the staves of a butter keg,
which had a saline relish to them, served as
the main stand by, while the leather of their
boots was scraped off, soaked in water so as to
make the leather soft. This served as their soup.
For dessert they ate pieces of cotton shirt and hand-
kerchiefs. By some accident there was a supply of
tobacco in the boat, which served to allay their
thirst, and may have been a principal means of pre-
serving their lives. During the entire passage the
utmost discipline prevailed, with watches off and on
as regularly as on the ship. The boat leaked badly,
and all hands took turns baling to keep her afloat.
With the strong trade winds, heavy sea, and squalls,
blowing at times almost a gale, this was no light
work. On the 38th day four flying fish kindly flew
into the boat. These were seized and divided into
15 equal parts, and each ate his share raw. The
next day another flying fish came aboard, which
was also divided into 15 pieces, and served round.
On the 40th day a very small fish flew aboard, which
was given to the captain, as he was suffering most
from want of nourishment. On the 41st day Neil
Turner, an invalid seaman, gave up discouraged,
and lay down on the bottom of the boat. The rest
of the party were in good spirits, but weak, expect-
ing to see land in four or five days. There was no
grumbling or dissension. On the 43d day out, at
11 a.m., the cry of ' Land ho' was given, and the
lofty summit of Mauna Loa cheered the famished
voyagers. The land was sighted a day or two
sooner than they expected. On nearing a flag was
waved on a pole, which was seen by those on shore,
but at first it was supposed to be a fishing party.
When approaching nearer the breakers, off Laupa-
, hoehoe, two natives swam off to the boat, and on
finding the destitute condition of the crew climbed
into it, shook hands with every one, saying, How
do you do ?" took the oars, and brought the boat
safely to the beach. None of the party were able to
stand up, and on trying to do so fell over, perfectly
helpless, and unable as infants to walk alone. The
natives crowded around, women, vieing with the
men, took them up in their arms, and carried them
all ashore. The whole party in the long boat thus
reached land safely, after having been 43 days at
sea, on short allowance part of the time, and less
allowance most of the voyage. What is more re-
markable, there was no sickness, nor any of that
dizziness which is often the accompaniment of per-
sons kept in a starving condition for so long a time.
The other boats, unless picked up by some stray
vessel, have probably been lost.