Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-07-07
From the United Service Magazine.
A MIDDLE WATCH OFF THE CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE


We were rounding the Cape of Good
Hope, on our homeward voyage from Chi
ma, one rough stormy night Il was young
stirring youth then, yet that night is wildly
impressed on my memory TO this day.
happened to have the middle watch upon
deck; while swinging in my cot, heard the
bell strike eight, and shortly after, the boat
SWANS call piped the watch-riggid in nv
pea>coat and ,arpaueon hat, soon mount
ed the quarter deck, read the log state, re-
received the course, relieved the officer up.
on watch. and lit my cigar at The pinnacle.
We were spanking away under close reefed
maintopsail and foresail, at about eleven
knots an hour, with The wind off the quar>
ter; the night was black as ink-now and
then fash of lightning and the swell runs
ming high, but our craft being light went
cleverly along-rolling g. dipping like duck
over each successive wave which dashed,
roared and burs, under our quarters, while
the surf it left in the ships wake shone as
if with thousand moons and stars, caused
perhaps by the quantity Of whale-spawn
which al that time abounded, and whic h
were brought into brilliant atmospheric light
by The ship and the gale.
Near the middle of the watch the breeze
freshened, and began to fear that we
should be obliged TO heave 10, for she STEER
ed extremely wild; we had two sharp fell
lows at the wheel, but 10 be certain, took
the weahel-wheel myself A few minutes
after, soon discovered that the fault was
not thers-l could steer no betler-every
now and then, she gave yaw in spite OF
me, and the helm was-hard up and hard
down, while occasionally she threatned TO
pitch US over the wheel.
had just re-instaied the former helms,
men when the bell struck four, and Swede
named Jackson, came aft TO relieve the
helm; he wa the best s,eersman in board,
and, indeed, | may say, the best | ever
saw. | at once INDUCED the hope that he
might still be able TO hold on our course.
"Now, Jackson" said |, snow do your
best, and if she steers with you, you shall
have hearty glass out OF my case, when
you come below"
'l'll have no grog, sir" said Jackson, Ia
king hold of the wheel, IL wish it was all
overheard"
Scarce half minute elapsed, when to
my establishment, he had brought the ship
to small helm, and instead Of wearing,
tearing, and foaming in all directions, ave,
and shipping seas 100, she went along with
dry as duck in mill pond.
"Lel 60 the hclm," said he to the lad al
the wheel, 81 don't require you;" and with
two spokes each way. he held her in the
most complete control.
''Not so. sir, if you please, it may save
my reliefa jawng, and some Of my mess
mates think the worse Of me because steer
better than ihem.'
"Ah we'll! understood, Jackson, never
theless let him 60 iorwa d land I'll give you
heave if required" Not that felt unwil
ling TO crafty his good feeling, but long.
ed for an opportunity TO enjoy a private
conversation with him. Allow me to in
form my reader, that jackson was man
| liked, perfect Swcde; he was quiet, So
Der, mild, but obstinateiy firm; he mad re.
ceived superior education, One Of the
mids told me, one day that be asked him
for the loan of Virgil, which the mid had
been reading upon deck, and read and trans
lated page oft with ease, and afterwards
often chaIked out and explained TO him some
of the most difficult problems of Euclid up
on the hen-coops, during the moonlight
watches, to the no small annoyance Of the
JoaiswaIn, who seemed to look upon the
chakings as some kind of black art. simpl,
because he could not comprehend them.
(
suits from time TO time, my friend, The mid.
curiosiiy,was roused; he lried every scheme
to discover Jackson's history, but in vain
Jackson kept his own secret. The mid
however, told me he had some reason tt
suspect that Jackson had been an officer in
| the Swedish navy, and mad to "cut" OF
account Of duel about young lady, the
object of his early affections, and was O.
bl ged 10 enter as a foremost man on board
of an English man of-war, trusting to the
hopes Of being able eventually 10 dis,in.
gulsh himself.
As soon as the helmsman had gone for.
ward, Jackson" SAID | how came you in.
10 that sc!ape last Saturday night was
SO unlike you?'
"Ah sir, shall tell you the truth. had
my skull fractured near this spot"
"LaDd, ho!' was The cry forward by look
out, off The lee bow. Ills it high" was
my return. "Yes, SIR" "rhen aIl's right
said |. ''Steady she goes, Jackson"
.'is it the Island Of Trustln d Acunahf'
said he.
cit is, Jackson"
ga sad place it has been to me sir"
"Bui 60 OH with your story. Jackson
We'll, sir, on that islaad bad my skull
fractured; ever since then, when lake more
than single glass ofgrog, become raving
mad"
AT this moment our captain came upon
deck, and pacing the quarter deck, locke
wisliuly at the land, tori had sent mid
shipman to call him This of course stop.
ped Jackson's story, in which, confess, |
fell strangely and deeply interested. We
pissed the land within few huadred yards,
and although the moon had risen, we could
discern nothing but the dark gloom OF a hill
and peak.
The island of Trusin d Acunah lies con-
side rably TO The south and west oithe Cape,
and seldom neaTed by ships on their home
ward voyage; we had been driven down up
on i, by the united effJris of an cas- ely
current, aud a strong norih-wester. both.
IF pk;rb arr, well known to abound OFT the