Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-07-26
San JUAN DE NICARAGUA. !
June .. 1850.

form You in regard to the adventures of
our little schooner " Enterprise" so far
as my recollection will permit.
After long and tedious passage down
the Mississippi, we took il our sea stores
at New Orleans, and put to sea on the
gath of February last, all hands number
ing seven. On the fourth day at sea, l
transferred two of my crew, (who had
seen, as they thought, enough Of the ele-
phant,) on board the ship Mayfower, of
New York, bound for New Orleans
After Ia days of head winds, and small
rub on the Coloradoes, which carried away
a part Of our ruddcr and false keel. we
landed on the island of Cuba. [ got per-
mission to land our stores and repair the
rudder and keel 1t Is common thing
for vessels on arriving in port to deposit
their papers in the custom house until
they are ready to sail But this was not
the case here. The custom house officer
came on board, and after looking over the
papers, put them in his pocket, and re-
qUested me to call on him next day at his
office, which l did He spoke very bad
English, but, through an interpreter, he
gave me to understand that [ was permit
ted to continue to repair our craft, and
when I was ready to sail, ! was directed
to call, obtain my papers, and proceed on
my way. Our repairs were all completed
within fout days after we laaded
You are aware that, during the winter
of l649-51, a secret expedition was got
up against Cuba, and we were suspected
of being part of the conspirators, and the
custom house officer sent our papers to
Havana when l called upon him for
the papers, the old skeesix, Gf [ may so
call him. told me that he bad sent them
to headquarters, and that they had neg
lected to send them back. In this way |
was put of from time to tine until nay
patience was worn thread bare; so | told
the gentleman that I would 20 to Havana
for them myself / accordingly weighed
anchor and steered for Havana, where we
arrived On the 4th of April Here I was
detained ten days longer, during which
time Mr. Vance and his son, Robert, left
Us, together with young man by the name
of Schermerhorn. This left only Mr.
David Gregg and myself to manage the
vessel With a good deal Of difficulty,
we got our papers at last, and on the l4th
we sailed, bound, as before. to the San
Juan river
We had terrible storm on the night
of the 18th following, which kept me on
deck for twenty-four hours Finding our
crew short. we stood over to Yucatan, for
the purpose of resting ourselves at night
among the Islands along the coast. Here
we were wind bound for two weeks, which
time, however, We spent very pleasantly
among the Spaniards, whom we found very
hospitable and entertaining. At last We
landed a this place on the 9th OF June.
On the following day We were chartered
to proceed to Chagres with passengers,
where we arrived on the 18th inst. We
took some mattresses and bammocks to
Chasres to sell, and on our arrival there,
finding a favorable opportunity to sell out,
[ disposed of vessel and cargo for four
hundred and forty dollars The Isthmus
being very much crowded with persons e2l
route for California, we took passage, ON
the l4th inst, upon the barqde Lucy FL
len, Of Boston, vessel of about 200 tons
burthen, for this place, intending to join
a company here to proceed to California,
our original destination But on the
morning Of the 18th, about 4 o'clock, our
barque was capsized at sea. Both Of the
barque's boats were saved, and | may here
add, protesting, however, that it is with
no intention of Boosting of nay exploits,)
that they were both saved by myself
got them baded out and brought along
side the sinking vessel, and secured some
provisions before she went down. The
passengers aud crew, fifteen souls in all,
we're fortunately all saved and, on the
18th, at noon, with thankful hearts, we
landed on shore We had no way of
cooking, and saved no water, consequent
" We were = hours without eating or
drinking.
This last calamity was very near being
the last Of US. and VIC lost everything but
our lives but thanks to our Creator, we
are now here, in toIerable good health,
with spirits nnbroken, and with a fair
prospect Of rcsuscitating our fallen for
tunes.
[ am obliged to cut this letter short, as
the steamer is about to leave, but l will