The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-12

the line we fell in with. quite number of vessels
becalmed, some of them said they had been
there 81 days-we were beealmed in all about
10 days-crossed the line 3lst Oct, 36. days,
out, better than an average run--here we fell
into the South East Trades whichgave us an
other fine run. Nothing of Importance occur
ring, having all the varieties that such monot-
enous passage could afford, of head winds, hea-
Wv seas, fair winds, and ever, and anon no wind
at all-occasionally overhauling and passing
vessel speaking and exchanging signals with
Others bound in different directions none, how
ever, bound home that we could getnearenou
to speak or get letters aboard. L wish could
portray the sublimity of vessels exchanging sig
nails at sea; imagine two vessels. five or six
miles apart, ue are in one, and wish to know
something of our neighbor that has SO lately
hove in sight, get out the signal bag, and first,
quick as thought, up goes the Stars and Stripes,
there now, is the emblem of my country; let
us see who you are, all eyes are turned in breath
less silence toward the stranger-he sees our
signal then, up goes his in answer to ours
we take peep through the spy glass; he proves
to be English, French, or Dutch, as the case
may be, and we care nothing further about him;
but if he sails under the banner of America, we
wish to know more about him--other and pri-
vate signals are next hoisted, and not unfre-
quently quite long comfab is had at distances
varying from one to eight miles apart.
Now if you viii come along wfthIne we will
enjoy the grandeur of what sailor would call
bit of a blew and that too, at rather close
proxiInityto land, to set as well on the stomach
as good dinner to a hungry man. Well, we
are in lat so 8. long. 81 10 W.. from Green
wich, 6 o'clock P. NJ, 9TH December, the wea-
ther is thick, foggy, aud gloomy n.the extreme,
"a miles N. E. of the Falkland Islands, and
all of two jackets cold We heave the lead
and find IS fathom water. A school of Whales
close by putting and blowing like SO many
steamboats,. The fog so thick that nothing can
be seen more than the length of the vessel;
bark we hear some long deep. .rumbling sound,
like thunder in the distance, the Captain thinks
it is breakers, if so we are close on them and it
is so dark and gloomy thaty cannotssee any
thing; the wind too, begins to howl as though
it had long been pent up in some strong con-
finement, and is now suddenly letloose with all
its fury. Ready about, is the order from the or.
deck; the ship comes round like a thing of life !;
the sails are all clewed up and furled, but the
top. sails, and they are close reefed, the main
top sail thrown aback and the ship hove to, in
her best trim to ride out the storm the wind
blows blue streaks; the sharp flashes of light
ming that occasionally illuminate the dark ele-
ments only adds to the gloom Of the occasion,
after it has ceased to quiver through dark foggy
elements, and is succeeded by the deep, loud,
rolling thunder, that seems to shake both sea
and sky; the sea begins to run mountains high
and you would think every one that came along,
with its foaming caskade ofa perpendicular fall
of 10 or II feet of water, coming and rushing
right for the vessel, would be certain to engulf
her perhaps for ever, but no, our, craft like a
duck, mounts every wave scorning to be con-
trolled by tho angry elements around her. We
remained in this position for three days, from
the 4th till the 7th Dec, at IL N, got the sun.
lat 40 81 long 81 05, had drifts some 20
miles to the n, E., made sail at o'clock T. N,
Lay down south to clear the Falkland Islands.
Passed in about 80. miles to the eastward sof
of them, Sat. 9Th Dec. Lat. 56 % long. G6 16.
Dec. 18th, ii o'clock, A. NJ. steering ". 8. w.
strong I not breeze, the I'd mate is sent aloft
to look out for land; hark, he sings out from
the mast head, the welcome cry of Land Ho-
right abead--at IL NJ. the perpetual snow cap
ped peaks of that memorable place, and name,
that is terror to all sailors, loomed up and
could be seen from the main deck, 80 miles
ahead. (Cape HORNY And now | would that
my pen were able to do, justice to, the scene. =
As you approach the different mountain peaks
looming higher and higher with their hoary
heads capped with perpetual SHOWS the accu.
mutation ofages, together with their rugged and .
weather beaten appearance below the liae Of
snow, presents spectacle of grandeur and sub
Unity, that pens much more able than mine,
would fail to do Justice 10. therefore will not
attempt it, and as nothing of further interest has
occurred since our rounding the Cape. j will
leave small corner in which to. put in word
after going into Valparaiso, as we intend to do
after water and fresh supply of Provisions
The Tarquina, our craft, is a magnificent sea
boat, none better in all respects; we have pass.
ed every thing that we have come up with yet,
some rs or 80 sail. Iconsider myself the most
lucky dog in the world in my selection, and
will here say that, in every respect, with regard
to sea voyage, have been most aggreeably
disappointed-and am disposed to come TO, the
conclusion that great deal of the hardships
and bugbears of a sea voyage, are Sailors yarns,
each veing with the other in telling the longest
yarn. have yet seen nothing that would pre-,
vent me from going to sea as soon as any where ,