Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1853-10-22

independent landlord, but don't forget to
add that there isn't pauper here, either"
For the Poiynesian-
Ship Menkar,
Honolulu, May 10, 1853.
Mr.. Editor-I will here give you an &C.
count of the loss of The ship Susan Of Nan
tucket, in the ice, off ComPany's island, tho
particulars Of which are as follows:
Tuesday, April 26, commenced with brisk
breezes at S., course N, at Ia. NJ scatter
ing pieces Of ice, shortened sail and steered
to avoid coming in contact. AT 3 A.. NJ. sur
rounded by ice. A heavy squall from south.
At 4. NJ cleared the ice and steered 50 as
to avoid it as much as possible. 10 A. N.
calm, with fog and rain; much to my sur
prise now saw the land bearing N. W.,
distant, 25 miles, At 2P. NJ, the wind Al
south, blowing fresh, with thick weather and
rain. lice in all directions which gave US con-
slant employment at working ship to avoid.
6 P. VI. the wind at south, having increased
to a moderate gale with very heavy swell;
the land now in sight bearing north, Is miles
distant, the wind, swells, rnd ice fast forcing
us towards the shore. Steered east, under
short sail hours, when the ice closed on all
sides, leaving no chance to escape, and soon
after the ship was wedged firmly; the wind
had now increased to a heavy gale, with q
swell so heavy as to cause; the ship to rolf
nearly plankshire under; the ice being from
8 to 9 feet in height above the water, handed
all sail. At before ii P. NJ heavy body
of ice struck under the starboard quarter
with such force as to crush the plank and
timbers, strewing the cabin with the wreck;
hes IL Ia fxsov khei
deck. Called all hands to the pumps, the
ship fast filling with water. Sc, The fore and
main top and top gallant sail, hoping TO force
the ship before the gale and sea into clear
water before she should become unmanage-'
able. ..-t
Wednesday, April 27.-At4 a. NJ. the ship
forcing her way through the ice slowly, un--
der the pressure Of sail then set; pumps con-
stantly in motion. Hove overheard what
ever came to hand. Water nearly up to the
lower deck At 5 A. NJ water 2 feet between
decks. Left the pumps and made prepara-
tions for leaving the wreck. There now be-
ing small space Of open sea. the gale hav-
ing aba,ed and changed to west, lowered tho
boats from the cranes, three in number; the
ice however soon took them from Us, and six
men by which they were manned. one was
drowned, the others succeeded in getting on
the ice. The ship being now nearly full Of
water, cut away the man and mizen masts,
to prevent her eapsizing. The foremast we
hoped TO be able TO save for farther use, a.
there remained one more barrier Of ice be-
tween us and the open sea. In this we were
mistaken, as she soon gave signs not easily
misunderstood that the foremast must share
the fate of the others; j: was soon cut away
and fell into the sea, in doing which, one
more boat was lost, which now fef bot two:
At 5 A. NJ launched one boat over the rail m
which 6 men barely escaped being crushed
with the ice. Preparations were now made
to launch tie only remaining boat, IN which
were placed 2 chronometers, some clothing
and other necessary articles; but unfortu-
nateiy the boat got stove in several places;
and the articles in her all lost. She wss then
hauled in and repaired, as well as possible,
under existing circumstances. When the
other boat was launched, or very soon after,
the ice closed on all sides Of the wreck, so
as to prevent the boat from coming nearer
than 100 yards, and so continued till r. NJ,
when the stoven boat had been repaired,
another attempt was made to get her clear Of
the wreck, in doing which, she was again
stove, sunk and capsized She was then
hooked to the iarboard davt tackles, baiIed
out, hoisted up and again repaired; and
finally cleared the wreck at 2 r. N.
We we're now 81 men IN two boats. with
the clothes in which we stood, md few
blankets; I4O lbs. salt meat, 2 pigs Of 5Oibs.
each, one of which we LOST, IL Tbs Of bread
| (well saturated with salt waier,) . lbs Of
flour and about ID cans pseserved meats.
with 2 gals. wine and 4 Of wster- The
land distant 40 miles, not in sigm. sttered
west by north 6 miles, along the ice b1rrier,
rhen we saw one Of the men lost At 5 A. N.
with the boats taken away by tie ice; took
him on board After half an hour saw three
more, who reported that one bad d'ed on the
ice. We were numbered in all 25 men, with
the articles heretofore mentioned. ID two
boats. one Of which kept three msf constant
lv baiIine; the wind now light at south. steer
| inc west by north Unfortunately we had
lost our sails in the boats in the mornings
therefore, could NOT takA advsntase Of the
| favorable breeze. We cohiihded OR eotfss
| till 8 =. n. when the land 1as seen t1SeS6asg
from west south west 10 east north e3sf. dis
tant 8 miles; steered Hosth vest till dark.
| when meeting With much ice. lay By till day
1suhf