The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-11-14
The Captains Story.

in the Mersey, and bound for New York.
had been travelling on the continent O
Europe during the winter, and being some
what anxious to return to the United States
had. on my arrival at Liverpool, !cngage,
my room, at once, on the first vessel that wa
to sail for home. AS the sequel will show
II might have travelled farther, and fare,
worse"
The ship, as they say in bills of lading. wa
tight. stanch and strong, and her command
cr was every inch sailor. He was at times
it is true, somewhat rough in his manner
when giving his orders to the crew, bu
when addressing his passengers. his languag,
and department were invariably kind ant
courteous.
On the morning after my arrival at Liver
pool. the ship being all ready for sea, havin.
hauled out of the dock the day previous.
embarked on board. and We were soon all clca
of the Mcrsey. The wind blowing fresh from
the southwark. we ran up the Irish Channel
rounded the northern coas; of Ireland, ant
stood away to the westward on our cours,
over the wild and stormy Atlantic.
/ The cabin passengers, most of whom wer,
old travellers, with the exception of few la
dies. appeared disposed to enjoy themselves
and no one seemed more delighted at tn,
prospect of a speedy passage than our vigi
liant and warm-hcartcd captain.
It-was somewhere about the first of Apri
1--WE were then ten days out.) that the Captain
Informed us We were approaching the Crane
Banks of Newfoundland. SO far. our voyas,
had been attended with favorable winds. and
with the exception OF an occasional squal
nothing had transpired to mar the general
harmony that prevailed on board. But now
a change seemed to come over the spri. o
our dreams" The sky had assumed dead
lca0-colorcd hue. The wind. which had been
slowly y backing round from the South West
had finally settled down at East. and though
till blowing moderately, could be seen
conver>ing together in groups. mad bet
ting fabulous amounts of tobacco that tn.
'old hooker" would be under close rccfcd ton.
sails before the middle watch.
As night approached. light. misty rain SET
in. without. however. an increase in the breeze
and. to my establishment the Captain ordered
all hands on deck. and commenced taking il,
sail. All the upper sails were securely furl-
ed. the top>ail> close reeted, and then hauled
"snug up" One watch was then allowed to
90 below. but with strict orders to be ready
to Jump on deck in an instant.
AS had good appetite at dinner, and
did not annoy the Captain by frivolous ques-
tion>-two of the greatest gifts which pas
>cnScr III the estimation of captain, can
posse>s-l had become a great tavorte with
him. and We had walked the quarter deck to-
gcthcr almost every night since leaving port.
Eight bells had been struck. and was stand
ing near the mizzcn ri ySiny. as | supposed.
alone. The other passengers were all below.
out of the damp. drizzly weather. amusing
themselves according to their fancy The
Captain had offered me tarpaulin hat. oil
cloth ovcrcoat. OF which avalied myself. as
was anxious to Sc" what could have induc-
ed him to take in nearly all the sail As
turned round to avoid the fine rain that was
beating against my face. encountered the
steady gaze of the Captain who was standing
near the hclmsman.
"Come. Mr.. Foster" said he. in his clear,
manly tone. shall tell YOU what YOU have
been thinking about -
"Mv dear sir, said |.
Come, come. he replied. no apologies
You are a gentleman. and what is of more con-
sequence now. YOU are more than half a sail
or. You never bother me with useless qucs-
tion>. and will tell YOU why we are now Jog
ginS along under short canvass. with fair
wind. when We nigh, carry all the light kites
alott. If am correct i'll my Judgment. a Vi
olcnt storm. perhaps a hurricane. has either
passed along here, or is about to commence.
If it is one of those circular storms which We
call hurricane, it has passed to the south
ward, and We may vet have its opposite side
down upon us with irresistible fury from the
westward. 1t is true that gales of this dis
cription seldom prevail at this season. but
should we get caught in one with all sail on.
no human power could save us. and in all
matters relating to my profession have acted.
since a boy. on the principle that all ounce
of preventive is worth pound of cure. 1t is
dull music" he continued. waiting here for
a change that may not after all our prccau-
ton take place. But first let me see that ev-
cry man on deck is at his station, and that
the braces are LAID down on deck-the rum
ming rigging all clear, and then will tell YOU
a short story that will show you why l be-
licvc religiously. in my favorite MAXIM"
Having issued his orders, and again walk
ed all round the ship to see. for himself, THAT
every thing was all right" as he expressed
it, he took up his station near the compass.
and commenced as follows:
"You rccollcct, many years ago, hearing of
the loss of the packet ship Albion, on the
Irish coast, don't you?" Certainly" l re-
piled, land the shock it gave the community
has never been cqualled by any of the more
recent disasters" well" he continued,
the loss of that ship, together with over four
hundred souls, was caused by neglecting the
use of few, small settings, not larger than
a whip cord. Twill tell you how it happened.
While in dock at Liverpool, the fore rigging
had been set up taut, and, SO far, all was right
but owing to the hurry of getting out in
the Mersey, as the tide was up, the lanyards
were not seized of, and were only tempo
rarily secured. The next morning the ship
was got under way, and during the day the
mates were busy in berthing the passengers
this, together with the noise and confusion
which necessarily attends hurried departure,
caused them to overlook the temporary racks
on the rigging or if they were seen it was
that they were quite sufficient as
The ship was still in the channel. That night,
however, it came on to blow great guns from
The southwest, and it was necessary to carry
4 taut rag on the ship in order to clear the
Irish coast.
"About three bells, in the middle watch,
1oung lad, the son of the Captain, was sent
aloft, on the fore-topsail yard, to look out for
| light 1t was fearful night, and flashes
If lightning would now and then light up
he heavens, and then again the darkness