The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-11-06
A NEW RonursoN causoE.
The wreck ~ the villa Wavc...Re j.
markakle Experience ~ inc Cap:
snin..lnaercstiA9 NARRATIVES.

Capt. j. NJ. Knowles, Of the clipper-ship
Wild Wave, which has been missing FOR sew
eral months, and long since given up a. lost,
with all on board. As the Captains story
is very interesting one, have obtained the
particulars from him for your readers. The
ship left New York in September last, for
San Francisco, where she arrived on the l4th
of January, leaving again in ballast on the
9th of February last, FOR Valparaiso.
The strong easterly winds which prevailed
for some time after starting, forced the ves-
sci considerably westward Of the usual track
OF vessels bound for South American ports.
Capt. Knowles had taken fair observations
daily, and on the night in question supposed
himself at least 16 miles from land. An
hour after midnight he discovered breakers
upou the lee bow. The helm was put hard
down, but the ship mis-stayed, and while
wearing struck upon sunken coral reef and
soon fell over on her side and bilged.
heavy surf broke over the ship, and it be-
came evident at once that she NUT be lost
Her topmasts were cut away 10 case her as
much as possible, but oil efforts to relieve her
failed.
Daylight At last revealed their position,
and showed that the vessel had struck the
reef surrounding Ocono, very low lagoon
island, mile and half or two miles in cir
conference, the reef extending in some
places two miles from the shore. Soon after
daylight the boats were got out and all hands
landed.
In the course Of the day the captain sue
ceeded IN getting his nautical instruments
and supply Of provisions ashore. During
the ten days following they we're unable TO
get to the wreck but twice, in consequence Of
ha cx&pf Nh.1n al
made very careful observations, from which
be ascertained that Ocono lies l6 miles east
Of the position asoribed to it on the latest
English charts, by which he had navgated
the ship. To this error OF the chart-which
he is confident will also be exposed soon by
the officers Of the sloop-of-war Vandalia
THE loss Of the Wild Wave is to be attri-
buted
On the l4th Of March he started, in his
life-boat, with his frat mate, JAS. Nj. Barrett
of Binghampton, N. T., and Ave men, for
Pitcsirn's Island, rs miles to the Soutward,
expecting TO find relief there not to be had
at Oeono, which 10 out of the usual track Of
| vessels in any trade. When he left the ship
had not broken up, and be got out his specie
! and took it with him. Pitcairn's Island, is
fertile and pleasant island, only miles in
circumference, which was settled, many
years ago, by the mutineers of the British
naval brig Bounty. Il has long been q IA
vorite stopping place for whalers, and the
captain went there in hopes Of meeting some
one OF them who would carry himself and
men to the Sandwich Islands.
Arriving at the island in 4S hours. he
found it uninhabited, the settlers having re-
moved to Norfolk Island. In landing, the
boat was stove and ruined. OF course the
| unfortunate men were now witout boat OF
| any kind, and had no tools to make ONE
There seemed nothing for them to do but
possess themselves in patience until next
February or March, when they might hope
| for succor BY the whaling feet bound up the
Pacific. The island abounds in tropical
fruits, which, with goats and chickens left
By the late settlers, promised abundant sup
port; 80 the captain fitted up deserted ten
ement and made himself as comfortable ne
possible. An old gun barrel picked up on
the island was mounted upon rude stock,
so that one man could FIRE ii with match
while aimed by another. In this very quaint
fashion the goats were brought down for
meat.
In walking about the deserted settlement,
one day, they found some old rusty tools,
consisting of Afsw axss, planes and augers.
with these they determined to build boat to
get away in, and proceeded at once to carry
the plan into execution. Or course il was
no small undertaking, ~ they had no saws,
rigging, or iron-work for fastenings.-
They went into the woods, however, with
their axes, hewed single plank from each
tree till the whole WAS readyto put together.
ln the meantime they found few nails.
and burned q couple OF houses TO get more.
4 NTH thaao ~Md v,,r tko. fac A
the vessel, and in about three DAYS had il
ready to launch, q trim-fooking, though frail
schooner, thirty feet in length. From q
quantity Of condemned ropes picked up on thu
island, they made oakum to caulk the seams
as we'll as rigging for the schooner. The
salt OF the life boat, and some old sail cloth
also picked up at Pitcairn's, furnished sail.
for the John Adams, 40 the new craft wa,
christened. From backct Of tar, and sew
raj pounds Of rosin, found in a deserted ten.
emsnt, the bottom seams we're dAubed, and th,
rest were painted with some refuse white leas
from the same source. Tho hold was eiph
feet deep, and we'll deoked over. 1t only re-
manned to get set OF colors. These the Cap
tain soon provided, an old shirt furnishinas
tbs white stripes and stars, soma trimmin,
from the church pulpit, and the curtains be
fore bunk in a deserted house furnishe,
,, tho blue for the field.
81 After three weeks effort, the Adams VA
| launched, provisioned with ierked goat
| meat, chickens, fruit, . few cans OF preserve
I meats, and an abundonce Ok water. Tire
: Of the sailors, fearful Of the craft, prefcrre
I to remain where they were. So Captai
! Knowles, his mate and two men set sail fro,
Pitcairn's on the % Of July for Tahiti, in
, tending to call in ct Osons Island, whore b
/ had left 50 men. The first night out the
3 encountered severe gale from the north
J. west, which lasted three days, forcing the,
20 far TO the eastward that they could N
J. make Oeona. They bore away aocordingl
> to the Marqaesas, l 800 miles from Pitcairn'
: where they arrived safely on the 5th Of Al
I gust. Here they found tho United State
t sloop- of-wnr vandalia, Commander Sincla
/. who Immediately got under way for Tahiti
TO get wood and water, and proceed thence
the rescue Of the Wild Waves crew, remair
ing on 0eona and pitcairn's. To Tahi
!. Captain X. and his companions also proceed
n ed. The mate went with the VandaliA on BIZ
!, errand Of mercy, und Captain Knowles wa
carried By the French frigate EurydiCs b
!. Honolulu, whence he started for San Fran
. cisco on a merchant schooner, arriving Aer
J. on tho 18th Of September, bringing bis COL
: ors and his specie With him. He starts ia
|. home to dAy az already stnted. and carr;s