The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-07-01
The Ship "JOhn GiIpin.''

Capt. Ropes, who commanded this ship, which was
lost off Cape Horn. Letters were also received by the
last mail by different parties mere TO the same effect.
During his stay in Honolulu, where he became &C
auainted with most of our merchants, nothing was
limited against his capability as a shipmaster.
Such disasters seldom occur at sea without some wise
acre seaman or passenger finding fault because every
thing was not done just as he thought should be done.
We believe that Capt. Ropes was fully competent for
the charge of the vessel. and that as soon as the leak
was discovered, the pumps were set to work and every
other effort made to save the ship that could be done.
But we do not believe that he set the vessel on fire,
or abandoned her unwisely. We cut the following
from one of our Boston exchanges:
The "JoHS GILPIN."-The carpenter and three
others of the crew of the John GiIpin have brought
an action in the U. S. District Court, against the
owners of the John Glpin. for wages. In their libel
they assert that they could have saved the vessel and
of the vessel. She sprung a leak on the 18th of JAM,
about 2 o'clock A. NJ, and the pumps were not tried
till 10 o'clock, when the vessel was put away for the
Falkland Islands, from which they were only $50
miles distant; that the weather was fine and there
was nothing to prevent their reaching the islands,
but the captain compelled them to 90 on board the
British vessel he met, and then set fire to the John
Gilpin. The libelants claim full wages and to be
reimbursed for their expenses in returning home.
The following card, which we find published in the
Boston papers, signed by all the passengers, we
publish in justice to Capt. Ropes:
o. BOARD ENGLISH SHIP 'HEREFoRDsurREr
At Sea, Feb. 3, 1858.
To Capt. John F. Ropes:
SIR:-The undersigned passengers from on board the late
American ship John GiPis of Boston, bound from the Sand
witch Islands to New Bedford. Of which vessel you were master,
your ability as master, not only up to the time of our unfortunate
accident but during the thirty hours Of imminent and increasing
danger in which we were placed and from which we have been
so prcvidentially rescued by Capt l. 5. Scott and his officers of
We believe that during the ffty-nine days we were at sea
everything was done that could have been consistently with
your duty and with respect for our comfort, and as a seaman
we have always felt and do still feel most unlimited confidence
in your ability. We cannot but appreciate your cool and col
lected conduct during the time of danger and the maplines you
displayed in being the last person to quit the vessel, even then
as well as for those in the boats rescuing You.
We also consider that everything was done that could have
been for the safety Of the valuable property; as also with the
lives committed to your charge, and We fully believe and know
that it was from no neglect on the part OF yourself or officers
that caused the sad accident, but from one of those unforeseen
casualties which sometimes occur to those who are constantly
travelling the ocean.
valuable a vessel: and we sincerely trust that we may soon again
see you in command of another in which we hope you will have
And we cannot conclude without thanking your officers for
John Giipin adoat, and also for the assiduous perseverance
they displayed in getting the little property we saved on board
EDWIN STEVENS. Boston. MARY E. STEVENS, Boston.
wALrEn SHERWOOD, New York s n: WOqD, Honolulu, 5; l.
SARAH RvErT, London, England.
y The following extracts from the private jour-
nal of Mrs. J. H. Wood of Honolulu, will be read with
interest. We copy them from the Laurence .4meri-
can of May l. The account of the %shipwreck is more
full than any we have yet seen:
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20, 1853
This is a wretched morning. I have passed a
miserable night; it seemed rs If the sailors were pull
ing the ropes and screaming wild songs, all night.
We are under double reefed topsails, and the MAIN
sail is clewed up. The captain sits yawning over his
slate. while L an str-.ehias my mouth TO ito -ut-oe.
capacity. Mrs. 5. is making mistakes in her Journal,
and Mary 2. is still embroidering in spite of the
tremendous lurches the ship gives every five minutes.
We do not keep our course-everything looks dis
THURSDAY, Jan. 81.
The gale still continues, but we are sailing in the
right direction; if the gale was not so severe, the
good ship would make rapid strides homeward
Captain r.. speaks more encouragingly: he says all |
have to do is to keep comfortable. | suppose he
thinks | look rather sober, and l think 1 have reason
to- feel such a sense of loniiness.
FRIDAY, Jan. %.
This morning at s o'clock, icebergs were seen.
Capt. r. seems troubled; he says they look like sails
at a great distance. We had again tackled ship and
down to dinner, when the Captain informed us
that there was a grand sight in store for us. We
simultaneously left our pudding, and, wrapped in all
the warm garments we could muster, went on deck.
g How wonderful are all thy works, o, Cod The
magnifcence of the scene far exceeds any language
at my command. a portion of ,he first one appeared
like a little gothic church, with a huge something in
the rear, which one might fancy II grave yard. As
we approached nearer, 1t assumed a blush appear
ance, and as the foaming waves dashed over it. the
scene was truly sublime. We were almost numb
with cold, and n drilling rain added to our discom-
fort; but we were well rewarded for our exposure.
As we sailed past the first one, / trembled lest we
too near, but we We're highly favored in having
a good breeze, which took us safely by, as soon as our
vision was feasted. The second one was farther dis
tant, and looked like huge masses of ice without
much shape. They n peared about thirty-hve feet
high; but 1 am told they conceal three-ffths of their
bulk under water, and sail about two or three knots
per hour. l have felt a greater sense of gratitude to
our Heavenly Father since passing these Gormidable
objects, than at any previous time during the voyage.
| shudder to think what might h e been the result
if we had come upon them DUNG a dark night.
Soon after we passed them the wind died away and
we have been almost becalmed ever since.
TUESDAY, Feb. 2.
How can l record the appalling events of the last
few days. Wrecked in mid-ocean; miraculously
preserved from a watery grave! cannot write-my
mind is distracted-my children need my attention,
all is confusion.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8.
Last Friday morning, Jan. 20, after passing a
wretchedly sleepless night, the ship being frightfully
tossed about, | arose and took Stella to the table, but
was unable to take food myself. | soon returned to
ing with oppressive faintness. Late in the evening 1
arose and walked to the cabin sofa. Immediately,
Miss Pitman remarked that Mr.. Stevens was closeted
Capt. Ropes, and that she had overheard n SEN
tence that alarmed her. Mrs. Stevens, pale as death,
sat by my side, trembling violently. While | was
endeavoring to calm her fears, Mr.. Sherwood, palei
and haggard with fright, appeared, and in answer to
our inquiries, said that he had no authority to give
us any information. l insisted upon some explana-
He then replied, that we must prepare for the
the vessel was leaking badly, and bad
been sine 10 o'clock. Directly the Captain came
from his room, passed out to the pump, and soon
told us we were in great danger; that the
ship had been struck by field ice at 2 o'clock that
and her false cutwater so far removed from
its proper position as to admit water at a rapid rate;
although the men were constantly at the pumps.
it. was impossible to keep her clear; that the boat
would soon be provided with as many comforts as
possible, and ready to be lowered at any moment.
He requested us to collect all our warm clothing, and
keep as calm as possible-saying we were but 300
miles from land, and might reach it in the boats if
we did not overtake a sail. l drew a trunk from
under my berth and began to select the warmest