Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-28
Perilous VoyaPe,

The ship Cherubim arrived at this port
on the 10Th ult. For many weeks previous t.
her arrival, much anxiety had been felt for
her fate. as she left New York early last
spring. As she was known to be 4 fast
sailer and staunch vessel, the probabilities
were even stronger that she had been utter
ly lost. From her first officer we have
gathered the story Of her long detention out,
and it is a hard one. The Cherubim left
New York on the 9th of May; it was l93
days afterwards that she entered our har-
Dor. But when she did arrive, she came in
perfect order and capital condition. She
seems to have suffered all the nautical trou-
bles that could he possibly crowded inside Of
1873 days. She was 46 days drifting through
. Gains and beating against light head winds,
before she reached the equator on the other
side. She got no southeast trades at ALL
From the time Of passing Staten Land till
5Oo south latitude, the winds were, without
varying. ahead. Off Cape Horn the wind
was u gale and directly in the teeth of the
good ship, which plunged and rolled and
staggered under it Tor IT days. On the 10Th
of August, she sighted the island of Diego
Ramirez, to the west some twenty miles,
just 10 days afterwards, after 4 prodigious
deal of hard sailing, they sighted the same
island bearing in nearly the same direction.
about fifteen miles off The horn once
rounded, matters were more moderate till
| they reached Valparaiso. into which place
the ship put for water and medical atten-
dance-for the cruelcst Of the story is yet to
be told
On the morning of the 25th OF August,
while things were at the worst. of the Cape,
and there were some two feet of water roll
| ing across the main deck, it was found that
the top of the pipe leading down To the VIA
ter-tank. i'll which the whole water supply
is kept was gone. The salt water, Of course,
poured down into the tank, and the forty
thousand gallons upon which they had
confidently relied. was every drop of it ruin
ed 1t was impossible that this could he the
result Of an accident. The pipe was plugged
up tightly at once, and n piece OF canvas
nailed over it. Next morning. plug and
canvas were both gone. Who prepetrated
the villany it was never discovered, but his
object was readily surmised Some poor
fellow in his despair. hoped by spelling the
water to compel the ship to put back. Pro-
videntially single cask on deck, rs provi-
sion against accident, had been filled just
before the mshap. All hands, officers, men
and passengers, among whom were Capt.
SINNERS wife and children, were put upon
allowance ola pint day, from that time till
the arrvalat Valparaiso, thirty five days at
forwards. Of provisions there was an album
dance, the ship having taken year. supply
at New York.
The exposure brought on scurvy, with
which. one after another, many were terri
bly, afflicted One man died and was buried
at sea Four others were left in the hospital
Mt Valparaiso, but were doing well when
last seen. Fresh supplies Of water at that
place and u tarry long enough Ia give all
parties fresh meat and vegetables enough,
restored health On ship-board. The ship had
pretty good time up from Valparaiso, ar
irving ut San Francisco in fnrty-threc days.
As We have before remarked, the cargo. 80
lar rs it has yet come to light, from out OF
the immense hold Of the ship, is rs dry a. Il
shaving, and in rs good condition As when 1t
went in-&n F,amciSco Bnii@tm, Dscsm-
Der j.