The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1859-09-22
NO.L EBENsBURC, "a, p

have longer stay in Gibraltar then we
had calculated upon ; and that our voyage
was not to terminate here, not yet at Smyr-
ma where we at first supposed ourselves
bound.
1t is unnecessary for me in this place to
recount all the circumstances that occur
red since our arrival, to change our desti-
nation to another part of the world. Suf-
flee 1t, that our ship on her departure from
the United States, was freighted with an
assorted cargo for any Mediterranean port,
with orders to continue the voyage, to the
best advantage Of the owners. Our Cap
tain being one, and agents or other part
owners in ships belonging to the company
residing in Gibraltar, the greater portion
Of the crew had been shipped for what is
generally called Mediterranean voyage,
which never lasts longer that from six to
nine months. Others were regular ship
fixtures, but no one could be held for a
longer voyage than to Smyrna and return
Hence, when it became known that in
place Of visiting the beautiful Isles of the
Mediterranean, we were destined to en-
counter the yellow fever Of the East In
dies there was very general expression of
dissatisfaction
In this case however, there was no
compulsion, and a majority Of the crew
prepared to leave as soon as the vessel
cleared for another port. But as the kind
Of sailors required for a lOngvoyage appear
ed to be scarce in the shipping Offices, eve
~ inducement was held out to the present
crew to remain; which, with few excep-
tiOns they finally did.
This was in great part accomplished by
the agents and owners promising increase
Of pay, extra rations on Sunday, liberty
on shore until the sailing Of the ship, &c,
all Of which was confirmed on their part
when the ships papers were Resigned
This was done on the fifth Of Sept 1914,
in Office of Horatio Sprague Vice Consul
Of the United States, for the port of Glib
raitar
1t was sometime before could conclude
to venture so far in this my first voyage.
But on maturely considering the matter
pro and con, and consulting with the only
friend | had made in the place Hon
Horatio Sprague, (may his shadow never
grow less) | finally concluded to follow
the fate of my ship to the bitter end
Consequently, along with the others [ put
nay signature to a paper, legally binding
myself for and in consideration of the sum
Of twenty dollars per month, forty of which
TO be paid in advance, to continue in the
capacity Of a common sailor on board the
ship "Mary of Salem," owned by Grin
nell, Robinson & Co, from the port of
Gibraltar to the port of Canton and return,
all accidents by fire, shipwreck, or other
visitations of Divine Providence permit
ting, signed by Bronson & Drew, agents for
the company.
Those of us who signed the above doc
ument did not forget any of the privileges
granted therein, and as the work of COM
pleting the ships outfit belonged to the
stevedores, we who had reshipped had the
full control Of our time, and determined to
improve it until the ship was ready to
sail. Knowing that We had at least six
days to devote TO our amusement, and two
months advance pay to spend in that time,
we concluded to 90 on shore. Acting on
this [ soon found myself, with three IA
vorite shipmates, comfortably installed
in boarding house in the Plasa st. Ste
bestian, kept by an Englishman, and
charging but four shillings per day.
How far we succeeded in enjoying our
visit in the city of Gibraltar, and other
occurrences that happened before we set
sail, L must defer to another time.