Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-11-04
A WEEK WITHOUT WATER.
The Trade Wlnd DioastSr-Narrativ
Of the Second Mate.

Tho Trade Niad Disastsr-Narrative
Olthe Second Hate.
From the New Orleans Picsyune. Oct. 10.
Mr.. George Thomas, second mate oil the
steamship Trade Wind, which sunk about
seventy miles southeast Of Southwest Pass
| recently, gives the following interesting ac-
count of his adventures for seven days,
without water, in an open boat, his res
cue, etc.:
-"After the discovery Of the leak and the
determination to abandon the vessel. the
CAP tim told ne to take the gig. The most
other boats. The gig was not overloaded,
aud putin her what things Thought were
wanted. We got into her aud pulled of
from the ship. I then went back to
the vessel to get sail After getting the
sail the Captain told me to throw the life
boat overheard, and the first mate assist
lug, We launched the life-boat and bailed
her cut, and got two more men into her.
We got what water and bread we could.
The rest Of the boats were at that time
moored and had their stores in them. We
then kept of until the vessel sunk. There
were in the boat at that time, myself, Frank
Dillon and Abner Reels. The Captain
took the latitude at II o'clock. We then
started, the Captain giving US the course
| and distance, seventy miles northwest by
north. We kept together that evening. and
about O'Clock pulled up and took Thos.
Toumois from the Captains boat, making
| four Of ue.
1--WE stayed together until after dark; !
then proposed to the Captain that We would
divide the men among tho other boats, and
leave the lifeboat. The Captain said no,
bnt that when We were tired Of rowing he
would give US tow. Hetowed us, and We
rowed all Friday night. The pilot left Us
during the night and made for the bar. We
saw him no more The Captain brought
us in tow Friday night and Saturday. On
Saturday night the wind died away, and
the Captein cast Us of, telling NJ that when
the breeze came on he would take hold Of
US again. He gave us the course and We
started for the Pass. On Sunday morning
the Captain was about nix miles astern, and
saw shipping at the Pass, shout ten miles
.'The norther then sstruck M and drove
us on. We spoke to The Captain and told
him we were out Of water. He sa;d he VA
! out too. He gave us about , pint Of waite,
on Saturday. On Sunday morning We had
no water, but bread and ham plenty. The
Captain said he could not take US; his boat
had sprung q leak. We kept the boat'l
head to sea, and drove before tho wind un.
til Wednesday-there full days. On Sun
day night our provisions were vet and de-
stroyed. il rained on Wednesday, and VI
caught about . quart of fresh water. On
Wednesday night, the wind shifted to TIL
southeast. We rowed for some time bu
finally lost an oar, and were rendered al
most helpless. We slept and rested two q
. time. We caught, during the tide, I
small shark ADD two or three ash. Thos'
were our provisions. On Wednesday, say
the smoke Of steamer TO the northwest q
We supposed. We suffered severely form
thirst. but little from hunger We dranl
considerable salt water without any il
."On Friday. at II or IL O'Clock. VI
reached the schooner -, Captain Den
nison, master, from Galveston to Pensaco
Ia. She was1ying at anchor. We saw he
in the morning. and drifted down to hen
driven by the wind and tide, which We did
ed with the little strength No had, and Wit
the aid of the ono oar left. We woul
have passed her without being able to com
alongside, but the Captain saw us and sen
his boat to our assistance. We were take
\ ON DOaIu, 11O0ly CARGO IOSs ana e01e0 !
Pensacola, from whence We cam
to this city. At Pensacols We learned thu
, the remainder Of the crew and passenger
: were safe; and 50 our adventure ended. IN
. three men with me never lost heart, nor di
, their courage drop Tor . moment. Ever
man was prompt and ready for his Watcl
and we always kept two chances in vie
: first. to reach the north shore, guided ,
night by the starr, and in the day by Ii
sun; second. to got picked up by psssin
vessel. We were very weak, and nearl
exhausted with sores. commencing to brea
out over our hands and bodies, but soon =
covered; and We are now ready for anoth'