Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-08-16
At Sea in a Barrel.

More than u year ago, Alexander
Goodenough, a machinist by trade,
in the employment of the Seattle
Coal Company, at Puget Sound,
discovered among pile of drift
wood a curious looking craft which
had been washed ashore. 1t was
built like barrel, only it kept on
at each end until it's heads nearly
came to points. It was built of
slaves hooped together and at the
ends securely fastened and caulked
to solid cylindrical pieces Of wood
about foot in diameter. 1t is
twenty feet long and three and a
half in diameter. Its hatchway
was its only entrance, and measured
about two and a half by one and a
half feet. Mr.. Goodenough knew
nothing about sailing, but he had a
kindly feeling for the old craft
Indeed, he himself was about as
odd in appearance as the craft, be-
ing as long, lank and lean. He
commenced experimenting with her,
fitted some sails Of bed-ticking, ad-
iustcd rudder, and sailed about in
the waters OF Puget Sound, until
one day the idea struck him that he
could make voyage to San Fran
cisco in her. After considerable
more experimenting, he was ready
for start. He had taken on board
about 700 pounds of ballast, 81 gal
Ions of water and plenty Of provi-
sions. On the 4th of June, twenty
three days from yesterday, he start
ed from Cape Flattery, alone, know
ing nothing of navigation, but de-
termined in that frail craft to make
an ocean voyage Of over 500 miles.
Had he failed, every one would
have called him a fool for his pains.
Some do as it is; but 'let those
laugh who win" Captain Good
enough has won. The breezes
which waited him to the port of
San Francisco have also borne him
into the port of notoriety, and per-
haps that of wealth-who knows?-
Many a man has become famous
whose energy, perseverance and
bravery did. not entitle him to fame
in the least, in comparison with
that of Capt. Goodcnough.
This doughty voyager was at sea
seventeen days; On his way down
he stopped at Rogue River, Oregon,
five or six days, anchored at the
lighthouse near Mendocino, and
from thence came direct to San
Francisco. He once narrowly es
capped being wrecked OH the rocks,
and once found himself among a
school of whales. His berth was
aft the hatch, and was so small that
he had to creep in feet foremost,
and could not turn around. He
could navigate his craft while lying
in his berth by the aid of a compass
and lamp. He was out in some
very rough weather, and says he
would not fear to weather the
toughest storm, for his craft could
not upset, and when he wanted to
sleep he would take down the sails,
crawl into his nest and feel per-
fectly secure. He thinks he could
make the trip across the ocean; in
deed, he knows that the danger from
breakers which the coast voyage
presents would be thus avoided
But for the present he is replenish-
ing his financial larder. His boat
is at Woodward's, and both boat
and captain are the sensation of the
hour. The captain believes in his
boat. 1t is his creed. He thinks
the present style of clumsy tubs
should be discarded in favor of ci-
gar-shaped water-cratt. Success to
Captain Goodcnough and to all men
who boldly strike out into new and
varied fields of. experiment! 1t is
they who make the world move
San Francisco Post, June 20.