The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-07-19
AT Sea In Q Barrel-An Extraordinary
Voyage.


Voyage.
More than year ago, Alexander
Goodenough, a machinist by trade, in
the employment Of the Seattle Coal
Company at Puget Sound, discovered
among a pile Of driftwood curious
looking craft which had been washed
ashore. 1t was built like barrel, only
Il kept on each end until its head nearly
came 10 points. 1t was built with slaves
hooped together and at the ends secure
" fastened and caulked to solid cylin.
drical pieces of wood about a foot in
diameter. 1t is 20 feet long and three
and half feet in diameter. Its hatch.
way was its only entrance, and measured
about two and a half by one and half
feet. Mr.. Goodenough knew nothing
about sailing, but he had kindly feel.
ing for the old craft. Indeed, he him
self was quite as old in appearance as
the craft, being as long, lank, and lean.
He commenced experimenting with her,
fitted some sails OF bed.ticking, adjusted
a rudder, and sailed about in the waters
of Puget Sound, until one day the idea
struck him that he could make voy.
age to San Francisco in her. After con.
siderable more experimenting, he was
ready for a start. He had taken on
board about 700 pounds of ballast, 81
gallons of water, and plenty of pro-
visions. On the 4th of June he started
from Cape Flattery alone, knowing
nothing of navigation, but determined
in that frail craft to take an ocean voy.
age of over 500 miles. Had he failed,
every one woule have called him fool
for his pains. Some do so as it is; but
"let those laugh who win" Capt.
Goodenough has won. The breezes
VII ich waited him to the port Of San
Fl ucisco have also borne him into the
pcs of notoriety, and perhaps that of
W ..lth-who knows? Many man has
become famous whose energy, persever.
ance, and bravery did not entitle him to
fame in the least, in comparison with
those of Capt Goodenough.
This doughty voyager was at sea II
days. On his way down he stopped at
Rogue river, Oregon, FIVE or six days,
anchored at the lighthouse near Men.
docino, and from thence came direct to
San Francisco He once narrowly es-
capped being wrecked on the rocks, and
once found himself among 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
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 perfectly secure. He thinks he
could make the trip across the ocean;
indeed, he knows that the danger from
breakers which the coast voyage presents
would he thus avoided. But for the
present he is replenishing 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 sho1ld
be discarded in favor Of cigar.shaped |
watercraft. Success to Capt. Good.
enough and to all men who boldly strike |
out into ney and untried fields of ex.
pertinent 1t is they who make the
world move-Sdn Francisco Post, June 90. |