Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-05-22
THE SHIPWRECK.
BY GEORGE W. GIFT.

.fNH. u ! .I CD NJ n
| was cast away on the beach of the
north point Of the entrance to Humboldt
bay, California, in the latter part Of
1852. 1t happened in this wise: A
schooner called the Mexican, in endeay-
oring to get TO sea, struck and grounded
at the place indicated, and
MADE SIGNAL OF DISTRESS
by displaying her sign at half nsast, and
union down. A number Of young men,
myself one of them, set out from the
various vessels lying at anchor in the
bay to render such assistance as was
possible. We had no difficulty in board
ing the vessel, as the tide was half out,
and the force Of the surf was expended
on the outer bar, and did not reach the
Mexican, which lay inside.
The Captain. solid, manly English
man, past the middle age, was sole owner
of the uninsured vessel and cargo, and
besides, had on board a sum of money in
gold coin equal to about $4,000. This lit
tie fortune was the result of many years
OF toll and hardship at sea--a part had
been earned battling the storms of the
North Atlantic between Quebec and
London, another portion hnoEA
IN STRUGGLING AGAINST THE HURRICANES
OF THE WEST INDIES,
and other moieties in beating across the
bay of Biscay, and buA'eting the gales of
the southern capes of Africa and South
America. The recollections of all the
work and the imminent jeopardy of its
proceeds, doubtless nerved brave Capt.
Tomlinson to make a gallant effort to
extricate his property from its present
peril.
AS the tide receded small boats came
alongside with the utmost ease, and a
person unaccustomed to the freaks of
the seq at that point would have imag-
ined the vessel in po danger. V8DNH
Our plan was to lay out in deep water
both bower anchors, backed with hedges;
heaye a strain on the chains, and when
the vessel hoated make sail, as the wind
was off shore, and force her into the
channel and the bay With the strong
volunteer force from the vessels, assisted
by the passengers and crew, these prep
arations were soon made and We sat
down to wait the return of the tide.
Toward sunset the tide was rising rap
idly and A't
THE WIND HAD PIPED UP STRONG,
with heavy sea running, which, as the
water rose, swept across the bar, and
Threatened us in cur present position.
In the place where we had carried out
anchors in a clumsy long boat without
Inconvenience q few hours previously
was now SO roughas to make the crew OF
a whale-boat look anxious and express
a desire to return to the harbor.
Though | was not particularly con-
cerned for my safety, yet | had pre-,
sentiment that if / remained on beard
the MEXICAN l would be compelled to
swim to get ashore, and as the water
was pretty cold Il think i Yas in DE
cember) / volunteered to see Mrs: ION
linson safe on shore in the whale boat
already referred to. The crew Of. the
boat was compoaed of plucky sturdy
faliovs who were acepsiblpd to rough
usage usage like thS.. they we're eneosatesing, I3
and they came on the lee Hee q tho INC
vessel and made the effort to gec Tue
lady on board rather think was
more concerned about getting away than
YES she, for | am satisfied | could have
leaped into the boat dozen times as 1t
lay bobbing up and down alongside; but,
alas for Mrs. Tomlinson, her time for
rapid motion and risky jumps had long
since passed. She was quite leshy and
the light craft in which we were trying
TO embark was now at our feet, and then
ten feet below Us, and the transitions
we've SO rapid sS to resemble a jerk-in
fact. was that peculiar motion which
makes the DOOR searsick subject attempt
Ia disrorge his stomach. 1t was finally
voted out Of the question to get her in
the boat. and so it departed.
The wind was blowing strong and
raw. and We who had nothing partieu-
lar 10 do retired 10 the cabin, where
supper was served, after Which We re-
msined discussing the situation ana
spinning yarns. The hess pilot OF the
place. a swede, named Buhner, had
boarded the schooner with the other
volunteers and was now in charge. de
booted at the idea Of danger, whilst i,
in A spirit Of opposition, took the ether
side. A stalwsrt carpenter, somewhat
noted as bully, was on the side Of the
nilot and / think held me someEhat IN
contempt. Each moment as the tide
rose higher ---
ouR POSITION BEckHE MORE cHucAL,
md We we're finally called on deck to see
80 ,ras best 10 be done. The sea vas
verv rough and vas freely breaking
.bo.rd our lumber laden craft, and with
~ ibclination 10 drive her toward the
besch. whilst the wind vas blowing hall
! gale in ihe other direction The Ole