Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-11-13
Terrible Experience at Sea.

The Cape Ann Mass.) AdUertiser gives
the following account of the experience
of two sailors-George NJ. Roberts, of
Yarmouth, N. s., and James Austin, of
Liverpool, N. S.-of the crew of the
schooner Marathon, Gloucester, Mass.
They left that vessel on Grand Banks at
half-past four in the afternoon of Oct.
z for the purpose of visiting their
travis. Soon after it began to blow and
a thick fog set in. A dory in which were
two of the crew was paid out from the
vessel 10 their assistance, but the wrap
proved too short and the fog became so
thick that they were soon lost sight of.
They could hear the shouts of their CON-
panions, but all efforts to reach them
proved unavailing. Their subsequent
experience is thus narrated:
" 1t soor commenced raining and the
two rien made up their minds to do the
best they cosild through the night in the
hopes to find their vessel in the morning,
on board and two of these were made
fast to the painter of the dory and did
most excellent service as drags, keeping
her head to the sea. The night passed
drearily and they were glad enough
when morning dawned. The fog still
continued to envelop them and they con-
tinued to row to the westward. 1t
cleared up occasionally, but they saw no
vessel and night came on again. The
next day was foggy and they laid to a
drag all day. drifting to the eastward.
| Took watch and watch this night in
hopes to catch a glimpse of some light
| from passing vessel, but their hopes
were disappointed. 1t rained during the
night and they were fortunate enough to
catch good supply of water in the re-
naming tub OF this they drank spar
/ ingly and it served to appease the fearful
pangs Of hunger and thirst.
"On the third day they rowed to the
northwest in hopes to get into the track
! of the steamers. The fog still continued,
and no vessels were seen and they passed
another night in suspense. The men
were by this time getting discouraged,
more especially Mr.. Austin, who had
contracted a severe cold the first night
out, and was troubled with such severe
| shaking of his limbs that he could not
sleep. The morning of the fourth day
was clear, and it continued moderate
through the day. This gave them cour-
age, and, although quite weak, they
rowed to the westward, keeping an anX
ious look out for some welcome sail, and
doing their best to keep up each others
courage. \ shark came alongside during
the day, and they endeavored to catch
him, as they would gladly have partake1
of anything eatable; but they were un
successful. When the sun went dowT
that night the poor fellows felt theil
hearts sink within them, and they thought
their chances of being picked up were
rather slim. Roberts was enabled tC
pass some of the weary hours in sleep
but this boon, for the most part, was de
MED his companion. The nth day wa'
foggy and they rowed couple of hours
but felt so used up that they gave VI
pulling and another dreary night dragged
its slow hours along, The sixth da,
they let the dory drift. Saw the SUI
once or twice, but no signs of any vessel
and the night shut down again, bringing
sad forebodings. The seventh day wa
foggy; yet, strange to say, their cOurag
{ again revived. They drank sparingly 0
/, the water, and it seemed to satisfy tn
hungry feeling to great extent, and
; rowing some three miles to the nortf
ward, they put the tubs out and let tn
dory drift.
, Their longings to be rescued froI
! that open boat can be imagined but nc
described. The sun went down for til
! eighth time, and still no signs of relic
, They watched eagerly through the earl
evening hours and knew full well the
could not hold out great while longe
: They talked of their chances as men wi
, talk when in the face of common dan
!, ger and both were of opinion that the
: could not survive another twenty-for
! hours. They then lay down, and bot
= men, in the silent depths of their heart
- prayed most feryently that they migl
: be picked up before morning. Soc
after Roberts thought he heard the noi'
of a steamer, and raised his head aboN
: the side of the dory. Joy unspeakabl
=, there was q steamers light not fif-
II wards distant. The dOry had been sec
. from her deck, and the shouts of the mt
!, were soon answered. Roberts was e
- abled to get on board without help, b
, il required the assistance of two of u
. steamers crew to get Austin on boar
- 1t proved to be the ocean steamer Greco
y and the men were kindly cared for
+" her Captain and officers, and by caref
nursing were well-nigh recovered upC
- her recent arrival in New York. Up'
- leaving the steamer the men were ~
u sen'ed with SEQ each, a gift from her OF
>" GERS and passengers"
IN r-----r---os Sr------T-r-.