The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-11-12
Vaiety.
THRRlBLE ExPERIENl = AT SEA.
Seven Days 4dJi in a DOy.

'~NNsfF NfN3o 4NNi ~ " - y
The Cape Ann Mass Advertiser gives
the following account Of the experience
Of two sailors-George NJ. Roberts, o.
Q Yarmouth, N. s., and James Austin, Of
Liverpool, ~ S.-Of the crew Of Mara
thon, of Gloucester, Mass. They left that
vessel on Grand Banks, at half past four
on the afternoon of the 9TH ult., for the
purpose of visiting their travis. Soon
after it began to blow and thick fog set
in. A dory in which we're two of the
crew was paid out from the vessel 10 their
assistance, but the warp proved too short,
and the fog became 80 thick that they
we're soon lost sight of. They could hear
the shouts of their companions, but all
efforts to reach them proved unavailing'
Their subsequent experience is thus mar.
rated:
at soon commenced raining, and the
two men made up their minds to do the
best they could through the night, Ia
hopes to find their vessel in the morn
ing. Fortunately the were three trawl
tubs on board, and two of these were
made fast to the painter of the dCry, ana
did most excellent service as drags, keep
ING her head to the sea. The niLht
passed drearily, and they were glad
enough when morning dawned. The fog
still continued to envelop them, and they
concluded to row to the eastward. Took
watch and watch this night this night, in
hopes to catch glimpse Of some light
from passing vessel, but their hopes
were disappointed. It rained during the
night, and they were fortunate enough
10 catch good supply in the remaining
tub. OF this they drank sparingly, and
IL served TO appease the fearful pangs of
hunger and thirst.
"0n TIE third day they rowed to the
northwest in hopes II get into the track
of the steamers. The fog still continued
and no vessel was seen, and they passed
another night in suspense. The men
were by this time getting discouraged
more especially Mr.. Austin, who had con-
tracted severe cold the first night out
and was troubled wit. such severe shak-
ing of his limbs that he could not sleep.
The morning of the fourth day was clear,
and 1t continued moderate through the
day. This gave them courage, and al
though quite weak, they rowed to the
westward, keeping an anxious lookout
for some welcome sail, and doing their
best to keep up each others courage. A
shark came alongside during the day, and
they endeavored to catch him, as they
would gladly have partaken of anything
eatable; but they were unsuccessful.
"When the sun went down that night
the poor fellows felt their hearts sink
within them, and they thought their
chances for being picked up r~ther slim.
Roberts was enabled to pass some Of the
weary hours in sleep; but this boon, for
thetnost part, was denied his companion.
The fifth day was toggy, and tEey r wed
q couple of hours, but felt so used up they
gave up pulling, and another dreary night
dragged its slow hours along. The sew
enth day was foggy; yer, strange to say,
their courage again revived. They had
drank sparingly of the wate;, and it
seemed to satisfy the hungry feeling to
great extent, and rowing some three
miles to the northward, they put the tub
out and let the dory drift.
"Their longings to be rescued from that
open boat can be imagined but not de-
scribed. The sun went down for the
eighth time, and still no signs of relief
Taey watched eagerly through the early
evening hours, and knew full well they
could not hold out a great while longer
They talked of their.cEances as men will
talk when in the ssace of common dan
ger, ann both were of the opinion that
they could n. hold out another twenty
four hours. They then lay down, nd
both men, in the silent depths of their
hearts. prayed most fervently that they
might be picked up before morning
Boon after, Roberts thought he heard the
noise of steamer, and raised his head
above the side of the dory. Joy unspeak-
able there was steamers lights not
fifty Yards distant. The dory mad been
seen from her deck, and the enfeebled
shouts of the men were soon answered
Roberts was enabled to get on board
without help, but it required the assist
ance of two of the steamers crew to get
Austin on board. Itproved be the ocean
steamer Greece, and the Ken were kind
" cared for by he. captain and officers,
and by careful nursing were well-nigh
recovered upon their arrival in New
York on Wednesday last. Upon leaving
the steamer the men were presented with
twenty dollars each, a gift from her Off
cara and nassengers"