The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-08-20

Commodore William B. Whiting. On the
retired list Of our navy, who now resides at
Delafeld, Wautesha county. Wis, contrib
utes to the Army and Macy Journal the
following interesting incident, which occur
red during his service ~ midshipman On
board the vessel in question more than
forty years ago:
ain 1880 the typhoon Of tbs Northern
Pacific was not as well understood as it is
now, and that sea Was little known to our
naval vessels. In that year the Potomac.
commanded by Commodore John Downes,
was crossing its watr Rs in her cruise around
the world. Reuben 4. Piukbsm VAS her
Third Lieutenant, thorough sailor; born
in Northern whaling port, he had made
several voyages 10 the North Pacific as a
xhaler, aud was comparatively familiar
with that region, where the other officers
we're strangers. lie md Commodore
Bownes have both been long dead.
The day was dra wing to close, Pink
ham, .lrs watch, and the Commodore was
walking the deck. The wind, which before
was fresh, bad increased to a gale; top
gallant sails were handed, topeails reef-d,
and spanker trailed up; when all at once
Pinkham gave the order, "Mar the wealth
er head brace-weather main brace
weather IN ain top sail brace-Iee croiAck
fcrosslack) braces What is that for,
Mr.. Pinkham:' asked the Commodore.
We shall have the wind out here in a mo-
ment, sir said Pinkham, stretching his
arm out and pointing to Ieaward. With
that the Commodore ran over t. the lea
rail and looked anxiously cut in che direc
ton indicated. Presently he returned and
sid: see no signs of it Mr.. Piniam: let
the men leave the braces With that
number of the men dropped the ropes, and
Pinkham called out, keep held of those
braces, every man Of you, when they re
sumed their GRASP. The Commodore's
face flushed with anger to find his direc'
tions thus dlsregarde1, ard he called on,
in peremptory tone: Let the men
leave the braces, sir.' Again the crew
droppe'l the ropes from their hands, When
Pinkbam, shaking his trumpet at them,
exclaimed: Don't any Of you dare to lie.
90 those ropes AT that moment the
wind did not die away, but stopped, and
the sails tapped against the masts. Rails
log his trumpet to hrs lips, Pinkbam shout
Ell, iIaultaut! haul Of ell, and the pom
derous yards swung to IL reverse direction.
They had hardly done so when the wind
came out from the opposite quarter and
struck the ship like sledge hammer.
She bent oyer before it, but III king the
spray from her bows, dashed rorxarI I'M
h.rmed. Commodore Downcs said no.
word, but rushed into the cabin; aud
presently the orderly came up to Mr..
PInkhnm and said the Commodore wished
him 10 send to the First Lieutenant to
relieve him for few minu.cs, as he wish
ii to see him in the cabin. Et terins the
cabin, Pmkbam found the Commodore
cssted by - table with a decanter Of WINE
with two wine glasses before him. Push.
inc one Of the latter before his y-itor, he
said: Take glass of wine. Mr.. Pink
hamI Mr.. Pinkham, consider myself
INDEBTED to you for my own life and for
the livec Of all those on board is ship
Had you not hauled the yards Just hen
you did, AMI had the Hiad found the shin
unprepaTed, and taken the sails aback, not
al the o yer on earth could have moved
the yards, and the ship would have gone
down stern fore,s o t. But tell yon frank
lY that had the wind not come out as YOU
predicted, | would have Put you under ur
rest IN two minutes Commodore
Downcs, replied Lieut.. Pinkham, Il did
not intend any disre.pecs, and | should lie
sorry if you thought | did, but | have
been in these seas before, and an familiar
with the.e sudden changes of wind. saw
undoubtful indications VI such change then,
and knew that had no time for expluna-
tion.'"