Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-08-20


fCoptinucsi rom first pase.l
,,,;.h ,,recr. water casks. hen coops, boats,
md loose spars mingled together in peil-
mel confusion.
Worse damage than this had, however.
already been effected by the first onset OF
the typhoon, for half the native craft had
foundered at their n1oorings. while the re-
mainder were drifting before the gale,
dragging their anchors and in immlnent
danger Of being dashed against the ROCKY
sides of the haven. The European vessels
were in better case, but several OF them
had lost their booms and boats and were
tugging at their cables in way ina,
promised no good, unless the WIND shoul1
abate. OF this. however, there seemed
no nrospect. since at each instant 1t ap-
neared to blow harder; and as the great
preen rollers. crested with foam, came
tumbling into the bay, began to realize
that our position was one of extreme
peril.
It must not be supposed that we were idle
spectators of this awful scene. On the
contrary, some five or six, of us, Jerry
being prominent, contriyed to clear away
and let go the best bower-anchor, while
even the red eyed skipper came on deck,
almost sobered by the danger. Still, the
strain upon the cables was fearful one,
at every fresh jerk, as the huge waves
lifted the bark, / dreaded lest they should
give way altogether.
Help help For Gods sake. help or
we perish 2" Such was the startling out
cry, uttered from the most part by female
voices, which struck npon my ear. as a
drifting vessel passed US. 1t was the fine
ship Henry Clay; but how changed Her
entire top-hamper, mast and sail, stay and
shroud, had been swept away her bull
warks, fgurehead, pinnacle and taffrail
raised by the furious sea, and only her low
er masts and bowsprit remained standing.
On the deck, huddled together like fright
ened sheep, were the passengers. with
some two or three sailors at most, min
gled with them.
What has happened on board?"
called out through tho speaking-trumpet,
which had snatched from the shaking
hand of the drunken skipper. "Where Is
your captainP"
"Drowned!' answered man, who
looked like steward, speaking through
his outspread hands. drowned in try
ing to prevent the crew from taking to
the boats, which were swamped as soon
as they got clear Of the ships side. Help
US, sir, Or we shall 60 upon the rocks y
But to give sufficient help was at that
time impossible, and the Henry Clay went
past rs. on her road as it seemed, to swift
and certain destruction.
Meanwhile many of the junks foated
rapidly by their lateen sails of plated
straw or striped cotton torn and tapping,
while the wretches on board wallowed on
the deck in abject fear. calling on Flo to
have mercy, and to drive away the de-
vouring dragon of the tempest. Some OF
these unlucky craft were dashed against
the rocky shore. and battered to pieces.
Some escape the fatal rock as by myra-
cle,s and drifting on, rotating before the
force of the typhoon, which gradually
veered toward the south. BY this time
we had managed to get up from the hold
spare anchor, and TO bend on it another
cable, so that we had hopes OF riding out
the storm. The American ship. which
had brushed 50 closely by the cliffs that
biscuit might have been tossed on shore,
came drifting past once more, and again
the piercing cry was heard for Help! OH
helpp
ing to those on board of our own vessel.
II cannot see christianl men and women
drown thus miserably for want of bearing
hand. Who volunteers to man the jol-
" boat and board the American shipn
jerry and two English forecastle Jacks
were first to answer the appeal: then
came q fair haired Swede and a redwhis-
kered Dane, and mulat to lad whom
had saved from punishment for some tri-
fling breach of duty during the voyage,
and who was grateful.
Six oars, all told. There was nothing
to be expected from the Lascars, benumbed
by terror and the drenching spray, or
from the Cinnamon, Supplied in part by
superstitious alarms, and in part, too, by
the drugs to which they had resorted as
physical means of lulling fear. The rest
of the crew were not bold or ready-witted
enough to back us; but although Capt.
Harris offered y growing opposition to my
putting This best hands" into unnecessary
danger, some sparks of manly generosity
was Ut last kindled in the old tOpers
breast, and he waved his gold laced cap
a. grasped the tiller-ropes and babe the
men push of, call out hoarsely, "Well
done my lad! If I'd been twenty years
younger, r.
heard no more but have never for
gotten that picture during all the years
that have since elapsed the vessel strain
ing at her cables, the boat rising on the
crest of q great wave, the old man, his
gray hairs barred, leaning over the shat
tered bulwark. and waving his cap toward
US In sign of adieu. But at the time l
thought little of it, having need OF all my
steerman's art to keep the frail boat from
being swamped in the terrible sea through
which we had to pass. We had des-
perate struggle, too, with the rollers. be-
fore we could reach the American, tor the
mulatto boy and Jerry were both too weak
TO be efficient rowers, and we were tossed
and tumbled to and fro, as if the boat had
been shuttlecock banded about between
two monstrous battledoors, until encour-
aged the men to a supreme effort, and
reached the ship. Seal ely had / set foot
upon the deck Of the Henry Clay before
an unexpected phenomenon varied the
elemental war. The bowling wind ceased
and dead calm succeeded, during which
the wash of the sea, deep and hollow, and