The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-13
Written for the Bulletin
THE MATES STORY.
BY J. HART HAYWARD.

BY J. HART HAYWARD.
Five or six years ago the George Cromwell
was crack ship, and her commander, Capt
Sam, was tho best sailor and the biggest
hearted boy that ever went down to the sea
The old Cromwell has been driven off the
line by the Hudson and the Kuickerbocker
Sans noble presence is visible no NOR
round the st. Carlos, but the momory o
these names will linger long in the hearts o.
many traveller from the Crescent City.
October, 49,, found as where we had ofte,
been before, on board the old ship glidinl
quietly along between Canaveral and Jupite
Inlet, at the rate Of nine knots. The moor
was shining brightly, the water was smooth
Is . mirror, and we could plainly discern
away on the starboard bow the low, whit.
sandy beach of the long narrow island Of
MAlabar, that fringes that part Of the coast o
Florida Eight bells had gone. and according
to nautical chronology new day had com
menced.
Our fellow-passengers had all retired and
We were leaning in dreamy mood over the
quarter-rail. gazing at the long phosphores.
cent track that seemed to follow us like SER
pent Of silver. We could see, We thought,
through the beautiful blue waters the timbers
and spars Of many gallant ships strewed
along the reefs we were now passing over, for
Capt Sam was hugging the shore to get out
Of the Gulf Stream, so close that we could
almost jump ashore. Many noble heart
had found peaceful rest on these rugged beds
OF coral, many q proud spirit had been
quenched by these waters, and see how calm
and innocent they look tonight.
Such fancies as these were floating through
our brain, rendering rs quite oblivlous of our
surroundings. when We were startled by .
long, wailisg sound, as if some one was
struggling in agony and striving to call for
help. We started up and listened. Our
heart ceased to beat Yes, there it is again
louder and longer than before And imme-
diately following came plainly and distinctly,
and in the same note, the Words" Watch
there! watch r
We Immediately rushed away from that
ladder to the upper deck and made for the
pilot-house. The first officer was quietly
smoking cigar, the quartermaster was ma
nipulating the wheel with his usual uncon-
Germ, the lookout-man on the top-gallant
forecastle was walking backward and forward
with his hands in his pockets, humming
"Shoo Fly" Had I been deceived? Was I
dreaming? Should mention the matter, or
should slip off to my stateroom, and say no
more about it?
"what are You doing up so late, Mr.. Hay
ward ?" queried the first officer, in . good
natured, bantering tone.
before turn in"
"Mr. Belts, We, continued, "where are We
now?"
"Just opposite Indian River. There! Do
you see that opening in the beach right
sbeam. That is the mouth"
ibid you hear any peculiar sound from the
shore just minute ago?" we ventured to ask.
Mr.. Belts changed his tone Immediately,
and as the moon shone directly on him. we
noticed . scared, anxious look on his face
that sent thrill to our heart. He took our
arm and walked aft without uttering word,
and drawing two deck chairs against the net
ting, seated himself and asked Us to sit down
also.
"Now, tell me-" he commenced, "what
you heard"
We described as we'll as We could the pain
full vail and the words.
"Oh, the words have nothing to do with
it, " he said, rather pettishly; "that was the |
men throwing the deep sea lead Listen you
will hear it again" and "Watch. there
watch !" came ringing clear and strong above
the din Of the engines.
That awful sound you heard first" he |
continued. II have often heard before, and |
always at this particular spot The bones of |
many Of my shipmates are bleaching on these |
reefs. "a vessel is caught about here in q |
hurricane nothing can save her. The last /
that went down was the Mariposa. She sailed |
from New Orleans for New York, and every
soul on board perished The best friend I |
ever had on earth went with her. The st. |
Louis went from under my feet not many
miles from this, and We were four days in the
boats, and 1t last picked up by q pilot
boat and taken into Key West.
~ have been shipwrecked seven times dur
ing my seafaring life. have been ten days in
an open boat, without food, and with no
water, except what dropped from the heavens,
and the only survivor of fifteen that left the
ship with me: but the strangest, saddest and
most extraordinary, event that ever happened
in my life, happened right here. This is my
first voyage as mate OF this ship-formerly l
was second. The officer that was here before
nae was splendid seaman, honest and sober
when knew him FIRST but as timid and
IS an old woman always. If the
wind changed on Friday, or if we made the
land ct our destination on Friday he fairly
and could neither eat nor sleep for
twenty-four hours. 1t one Of Mother Careys
chickens was blown on deck and died, he got
perfectly insane, and moved about muttering
TO himself and swinging his arms as if he was
addressing some imaginary being in the air.
Some time ago-yes, just seven voyages before
this, the lookout reported Q sail on the port
bow. /
"Mr Johnstone-his name was Hugh Cald.
we'll tombstone. and he hailed from Nam
Jacket. and was about fifty-three years of age
". Jsk,s.o.s Eas IN the filet-ho.ss and !