The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-09-23

Crossing the Ocean in Skid.
CONVERSATION WITH JACK ANDREWS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC.
Myer Gershon, says the Troy Press,
who has been on a visit to his parents
in London for the past three months,
returned to Troy Wednesday. He came
by the steamer Greece. He reports that
in mid-ocean on the 10Th instant. at
S:15 o'clock in the evening, the watch at
the bow reported to the captain that he
deserted what seemed to him to be a
part of a wreck. As it neared the ship
the object was discovered to he small
skiff, and in the darkness the figure OF
one man was deserted. The captain i'm
mediately gave orders to stop the en-
gines and to get the ropes ready to pull
the man on board. When these orders
we're given the passengers were at tea
in the cabin, and, hearing what was
said, everybody rushed on deck in a
great state of excitement, fearing that
some danger was imminent-an iceberg
or probably some vessel inconveniently
near. These fears of the passengers
were soon allayed by the captain. The
sea was running high. The skiff came
quite near to the ship, appearing and
disappearing at intervals-now on the
top of an immense wave level with the
deck of the vessel, the next minute hid
den from sight in the pillows. The cap
tain calling to know who was in the
boat was answered in a strong German
accent: II am Jack Andrews, from
Gloucester, Massachusetts,. He told
further that he was bound for Liver
pool; that his skiff was named Centen-
NAL, and that he had been out fifteen
days. The skiff measures fifteen feet
by four, and draws three feet Of water.
The captain asked him if he was alone,
and was assured in the affirmative. A
conversation then took place as follows:
Question-Do you want to come on
board?
Answer-No.
Q.-Do you want anything?
A.-No.
Q.-Are you not afraid you will be
drowned?
Al have been out for fifteen days
and am not afraid now.
Q.-Do you require water, provisions,
or anything?
A.-No; have everything require.
He then asked the captain to compare
reckonings. He was longitude As, lati-
tude 80; the captains was the same.
Furthur colloquy ensued, in which An
drews informed the captain that he slept
by day, and before going to sleep he
took in his rudder and took down all
sails; during sleep his craft drifted with
the waves. He was awake at nights.
The captain made final appeal to him
to come on board, stating that if he re-
fused he would probably regret it when
the vessel was out of his reach. To this
Andrews emphatically answered, 'No,
sir; good night" and throwing his sails
to the wind, was soon lost to sight. An
drews sits in the center of the boat, with
lamp burning before him, exposing
the dial of what seemed to be COM
pass. The deck, afore and aft. is COW
cred with canvas, under which, besides
the compass and lamp, were seen several
barrels, containing, no doubt, provis-
ion, water, etc. Nothing has been heard
of Andrews since that night. He told
the captain, by the way, that he could
report him or not, as he pleased. An
drews, it is ascertained, is a Norwegian
by birth, but has been fisherman ut
Gloucester, Massachusetts, for many
years. He is supposed to be between
fifty and sixty years of age.
LONDON, Aug. 1.-The dory Centen-
NAL, from Gloucester, Massachusetts,
for Liverpool, was spoken fifteen miles
from Tuscarlight.