Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-10-10
JOhnSca's ToydGe.
Crossing the Atlantic In a Dory.

Crossing the Atlantic ,n DOry.
The boat Centennial arrived at Liver
pool August 81, after voyage across the
Atlantic She was sailed by man nam
ed Alfred johnson. Dane, and lell
Gloucester. Mass, on June 8. johnson
is in good health, but suffers from want
of sleep, and his legs arc stiff and weak
owing to the long confinement of the
voyage. lie is a smart intelligent man
of about -. On arriving at New Brigh-
ton lie was chCcred by the passengers on
q ferry boat. IIo did not land at the
landing stage, where a number OF peo-
pie had assembled to meet him, but sailed
up the river and was ultimately met by
the proprietor of the Rock Ferry Hotel,
with whom he arranged to exhibit his boat
in tho grounds. The Centennial is boat
of the kind known in America as a dory
She is twenty feet long, partially fat-bot-
toned. and has centre board. She is
decked over, is built in three water-tight
compartments. and was supplied with
provisions for ninety days. She was built
expressly for the trip, and is Of pine, ex-
ira timbered with cak. She carried one
mast, and can set o maiusail, two iibs and
q square sail.
johnson left on the 18Th of June. the
people cheering him heartily as he sailed
away. The weather was fiue at first but
Il afterwards changed to fogs and head
winds, which lasted until the 22l. when
he put into Sake Hlrooc, his com
pass being affected by his iron ballast
He started again on tho 25lh, and had o
fine passage and fair winds until the 7th
Of Jnly, when in latitude II 30 north
longitude 81 west, heavy gale from the
southwest spraug up, during which the
boat Shipped ateavy sea, which started the
combing of the hatchway and the water
got in and spoiled some Of the provisions.
At this time he spoke bark bound from
Mexico to Liverpool, and the captain in
vited johnson to 90 on board, saying he
would drop him OF Cape Clear, and not
mention anything aboullit; but johnson
declined.
The gale passed away. and he had fine
weather until 18th OF July, when a strong
breeze came from the southwest. and he
made n good run until the 2l of August,
on which day, being then about 800 miles
from Cape Clear, he spoke the brig Mag.
gle Gardner. from New York 10 Swansea.
After running for a couple OF hours with
the brig. which shortened sail to keep
company, johnson hove bis boat to, in
order to ride out the gale, which had
greatl} increased. lie unshipped the
mast for thisTpurpose. About halt an
hour alter being hsye to, the boat got
broadsido onto a heavy sea and capsized
but johnson got on the bottom and re-
mained there about twenty minutes, when
another sea strnck her, and he succa eded
in rightipg her. This was about o'clock
in the afternoon. Just after getting into
The boat again. he saw shark alongside,
and It's fins struck against the bottom Of
The boat. lie fastened q knife to an oar
and cut at the shark, which then went
away. The boat was half iull of water.
but ne pumped it out and weathered the
gale, which lasted till next day. Every
thing was wetted, and he lost his kero
scne stove and his square sail by the up
set, The weather continued rainy and
toggy for four days. during which time
be could not dry anything.
Ga Monday, August Z, about 100 miles
off Cape Clear, he spoke the brig AIire-
don. from Liverpool to Baltimore, and
got some bread and water, his own bread
having been damaged By the salt water.
Next day he got soundipgs 10 the south
of Cape Clear. but it was foggy and he
could not see land. On the oh b spoke
the ship Prince Lombardo, which gave
him the bearings of Wexford Head as 80
miles east by north. On the 10Th he
sighted Milford, but the wind became
contrary, and he put into Abercastle.
He sailed again on the l2.h, and reach
ed Holy head last Friday, and Liverpool
yesterday morning. johnson estimated
that his average run during the voyage
was 20 miles day, He was provided
with medicines before starting. When
asked yesterday if he would care to re-
peat the voyage, johnson replied that be
Thought he had had about enough OF it. >
London NeUS.
4 Story for Young Men.