The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-01-05
a PeriIous Feat az Sea Dy BIOndln.

A gentleman, who was passenger on board the
P. and o. steamship Poonah, sends US the follow
ing =
The p and o. mail steamer Poonah was on
her first voyage to Calcutta, utter the completion
of the alterations and improvements which have
beeI made in her, and at o'clock the afternoon
of the 18th October, when the ship was between
Alden and Gale, BlOndin announced that be was
ready to try the feat of walking on the tight
rope in a seaway, and undertook to wink from
the main to the mizzsnmls. ard back. A seven
inch hawser having been made last to the mizzen-
top and rove through heavy block in the main
top, and hauled taut by the steam-winch on deck,
lateral motion was prevented as far US possible
by guys made fast TO the sides of The ship; but
the motion of the vessel herself could not be
avoided, and the malu difficulty was the long,
slow, confused swell which at the change OF the
monsoous seem in those seas TO come from ditfe-
rent Qlaters at once. When ondin stood in the
maintop, pole in hand, he hesltated long enough,
with one foot on the rope, to make many think
be had repented, Tor the task was difficult enough
to try even his nerves. The mizzen is, OF course,
lower than the main, the steadying guys had
pulled tine rope down in the centre. that he
had to start down q rather sharp incline. Biondln
is accustomed TO guide and steady himself by hx-
ing his eyes on the rope, about twenty feet ahead;
but what with the rolling Of the ship and the
vibration Of the powerful engines, the rope be had
now TO walk OF was drawn into such cOntortions
that he described it as looking more like snake
than rope Before be had gone FIVE yards he
WAS forced to sit down to steady himself, aud
avoid two or three rollers which came in success
sion. He rose on one leg, and it was worth
much to see the great muscles on the outside oil
his thighs spring into bold relief. Twice again
he sat down, and then reached the mizzen mast
amidst hearty applause. This part Of the journey
was made difficult by the sun shining direct
ly in his eyes. His return was quick and easy
lill he had passed over three.quarters OF the dis
lance, when q swell caught the ship. He had to
stop and sway from side to side till be seemed TO
be quite out Of the perpendicular the fact being
that tue masts and funnel By which the eye was
guided were themselves out of the perpendicular.
The pole wavered violently, and once or twice
appeared to be held almost straight up and down.
Much anxiety was felt, not only by the passen-
gers, but by Captain Angrove aud the officers Of
the ship. Blondin never lost his nerve, but
coolly waited till the troublesome rollers had
passed, walked on and reached the main mast in
safety. He says that his task a most difficult
one, and that be could not have gone through any
of his usual performances on such u rope rs that.
Captain Angrove. who had eased the engines and
varied the course OF the ship from time to time,
SO as to keep her as steady as possible cOngratn-
lated BlOndn warmly upon his safe descent.
The whole thing gratuitous Blondin's only
recompense for having done what no man did be-
fore, being unanimous vote Of thanks from the
passengers,-Sydney Echo.