The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-05-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THIS COLUMN is OPEN TO ALL.
For The CrClI II Ing.
HARD YARNS EY AN OLD SALT.

For The Cecil Wing
HARD YARNS BY AN OLD SALT.
The Straits Of Magellan -Heacy Gales-A
School Of Whales The AUrutr0ss s. Dan
gers Of Whale Fishing - TMDaraiso- The
Scene Of the Capture Of tie Frigate Esser,
ETC., ETC., etc.
Off Cape Horn. at last, the great bugbear
to ancient mariners, before steam was APP
piled to sea going vessels, or the naviga-
ton of the straits Of Magellan had become
familiar, when sailing ships had to beat
and bang themselves to pieces in that
stormy region, to the disgust and Suffering
of the sailors; aud it was not long before
we had to take our share. Soon We began
to experience those severe southwestern
gales on our coast, but OF much longer
duration-often lasting for weeks; bringing
the ship down to the lowest and stoutest
storm sails, encountering snow, sleet and
heavy rain, no progress made for weeks:
suffering every discomfort possible to be
endured in a sea faring life, until all on
board wished they were once more under
the shadow of their own vine and fig tree,
or under their mothers bed IN danger of
having chimneys OF trees blown down upon
them in exchange for the dangers they were
then called on to meet. But for the excite
mcnt caused by falling in with a large
school of sperm whales, with several whale
ships lying to, in their midst, waiting for
the storm to lull, that they might lower
their boats and commence the work OF
slaughter, nothing could have been more
monotonOus. Over and around this un.
usual collection of these monsters of the
deep were also lowering numberless Albra
tross, one of the largest sea fowls known.
measuring from tip of wings from twelve
to seventeen feet, shaving the top of the
huge waves and deep gullies with a nicely
and percision truly wonderful, The bills
of these powerful birds are Of sufficient
capacity to cut from the carcass OF a dead
whale pound of flesh at one clip. These
birds evidently expected what would be
the work of these whalers, as their largest
supply of food comes from the refuse parts
of the whale, while being cut up, ready for
trying out for their valuable Gil.
During all my wanderings in different
seas, have | ever seen so many of these
monsters of the deep collected together,
nor sporting themselves in such extrava-
giant manner, rushing in all directions.
throwing their entire length out of the
WAFER, DedtlbS Ine Sed Win Ineif immense
flakes, with sound like the explosion of
heavy pieces of ordnance; the bull whales
believing and roaring like exasperated
lions, rushing in close proximity to the
ships, as if jealous of their presence.
As soon as the gale abated sufficiently for
a boat 20 be lowered with safety, the whal-
ers went TO work, and of all the dangerous
avocations to gain livelihood. whaling
possibly surpasses all others; and to one
uninitiated the sight was startling, to see
these men launch their frail boats in the
thickest of these monsters in size twenty
times larger than the largest boat, often
measuring from seventy five to one hun
dred feet in length and forty feet in cir
conference, and fearlessly throwing their
harpoons into the largest, and then being
drawn through the water with velocity
almost beyond conception, so that the
water would seem to stand several feet
above the gunnels of the boat. Then look
ing out for the sounding of the whale, Civ
ing him plenty of line, so as not to take
the boat under; then Keeling up their lines,
as he rose to blow, hauling the boat to
meet him as he comes to the surface, then
plunging the lance INTO him, is enough to
make ones hair stand on end. We had
the satisfaction of seeing several of the
largest killed before the easterly breeze set
in, which was to watt us past the Horn
into the southwestern trade winds, which
prevail on the west coast of South America.
A cracking breeze, and fine weather soon
brought us in sight of the lofty range of
mountains resting in the interior of Chill |
and ere long we arrived at the garden spot
of the world to the storm tossed sailor
Valparaiso, where he can find all that the
sailor Graves tor; climate unsurpassed,
u no Gin n.afr oI,I Inv
Gus fruit; women noted for their beauty
and plenty of snug harbors for Jack to
spend his liberty on shore in to his hearts
content
In this harbor Of Valparaiso was fought
one of the most gallant and bloody naval
engagements of the war of 1912, by Com
modore David Porter, father of the present
Admiral Porter, then in command of the
renowned irigate Essen, with his majesty's
ships Pleba of Sc guns and Cherub of 90
guns; both ships having been expressly
fitted out to capture the Esses whenever
they might meet her, no matter under
what circumstances The reader of history
will recollect that on entering the harbor
the ESSEX lost her main topmast 10y sudden
squat, crippliug her efficiency and lumber
ing her decks; yet in this crippled condi
ton, in a neutral port, these TWO ships
made the attack upon wounded foe; this.
too, after Commodore Porter had offered to
meet the largest one in single combat, and
then the Cheru6, which challenge was dc
ciued by the British commander, for his
orders were such, that 10 fail to capture
the Esser, after once meeting her, was more
than his commission was worth; therefore
his unequal attack; when the sanctity of a
neutral port should have protected both
parties; and though they succeeded in cap
tnring her, dearly were they made to pay
for their prize both ships having been
made to withdraw from the fire of the
Esser, to repair damages, and not until
every gun of the gallant ship was rendered
useless and her scuppers flowing with
blood like water. was the order given to
lower her flag. Your correspondent heard
from the lips of d resident Gillian, who
witnessed the battle from the brow OF IA
hill just over where the fight occurred that
the heroism and pluck of the American
crew was wonderful to behold-scarcely
man left on deck.
This engagement and capture will always
be stain upon the British commander
who violated neutral port, taking advant
age Of disabled foe, who did not antci
pate an attack. For not protecting the
Essen. the CHILEAN government had to pay
the United States the value of the lost
ship. More anon, l..