The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-11-17
Going Around Cape Horn.


ALL day long the battle RACES and the
following midnight the sea is terrific.
The Captain tells his chief-mate, d" We
must wear ship, sir, before it gets worse.
| They say a fortress is no stronger than
its weakest side,' and the weakest side
of this thing is in.shore. On the other
tack we shall probably work out of the
strength of the gale; certainly head up
to the sea better, and be ready to take
advantage of a sudden shift Of wind, in
stead of being in danger of getting
caught aback." He looks at his chart
and finds he has good offing, plenty of
room to stand in-shore. The hands are
called; the mizzentopsail is furled; the
cross jack yard hauled in two of the
best helmsmen in the ship put at the
wheel; twenty pairs of stout arms lay
hold of the main brace and stretch it
along the decks to good safe place for
holding the turn. Our Captain is on the
after house overlooking the kissing, boil
ing waves, watching for chance to
keep the ship off. There is little to
choose in such sea as this, but as a rule
the heavy rollers goin triplets, one right
u
bit before another trio comes along.
AS the last of set of these gigantic
seas rolled away DER the lea our Captain
cried: Hard up your helmw Hard
up it is, sir" Haul in your weather
main bracep "Haul in the weather
brace, sir" in response. The ship slow
ly pays off bit. "Well thatl hold on
ALP The spoon drift flying over the
ship completely blinds him, and makes
him gasp for breath. "Does she get off
any?" he cries to the man at the wheel
"No, sirw The gale is now shrieking
and roaring with perfect madness. The
Captain tries to speak to his chief, but
cannot make him understand a word
"She pays off, sirm cries the man at the
wheel watching the compass. Yes,
she goes off" Now haul in your
weather bracer' In vain they haul. 1t
is too much for them. They cannot start
it an inch, it blows so. "Call the man
off from the lookout to help, Mr.. Triton.
Is the carpenter, cook and steward
there? Quick! get them all hold here.
One of you men at the wheel get hold of
the brace. Now is your time! Haulr The
Captain himself takes the vacant place
at the wheel; the ship gives a weather
roll which eases the topsail, and in comes
the yard. "There she comesw roars the
mate, hauling like giant. "Quicks
your play! in there quickm The ship
gathers Roadway, and now flies before
the wind with railroad speed. Now the
awful waves lift their heads, crowned
with phosphorescentl light, high above our
heads; the ship has got dead before it,
and how she rolls! "Now haul quick
for dear life! There! we'll! Delay that!
Away forward to your head yards!
Slack away to port! Round with them
lively, men! Steady a port! Keep the
ship as you go! Don't come to any more
yet; you'll have the head yards aback!
All right~ The wind has caught the
low topsail just right, and it takes all
three mates to hold the yards as they
whirl around the masts. CHOW let her
come up gradually. Now if we are
lucky enough not to get one of those
seas aboard" mutters the Captain.
Delay your forebrace! Haul taut to
windwardw The wind is now broad on
the ships port side.
The hands are all on the weather
bow brace. Lookout for yourselves"
screams the Captain. A heavy sea comes
on combing high above the rail, breaks
on board and completely hides every man
from sight. The ship energies from it,
staggering to her very center, and shakes
it off. Some of the men with the mate
hold their grip to the brace, some are
washed forward. Meet her with your
helm, steady" The ship is head to the
sea now, and safe. The main yard is
braced sharp up, and we are headed for
land. After everything is secure the
Captain calls the mate thus: "Mr.
Triton, is anybody hurt; are your men
all safer" "All safe, sir."-Cor. Boston
Journal. ....'. r....