The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-11-03
Wearing Ship Round Cape Horn.

N'iiSSpohicIiIc vi tue DOSIOn journal.
All day long the battle RACES and the
following midnight the sea is terrific.
The Captain tells his chief mate, " 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 sudden shift of wind,
instead of being in danger of getting
caught aback." He examines his chart
and finds he has good offing, plenty of
room to stand in-shore. The hands are
called; the mizzen-topsail 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 mann 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, boiling
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 90 in triplets, one right
after the other, then there is lull for
bit before another trio comes along.
As the last of set of these gigantic
seas rolled away DER the lee, our Cap
tain cried: Hard up you helml"
Hard up it is, sir" "Haul in your
weather main-brace! Haul IN the
weather brace, SIR" is the response.
The ship slowly pays off bit. dwell
that. hold on ALL" 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 mo, sir" The gale
Is now shrieking and roaring with perfect
madness. The Captain tries to speak to
his chief, but cannot make him under
stand word "She pays off, sir." cries
the man at the wheel, watching the COM
pass. Yes, she pays Off" Now haul
III you weather brace. " In vain they
haul. 1t Is too much for them. They
cannot start it an inch, it blows 50. 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, now is
your time! Haul" The Captain him
self takes the vacant place at the
wheel; the ship gives a weather roll,
which eases the topsail, and in comes
the yard. "There she comesl" roars the
mates, hauling like giant. "Quick's
your play! in there quickr' The ship
gathers Roadway, and now file. before
the wind with railroad speed Now the
awful waves lift their heads crowned
with phosphorescent light, high above
our heads, the ship has got dead before
it, and now she rolls, "Now haul quick
for dear life. There. we'll! Delay that.
Away forward to your headyardsl
Slack away to port! Round with them
lively, men. Steady aportl Keep the
ship as you go! Don't come to any more
yet; you'll have the headyards abackl
All right" The wind has caught the
low topsail all right, and it requires all
three mates to hold the yards as they
whirl around the masts "Now let her
come up gradually. Now, if We are
lucky enough not to get one Of those
seas aboard mutters the Captain. " Be
lay your forebrace! Haul taut to wind
wardn The wind is now broad on the
ships port side
The hands are all on the weather bow
brace. Look out 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 heading in for the land. After
everything is secure the Captain calls
the mate thus: Mr. Triton, is anybody
hurt; are your men all safe?" "All
safe, sir"