The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-21
SIXTY DAYS IN A DOGY.
Captain JOhnsen's PerilOus Transit
lantic Voyage.
CAPSIZED IN MID-OCEAN.
Return OF the Daring Navigator
on the Greece.

Tho National limo steamer Greece. which arrived at
this port yesterday, brought With her on this trip two
objects OF no slight interest 10 New Workers These
the dory Centennial, in which Captain Alfred
johnson crossed tho Atlantic alone last summer, and
the Captain himself, who made the unprecedented
voyage rs a centennial achievement, superior to any
thing IN its way heretofore accomplished. Brief
notices OF this venture have from timo TO time found
their way into the papers, but the whole story OF the
voyage given yesterday by Captain johnson 10 the
representative of the HERALD The Centennial landed
ut Abercaste, Pembroke county, wales, on the
21st OF August 1876 and proceeding to Liverpool Cap.
tain johnson had his boat exhibited at different times
since then until his return on the Greece. ire boat
and her daring navigator look well and are apparently
nothing the worse for their experiences. Tho sturdy
looking little Centennial interesting spectacle
as II rested the deck OF the fine, roomy
steamer and suggested amusing contrasts as ono
thought OF both mounting tho same waves ana plough
ing tue In q transatlantic voyage The dory
Is scarcely half the size OF of the Grccces life
boats and Is strongly built as they are yet
tho average sailor would think hardly oil having to put
In week on board one of them in mid-occan even IN
tho iairest weather. Johnsens voyago lasted sixty
six days, and no had which to stow
himself but the cockpit, which only four feet long
and about two feet wide. His return trip was made
agreeable possible by the officers OF the steamer,
who, for his entertainment well as for tho benefit
OF the other passengers enlivened the trip from Lon
thither with many OF the merry devices known
mon Of he Doubtless they felt they only
paying merited attention to the man who was the per-
soniacation OF Gilberts "Bab Ballad' sailor man.
For he tae cook and the captain bold
Aud the bo'swain tight and the midship mito
johnson IS the only transatlantic sailor who
crossed alone He did have to fling any Delay ing
pins AZ dsobedient sailors.
Tho little vessel in which Captain johnson en-
barkcd is OF tho following dimensions Three quarters
Of ton measurement; total weight, go pounds;
length Of keel 16 ieet width of beam, 5 feet depth,
2Is feet Sho is cinker built Of white pine, tim
bcred with oak, partially fiat bottomcd and has a
contreboara. Tho Centennial Is built 10 three
tight compartments and is decked over, leaving only
the narrow cockpit open. On the trip she carried a
mansail, u squorcsa and two jbs The little vessel
built expressly for tho trip at Gloucester Mass,
under Captain Johnscn's supervision
THE SOLITARY MARINER.
Captain johnson is q man oil middle height, pretty
hick build of intelligent appearance is native OF
Denmark and is now about thirty-onc years old. He
talks freely of his desperate and Is naturally
somewhat clutcd at his success.
For some time Captain johnson and some other men
OF of his acquaintance talked up this undcrak.
ing before It took definite shape This when John
SON worked in the fisheries or Nova Scotia. Finally
he concluded have the dory built. and when she
finished he won't the Mayor Of Gloucester
the 0uject OF his trip He had furnished tho little craft
with canned meats SAT- ana lres9 Vegetables, Tea.
tho 18th OF Juno the Mayor gave johnson tho follow
Ing clearance papers,
To WHOM 1T NAY coScERS:--
This certify that Mr. Alfred ohnseu has declared his
intention Of crossing the Atlantic in and that he will
's June sh H. p 1916 io'"0''0" ALLEN 'oo Mayor
johnson did not start, however, until June 10 His
slowed under the matches at tho start
but there is little pantry behind the cockpit in which
q store Tor few days could DO kept. When the
open the matches, take out enough provisions Tor a
few days and STOW them away IN this pantry Iron
was his ballast when nc started, but finding that IL
intcriercd with the working of his compass he put
into Shake Harbor, Nova Scotia, discharged this bal
last, ana took on gravel instead. BY this change he
lost little time. His only nstrum ents quad
rant a compass and chart. He carried no chronome
Ter. On starting tho weather was fine, but before he
Contend with some thick logs and strong head Winds
He lett Shake Habor the 18th, and bad far weather.
favorable winds and calm sea until the 7th OF July
Then latitude Al so north. longitude 81
This day gale sprung up, and during its progress
The irail vessel shipped heavy sea- which started tho
Bombing OF tho hatchway. This let tho water and
some of the provisions spoiled In this crisis
spoke bark bound 10 Liverpool from MEXICO. mo
captain invited johnson to come aboard, tut he de-
Ciined being determined weather the gale and
complish tho undertaking, even AT tue expense OF dis
comfort and privaon. The gale blew over and hnc
weather succeeded nstng until July 10, when strong
breeze from the southwest sent him on good run.
which he kept up until August 2 That day he found
himself about 800 miles from Cape Clear. in tho
course that day the wind frcshcned and blew up
gale. Meantime he spoke tho Maggie Gandcr brig
bound from Liverpool TO New York. The brig short
sncd sail to Keep him company, and after running lew
hours with her he unshpped his mast, determining, IN
arA In ri do m a n Va
LITTLE VESSEL CAPsIzED
In about half hour the boat got broadsde on to a
heavy sea- breaker struck her. and she was instantly
Capsfzcd AS may be supposed, Johnscns position
was trying for the time He had secured a lie
line TO the socket into which the mast set, aud tied
the other end Of about his body, and by the aid of
THIS line he crept the little boats bottom, and
twenty minutes later, and rlghtcd her with his own
ASSISTANCE.
PERIL FROM A SHARK.
This occurred IN the afternoon, and Just as she had
got rightcd big shark came snufling along by
her side. This voraeious animals attentions
were not over welcome to the Captains eyes, and
kniio. and, fastening It securely to one oil his
oars, struck out viciousy at the shark,
which lett in disgust at It's reception. The upset
had damaging effect on tho lttic crafts cargo All
OF Captain Jonnseus clothing was completely wettcd
his bread was spoiled his clock ana watch stopped
He was obliged TO keep his clothes on his back until
thew dried. He poured some Kerosene into the clock
80 Try aud yet going, but II had been too thoroughly
drcpchcd and would move peg. In tho upset the
dOry carried away tho squarcsai out fortunately his
Instruments secure under the deck and
could not fall out when she capszed Cap.
lam johnson was assisted TO bread and porter
acr this accident by tho Maggie Gandcr before they
parted company Alter this the weather was oggy and
ia,ny Tor about four days On August he spoke
mother brig which gave him bread aud water He
Cas zen about 100 miles from Cape Clear. On August
he spoke tho ship Prince Alberta, which gave him