New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-01-16
OFFsCAPE HORN.
Al Nautical uncident.

as DaQ as JlaC winch IS Sa1Q 10 enVelOp
the Flying Dutchman. Fourteen days
we have been of. Cape Horn, and the last
thirteen there has been no opportunity to
catch glimpse of sun. moon or stars I
would give half of all I am worth for an
hours clear weather.
And Captain Hardy-Jack Hardy, as
tie was best known-descended into the
cabin to pore over large chart spread
out on the centre table. He was not over
thirty years Of age, brave, capable and
handsome, despite the bronzing his com
plexion had received meath tropical suns.
His frank, open countenance wore an ex-
from the rough, weather beaten visage
of the mate man past the meridian of
life.
AS for the ship the Sunbeam she
was a clipper, and as fine a craft as ever
sailed from the port Of New York to San
Francisco.
The ship was lying to under close
geefed main-topsail, main spencer and
fore-staysail, and as the short day came
to close the gale seemed to increase
from the southwest. Furious squalls of
hail and sleet howled through the tall
spars and taut rigging Of the ship, which
at times keeled over to the icy blasts, un.
til the lee-scuppers were submerged in the
dark foam -streaked waters.
The whole expanse of the heavens was
covered by black cloud, which, as the
darkness increased, appeared to sink
lower and lower, until the gilded
balls of the poles were obscured by whirl-
ing masses of scud driving before the fu-
rious tempest.
The shivering watch, wrapped in mon
key-jackets and oil-skins, gathered aft,
crouching for shelter under the lee of the
bulwarks, while the mate, bundled in his
long watch coat, walked the quarterback
in sombre silence.
Aft by the pinnacle, peering at times
at the compass, dimly revealed by the
Pickering lamp, stood Captain Hardy. No
thought of sleep entered his head. A
terrible anxiety, coupled with thoughts
of wife and children, filed his stout heart
as ne peered necessarily to windward, or
,straye to pierce the gloon which had
settled like pail to leeward.
And SO through the long, dreary night
the watch was kept up, and with morn
ings dawn slight change was noted.
The ship was lying to on the starboard
tack, making fair weather of it for so
sharp a vessel, when the murky obscurity
began to clear, and a glimmer of clear,
sky was seen.
The important news was Immediately
reported to Captain Hardy, who was doz-
ing in a chair by the companion-way.
With bound he sprang up the steps; at
the same instant the cry of Gland Hop
echoed through the ship.
-Four points off the weather bow the
SOON Of land was seen, which every mo-
Ment was becoming more distinct, while
off the lee beam stretched the ice bound
coast of Cape. Horn.
The dark face Of Jack Hardy grew
shade paler as his eyes ranged from point
to point taking in certain landmarks which
too accurately confirmed the dangerous
predicament of the Sunbeam, PRESENT.
ment Of which had haunted the young
commanders breast.
The ship was nearly landlocked, on
lee shore, attended with horrors we'll cal
,culated to demoralize the bravest seaman.
The land on the weather bow proved to
to be the islandFof Diego Ramirez; that
on the weather quarter St. Idlefonso
rocks; and that on the lee beam was the
coast OF Cape Horn.
But two alternatives remained by which
the lives of all on board could be saved,
together with ship and cargo. One was
to run between Diego Ramirez and the
coast, the other to make sail and endeavor
to bear off shore in the teeth of the gale,
which had abated somewhat in violence.
1t was impossible to remain hove to-, as q
few hours would have found the vessel on
Ehe rocks.
Jack Hardy was not long in making up
his mind as to the best course to pursue.
A glance at the chart revealed countless
sunken rocks and lodges in the channel,
with which hewas totally unacquainted.
He would only attempt that as a last al
tentative.
''Send all hands aft, Pierson. Rouse
out the watch below. Splice the main
brace; set the close reefed foretopsail and
reefed foresail.n
The Esteward ).astily served. out the
grog, which was eagerly swallowed by
the sailors, who fully realized the nature
of the struggle they we're about to engage
in. s.. .s
A tremendous sea was running, which
set the ship still nearer to the lee shore
with every .heave. Under the press Of
canvas which, it was impe rative to carry,
the Sunbeam was all but buried in the
foaming surges. t,41s
Sea after sea broke over the ship as she
lay in the trough, deluging her with
water from the forecastle aft to the hin