The Portland daily press., 1879-04-04


land, which proved, as supposed, Gooch's
Island. endeavored to get the ship off shore
and succeeded in getting her head to the N. W.
but the wind failing at about $40 q. m. the
ship was drifted by tide and sea on to the per-
pepdicular cliffs of small, detached island,
striking heavily the whole length of the port
side, tearing her planks which came to the sur
face in large pieces. The vessel remained
afoat but pressed against the rocks tearing her
side as she rose and fell in the sea. then or
dered out the boats aud securing what provi-
sion there was at hand, the ship settling fast
(the decks level with the water at 4. 10 p n.y. l
commanded all hands to take to the boats and
left the ship. The vessel sank, about two min
utes later, entirely out Of sight.
I then directed the mate in one Of the small
boats, and the second mate in the long boat, to
remain by the wreck AID save all that foated
that would be useful. took the other small
boat, the third mate and five men. and pulled
to the main island to find landing. found
gulch about quarter of mile from the
wreck where It was possible to land. Then re-
turned to the wreck, found the small boat, but
the loHg bat which contained all that
was saved from the wreck was mics
ing. Remained 10 the vicinity for
two hours and could see nothing Of the
longboat. The wind aud sea Increasing,
thought it unsafe to remain longer. We then
pulled to the landing and got both boats safe
ashore Discovered all the provisions were
about three pounds OF bread and five small tins
of preserved meats. We also had chromomt
ter, sextant and compass. l then climbed
the mountain to look for the missing boat but
could see nothing, the fog was SO thick. The
sea had increased so much it stove the boat
sent after the missing boat
The next day, Dc 29tb was hne. I sent
the first mate in search of the long boat but as
he could see nothing Of her, aud no other place
for her to land. concluded she was lost, with
all Oh board, IA in number. At 10 a. m. We
then left the island for that of Tristram
D. Acupha, $50 miles distant, with our provis-
ion, which we thought would sustain life for
five days. and about 20 gallons OF water IN each
boat. We had fine breeze from the s. E.,
and all went we'll until between four and five
d no. Gooch's island distant 30 miles, wind and
sea increasing, the mates boat was upset.
We saved the men, but lost the provisions the
boat contained. Oar boat was no SO deep it was
impossible TO proceed. Our only hope was to
reach Gooch's island again, aud were obliged
to throw overheard the water to tighten the
boat and make room for the oars. By great
exertioDs we succeeded in making GoOch's
Island at 1 a. m OF the 2lst, all completely ex-
hausted, as we had bad but little to eat for
sixty hours. We could not land at the gulch
owing to the heavy surf and strong east wind,
and we pulled 10 the west side of the island to
find landing place and water to driok, but
failed We were now suffering greatly for
want of water. At last we landed on high
detached rock, and climbed to the summit to
spy out landing place, but in vain. how
ever saw q boat rounding the point to the north
ward which proved to be the missing long-boat.
The second mate said, after the wreck, the gale
blew him off and the dense fog prevented his
linz bia hack I'm the east side of the
island they found a hut aud landing, but
placed their provisions there and started in
search of US. He had water and provisions IN
the boat which were God-send to u.s. With
the increasing gale and rain it was p. m:
before we reached the landing and hut, and got
ashore after filling the long boat, but not in
Turing her.
Next day 22J, as We had provisions only for
two weeks, | decided to raise up the long-boat
so as 10 enable her TO Withstand the seas and
winds, and try to make Tristram D'Acunha
again. There was an axe. saw and hammer,
and materials in the but to build up the boat.
The carpenter worked on the boat, and some of
the men made sails fiom an old sail ana the
canvass and hammocks in the hut. The first
mate went to the wreck and got case of lard
weighing 80 pounds. The men killed lot of
peUguins which we cooked BY means of the
utensils ir the hut. Found fish-hooks also,
with which to go fishing next day, aud made
lines by unravelling canvass. The next morn
ing %, sent boat fishing. Caught over q hun
dred averaging half poand, and also caught
quantity Of cray-fsh by throwing nets from
shipwreck. We had now no fear Of starving
aud we proposed to leave in the long boat, Dec.
"a, a. a. NJ, wind moderate, and | mustered
al hands and prepared to leave for Trlstram
D'Acunha. Took half the provisions into the
boat enough for ten men for ten dsys, aud
quantity of cray fish 80 that we could subsist
Is days, and 100 gallons of water in casks
found in the hut. At q. N. myself, "a mate
aud eight men went on board ths long boat
leaving the first mate and sixteen others Oh the
island. We got under way with fine NNW
breeze. Stood to the NE until 2 p. NJ. While
hauling to N by e, tackled 10 the westward.
At7 p. %. GoOch's Island bore to south about
Is miles, breeze fresh, dark and cloudy, wind
steadily increasing. At midnight a fresh gale
and dangerous sea, which caused the boat to
ship considerable water and require constant
bailing. Dec %, (Christmas) weather grew
worse. We shipped great quantities Of water,
requiring constant exertion 10 bailing. AT day.
break we were enabled to avoid the heavy seas
and lesseBed the danger of swapping, but the
gale continued with undated violence until
noon, when 1t began to lull. At 2p. m. wind
moderated, shifting to the westward in heavy
squall. AT p. M. moderated, and Sea getting
regular We pursued our course TO the westward.
At midnight, fine breeze, heavy sea, few
breakers, shipped but little water. Dec. 26,
wind went down TO light breeze, sea mo der
ated, lat. 50 81 S. Dsc q, light south wind,
smooth St q. clear weather. lat. % IL sou b, Ion.
IL 10 W. Made the island of Tristram d.
Acunbs bearing N BIS E, sixty miles; put all
hands TO the oars and pulled until 10 .. m.
Dec %, at Q. No., SET all hauos at tire oars,
light breeze from the northeast during the day.
r. ached the west SIDE of Tristr % D'Acunha
lslaud at IL p N men all exhausted and
bands badly swollen pulling constantly at the
oars for the last "a hours. Lay by under the
lard waiting for daylight.
Dec. 20, at 3 a. M, breeze from ENE pulled
to The Dorth side of the island aud at a. M
were discovered by the Inhabitants who sent a
boat to our assistance, aud helped US to the
landing. The people treated US with the g.eat-
est kindness and consideration, supplied Us
with clothing and did all in their power to
make us comfortable. In the afternoon saw
brig passing to the eastward of the island,
about Is miles distant, aud the Inhabitants
volunteered 10 take me aboard that | might
procure assistance for the rest of my crew. |
reached The brig about 10 She proved TO
BIZ the Swedish brig 'Tyro" from London for
East London, Cape of Good Hope. The cap
tain st first went so far as to refuse to allow me
10 Come aboard, and after his fret mate over
Came that objection. he refused to give me any
assistance In getting my men off Gooch's
Island, but by the advice Of his first mate be
did at length not only AK me on board but he
reluctantly agreed to Call at Gooch's Island,
take five OF the men and leave some provisions
Tor the Others. then left the brig at p. "a.
and landed az 2 a. m.
January 9th saw two vessels approach the
lsiauo. i im medately boarded the nearest
winch proved to be the American whaling bark
ATLANTIC" Capt. B. f. Wing, who kindly
agreed TO proceed to Gooch's Island, rescue the
remainder of my crew and take us to Cape of
Good Hope. l boarded the other vessel which
proved TO De the British ship "Respegerdero,"
Capt. A Purcell. from Liverpool for Calcutta,
Capt. Farcell offered every assistance, taking
seven OF my men, aud would have gone to The
island for the Remainder if needed. He sun
Piled me with quantity of clothing gratis.
Jan. . Went on BOARD the Atlantic with the
second mate aud one man-wbo shinnsd On fbs
vessel-aDd sailed for Gooch's Island' Arrived
January 9. aud on landing, found the but de-
serted and a note from the first mate dated
January l, saving, 1--WE all leave here TO-DAY on
brig Tyro for East London. All WELL" / re-