The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-04-22
Dangers OF the Deep.

lowing dispatch from Valentia, Ireland,
under date of March 9TH, recounting
the narrow escape of the British ship
Brodie Castle, and the encounterlng of
icebergs i'll an unusual latitude in the
South Atlantic Ocean:
Some excitement was created here
to-day by the appearance Of e full rugged
ship tossing about Dingle Bay in tow of
a steamer Many conjectures were
formed as to what she might be, and
about P. Nj. the cliffs and hills were
crowded by eager crowds, as the large
vessel entered the harbor towed by what
proved to be the Cork Clyde Shipping
Co. s steamer Rockabill, Capt Osborne.
Intelligence reached the latter on his AL
rival at Caherciveen on Saturday after
noon that. "a large steamer was in dis
tress between Rossbeigh and Dingle.
With most admirable energy, Capt. Os-
borne, without, we believe, discharging
his cargo. proceeded at once to the scene
of the mishap, and at late hour found
the Brodi cCastle in imminent danger of
running on the rocks. The Brodic Cas-
tie is magnificent ship, bringing 2,5l5
tons Of wheat from San Francisco to
Cork for orders. She left San Francisco
on October 2Sth at noon. Had Gains
and light airs the first ten days and
little or no trades. A continuation of
south winds up to November Cd
Crossed equator November 25th, and
carried light winds through the S. E.
trades, had twelve days east, and off the
Horn, which was rounded on the Sth Of
January - ships off the Horn coast.
Passed a large number of icebergs.
Very thick weather at times. No. S.
E. trades. Crossed the equator Febru-
airy 9th. Had N. E. trades well north
ward. The western isles were passed
on February Goth. Wind east, fine
1t appears that Capt. Seward, of the
Brodic Castle, most experienced COM
mander, who has been master of some
of the finest merchant vessels afoat for
the past 80 years, reckoned he was at
least 70 miles from land ON Friday
night. Though the closest watch was
kept no lights were observable from the
Skelligs Rocks. The light shown from
Basket Island lighthouse was mistaken
for the Fastnet light, and were it not for
Valentia harbor lighthouse being readily
traced on the chart, the Brodic Castle
must have been dashed on the rocks
While in this dilemma she was boarded
after some difficulty, by q pilot, John
Flaherty, from DINGHY, and soon after
the Rockabill hove in sight, and rem
dered every assistance. To tow such
vessel as the Brodic Castle by-compar
atively speaking-the tiny Rockabill,
was task of no ordinary difiiculty-no
less than nine hawsers snapped, till at
last Captain Osborne said if another
failed, if he got $500 for doing so he
should refuse to stand by any longer.
Captain Seward afterwards told your
correspondent, "Were l in Captain Os-
borne's position that night, for $4,000 /
would not venture to do as he did," At
last another attempt was made and
proved successful, and after many hours
hard work, the magnificent Brodic Cas-
Tic was sate Ill Tue narDOr OF NalcnUa.
Captain Seward speaks in the highest
terms of the Captain Of the Rockabill,
and warmly eulogizes his seamanship
and good temper under peculiarly trying
circumstances. The Captain of the Bro
die Castle is particularly DESTROYS of put
ting the following on public record. He
has for great many years made voy
ages from San Francisco to the United
Kingdom, but never till this voyage
has he seen icebergs in latitude, so de-
grees g., 40 degrees so minutes W.
This is in the direct track taken by all
vessels. 1t is to the east Of the Falk-
land Islands. Here seven icebei gs Wee
observed, some 800 feet high-huse
monsters Captain Seward says: "This
is unparalleled and unaccountable to
me. l fear many vessels passing this
spot may never again be heard of, the
danger is here SO unexpected and unfor
SEEN"