The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-03-24
MISCELLANY.
O0NVTCTS ON THE SEA--THE DOOM
p s. ED SHIP or MARA THON.

We were about eight hundred miles south
of the Cape of Good Hope, and our ships
head pointed nearly due east. :" Twelve knots
an hour" says to the skipper, in reply to
=" How much is she making pn The dripping
log line was rolled up andthe time-glass plac-
ed away in the pinnacle. An extra pull was
taken on the braces, the yards pressing hard
against the stays, and right well did the old
Marathon " lie over from the heavy breeze
that swelled our canvas to its greatest tension.
l hove the log again. a
How much now ?" says the skipper.
"Twelve and half sir.a 4t
e guess that is about all we can get out
of her. with this wind that extra pull gave
her the other half KNOT
In ten days after passing Kerguelen's Land,
the high and irregular coast of Australia, was
raised from the nast-head by our, first mate,
Mr.. Boiler, WHO shouted the glad tidings TO
this on deck. No sooner bad the sound. of his
voice died away than bakers dozen were
running up the ratlnes, eager to obtain even
distant view Of the great island.
A number of us old salts, who had sailed
for Australia BEFORE contented ourselves by
shutting the air like SO many porpoises.
After we had passed between Tasmania
-and the South Sea Continent we caught
light breeze on our quarter and headed for
Sydney No sooner bad we dropped our
right bower in the river just off the town,
than our vessel was boarded by the surgeon
of the port, who examined our papers, and
being satisfied that we were in good health,
our ship was allowed to haul up nearer the
city. The old man went ashore to make his
report to the consul, but when he returned,
his face wore troubled look. He called Mr..
Bolter and myself into the cabin, where to
our surprise and chagrin, he stated that the
consul informed him that when the cargo was
discharged. he should have topress the ship
into service for the government to carry lot
of convicts to Van Dieman's Land The YES
sci that brought them was disabled and could
proceed no further.
The skipper demonstrated against the seiz-
ure, but it was of no avail. The consul said
he was sorry. but it could not be avoided
our vessel being the only one in port that
would answer the purpose, and the convicts
must be got off without delay. This news
found it's way among the crew, and several of
them ran away and took to the bush, not car
ing to risk themselves at sea with lot of
desperate men fresh from the prison of Eng
land. The skipper quieted the fear of the
rest by telling them that no danger could pos
sibly arise, as the convicts would be heavily
ironed and placed between decks with guard
over them. # #
0n the following morning, between decks
were prepared for the reception of our live
freight. A strong double bulkbead was put
up lust forward to the cabin, and one just aft
of the chain lockers, and extra bars and pad
locks were procured for the matches. iaeA
When surveyed the work Of the govern
ment carpenters my mind felt somewhat cas-
Ter.
Everything being in readiness, our guests
were marched down between files of soldiers.
Each convict was handcufed, and on the right
ankle of every man an iron ring was fasten-
ed, to which were attached heavy chains.--
Six of them being fastened together, their
movements were quite slow and retarded. AS
they filed up the gang plank of the deck,
counted eighty seven. Some were large,
powerful men others were weak and wore a
sickly expression but they all had look Of
logged determination, their closely cropped
hairand striped trousers aud jackets making
them look all the more savage. When NUM-
Der eighty seven reached the deck, they were
drawn up in line and inspected by the super
intendent and his assistants. Each convict
was thoroughly searched in order to see IL he
had any weapons.
Nothing was found, however. but what was
proper for them to have. So the inspector
informed us that there would be no danger,
and we would soon be rid of them. The
guard that was to accompany us had been Sc
lected with, great care, each one having a
inusISet two revolyefs and a cptass. Several
extra casks of water were got on board for
fear we would not have enough to last during
the run. AS no signs of our runaways were
to be had, The skipper was obliged to ship
several men in order to I'LL his compliment -
One of these fellows was a villainous looking
customer, and | asked the captain why he
shipped such man.
He replied that it was the best be could do
Sailors were scarce, as nearly every one was
of in the mines, or stock raising. told Cap.