The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-04-22
1 Terrible Story Of Hardship an1
Starvation.

NEW YORK, April II
Tn steamship Nebo, from Rio Janeiro, ar
rived to-day. Her Captain reports that he tell
in with the bark Tiger, from Liverpool for
provisions aad supplied her. The crew were
in the NEST depIo-able condition, having sua
tanned life for several days on strips Of leath-
Or soaked IN hmp-oil until the oil gave out,
and then on the Captains dog, after which
there was nothing but cannibalism and death
staring them In the face. To add to their suf-
ferings, TIVE vessels passed several days before
within short distance, but paid NO attention to
their signals Of distreeo ~
A the steamer Nebo came up with the II
eer, they saw the latter lowering . boat.
After some moments Of hard STRUGGLING abe
came alongside. her occupants dressed In oil
skins. and evidently very weak.
"what Do yeu want7' sang out Captain Cor
don. Z
1--WE arc starving to death! We are searv-
ing 70 deathy' exclaimed . man in the STERN
sheets. excitedly.
ibid you say you were starving:" demanded
the Captain again, In surprise.
ayes, We are starving. See, this Is all We
have had to eat for nine days"
He held aloft the skin of . dog. and one Of
the mea held up q piece Of boot leather.
"God help usr' exclaimed Captain Gordon.
"Come on board right away and We will do
what we can for you.' ladder was then
lowered, and the men were helped aboard the
Nebo and given food. The young German
commander Of the Tieer told the Captain
of the Nebo he had been seventy-seven
days out from Liverpool with q cargo
of common salt, and he had been
in q most dreadful condition. He was
bound to Baltimore, and made Cape Henry
early in January, and was blown on shore into
the Gulf Stream. From that time he had
been tossed hither and thither by the winds
and currents. He had twelve men before the
mast, all of whom had displayed tie utmost
fortitude under the most trying circum-
stances. Provisions ran short one month
ago The beef gave out first, and then the
bread, nine days ago; that is. nine days be-
fore spoken by the Nebo. The last drop Of
wafer was drunk, and then. three days Later,
everything, even to boots and shoes. had been
devoured. They were literally without bit
or sup" The Captains dog had been killed,
skinned and eas en-. Then lots were cast for
the cat. The poor beast was saved by the Cap
tain himself, who bssou2ht the men not to de-
stroy it. The starving men spared the cat, cut
UP their boots. soaked the strips in lamp oil,
and ate them. This horrible food gave
out, and then the poor wretches eyed
each other suspiciously and hungrily,
and would have killed the cat
could they have found it. But the Captain
hid 1t, and the pangs Of hunger were unap-
peased for ave days. Some CT the men medi-
tated suicide. God knows how many of them
thought Of murder and cannibaliSm. Has he
steamer not come to the rescue, the Csptai Of
the Tiger said he thought something more ,.r-
rible than starvat on would have been enact.,..
The NebO sent a months provisions Oh board.
When the first bOa:-lond arrived the
mate leaped aboard the Tiger, eating q
biscuit. He was bounced upon by
his shipmates, who literally fought
like dogs for a cracker. Then they rushed
upon the other provisions and tore hem In The
same way as famishei wolves mi2ht Fave
done. The officer of the Neho adds: "wegot
the provisions on board and set them at large
once more They Shook the reefs out Of their
topsails, set their topgallanc sails, AMI steered
in our wake. The wind was right att, but the
vessels bottom was so full of barnacles that
she could no: make mucl Roadway. she was
able to get alGny. however and when last we
saw her she We 81 -',-li-'~ s'''r', and thanks"