The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-25
a Drift at Sea.

DriIC RG Se8.
When off the coast of Peru, on the 23d
Of June, 1849, three boats were lowered
for school of sperm whales. Each boat
made fast to whale and Captain IIosmer
soon turned up his. In putting about to
tow him to the ship the boat was capsized
and the boat kcg Containing water lantern
keg boat bucket, compass, paddles, etc., =,
were lost. She was rightcd and the oars
lashcd across her to prevent another over
turn. as she was full of water, and the sea
continually breaking over her. Signals of
distress were set, the other boats beng
about mile and a half of, Captain Hos
mer saw the other boats take their whales
alongside the bark. which was still heading
toward his own, but to his anaazcfncnt
when within about mile, she stood off on
another course and continued 80 until the
coming on of night hid her from the
anxious eyes Of the horror stricken crew.
They now got up alongside the whale and
tried unsucccssfully to free their boat of
water. Relinquishing this hope, they cut
from the whale, and rigging some pieces Of
the boats sail, they stcered toward the
ships light, which at intervals became
visible, but in the morning the distance
had apparently not lesscned. They could
behold their shIpmatcs cutting III their
whales, but all efforts To attract their at
tentlon were unavailing. Again they made
a futile attempt to bail the water from
their boat. Finding it impossible to make
their situation known to their comrades,
and the distance between them constantly
incl easing, they put about before the wind.
On the second morning the wind, which
from the Time they lowered had blown
freshly, being less strong, they threw over
board their whaling craft, and third time
tried to bail their boat, but they lost one
of their companions without accomplishing
their purpose. Again, in the afternoon,
they cssayed, and this time they were
succe siul, but another man was sacrificed
i'll the attempt. For forty eight hours they
had been up to their arms in water, without
morscl of food or drop of drink, and
they were suffering painfully from thirst.
TWO the survivors already were dcrious.
The nearest known land was Cocos Island,
on the coast of Peru, q thousand miles
away; not man on board was capable of
handling an our, and their only means of
propulsion was q small fragment of sail.
For Cocos Island then it was determined
to head, and le ring up the ceiling of the
boat they fashioned from it a sort of
wooden sail. Nothing out of tic ordinary
course of Starvation, thirst, and a rapid
decline of their energies, occurred until
seven days had elapsed, during which time
not morsel of TODD nor drop of water
had lent them strength, nor rcviving
shower had fallen to aid in prolonging their
existence. 1t was now agreed to cast the
terrible lot to see which Of their number
should die that the rest might live, and the
unfortunate man upon whom the choice
fell met his fate without murmur. To-
ward the close of the day shower fell
Being without compass or other instrll.
mcnt to determine their course or situation,
Capt. II osmer was obliged to steer as best
he could with such aid as was afforded by
the north star and the rolling swell of the
sea from the south. On the eighth day
another of their number died from exhaust
ion, and it was deemed necessary to steer
a more northerly course in hopes to again
be blessed with rain. On the ninth day
another shower fell, and his blessing was
followed by the remarkable circumstance
of dolphin leaping directly IN their boat.
Several birds also approached so near as to
be killed by the wanderers, and great relief
was afforded them by these happy events.
On the 18th Of July, land was seen which
PiofCu W NC coCoS lSlttuu <unlnnaDNC0),
in latitude 5 deg. 27' north, longitude 81
deg. 10 west, and this land the shattered
remnant of strong and hardy crew sue
ceeded in reaching.
They succeeded in catching a pig, and,
drinking its blood, were re-invigoraIed A
plentiful supply of birds and fresh water
aided their rccupcration. On the second
day after landing they were ovcrjoycd to
see boat approach. which proved to be.
long to the ship Leonidas, Capt. Swift, of
New Bedford, brother whaleman, then
recruiting in Chatham Bay, and it is need
less to say that all that could be done for
the survivors was done.
In letter from the mate of the Janet to
her owners, he says that after his boat re-
turned to the ship he ran down for that of
the second mate, the only one then in sight
from the ship. They then proceeded in
the direction in which the captains boat
was last seen going, and lay to all night
with all sail set and lights burning. They
crulscd three days, but were unable to get
any trace of the captnin's boat and were
forced to the melancholy conclusion that it
had been carried ,wn by foul line, more
rs he had new limo coilcd
but two days before.
-------S So
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