The sun., 1881-06-26
THE DANGERS OF THE DEEP.
Capt. sparks'a Crew Not Pulled Down by N
Whale, but Alive after Much Suffering.


PRovINcFTOwN, June 23.-Capt Sparks, be-
fore reported lost from the whaling schooner
Edward Lee, arrived here last night from Pen
sacoIn. aud gives the following account:
On May II. 1881. at 1890 Z. NJ. boats were
lowered for whales. The mate won't on and fast
5s Sns4 to Gns AND wsqY + Sh"f1 Of tss 9hsr
started for the vessel At 4:3o o'clock made
the vessel dead ahead 10y compass due east. and
nt sunset saw the hull plainly still continued
pulling until Il. NJ, aud not seeing any lights
or vessel, hove TO and headed north. At day
liGht all hands looked for sni and not seeing
any stood due north until noon. Then stood
southwest: at night hove to; next morning run
to northwest until noon, then run southwest.
We were now IN terrible suffering. l0O0 miles
from land. None 81 tho men had any clothing
cNGnnt shirts and pantaloons, not a coat or
jacket. and every one OF the six persons bare
loot, When we lett the vessel the breaker was
full OF water but every drop was dranS before
was headed Tor the West Indies. in hopes that
If not taken oil 10y some passing vessel. We
might reach some ono Of tho Windward Islands;
On the sixth day May 2ll saw school of small
sperm whales. and though every man in the boat
were much reduced from tho long last ana eX-
posurc, nm attempt was made to capture ono OF
these whales for food. | placed mysolt in tho
hoAd of the boat and, holding the iron as best
could. the momentum OF the boat iorccd the hhr-
poon into tho whale. which, uninE worry tamO
one was finally killed. though, before dying, ho
knocked against the bOat 50 hard rs to lnIure It
mud cause /. to leak badly. From THIS whale we
succeeded in cutting Hhout fifteen pounds OF
flesh which was eaton raw. lasting two days.
when We again suffered from the paIgS OF nun
ger. Rain showers could be soon passing each
side OF the boat hut very little fell on US. In
the whole eleven days perhaps two gallons OF
water were caught in the boat, but. being mixed
with salt water, 1t did not .qucnch our tnrst.
Sometimes u mist in the night would wet our
shirts. which wero Ereodiy sucked. AT times
drank salt water, which had n bad effect on tho
men. Ono might u flying fish came into tho
boat. 1t was cut into sixteen pieces andeHtrn.
Tho eleventh dny attnr leaving tho vessel we
fell in with a German bark told tho Captain OF
our situation, but received no invitation 70
come on board: begged Of tho Captain OF tho
bark to give US food and water. The Captain
made no reply, but in about ton minutes tho
cook brought each man small drop OF wator
and ono hard tack asked for accommodate
ton for myself and crow and was refused, and
told to go on board OF another vessel that had
hove in sight. | told tho Captain that he might
shoot mo or throw mo and boats crew over
hoard. but that would not willingly leave with
tho prospect OF not being soen 10y tho
other vessel. she being so far away. FL
nally. the bark was hovo to and signal set
which was noticed by tho other vessel. Alter II
whila tho Captain insisted that ! with my men
should leave his vessel. he promising to lay by
until lie was sure the second vessel saw us.
With this promise We We're helped into our
boat. the limo cast on. and Immediately tho
harks yards were squared. and sho was OF.
Tho second vessel was about two mlos away,
ana proved to be tho German bark A. kluck-
man, Capt. Horny Abel Of Melnol. who kindly
took us on board and gave us such treatment as
we needed. | did not learn the name ot tho
vessel or the Captain whore | first applied for
bound to Gibraltar. We were on board tho
klOckmnn twenty-five days whom We were
safely landed at Pensacola and most kindly
treated. We left there on sunday.