The Republican journal., 1882-06-22
A Sea Captains Strange Story.

THREE WARNINGS On TIE BAHAMA BANKS.
Atameeting Of religious retormers held
In the house of Mr.. William IL Banks,
East Boston, a few evenings since, Cap
tain c. l.. Drisko, who is We'll known as
an able and experienced shipmaster,
spoke III substance as follows:
In the winter Of 1868 commanded the
ship Harry Booth, bound from New York
for Dry Tortugas, with a cargo Of govern
ment stores an I'd 200 mechanics and labor
ers to be employed ON the Notifications
then in the course of construction. When
the ship reached the vicinity Of Abaco
the wind blew a fierce norther, with heavy
rain: the sun had gone down, and the
weather soon became quite dark TO
haul Oft was impossible, the wind blew
too fresh to carry sail, and the only ra-
tlOnal course left was to incur the risk Of
crossing the Bahama banks. The ship
drew II feet, and could not expect that
there was much more than ID feet of wat
er on some parts Of the banks 4 foot is
very little to spare under ships keel !;
but | resolved to take the chance, and ac-
cordingly squared away, that is put the
ship before the wind, and took my de
parture from Berry Island. Having seen
everything in order on deck, left the
chief mate, MIR. Peterson, a careful and
trustworthy officer, in charge, and Went
below for little rest.
At 1880 O'clock heard a voice, clear
and distinct, say: $50 on deck and
anchor..' "Who are you! :" | demanded,
and sprang on deck, for was not man
to take orders from any one. | found
the Ship going along her true course, and
every thing as could wish. questioned
Mr.. Peterson if lie had seen any person
enter the cabin, but neither he nor the
man at the wheel had either seen or
heard any one.
Thinking it might have been hailucin-
alton | went below again; about 80 Il
man with gray great coat and slouched
hat entered the cabin, and, looking me
straight in the face, commanded me to 90
on deck and anchor He left the cabin
deliberately. heard his heavy tread as
he passed before me. once more sprang
on deck and found the ship all right.
Sure of my course was not disposed even
with this second warning to obey any
mali or anything else no matter what ap-
pearance it might put on.
Again | went below, but not to sleep.
for had everything on ready for a spring
on deck. At II 80 a. m. the same man
entered the cabin and more imperiously
than before said $50 on deck and anch-
or" | recognized at a glance that the
speaker was my old friend, Captain John
Barton, with whom had sailed when a
boy, and who treated me with great kind
ness.
sprang on deck, rounded the ship to,
and anchored her with 80 fathoms Of
chain. All hands were called and the sails
furled. Shortly aiterward felt the ship
touch, but neither the mate nor anV one
else noticed it, A few minutes later,
however, all hands felt it. threw the
lead first from one side then from the
other, and found ) fathoms (3O fcet) Of
water | was perpleXed, and asked my
self what it could mean, when the same
voice sang out. "Throw the lead over
the stern" | did so, and to my dismay
found only l31 feet. (The ship drew II
feet) Immediately set the mizzen top
sail and spanker and backed her clear Of
the reef, against which she sheered every
time she brought strain upon her chain.
The danger was past ; the ship rode clear
Of the reef, and sustained but little dam
age where she struck A ship which
spoke me in the early part Of the evening,
and whose captain was not familiar with
the Bahamas, said that he would follow
me, and for this purpose | hung light
over my stern. Watching my movements
closely, he rounded to almost as soon as
did and thereby saved his vessel. No
doubt the nOrther had Swallowed the wat
er on the banks, and if we had continued