Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-24
CAPT. DRssKO,s GHOST STORY.


Prom the Boston Traveller, May Is.
At meeting Of religious reformers held In
the house Of Mr.. William II. Banks, East
Boston. few evenings since, Capt. c. p.
Drisko, who Is well known able and ex-
perienced shipmaster, spoke in substance rs fol-
lows
"In the winter of 1865 commanded the ship
Harry Booth, bound from New York for Dry
Tortugas, with q cargo of government stores
and 200 mechanics and laborers to be employed
on the Notifications then In the course of con-
struction. When the ship reached the vicinity
Of Abaco the wind blew fierce norther with
heavy rain; the sun had gone down. and the
weather soon became quite dark To han! off
was impossible, the wind blew too fresh to
carry sail. and the only rational course left was
70 incur the risk OF crossing the Bahama banks
The ship drew Ia feet, and I could not expect
that there was much more than Is feet Of water
on some parts Of the banks. foot is very lit
tie to spare under ships keel; but resolved
10 take the chance, and accordingly squared
away. that Is, put the ship before the wind, and
took my departure from Berry Island. Having
seen everything in order on deck. left the
chief mate, Mr. Peterson, a careful and trust
worthy officer, in charge and went below for
little rest. At 1880 O'Clock | heard a voice.
clear and distinct, say: Go on deck and
anchOr!' Who are you? / demanded, and
sprang on deck, for / was not a man to take
orders from any one. I found the ship going
along her true course. and everything as /
could wish. i questioned Mr.. Peterson If he
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 NAV have
been hallUcinaton went below again; about
11:5O a 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 ne passed before me-
Once more sprang on deck and found the ship
all right Sure of my course | was not dis
posed even with this second warning to obey
any man or anything else. no matter what ap-
pearance it might put on. Again went below
for spring on deck. At 1880 am. the same
man entered the cabin, and more imperiously
than before sand: Go on deck and anchOri' I
recognized at glance that the speaker was my
OLD Trend. Capt. John Barton with whom l
had sailed when boy. and who treated me
with great kindnes- j sprang on deck. rounded
the ship to. and anchored her with so fathOms
OF chain. All hands were called and the sails
furied. Shortly afterward felt the ship touch.
put neither the mate nor any one else noticed it.
few minutes later. however. all hands felt it.
i threw the lead first from one side then from
the other, and found fathOms 800 feet of
water. i was perplexed, and asked myself
what il could mean. when the same voice sang
out. Throw the lead over the stern?' / did SO,
and to my dismay found only 49, feet. CThe
ship drew IA feet.) i Immediately set the
mizzen topsai and spanker and backed her
clear of the reef, against which she sheered
every time she brought a strain upon her chain.
The danger was past; the ship rode clear of the
reef. and sustained but little damage where she
struck. A ship which spoke me i'm 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 water on the banks.
and If We had continued i'm our course we
both might have been wrecked. Will those
who assume that the spirits OF our departed
friends do not take an interest in us please ex-
plains What have stated is true. 1t was the
spirit of departed friend. Capt. John Barton,
wei known as one of the best shipmasters in
the country. He commanded among others the
ships Talleyrand and Superior, and was e.
teemed by all who ever knew him. Ny voyage
h the Harry Booth was entirely successful"