Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-29
Imprisoned in the Ice.
SOME OF THE NOVEL ExPERiENcEs. PLKAsAxr
AND OTHERWISE, OF THE PASSENGERS ON
THE peruvian.

SOME OF THE NOVEL EXPERIENCES, PLEASANT
AND OTHERWISE, OF THE PASSENGERS on
THE PERuvIAN.
The experience of the 900 passengers on
the steamer Peruvian in her months trip
| across the Atlantic was one which probablv
VIII not be repeated in q lifetime. But
although the anxiety and monotony of
few days were decidedly unpleasant, vet there
were novel incidents, exciting scenes and
gorgeous spectacles of nature during the trip
which many would estimate as more than
counterbalancing the danger and hardship.
Several of the Peruvian's passengers were
boston people, and the account they give of
| fifteen days in the ice fields is in MANY
| details OF thrilling interest. In brief review
of some of the happenings Mr.. John +. Will
son, cashier for Gunner, Jones 4 Co., No. II
Summer street. who came as a cabin passep.
ger, said yesterday; 1.-The voyage was very
dull until Friday, the 9th, when we passed
few icebergs. When We went to bed that
night we thought that if lucky we should zee
land the next day. Saturday was cold, and
during the night we struck the ice. We
pushed along, however, At about a knot an
hour. We got out of the thckest of the
field in the afternoon and congratulated our
selves that We were rid of the ice, but as we
entered the gulf we found 1t thicker than
ever, so that we had to stop at 9 o'clock Sun
day evening. ! was on deck about Ave
O'Clock Monday morning, the eighth, when a
great cake of hard blue ice caught in the
propeller and snapped Off all the fianges.
We therefore lay helpless, forty miles
from one shore and twenty from the
other. Four other steamers were in
sight, all helpless like our own. The
loo R.,II
1t was broken here and there by ridges and ir-
regularities about 20 feet high, with occasional
peaks of 40 or 80 feet. The view from the
crow 's-nest showed no water in sight, only a
perfect picture Of the Arctic region.
AT the time of the accident Captain Richie
left the bridge for the first time in two days
and nights, and not once had he been of his
feet, even to sit down. On Tuesday there
seemed nothing for us but to wait and no to
sea with the ice. Some seal fishermen, dirty
fellows, came on board from their vessel a
dozen miles away. That evening the time
was pleasantly occupied by amost interesting
lecture on Tennyson by Mr.. Dawson of
Montreal. The following day snow and rain
prevailed all day, with gale from the north
east. We were wedged fast, and the boat was
as still as house until toward night. The
wind raised quite heavy swell late in the
day, and the effect on the great ice foe was
wonderful The irregular landscape seemed
TO be rising and falling around us with a
strange undulating motion that produced
most peculiar effect on the observer. At
night the sails were set and we made some
advance. A dance in the cabin served 10
make the evening hours less nonotonous.
gain of about 20 miles was made
on Thursday, but at night every
thing was frozen fast, and we
were more firmly wedged than ever As night
approached, the snow-covered hills of Cape
Breton were seen behind us, dark and dresry,
as the last of the storm dropped behind them,
but the west burst into deep golden glory.
as the sun, coming from a great cloud, sp.
preached the horizon. The cloud seemed TO
be hung with gold and silver tinsel, so bril-
liant was the painting Of the suns rays, while
the whole was seen through purplish red
haze. The effect Of the great ILLUMINATION
upon our icy surroundings was a gorgeous
splendor beyond comparison. From every
icy point shone all the colors of the rainbow.
and the dazzling grandeur of the scene was
for time almost too great for human eyes to
bear. None on the ship ever saw anything
that approached the magnificence of that sun
set Many were the exclamations of wonder
and delight as each fresh point of beauty.
more splendid than the last, appeared, until
- -~"~"~" A'ien"s csheu c~tH
others attention to point after point, often
remarking that they would not be believed
when they described the scene at home. But
some OF us wondered if we would ever reach
home to tell the story.
FRIDAY, the 18th, was uneventful. We
were quite near Cape Breton, but about 80
'hhes from any settiement. saturday was just
as dull. and Sunday also dismal. The last
steamer disappeared, and heavy gale fr1m
the northeast was blowing. This meant ship
wreck on the rocks Of Cape Breton. unless
the ice held firm enough TO keep US of. We
continued drifting on Monday and until Tues
nay afternoon, when fog lifted and showed
Inc rocks OF cape Breton close at hand. The
engine was started, and It was found that
stump OF one OF the propeller fanges, about
IL inches long, which was left, was Of little
use. At one O'Clock that night we were in
imminent danger Of going on the rocks. The
ship was turned around, but it was found i'm
possible to keep her head from the shore.
sheerinu ofF Va. Tins ,nrned in ,hs ,;sh, n;
voction We baafad 10, tba .a. .,A ,.n...,a