The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-01
A TALE OF THE SEA.
Twelve Hours on the Bottom OF Boat
in the Atlantic.
rFrom St. John n g. Telegraph.l


[From St. John, n B., Telegraph
Seldom has it been out lot to record a sadder
tale of hardships and sufferings endured than
was related to reporter this morning by Mr..
VIM. A. Finley, Jr., the sole survivor OF the
ill-fated schooner W. H. Rourke. Listening
to the recital of his sufferings ono can scarcely
comprehend that they we're within the power
of human being to endure. Only man
having an iron constitution and an indomit-
able will could have successfully combatted
such dangers. These qualifications Mr. Fin
ley possesses in no small degree, and it is to
them, aid to the assistance OF kind Proyi-
aence, that he now owes his life. Although
the story is filed with the saddest Of recollec-
tions, Mr.. Finley very kindly answered all the
queries that were put to him by the reporter.
"On Friday, 10Th inst.," said Mr. Finley,
I'VE set sail from New York, bound to this
port, with everything looking favorable for
safe and speedy voyage homeward. Coming
out We had very fine weather, which continued
until the following day, when the sky became
overcast. The clouds drifted past us black and
lowering, the sea seethed and foamed around
our little craft, but, never dreaming of the ter
rible danger that We were soon TO meet, we
wf1ru-
came out from the N. e. and blew quite
strong. Anticipating an increase in its vicin-
ity We took in all small sail and scudded
along under lower canvas. Nothing of any
moment occurred until about 1890 o'clock.
We were then running on the port tack. The
steward Mr.. George B. Flowers, was in his
bunk. Suddenly terrible squall descended
en- the vessel, and before we could do any
thing to avert the catastrophe, the schooner
was thrown over on the starboard side, and the
four of us we're struggling iE the water. The
strong current that was running in the op-
posite direction from which the squall struck
us, haStened our upset. Poor Flowers vas
drowned in his bunkl We never saw him
after the schooner capsized. By some means
got hold of the boat which was then bot
tom up. cut the davits falls on the weather
side and as her stern pitched out of the water
l managed to sever the falls on the lee side.
My poor father scrambled on the side of the
vessel l wanted him to get on the boat with
me, but he said it was no use, as he would
never live to reach the land Malachi
Whalen, one of the crew, belonging to Richi-
bucto, struggled to the boat and pulled him
up on to the keel with me. James l.. Nc
Kinnon, the other man, who belonged to
Forche Bay, Cape Breton, was drifting about
on plank. In about half an hour after cap
sizing, the schooner suddenly gave plunge
and disappeared from view enguling my
father with it. McKinnon fioated round for
time, but soon he Guccumbed and was left
alone with Whalen. When I got on the boat
had heavy overcoat on, bnr, knowing that
it would be impossible for me to wrestle with
danger hampered as l was, cast it off and
prepared to battle for my life. 1 could not
swim a stroke and several times was washed
off with my comrade, but always managed to
regain the boat. After battling for three
hours, during which had to drag Whalen on
several times, he at last became exhausted and
died. had to let him 60 to save myself. All
through that dreary night struggled, my
strength gradually giving way, and my body
becoming benumbed with the cold. Morn.
ing found me still seated on my frail hope,
hungry, weak and sore. At o'clock q three
masted schooner hove in sight called to
her, but my voice was weak with the strug-
giles had passed through, and they did not
hear me. When within 800 or 400 yards Of
me they tackled ship and was again left alone
to battle with the waves as best 1 could. 1
saw several sail, but none came close enough
for me to hail. Between 10 and IL O'Clock in
the forenoon drifted ashore at Gay Head, q
little village on the Sound inhabited by color
ed people. My body was black and blue from
exposure. l was so weak that / could scarce
ly drag myself on the beach. As soon as l had
recovered a little strength made my way to a
habitation near the shore. When they heard
my story they lavished kindness upon me, and
did all in their power to make me comfortable.
On Thursday, feeling able to walk about,
started for home, and reached st. John this
morning. My body is yet sere from the effects
of the sufferings endured"