Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-12
A WINTER SHIPWRECK.

many inches deep and sleighing was excel
lent. December was ushered in with in
tense cold, the mercury ranging many de-
grees below zero already the Penobscot
river and Cape Jelerson harbor were bridged
with solid ice, as was also the coast around
the bay wherever sheltered from the action
of the sea. 1 had taken charge of the brig
Cashier, of Belfast, Me-, vessel OF about
one hundred tons burden, of light draft,
to seek freighting on the southern coast
till the ensuing spring For an outward
bound cargo to start with l had loaded
with lime at Camden, on freight, for New
York, On the 4th of December, having
got every thing in readiness to sail, only
waited for good weather and fair wind,
but the former seemed very unsettled a
dull leadeu-sky, with bright sun-dogs at
early morning in the eastern horizon, adj
monished me that storm was brewing.
On the 9Th, the wind being more north
erly, with clear sky in the northwest,
decided to make start, as we could make
run of some fifty or more miles, and har-
Dor if necessary. We left Prospect at
noon. At o'clock P. NJ, having reached
Owls Head, and no change of weather for
the worse, we concluded to keep on, and
by nightfall were abreast OF the Island OF
Monheigeu, and from thence ran toward
Cape Ann. At o'clock the next morning
a sudden and heavy squall from the north
struck the vessel, taking the main-sail
aback and parting the boom tackle, jibed
over the sail and unshipping the main
boom, that depriving US of all the alter
sails. We ran west to make the cape, the
wind increasing to heavy gale, in squalls,
from north to east, with heavy sea run
ming, which boarded the vessel by spells,
throwing much water into the cabin, which
I feared might set the lime on fire in the
hold, as our pumps failed to throw out
much water.
About three hours later there was every
appearance of heavy winter storm. Soon
after we made the land, bearing southwest,
which we supposed to be Cape Ann, but at
l2,noon, Invent aloft, and, upon examination,
saw that it was not Cape Ann, but some
part of the south coast which could not
locate. We then put away at once and
ran for Boston. The storm, which had all
the forenoon been threatening, now set in
with great violence in heavy ice storm,
with intense cold, and 30 thick that it was
impossible to see twice the vessels length,
the vapor having apparently congealed-in
fact turned into particles of ice, which,
driven by the violence of the gale, cut like
knife. Our case was desperate indeed !;
but | trusted to a sufficient scale or clear
ing Of the mist which enveloped US, to note
our position being a branch pilot into
either of the channels into Boston har-
Dor, only a moment would suffice. For
this yainly looked until $3.50 P. NJ, when,
perceiving no indication of any lighting up
of the weather, but, on the contrary, get
ting from bad TO worse, and night fast ap-
preaching, / called council of all hands
md briefly stated to the ships company
our critical and perilous situation. / stated
to them that we were rapidly nearing the
head of the bay, and 1 judged were be-
tween Point Alderton and Nahant, and
we had better change our course at once
from northwest to west and run direct for
the land before thick darkness should set
in. In doing 30 we might strike one of the
three channels into Boston hsrbor, and
failing in this, we must meet our fate
amongst the breakers, for shipwreck would
be inevitable, and there would be but little
hope of reaching the land in safety. There
was not dissenting voice, for all trusted
to my long experience as ship-master and
my perfect knowledge Of the coast. Bu!
at such q time, when death stares you IL
the face, when no earthly power can put
forth protecting arm to save, then will 8
lifetime fash through the mind in short
half hour while standing upon the border
land between time and eternity, with the
mercury atleast SO below freezing point, and
men chilled to the heart, incased in ice.
clothing and blinded by the merciless
storm. In this strait the stoutest heart
will quail, and mentally exclaim, " Not my
will, but thine be done"
Long years have passed since that crit
cal moment, but never while life remains
will it be effacsd from my memory. Il
is hard" said my mate, man of age and
nautical experience, after thirty long
years of constant sailing upon this coast
and In and out of Boston harber, to enc
the voyage of life within twenty-four hours
sail of my loved ones at home" and so said
or thought, every man on board.
At SUCH time, when o Crisis is lnevlta'
BILE, all look to the master, if they have conf
dence in him, and a cheering word, hope
expressed, that their voyage may safely
end, is watched for and Of value IN its In.
fuence upon the crew.
Acting upon the result of our council
above referred to, l changed the course OF
the vessel to west, and had not run over
twenty minutes before we saw breakers on
our larboard bow. We avoided them by
changing to northerly course, but a very
few moments after we perceived high comb
ing breakers on either bow, and one di-
rectly ahead, upon which the vessel imme-
diately dashed, and getting near the reef at
the opportune moment, our craft was lifted
up by the incoming rollers and carried
safely within the reef. "God be
praised, Captain % exclaimed a pAssen.
ger, an old sea Captain, "we now
have break-water without US, and
see q chance to save my life. ''And
that of all hands," added. The next set
of rollers lifted and moved the vessel
ahead, tearing off the municipalities and
part of the stern-post, and We moved a
little farther, when the vessel became sta.
tionary. 1t was near 5 o'clock P. NJ and
darkness was fast approaching, but shore
near by to leeward was just visible. There
was not a moments time to lose. We left
the sails set so that if the vessel did not
bilge, she might, with the flood tide, be
driven higher up on the beach, the gale be-
ing fair to force her in that direction.
Then we cut our boat loose from the stays
and dropped her alongside, and putting in
change of dry clothing, with an ak and
s supply of matches, commencing our
selves to God, we all left the vessel and
soon arrived safely on shore. which We
found to be rocky beach with quite an
ascent to the top. We hauled our boat up
to the top and turned her over for shelter
should we require it. Soon after cart
tracks were discovered by our cook, and
hoping we could trace them to some friendly
shelter, we followed them. We had pro.
ceeded but short distance when we were
met by welcomed and never-to- be forgot
ten friend, Mr.. Bailey, who informed us
that we were on Chelsea beach, or Cherry
Island bar, only three miles east of Bos-
ton, and who gave us kind and hearty
welcome at his house, half mile distant.
We were completely chilled, wet to the
skin and nearly blinded by the storm on
our arrival at Mr.. Bailey's.
The reader will wonder how it was that
in such storm Mr.. Bailey should so OPP
portunely be on hand TO meet us, and the
- Thraa uourrr NOR,