Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-10
what the Sailors Had 20 Say Absuf the
Prediction.

For the purpose of discovering 10 how
great an extent the shipping merchants and
| seamen believe in he prediction Of Prof.
| WiggiDs that a tidal wave never before
| equsled in the bistery of this world would
strike this country between The 9th and 11th,
New York World reporter recently N ade a
tour along the river fronts and Among those
| in'erested in shipping. The shipping trade
generally ridiculed the prediction, but here
and there sailor could be found who firmly
believed the tidal wave would come, and who
feared TO leave terra fTmd until The date had
passed.
An Italian sailor connected with the ship
2. NJ. Whitmore, which is 10 leave this city
for San Francisco Saturday next, had heard
0i frof. Wiggins's prediction, ard Was badly
rls hleqed 2s ne hayFpS tn hs IL
the reporter, 10 order that none Of his 3m-
psnions might hear him. "Storm DO good.
Anyway, sticka TO ship. l will be kill.
cure"
An opinioa decidedly the reverse emsna-
ted from roundfaced, jolly Irishman, who
was found aboard the seamer Nisgsrs,
which Left for Havana yesterday afternoon
'Sorra bit au | scared shout the storm.
The divil may brake loose and gobble up
that old villain Wsggins, but Iil 90 to say
aud that this day" A colored cook on the
bark Carrie Winslow, which is shortly to
sail for Portland, Ore, was insulted BY the
reporter when be was asked if he feared 10
undertake the voyage. sab" he answered
sngrily, "what you think is? Is sailor.
is, and don't you forget il. Dat niggah
ober dere," pointing scross the pier 10 col.
ored slilor on the bark Norway, SIS skeared
TO def" The reporter learned frou dat
nisgsh obtr dere" that the COOK had never
been 10 sea, AID would make his first voyage
on the Carrie Wirslow. He declared thst
the cook had "neosr been away from his
mudder for Two days at one time"
Mr.. G. A. Mallory, who runs = line of
steamers, to Florida, was asked by The re-
porter whether ne anticipated or had heard
any fears among the sailors as 10 the coming
storm. "None whatever" he replied. "The
steamer Colorado will sail in few hours,
but none of the seamen or officers have given
thought to the prediction"
WIFI the company make any preparation
to guard against its coming"
mo; we pay no attention 10 such Iumorp
Every preparation az regards the safety OF
both passengers and ships is always looked
after, but We do not believe that any great
storm will occur"
A member OF the firm Of Sutton & Co.,
who control line OF clipper ships 10 San
Francisco and other domestic ports, said:
such runors to reach the ears Of the sailors,
but it would make no difference if every
sailor aboard had heard Of it. They trust
their captains dog does his m sster, and
where he goes they will follow. Not one Of
our CAPTAINS place any faith in the reported
Storm"
Capt Baker, of the steamer Niagara,
thought the idea that certain weather could
be predicted two days before il was to occur
was very ridiculous. "No one aboard this
ship has thought of the matter" continued
the captain. ave have no faith in such
nonsense"
Capt Remble, OF the steamer Knicker-
booker, which plies between this port and
New Orlsans, said that the prediction would
not disturb single true sailor. They were
used TO such things. Hardly day passed
bat that some weather fanatic would 60
among ignoras. sailors and predict terrible
weather, that woui freeze the blood OF the
average citizen who REM aims at home on
land. This was, in Capt Kemble's opinion,
very ipjudicious, but sailors "a rule nsver
gave thought 10 such matters.
Among the European shipping agents the
reporter learned that no faith was placed in
the prediction, and that no extra prepare
tions would be made 10 guard against the
alleged tidal wave. The seamen on these
stesmers, with but few exceptions, had not
heard of the prediction and did not desire
TO be informed of it. The few who had
learned of it laughed at the idea, and re-
marked that they would go to sea and meet
it bravely if it should strike their vessels.
Not oae captain of either steamer or sailing
craft was found who placed sny dependence,
on Prof. Wiggins's predic;isn, and many
were OF the opinion that the professor would
not know sloTm until it struck him.