Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-06-29
A Terrible Story OF shipwreck.

the wreck Of the American ship Oracle.
which sailed from San Francisco on jan
uary IS, 1883. She was struck by hur-
ricane on March 5, and was buftetted
about for day and 9 night, when land
was discovered close at hand. The Of
fcer says
ssThe ship sailed in between the land
towering up hundreds of feet and into
smooth water, but she then became un-
manageable on account of the eddying
currents. The anchor was got ready,
hut no bottom could be got, and in
short time large edge ofrocks was seen
under our lee, with seas breaking heav-
ily. The ship struck with tremendous
force, but remained only Il few moments,
and then drifted off into smooth water.
Boats were then made ready, differed,
manned and provisioned4 and made fast
to the. ship, which continued to drift
until She struck high ridge of land.
Cast the lead and n found four
fathoms under the stem and ff-
teen fathoms under the stern. Steam
was made on the engine and both pumps
started, but the water gained rapidly.
The boats were brought alongside and
flied with provisions, and we had only
time to seclre few clothes when the
vessel listed Overland sunk entirely from
sight, sliding off into deep water. The
boats then pulled along the shore for
some distance before a landing place
could be found, as the land rose abrupt
" from the water,and in many places
there were high cliffs. A little cave was
found on the east side Of the island,
I'LL ,o,,J h,oob urI ,npci1 10 (,)a s,,cr
though which the provisions were safely
landed. The boats were securely moor
ed. We then built camp from top
sail saved on the side of the hill, and lay
down to sleep that night, completely ex-
hausted in body and mind. The rain,
which poured down, leaked thro dgh the
camp, wetting us, but we slept as sound
ly as in a feather bed at home. From
the time the gale commenced to the
time Of the wreck was sixty-two hours,
and forty-two hours perfect hurricane.
eight days Of heavy weather were
spent on the island before sun observa-
ton could be got to obtain correct pos,
ition. During that time the boats were
being male ready to leave. Our suffer-
ings were terrible. owing to the severe
cold, and the rain, hail, and snow which
came down the greater part of the time,
keeping all wet. The wood was SO green
that it was almost impossible to make it
burn. Expeditions were made by land
and boats. but no signs of life were
found except few native men and
women, clad only with small skin
across the shoulders. We could not un-
derstand anything they said, or gain any
information, but they obliged us to keep
watch night and day on the boats. All
hands oil 81 fr,r l. "a
biscuits per day, with little tea saved
from the ship, and missels, which were
found on the rocks at low tide. Our COR
rect position was found to be east side
Of Herschel Isle, one OF the Hermite
group, eight miles north of Cape Horn.
1t was then decided to start in the long
boat to sea in hopes Of being picked up
by some passing ship and so secure
rescue for the remaining part OF the
crew. On March l6 the long boat was.
ready for sea, and the captain, first Off
Ger, and five able men sailed from the
island at 3 q. M, having deciued to sail
for the Falkland islands through the
Strait of LIE Maire. 800 miles distant,
Soon after leaving it commenced to blow
from the southwest, and SO ran due
southeast about twenty-five miles, but
the sea and wind increased so fast that
course was made for the strait. Toward
night the wind blew very strong, with
heavy squalls Of wind and hail. The
seas came rolling into the boat, keeping
the men balllng out water. All were
wet and cold. The captain dare run no
longer, so headed the boat to the wind
and put out the drag, which caused the
boat to ride we'll, water coming in at
times. During the night our sufferings
were severe, and only with great exer-
ton by pounding themselves could the
| men keep from freezing. When day.
light came the wind moderated. We
then set reeted sails, and at 9a. m.
came to anchor in Success Bay, Strait of
LIE Maire, but we could not land, as the
surf ran so high.
During the day the sun would come
out at times for few moments, thec
heavy squalls of wind and hail would
sweep down the mountain gorges, seem
ingly bent upon our destruction, and
the men dare not try to sleep, for tc
sleep was never to awake. At4 p. m.
the captain decided to put to sea and
make as much progress as possible
while the mems strength lasted, for,
they could stand but little more expos
ure. Had got just underway when u
sal n !, J, was ss, seen entering the strait: and
mercy. Men forgot all their sufferings
and cut oars with will. After four
hours, hard pulling, were rescued by
the German bark Bessel, from Parma
guar to Valparaiso, Saturday, March II,
1883. On reaching the bark's deck, we
found the crew under arms, preparing
to. fight, thinking the boat con-
tanned pirates. Had there been
wind we would not have been rescued,
and no doubt would have perished be-
fore reaching the Falkland Islands. The
next day the bark was in sight of Cape
Horn, withlight breeze and fine weather.
Captain Morrison then asked the cap
tain Of the bark if he would not rescue
the remaining seventeen men left on
the island, as they had but little provis-
ions and few clothes, and offered $500
tor SO doing. The captain would not
listen to anything said, and SO we were
obiged to sail away and leave them to
Their fate, trusting to speedy passage
10 Valparaiso, where assistance could be
mad Immediately. We arrived at Val
paralso April IA. twenty-eight days from
cape Horn, and assistance was at once
asked for from the American Consul"
An Innovation.
MY daughter is to be married next