The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-14
TOLD BY A GREEN HAND.
TIE REMARKABLE STORY OF THE Loss
OF NIX. CARDINUS BBIG.

rusty machinery could be seen between the big
deck tlmbers from which part of tho planks had
been ripped. The old flagstaff over the tafrrail
had been broken short of leaving the splnters
projecting up few inches. and tho rail- once
smooth and glossy. was rough and cracked
from exposure. Altogether she was sorry
sight when n young man stopped. as he walked
down the pier. and ga2ed at hor. A pleasant
looking. well-dressed old gentlemen with the
easy air OF man who knows what he Is going
to do and is not worried by the prospect. stood
on the stringpiece. with his hands In his pock-
cts looking her over also.
Wreck ?" asked.the young man.
mo. Never saw many wrecks tied up at
New York piers. but I've seen them in some
other places"
Been TO sea2"
Yes. but not fol- twenty years past"
Been wrecked yourself most likey?"
Several times
Lucky that you escaped with your life every
time"
We'll. it wasn't always luck. I guess. that
saved my life"
"Oh. didn't mean to use luck in its ord-
nary sense. No doubt. presence OF mind has
much to do in such cases. can easily imagine
that you would never be lacking in that
Il can't say about that. but if you were to
try to explain how my life was saved on the
first voyage made l think You would say that
forethought did it, Yes. there was IL deal OF
forethouGht in that voyage" and the old man
smiled in queer way as he looked over the
river at the red brick tower that is conspicu-
Gus landmark on the hill north of Hoboken.
Yes ?" said the young man inquiringly.
No doubt about IT, Forty years ago it was
the height OF noble ambition TO GO to sei.
There lay the road To honor and wealth. with
exciting adventure and the pleasures of travel
OIL each side Of 1t. Those were the early days
OF the Greatness OF American commerce. l
well remember reading in one OF tho maya
zines published then an article which spoke Of
the depIorabe strides made by foreign compe-
tition. because nearly ,one-halt Of the ships in
1oa,ed the British nas. suppose tho writer
could walk down West street now!
But was going to tell YOU what forethought
had 70 do with shipwreck. My father in
and had an IL .naintance in this city that
made it easy for hun to get me n berth for any
kind Of voyage wanted 10 so on. |, hap
swarihy. black eyed man. who always dressed
s;ylishly and spoke to, every one very politely.
200 tons measurement. which he was loading
for New Orleans. She had taken II cargo Of
Fn sed ana Ind f2ee f9 bs
and iron. and | don't know what all to this
port, and consequently went into dock over in
what is now the Atlantic Bias n for repa r..
When she came out the repairs had made hcr
rs good as new. SO ! heard 1t said. Another
very funny. After l had shipped nj NJ. Carli-
nos Office. he and another man went with mo
down to the pier. There lay the brig AS neat
MS n new pin. | went over the side of her and
then Mr.. Cardino said TO mo-
This gentleman is Capt. Henderson. as
what you are told you'll! have no trouble
Take n look around. and then come on
row morning o sad CAPT HENDERSON, neA w. HUI
just then Il sprightly young fellow camo
over the gangway, and touching his cap polite
ly took slip OF paper from his pocket.
Here Is the bill for repairs. sir. he said.
Mr.. Cardino looked it over, and then asked
iorsto"t' and Why he didn't make the charge S
fornew planking higher. The young man smiled
seemed to me- Very funny to hear "a man HSS COM
plain because bill for repairs was too low.
- was on the dock ready TO end n hand half
IN hour before l was wanted next morning
but Zen got to work | found that Capt Hem
derson was ready to give mo all sorts of in
me all sorts of questions about it. 1t was gon-
oral merchandise. but there was a lot of silk in
some Of the boxes of Sink we're ' "ncned I lat
when began to Eft mp one rol! on the top Of u
box to see what kind OF pattern Tie SIX M
| WAY ncr SIS he deck with his open hand.
| The goods came from three different down
| town stores and were all looked over carefully
| before they We're slowed | remembered after
ward that "A policeman on tho dock was treated
| very civiy. He was asked to guess nj tho
| number Of yards OF silk in some Of tho boxes
| and when 10 won the drinks By coming within
my yards ne g2t n2itls OF cHSsmnagpe,
tho dock were asked how. they liked the pat
| terms OF somo SAMPLES which Ilr. Card inc mad.
| dumped of truck; and board came loose.
showing some silk hosiery. These gentlemen
| that line would he profitable. Their answers
invariably caused Mr.. Cartino to show his
white teeth, and the chat ended with bottle
In week we sailed. Ibunked in the fore
castle and as the CAPTAIN and the mate 'r"a! ,e
| had eNceent grub anu all hands said she WAS
II think we had been out about ton da Us
when along in the afternoon. after good deal
| OF light weather it began 70 breeze up from
southerly and oastcrly 50 that We had TO tska
| in the royals and lay her lull and by. The
nigh. came on thick, but the Captain wa, n
good one to carry on, and kept the ionsallant
| look after the port rigging. because We were
| likely to have heavier weather before we had
settincun. This remark made the mate laugh.
and the Captain Joined N. We were on the
Wbnn tb tfk neadIn S on h shore at the &
| aid of Portuguese sailor. the vessel went
about and beaded in shore. L was dark by
that time, Then the mate went into the other
| rigging. | was aft when he came inboard and
SAID in low voice TO the Captain; That -
Portuguese wanted to know why | was letting:
out the lanyards to starboard Just now
The Cantain, made no answer. and at $
deck again. The BRIG was 's st on the MI port %i
tack. I went aft to help at tho wheel. The
| Captain ordered man M to the fore cross
|
| whole watch through.
The mate was Iust tanning on tho second
| mate > window TO lot him know that it was 1
| O'Clock, and had passed the word to cal tho
watch and strike eight bells. when the man up
| alolt san. out:
+" Breakers on tho Ice bowl
-, An hands tack ship. bawled the mate,
Hard down yer heIun.'
| Then to the Captain who had Just come
| out Of tho cabin again. he said: beautiful
weather. amt it, Think she'll make it?
! didn't hear the Captains reply The brig was
mighty lively in stays and she came round with
jump. The head sails came aback first, and
| then with u tremeadous crash the foremas t
went by the board, and the maintopmast broke
| of short az the cap ] heard the lookout give
| one veil. but he never gave another. Fifteen
minutes later we were among the breakers, and
| the waves were lifting her up and pound nG
her down on tho sand in a way that could have
| but one result.
The men were terribly frightened. There
was one OF them gone. II was tive inquistive
| Portugnese The Captain was remarkably
cool. There is nothing to fear he said to me,
have been ashore three times on the Florida
! coast. and Mr.; Hodgskins here has been ashore
four times. We always got off the ship wien
| daylight came without difficulty
| , was reassured by what he said. although