The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-02-04
Written for The RECORD.
"REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO
THE NORTHERN SEAS.
BY GRO. C. WESTON, N. ,
No. IS.

as she was, to tremble from stem to stern
with the shock. A considerable quantity
of water was shipped over the bows,
which caused us to beat rapid retreat
aft. 1t required the united efforts of two
men at the wheel to keep the vessels
ing to clay to- till the storm was over;
"beating" to windward being out of the
question, in such gale. Oui vessel was
behaving splendidly, when gigantic
cross-ses struck the rudder, breaking the
after stanchion of the wheel. The wheel
now being beyond control, spun around
like buzz-saw, throwing one of the
helmsmen, who had tried to hold fast,
completely over it, breaking one of his
ribs. Two tackles we're got out, brought
aft, and, after lively chase, the wheel,
(Which was shifting one and was flying
back and forth across the deck), was cap
tured, tackle hooked on each side, and
in this way we had to steer till the car
penter repaired the broken stanchion.
Before we had regained control of the
rudder the vessel had worked around into
the trough of the sea, and was rolling and
shipping water fearfully. As soon as the
wheel was properly secured, we manned
the pumps and found considerable water
in the we'll, which was soon pumped dry.
The storm continued to rage all that
night, and when morning came, showed
no signs of abating. Instead, it seemed
to increase in violence, till our Captain
deemed it advisable to shorten the sail
still further. The main. sail was furled,
and storm-sail bent on to the mast in
its place. We then lowered the fore-sail,
to put in another reef. Before the reef
could be taken, the sail caught over the
wais-boats' forward davit and was badly
torn. We then had to lower the sail COM
pletely, while we repaired damages. The
double thick canvas of which the sa il was
made, had became wet, and sewing 1t,
was slow and difficult matter.
A rather amusing incident occurred
while we were mending the sail, illus
trating the old adage of drowning men
grasping at straws." Some were sitting
on top Of the try-works sewing the sail,
while others were on the carpenters
bench, aft of the try-works, holding it
for US. While we were thus employed, a
cross sea broke over the rail, sweeping
our shipmates, who bad been sitting on
the bench, across deck, and the vessel
leaning over that way, were totally i'm
mersed. When the water ran off and the
vessel righted again, we beheld one of
them holding on tightly to large grind
stone, which he had laid hands upon as
he was swept off the carpenters bench.
For long time that stone was called
"Gilly's life preseryer, by the crew,
Gilbert being the christian name of the
seaman who had endeavored to use it as
such.
After our sail had been shortened, the
steering became easier, and the carpenter
having put in new stanchion, the tackles
were unlocked and one helmsman, only,
was required. Towards evening the storm
showed signs of abating and the next
morning broke bright and clear The
wind had died out, but the sea was still
very rough, and we rolled and pitched
nearly as badly as the previous day. We
laid becalmed in this manner for five or
six hours, when breeze springing up
from the westward, we shook the reefs
out of our sails, and, with a fair wind
sped on our course.
The natives who had accompanied us,
had been suffering greatly from sea sick
ness and fear, hardly daring to come on
deck during the storm. They will, no
doubt, remember their first voyage in an
"Oomiakchu," as long as life with them
lasts. Our injured shipmate had been
tax on down into the cabin and treated by
the Captain, who assured us that he was
getting along finely. The wind continu-
ing fair, we soon sighted Ok-et- leah,
where we once more anchored. A party
of natives on shore soon saw us, and came
| Oh W thC NCSbui. uo bWO WuOu VIC nuu
brought with us, were recognized by
them, but no demonstrations of welcome
were made by them on board of our yes-
sci, beyond few nose rubbings, this be-
ing their mode of salutation, but as soon
as they returned TO the shore grand jol-
LITIGATION was INDUCED in by all, in honor
of the wanderers return.
No whale-feed was to be seen in the
water around Ok-et-le-ah, SO fearing the
Fall whaling would not amount to any
thing at this place, we hoisted our anchor
and set sail for "Gomanke,'' harbor
near where we had wintered. After
| pleasant voyage we succeeded in reaching
our destination, where we once more
dropped anchor.
We were rather surprised to observe a
vessel lying quietly at anchor In the har-
Dor, but short distance from us. She
was little smaller than us, but was a
trim, staunch looking little craft, and on
her stern we read her name: The "Delia
Hodgkins,' of London, Conn.,, showing
her to be from the same port as ourselves.
A boat was soon lowered from the stran-
ger, which brought off her Captain and
First mate, who came aboard to visit us.
Our Captain was we'll acquainted with the
Hodgkins' Commander, as he had once
sailed as Mate with our Captain. The
boats crew came forward to where we
we're, and commenced telling us of their
voyage up, as it seems they had been but
a short time in these waters, and had
taken no whales as yet. Nearly all their
crew were "green-hauds," they told us,
and they were very glad to see land once
more, having had rough voyage, up.
Now, that they were anchored, and in a
snug harbor, they imagined that all their
troubles were at an end, until their re-
turn. We assured them that on the con-