The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-02-18
Written for The RECORD.
"REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE To
THE NORTHERN SEAS,
BY GEO. C. WESTON, N. Y.
No. Is.


menced, and we were all in the best of
spirits. notwithstanding the rough wealth
er we were experiencing, for, although it
was blowing pretty hard and the sea was
running high, the wind was a fair one
aud was carrying us rapidly towards our
destination. For two days the wind con-
tinued fair, and we had made considerable
progress on our voyage. Then we had
head winds for a few days, aud very
rough weather; the wind being right in
our teeth, we were forced to lay to, under
close reefed sails and await fair weather
and favorable winds. We would first
have two or three days of fair sailing,
/ then about the same of head winds, and
then calm. In this way we had man
aged to reach point off the coast of Mas
sachusetts, known as Nantucket Shoals,
where we had the worst weather that had
been experienced during the whole voy-
age.
1t was one evening about eight bells
and the wind blowing pretty strong,
when the port watch had just come on
deck, that We had our flying jib, boom
and all, carried away. The starbosrd
watch had furled the gaff-top sail aud
fore-top gallant-sail, and as the port
watch came up, they received orders to
furl the flying jib. One seaman had just
reached the halliards to lower the sail,
when, with a report like six FOUNDER,
the boom broke short off, just at the end
of the bowspIit. Away went the sail,
blown from the b9lt-ropes, looking like
large balloon. The boom, which was fast
to the bob. chains aud several wire stays
was dragged along with us. Both watches
were now required to cut away the boom
aud furl the fore top. sail, which was
straining the mast fearfully, as the fore
top-mast. aud fore-top- gallant stays were
made fast to the boom, now being towed
alongside, and when the boom had snap
ped there was nothing to stay those masts
except where they were clamped to the
lower mast. 1t was no easy matter to cut
the boom clear from the wire stays and
iron chains which had became wrapped
and twisted around it.
To add to our discomfort, it began to
rain and freezing as it fell, everything
soon became coated with ice. Before the
fore-top. sail had been furled one of the
seaman had his fingers badly frozen, and
several of those engaged in clearing away
the mass of tangled rigging forward, Jared
in like manner 1t was midnight before
we succeeded in getting everything in
ship shape again, and the port watch
went below, while the starboard, having
lost their watch below, were forced to re-
main on deck another four hours. When
we did get below, which was at eight
bells the next morning, g o'clock, A. No
we were unable to sleep much, for the
other watch bad been set to work beating
the ice off the rigging and sails, and this
made such noise that sleeping was i'm
possible.
In the afternoon we sighted Sandy
Hook pilot boat, and lowering a boat, the
Captain went aboard From those on
board, we obtained some New York daily
papers, which, although month old,
were eagerly perused by us. The wind
had died out about noon, but there was
quite heavy sea running, in which our
vessel tumbled about in helpless way.
We were very glad TO get little breeze,
which sprang up towards evening, and
when we went below we were in sight OF
the Montauk Point Light, on the eastern
end of Long Island. The wind continued
to freshen, and soon after midnight, New
London Light was sighted, and in short
time we were gliding up the Thames.
We let go our anchor in the river near tue
New London side and our voyage was
ended. The officers ordered US to furl
the sails, but we sat on the yards and
laughed at them. AS they we'll knew
our voyage was ended when the anchor
dropped, they told us to do as we pleased
about it, and good naturally babe us
goodnight, as they embarked for their
homes on shore.
Then commenced our packing up and
getting ready to go ashore in the morn
ing. About daybreak some 'longshore-
men came aboard, hoisted the anchor, and
tug boat brought us up alongside the
dock. With happy hearts we stepped
lightly ashore, on the same spot, where,
the soil of our native country. 1t was
Thanksgiving Day, and we all felt like
giving thanks to the Great Ruler above
for watching over us, and guiding US
safely back to our native land. think
that we were about the happiest indi-
viduals in the city of New London that
day. AS the stores and business houses
were closed, we were forced to remain till
the next day, before we could settle our
voyage with the owners of the vessel on
which we had sailed. We then received
our individual shares of the proceeds of
the voyage, excepting the bone and oil
which had been stolen from us.
Those who had came from New York,
each received ticket, free, to return, in
addition to their pay for "services rem
dered.'' had not made any prepare
tions for leaving for New York, SO soon,
SO therefore, did not accompany the bal
ance of the party, who left that evening.
However, wished each one farewell, and
a safe trip, aud have never since seen but
one Of them, and he is now in business in
the city of Philadelphia. We often see
each other, and sometimes speak of the
time when we trod the deck together, in
our lonely night watches, and joined in
the exciting sport of chasing and captur-
ing whales.
have endangered iu this short account
of'"A Voyage to the Northern Seas"
to give my readers the plain facts, being
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