The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-10-01
Sailors Yarns,

"Wel. it war forty-five years ago coming
next December when left Liverpool, afore the
mast on good tight ship, and since then
guess I've seen just about all of the world there
is to be SEEM" remarked an old sailor, with
grizzed beard, to Star reporter, the other
day, in the Sailors Snug Harbor "Don't put
me down, though, as laid by for good" contin-
ued the old man; I'm only in here for repairs.
I'm kind of, as it were, so to speak, on the dry
Dock Here the conversation was interrupted
somewhat by the old chaps struggle with a
pain in his leg.
Its nothing but the rheumatism, and when
get the better of it | have an offer to ship for
Melbourne" said the old sea-dog. after appro-
priating the Star mans whole supply of fine
cut.
You have had some rough experience at
sea-"
well, yes, | reckon, just a few. but the
worst time | ever had was in '65. | had shipped
from London to the Brazils. and we were about
twenty days out Ii was winter. and talk about
zero snowstorms and cold here! Why. I'd bet
my last grog that it must have gone way lower
than it ever went before We met stiff nor
wester, and it seemed as if it war raining Ice. |
do think that's the time these rheumatcs got
fast III me. for ever since I've been more or less
troubled with them. We were all wide awake
mate gave the order 10 go aloft and take in sail.
Gracious, what a nj ght it was! The rigging
vas all ice. and the ropes were as stiff as sticks.
was on the topsail-yard, and there were
dozen or more of the men there too. The sail
was frozen stiff. and we couldn't bulge it, |
seemed to get all struck of a heap at once by the
cold, for got frozen to the yard-arm. 1t was
good thing for me that did. as | was para
llzed, and the next thing that | remembered
was being thawed out in the galley. They told
me that had crooked on to the yard-arm. and
it was all that the men could do to get me off. as
| was getting stiff.
That night beat anything | ever see" con
cuded the old chap, hobbling off; "but tell
you I'm going to tackle 1t again when this leg
gets WE'LL"
Sailors Home, on Franklin square. Yes, L
reckon do know trife about sharks. was
on board the W abash during the war, and we
were off Charleston. We were drilling sail,
and one of my chums lost his cap overheard. He
went down Jacobs ladder to pick it up as 1t
tloated by. In few minutes / heard the cry
of man overheard, and you know how that stirs
up the men on deck. Life buoys went over
board and boat was lowered, but meanwhile
four of US went over the side. We were all
good swimmers, and had just come up when
heard the cry of ''Sharks ~ from the men on
deck can tell you that was close call for
me; but it was closer one for the other three
men. | happened to be nearest to the boat
when she was lowered, and was pulled in lust
in time. Two seconds more would have settled
my little business
"lioW sou
"Well. if you saw the size of them sharks as
almost snapped a piece out of the boat, you
wouldn't ask me that" replied the sturdy old
fellow. with a shudder at the recollection
Nv hat became of the other three men who
went overheard TO rescue their chum?'
Now, there's a puzzler. There were three
red spots seen very shortly on the water. and
that's all we ever heard or saw of them since"
strange things occur in our life sometimes
said Russian Finn" who has followed the
sea for thrty-nine Years.
'Some thirty Years ago was aboard the bark
Elizabeth, trading between Alexandria and
Liverpool. We We're off Portugal and most
hands We're under the weather from too much
Jamaica. There was good stiff breeze blow
ing, but nothing extra, and | was taking
>nOoze between TWO cotton bales on deck. Be-
fore YOU could say Jack Robinson the three
masts, sails and all, went overheard. No one
knew or could tell what struck her. and the
masts snapped of at the deck as clean almost a.
if they We're cut with an axe"
wv nat did the Captain do:'
Wv hen he came on deck he ragged like mad
man. but there was nothing TO do except to cut
IN m loose. We managed TO RIG up sail or
tsto and got back to Lisbon"
"Now let me tell you the strangest part of
Inc story" continued the old Finn in his broken
dialect. "Flfteen years afterward, at Just the
same nour and on the very same night of the
year. was passing the same locality. We
We're trading between the Mediterranean and
Glasgow. We We're struck by a slight squat,
and the three masts went overheard again.
just as they did fifteen wears before
''lioW do you accoun. for such an occurrenee:"
An. that is more than | can tell replied
The EInu. etroking his beard. I'm sure |
uonl know, but il wasn't the wind either
time, Tor there wasn't enough 10 break of the
nilete that Wav"
'ilaYe You ever passed there snce:''
No. and | never will If can help myself
| don't want to pass that coast again. for | tell
you w sailors have superStitious, and when
| >ee such thing take place twice in the very
Same spot, and no It ason, | prefer sailing in
some other direction" \. Y. Star.