The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-11-11
WHENCE CAME THE SHIP?
A Mystery of the Famous So-CaIIed Colo
RADIO Desert.

A Mystery of the Famous so-CaIled Colo
RADIO Desert.
Few persons have correct concep-
ton of the immense area and peculiar
physical characteristics of that barren
portion of Southeastern California
known as the Colorado Desert. 1t en-
braces almost the entire surface of San
Bernardino County and part of the
Counties of Los Angeles, Inyo, and
Kern. In other words, it has an area of
between 81, 900 and 10000 square miles,
or more than the combined areas of
New Hampshire. Vermont, Massachu-
sets, Connecticut, and New JERSEY.
Some years ago prospector deter
mined TO extend his search over that
part of the desert that is several hundred
feet below the sea level, and that is sell
dom, if ever, visited by either white man
or Indian. With a supply of provisions
and cantcens of water to last for several
days, and mounted upon horse accus-
toned TO privations, he struck out from
the little oasis of Indian Wells in a
southerly direction, and for some time
climbed hills and traversed valleys where
no signs of human presence were met
with.
The daring prospector gradually
worked his way southward for many
miles, until finally, stretched out at the
foot of the ridge rs far us the eye could
see lay Il perfectly level valley. Its sur
face was seemingly as smooth as floor
for miles on miles, while its appearance
was of the most peculiar nature, being
of an ashy whiteness and without rock
l. Il l.
the monotony of the dead level.
A singular object Il mile or more from
the foot of the hill attracted his atten-
ton. He shaded his eyes with his hat
brim and looked again and again at it.
If that were the ocean instead of des-
ert at his feet he would surely say that
4 vessel lay ut anchor there. Surely no
rock ever existed that so much resembled
the handiwork of man. What could it
be?
Slowly he rode down the hillside, de-
termined upon getting closer view of
the strange object. AT last the level
was reached. and there, apparently less
than a mile away, lay what was I'M
questionably the worn and battered hulk
of an ancient vessel The stumps of
the masis still remained, while the high
stern and peculiar shape of the entire
ship betokened its ancient origin. The
bulwarks seemed to have been partially
carried away, probably by the falling
of the masts, whose Stumps projected
ten OF fifteen feet above the deck. But
otherwise all the contour of the old hulk
was perfect. though of Il design vastly
different from any that had ever been
seen bv the astonished discoverer
The prospector, with all his faculties
bent upon Il close examination of this
strange apparitiOn in the desert, urged
his horse forward, but the ground broke
beneath his weight, and then it was
seen that the entire surface was but
crust. an inch or more in thickness, but
not of sufficient strength to bear the
weight of horse and rider. Underneath
this crust was dark-colored mixture of
mud and water,
Horse and rider approached nearer
and nearer, but finally the poor animal
sank so deeply in the ooze that it be-
came apparent that it was impossible to
advance another step in the direction of
the vessel, which now seemed almost
within pistol shot.
Reluctantly the horses head was turn
ed toward the shore, which was finally
reached after n hard struggle. The
prospector dismounted and cast about
for some means of reaching the wreck,
which his Imagination had by this time
freighted with all manner of wealth.
He attempted to make his way over the
crust on foot, but he found that it gave
way almost as readily as under the
horses hoofs. and so was obliged to
abandon the attempt. Unable 10 de-
wise any means of satisfying his curiosity
bv setting foot on the long-deserted
deck that lay SO temptingiy near, he at
last reluctantly decided to make haste
for the nearest settlement and there
organize u well-equipped expedition
with every appliance necessary for
reaching and making thorough search
of the stranded hulk.
But on turning to his horse, n most
pitiable sight was seen. The poor ami
malls legs were raw and bleeding for
the entire distance that had come in
contact with the muddy deposit beneath
the surface crust, and an examination
showed that this deposit was SO highly
impregnated with alkali that it had
eaten the horses limbs almost to the
bone, and consequently he was in nc
condition for further travel. The only
thing to be done was mercifully to put
the poor creature out of his sutferings,
and Il pistol ball soon ended the life OF
the faithful beast. The prospector was
now left on foot to contend with the
multitudinous and almost insurmounta.
BILE difficulties that confronted him.
Imagine his condition; his horse dead,
himself lost, and with scant supplies OF
water and food. However, he knew the
general direction in which the old road
across the desert lay. and he knew, too,
that if his strength only held out and
he travelled far enough to the north he
was certain to reach assistance in time,
He reached station three days later
and his life was saved.
When he recovered so as to be able to
travel, he was carried by stage to the
San Bernardino Valley, where he soon
regained his strength, and then impart-
ed to few friends the strange dis
covery that he had made upon his trip.
Among others. the wriier was told oi
the wonderful stranded ship, and cur
iosity was aroused to the utmost. Many
theories were advanced to account for
its presence there. The most plausible
explanation, and one easily within the
bounds of belief, was that Il long time
ago some hardy mariner sailed north
ward along the Mexican coast on Il voy-
age of discovery. Fearing to venture on
unknown seas. he hugged the shore,
never losing sight of land. When the
Gulf of California was reached, instead
of following the ocean line, he entered
the gulf. the southern extremity of the
peninsula now known as Lower Califor-
MIA not being in sight from the coast oi
the mainland opposite. Sailing on and
up the gulf, which unmistakably at one
| time extended much further northward
than it now does, and had arms reach.
ing up into what is now known as the