New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-05
AN OCEAN VOYAGE INACANOE
HARDSHIP MET WITH RARE COURAGE.

A SHIPwRECKED CAPTAIN WITH HIS WIFE AND
CHILDREN SAILING HOME IN A SMALL BOAT.
One of the most extraordinary stories Of bravery,
misfortune and endurance that have been reported
for many years was made public yesterday by
Captain Baker. of the Brazilian Mail Company's
steamer Finance, which arrived from Rio de
Jancro He reports that on the voyage preceding
the one Just completed, when on his way home to
this port his ship was boarded by Captain Joshua
Slocum. in Santos, Brazil, who told him story
which is probably the most romantic in the true
annals of seafarng life. Captain Slocum said that
he was owner and commander of the clipper bark
Aquidneclx of Baltimore. She was built to his
order at Mystic Conn, in s65 and was 326 tons
register, 1873 feet long, 20 feet beam and 13 feet
in depth.
Two years ago the bark sailed from Baltimore
for the River Plate, Argentine Republic, in COM
mand Of Captain Slocum, who was accompanied
by his wife and two sons. All went we'll until
after the vessel loaded for her return voyage to
Rio de Janeiro with cargo of coffee. A few days
before her sailing, however. the cholera broke
out in ports along the River Plate
On the vessels arrival at Rio dc Janeiro she
was not allowed to enter the harbor, strict quar-
antine being in fierce against all vessels from the
Argentine Republic. The captain then put his
ship about and returned TO the River Plate, to
await the lifting of the quarantine He sailed
again for Rio in a few weeks and arrived at
that port on June g. 1887 in the evening. He
was allowed to enter the harbor, but on the
following day his ship was boarded by the health
officer of the port. who said that the quarantine
regulations again in force and the vessel
must leave the port or the forts would open fire
on her.
UNLOADING HIS UNDELIvERED CARGO.
He sailed again for his port of loading and
discharged the cargo the shippers wharf and
took another cargo for Rio Grande do Sui, a
port on the Brazilian coast Before he arrived
there smallpox broke out among his crew, and
he put into small port where there was no
quarantine officer and sent OF his crew to
row the sick men ashore. where they could get
medical aid. The rover. however, took the dis
ease and the whole party died. Shortly afterward
gale sprang up and the bark was
driven ashore and, on being surveyed was con-
demned. Nothing daunted, the gallant skipper
gathered together what little remained of his
property and built canoe of hard wood with
rocker keel. The little craft. which is called the
Silvcrdae is thirty feet long, five feet beam, and
draws three feet of water She has three masts
and carries lateen sails similar to those on a
Chinese Junk. Her cabin runs nearly her whole
Five months ago he embarked in the Silverdale
with his wife and two sons and sailed for Santos,
where he arrived two months afterward and met
Captain Baker. and asked to be towed to Rio de
Janeiro a distance of PIC miles. Captain Baker
referred him to the steamers agents, and subse
quently, after insisting that Mrs. Slocum and the
boys should make the trip on board the steamer
and finding that Captain Slocum would not leave
his little craft. the canoe was taken in tow Dur
ing the trip heavy gale sprang up, and the canoe
astcrn was for many hours only visible for a few
minutes at time. when on the crest of wave, but
CAPTAIN Slocum could be seen sitting calmly at
the tiller. if taking sail in New-Yorl< Bay
Oil thrown the steamers stern to pre-
vent the sea from swamping the canoe. Captain
Socum said that at times, when in the trough Of
the sea, he could only discern the top-gallantmast
head of the steamer. The canoe sailed for Per-
nambuco before the Finance left that port, and
was sighted by Captain Baker 900 miles out
lie hailed her and asked if they were in dis
tress or wanted anything, but Captain Slocum
replied cheerily: No, was never in distress in
my life The little boat arrived at Pernambuco
in nineteen days from Rio, having run 1856 miles,
an average run of / 26 miles day.
RECOGNIZING AN OLD FRIEND.
Nothing was heard of her until on this last
Barbados. where Captain Baker asked if they
wanted provisions but Captain Slocum replied
that they were all well and bound for Baltimore,
where he could get all the oysters he wanted
The two captains then held conversation, in
the course of which they recognized each other
as having sailed the Pacific coast in the sos,
when Captain Baker commanded the bark North
ern Light and Captain Slocum had charge of
the bark Young America After the recognition
Captain Baker offered to lend the commander of
the canoe 500 on his personal note, to pay the
passage of himself and family home, but none
Of them would leave the little vessel, and all
help was steadily declined, except a small supply
of provisions. Mrs Slocum said the voyage in
the canoe was grateful change from the troubles
and misfortuncs which befel them in their i'll
fated bark Captain Lachlin, superintendent of
the Brazilian line at this port, said yesterday
that he would have sanctioned Captain Bakers
action in giving the voyagers pecuniary assis-
tance had it been accerted. After leaving Bar
BADGES nothing seen of the canoe by the
steamer and it is supposed that she is still on
her voyage for Baltimore.