Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-12-26
TRAGIC DISAPPEARANCE.
A Mystery of the Seas Probably Never t.
Be UnraveIad

A Mystery of the Seas Probably Never to
Be Unrsveled.
There have been sailors in our sfamily for
hve generations back, and three of the
present generation have been reared in the
avocation, writes contributor in the AL
bany Argus. You will therefore admit that
as family, we have met with some strange
adventures and seen some queer sights NY
grandfather and great at-grandfather were
English seamen, who cut the waters
long before steam was thought Of Ny
grandfather had one particular adventure
which mystitied a nation, which have heard
called up in cabin and fo'castle hundred
times.
de was mate of big named the York,
which was chartered from Hull to one of
the Shetland islands with lumber and gen.
eral supplies. The brig had total of seven
men, and was new and stanch She left
port with fair wind, and the crew had
made several voyages together and were in
harmony. Nothing out Of the routine oc-
Cured until the brig was well up with the
Orkneys, but to the east. My grandfather
then turned in one night at midnight with
smooth sea and every thing shipshape.
He had four hours off, and was not dis
turbed. He should have been called at four
O'Clock, but when he awoke of his own ac-
cord 1t was after six. 1t was almost dead
calm then, and the brig had but little mo-
ton The mate was filled with wonder
that he had been permitted to sleep
nail his own watch away, ard he
hurriedly dressed and rushed upon deck.
There was not soul in sight, and five min
utes later he made the astonishing discoy-
cry that he was the only person aboard.
The sails were set, and IN the light wind the
brig was going TO suit herself. There was
not the least sign of confusion or of strug-
gle. All the boats were in place, and not a
thing in the shape of personal property had
been removed. The six men were simply
missing-gone as the shadows go When
he was satisfied on this point he was terri
bly, upset. The brig was right and tight,
the weather all that could be desired, and
why should the crew have deserted herl
Then, too, how did they get away, none of
she boats had been taken! If they left in
panic there would have been signs of it.
If not, why had they failed to summon himl
1t was puzzler as you may perceive, and
the poor man was half crazy over it. In
those days ships were few and far between
compared to these, and the brig went dr;v-
ing up the north side in perfect solitude.
- All that day." said my grandfather, 81
was in such state of mind that gaze the
brig but little attention. The mystery made
such coward of me that dared not repeat
my first visit TO the forecastle, fearing that
l should see ghost. l went over the brig
time and again, looking closely for some
sign TO show how the men had departed
and why they had deserted her, but could
find nothing. Toward evening made out
the Shetlands to the west of me, and also
saw sail in the south, but was helpless
The wind had hauled to the south and the
best could do was to keep the brig before
it and let her drive.
"The breeze held so steady that lashed
the helm and secured considerable sleep
that night. but at daylight next morning l
had my hands more than full The wind
drew to the west kicking up a nasty sea,
and it was only by the use of the capstan,
and after great exertion, that / squared the
yards to meet the change. Before eight
O'Clock l was rushing along like a ra O.
horse, and it required all my strength and
skill to manage the helm.
Having passed the Shetlands, I figured
that the only hope for me, unless the wind
made great change, was the Farce ISL
ands, lying matter of one hundred and
hfty miles to the northwest. Indeed that
was the only course l could steer while
the wind held. had never been there,
knew nothing about the locality, and felt
that L would be as apt to reach the brig on
the day saw two ships at a distance. 1
had set signal of distress, but they were
too far off to observe it, and by and by
night came down again. Luckily for me
the wind abated great deal, although it
soon hauled half way round the compass,
ana could no longer lay my course to the
northwest. BY This time my nerve had come
Dack, and was surprised to find myself so
hopeful and confident. By watching my
chances l managed to get bite TO eat now
and then, and, as the weather was mild. I
got up some blankets and caught MANY
winks Of sleep during the night, as the brig
held steady with the helm lashed. The gem
erai course during the night was due north,
although the brig, no doubt, made many and
devious crooks and turns as l dozed and
nodded
when morning came the breeze fresh
ened aud hauled to the southwest l was
now sure that l could not make the Farce
Islands, and that was driving out into the
Arctic Ocean. Therefore, as soon as had
secured a bite to eat, went aloft with my
knife and cut away most of the cloths,
leaving only sufficient TO give her steerage
way to enable her to lie to in a gale. Ithen
held her up for the coast of Norway, but as
l had crippled her powers she swashed
along like an old tub making only mile
or so an hour. | was in hopes to be able
TO strike Christiansand, knowing that it
was the only port below the Arctic circle.
and it seemed that must certainly fall ia
with some craft during the day. Before
noon | sighted two, but they were far to
the east. During the afternoon / espied
three others, but the nearest was eight or
ten miles away and sailing another course.
l got through the day fairly well, be-
ing much occupied in figuring my posi-
tion and wondering where | should
eventually bring up. just at sundown
the wind fell almost fiat, and / had
figured out that was already above Chris
'tiansand and fairly into the Arctic Ocean.
The change iii the temperature proved that
There was every appearance of quiet
night, and at ten o'clock, when the brig lost
steerage way, l .bupked down beside the
wheel and was soon fast asleep. / awoke
at about one O'Clock in the morning, to find
all quiet and dozed off again. and was still
asleep at daylight, when was boarded by
a boat from q merchantman on her way
homo froin RUSSIAN port.
- got help to work the brig back to
Hull, and snug little sum got as salvage,
but as TO what became of the crew no mar
has ever discovered. Twenty-Five years
has passed, and all attempts to trace them
have brought no tidings. Expeditions were
sent to all the islands and ali along the
coast OF Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
bat never trace was had. / have heard a
hundred theories about it, but one was as
good as another, because none could be
nroved-n -
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