The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-18
A STRANGE CHOICE.
Washington Star.

Twelfth street wharf is the full-rigged ship "Syren," said to be the largest vessel that has been on our waters for many years. She is a model of beauty, and is fitted up with all conveniences She is just from Pensacola with 8 cargo of lumber, but, being so very large, was compelled to unload at Alexandria. From here she will go to Baltimore and take cargo of coal to San Francisco. She was built in New Bedford in 1854. Her crew numbers seventeen, all told, but all with the exception of three have been dis charged.
 One of the three is Frenchman of about twenty-five years of age, who has quite history. Nearly two years ago his grandfather died in France, leaving him in his will S30,- 900, with the proviso that he go to sea on an American vessel and remain away 800 days to learn the English language. He is @ native of Havre and shipped from that port nineteen months ago. "He is ships cook and devoted to the galley" said the first mate to Star reporter, land stays in there on all occasions" In company with the mate the St0r reporter made an examining tour of the "Syren."
 Upon stopping before 6 pair of whaleboats which had evidently seen good service, the mate said: "I re- member this boat in particular" (pointing to the larger one), because I was at one time in her on a whaling voyage. We were in the north Pa- cific aboard the 'Elkie.' About four o'clock in the afternoon the lookout gave warning that whale was in sight. Our boat put of at once, and it wasn't long before we had 8 mon- ster struck. Well, the way we trav- eled was caution to steam cars. The water seemed to- boil as we cut through it. At last he got tired of furnishing our motive power and backed on us until coming alongside he struck us two or three times with his tail. There were six men in that boat. Three of us were saved, but the night we spent atop that boat was awful to recall. At last morning came, but the 'Elkie' was away off in the distance. It was high noon before we were picked up, and it seemed to me as if we had been afloat for a week."
 "How about the whale?" asked the Star man.
 "Well, that's the curious part about it," said he. "It had been nearly two days since we left the place of the dis aster when it was noticed that every now and then there would be terri ble tugging at the rudder. The cap- tain ordered me to learn the cause. On going aft, judge of my surprise to see the dead whale dragging a hundred yards away with the harpoon ropes secured in the rudder."
 "But what made the tugging2" ven- tured the reporter.
 "You may not believe it," he re- piled, "but there was a school of sharks after that poor whale trying to pull him off,"
 The next place visited was the after cabin. This was cozy little place. The main saloon is finished in hard wood, and cat and couple of cana ries give it home-like appearance. Stopping minute in the main saloon, the chief officer called attention to the birds.
 "Do they ever get sea sick?" asked the reporter.
 "No, indeed" answered the mate. "They have too much sense for that. Just as soon as we strike rough water they take to their swings and enjoy it."
 "How about the cat2" asked the re- porter.
 "Well, can't answer for her," asid he, "for when it's rough puss van- ishes. It was different, however, with her mate, Jack Tar He seemed in his glory when it stormed. He would run about the deck, climb up the shrouds and initiated as near as possi- ble sailor. That's how he got his name. Poor fellow he was drowned off Cape Horn. We had big sea on, and Jack being in his glory was talk ing observations on the cabin, when a big wave struck him without any warning and carried him overload. Of course, everybody aboard was sorry, for poor Jack was @ general fa- vorite.
 "Here are the cap'n's sleeping quar- ters," said he, opening the door of a neatly furnished room with bunk at one end, over which was a compass. When asked why the compass occu- pied such 6 peculiar position, he gave chuckle and said: "The main ob- ject is to show the cap'n the way we're running. Suppose, for instance, the second mate Is at the wheel, and has orders to head southwest. In case he doesn't fulfill the orders the cap'n will know of it immediately and set him right"
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