The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-11-24
TRAGIC DISAPPEARANCE.

TRAGIC DiSAPP EARANcE.
A Mystery Of the Seas Probably Never to
BE Unrave1sd.
There have been sailors in our family for
five generations back, grand three of the
present generation have been reared in the
avocation, writes contributor in the All
bany Argus. You will therefore admit that
as family, we have met with some strange
adventures and seen some queer sights. My
grandfather and great-g grandfather were
English seamen, who cut the waters
long before steam was thought of. MY
grandfather had one particular adventure
which mystifed nation, which have heard
called up in cabin and fo'castle a hundred
times. @
He was mate of a brig 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 a 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 &C
cord it 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
half his own watch away, and he
hurriedly dressed and rushed upon deck.
There was not soul in sight, and five min
utes later he made the astonishing discov-
cry that he was the only person aboard.
The sails were set, and III 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 ia place, and not
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 her.?
Then, too how did they get away, mono OF
the boats had been taken! II they left in
O panic there would have been signs of it,
If not. why had they failed to summon him?
1t was puzzler as you may perceive, and
the poor man was half crazy over it, III
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.
"Ail 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. / 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 I was helpless
The wind mad hauled to the south and the
best could do was to keep the brig before
At and let her drive.
1.-THE breeze held so steady that lashed
the helm and secured considerable sleep
that night, but at daylight next morning I
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 tho capstan,
end after great exertion, that squared the
yards to meet the change. Before eight
o'clock I was rushing along like race
horse. and it required all my strength and
skill to manage the helm.
sHaving passed the Shetlands, figured
that the only hope for me, unless the wind
made great change, wa the Farce ISL
ands, lying a matter Of one hundred and
fifty miles to the northwest. Indeed that
was the only course l could steer while
the wind held. I had never been there,
knew nothing about the locality, and felt
that would be as apt to reach the brig on
reef as to sail her into q harbor. During
the day saw two ships at distance. I
at ei1 of 1icfrn hy1f
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,
nnd could no longer lay my course to the
northwest. By this time my nerve had come
back, and was surprised to find myself so
hopeful and confident. BY watching my
chances managed to get q bite to cat now
and then, and, as the weather was mild,
got up some blankets and caught many
iwinks Of sleep during the night, as the brig
held steady with the helm dashed. The gen.
eral course during the night was due north,
although the brig, no doubt, made many and
devious crooks and turns as I dozed and
nodded.
stWhen morning came the breeze fresh
ened and hauled to the southwest. was
now sure that I could not make the Farce
islands, and that was driving out into the
Arctic Ocean. Therefore, as soon as had
secured bite to eat, went aloft with my
knife and cut away most of the cloths,
1eaving only sufficient to give her steerage
way to enable her to lie to in gale. Then
held her up for the coast of Norway, but as
/ bad crippled her powers she swashed
along like an old tub making only mile
or so an hour. I was in hopes to be able
10 strike Christiansand, knowing that it
was the only port below the Arctic circle,
and it seemed that must certainly fall in
with some craft during the day. Before
;nnon sighted two, but they were far to
0se east. During the afternoon espied
three others, but the nearest was eight or
ten miles asRay and sailing another course
+ got through the day fairly we'll, be-
dug much occupied in figuring my posi-
sion and wondering where I should
,epentnahy bring up. just at shutdown
The wind fell almost fiat, and had
figured out that I was already above Chris
4iansand and fairly into the Arctic Ocean
Rhe change in the temperature proved that
There was every appearance of quiet
,uiEht, and at ten o'clock, when the brig lost
isteerage way, I .bunked down beside the
wheel and was soon fast asleep. awoke
ct about one O'Clock in the morning, to find