Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-01-22
From the New York Sum-
PROVIDEhTIAL ISLAND MYSTERY,


PROVIDEhTIAL ISLAND MYSTERY
Had it not been for the excite
ment of the first year of the civil
war the queer adventures of Capt
Harsen, of the Boston merchant.
man American Chief, would have gone
the rounds and been much discussed
They were told and retold in marine
circles Tor many years, and now and
then some newspaper or magazine has
briefly referred to "Harsen's Romance"
The story, as a whole, is full of interest.
In the spring of 1861. while | was Sec
ond mate aboard of the English brig
Enchantress, and when three days out
of Zanzlbar. bound for the Gulf OF Ben
gal, we spoke the African Chief, home
ward bound, and loaded with Indian
products. Three days before, in vio-
lent squall, Capt. Harsen had been
washed overheard, and the ship was
now In charge of the first mate. The
ship was taken home, Capt Harsen re-
ported dead, and six years later, when
he had been forgotten by all except his
relations, he suddenly turns up in way
TO dumbfound everybody.
In August, 1867, was first mate of the
Sea King, small but staunch ship plying
between Cape Town and Melbourne.
Our ship was a feeder for the big India
steamers. We took machinery and
other stuff from them at the Cape, and
brought back wool and other products.
We had the width of the Indian Ocean
before us on every voyage, with never
q speck of land for the waters to fret
against until the voyage was finished
One morning IN sthe month I have
named, the hour being about O. clock,
with wind and sea light, the lookout re-
ported man in boat dead ahead and
only half mile away. I went forward
with the glass and made him out very
plain at once. Indeed. no glass was
needed. 1t was a roueh-looking boat,
provided with mast and sail, and he had
let fly his sheet and was rising ana fall
ing on the waves to wait our coming.
We were up to him in few minutes.
and when we came to look
tons of astonishment The craft
was half raft and half boat,
put together in the toughest fashion,
and constructed of drift-wood. The sail
was grass mat, The man at the steer
ing oar was clothed in single garment,
made OF the same material as the sail.
He had made large mat and put his
head through an opening in the middle,
and belted it at the waist. His hair
fell upon his shoulders and his whiskers
reached to his waist. He looked a
veritable Rip Van Wrinkle, and our sur
prise was so great that we forged past
him without extending hand. When
we got him aboard, he walked up to the
captain, extended his hand, and said:
Captain, l am Capt. Harsen of the
Boston shin American Chief
But where's your crait?" exclaimed
our captain.
tCan't say, was lost overheard six
years ago to the north of this"
You don't say you are that Capt.
Harsen?"
But do. My death was no doubt
reported in the papers, but here am
Let me have bite to eat, and then III
tell you all about it.
When Capt. Harsen got ready to tel
his story he had more surprises in store
for us. | will give his adventures as he
related them, but in my own way. The
wave which swept his ship and carried
him overheard took along a lot of deck
rattle, and upon striking out himself he
got hold of a crate in which two kan
garOos bad made the journey to Cape
Town. 1t was light enough to float two
men of his size, and, although the seas
used him roughly for several hours, he
pulled through the danger, and finally
found way to lash himself and ever
get some sleep. He knew that he was
driving TO the south with the seas, bu
as TO how far he drifted during the
thirty hours he was ahoat could only be
guessed at. 1t has been generally fig
ured at five miles an hour. He wal
asleep when cast ashore by the tide
hA 1o% 1o H.
landed on verdant island, about one
mile square. The verdure was abou
the same as tnat of Madagascar, witt
the same variety Of birds and insect life
There was species of water rat on th'
island, but no other animal, and be
never saw reptile of any sort.
The island was little paradise. Their
were several springs of fresh water
fruits and nuts in abundance, and moth
ing to make him afraid. AS soon as be
got rested the captain began TO figur.
on his position, and he finally concluded
that he had been cast on one Of tn
Aldabra group, 20O miles to the norl
of Cape Amber, Madagascar. Subse
quent developments proved that he wa
more than 400 miles out of his reckon
ing. Holding that he was correct in hi
location Of the island, Capt. Harsel
figured that he bad only to possess him
self with patience and all would be well
The Aldabra islands were much visitet
by fishermen, who caught and prepared
certain fish food for the Chinese
and he had no other idea thar
that he would be taken OF
within two or three weeks. I'll,
wisely decided to improve the interva
by resting up, and for two week
he slept good share of each DAY ant
all night. He built himself shelter