The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-23
ITEMS FROM
SEA AND SHORE.
Tempestuous Passage of the Brit.
ish Bark Palmyra.
The Gwalla lowed Down to Go on the Dock.
Sugar From Java-Steam Vessels in
Sections Movemerts-C Charters.

Among the arrivals in port yesterday was
the British bark Palmyra, from Sydney,
after most eveDtful voyage of ninety-two
days, during which, it is safe to say, the
crew earned every cent of their wages. Ac-
cording to Captain Minott's report the YES
sci narrowly escaped going to Davy Jones
locker. because for seventy-eght days the
GREY had all they could do to keep her afioat
The first ten days out light winds and
Gains were experienced and then a decided
change took place, and for six days the bark
encountered most terrific hurricane.
Every rag OF canvas was blown away and
heavy seas swept over her. threatening to
smash in her decks and send her to the
bottom. Then on the second day of the
gale sea struck the ship, filling her decks
to the rails, smashing the cabin doors like
tggshels, filling the cabin with water and
floating lounges, tables, books and clothing
The galley was Quilted, with every cooking
utensil washed overheard, and the heavy
range started from its fasteningS and was
carried down to leeward. The forecastle
was nLed, and several OF the mems chests
were washed out on deck and most Of their
contents lost overheard.
THE BARK SETTLED.
The tremendous weight of water caused
the bark to settle to an alarming extent,
and had another heavy sea struck her al
that time she would never have come into
the men could not reach the ports for some
time TO open them and free the vessel of the
deck-load of water. The heavy cross sea
also caused the vessel to labor heavily, aud
fears were entertained for time that the
masts would 20 over the side.
The decks were constantly swept by the
seas, and 1t was only with the greatest diff
Guilty that the crew could move around. The
men suffered much, because besides b ing
constantly drenched by the sea not a cup of
pntfpp n tyac Mo
in which fire could be started. On the
third day OF the blow the cabin was filed
no less than four times, and the water
poured through the forecastle in q manner
that made it very unsafe for any one to STAY
there five Minutes at time.
On the morning of the fourth day, the
Jlbb0om was carried away by the heavy sea,
and it threatened to knock hole in the YES
seis bows, as no one could go forward to
cut the timber adrift. To add to the dan
ger, it was found that the vessel was leaking
badly, and all hands were ordered to the
pumps. Hour after hour the sturdy sailors
labored, with the heavy sea constantly
threatening to wash them overheard or beat
out their lives against the bulwarks.
THE WATER GAINED CONSTANTLY.
In spite of all they could do, the water
gained, and at last Captain Minott decided
to start the donkey. Several attempts were
made before fire was lit, and then the
tired crew was relieved only to find that in
order to keep the donkey going the coal had
to be carried up from below. This was
done through the hatch in the cabin floor,
aud only small quantity could he brought
up at a time for fear Of letting more water
into the hold,
After six days Of this weather the hurri-
cane expended its force, and the vermont
crew had chance to rest. After crossing
the line no trade winds were met, but light,
battling winds prevailed all the way to port,
and when the tug Reliance hailed her yes
terday the crew were almost disheartened,
having been at the pumps for seventy-eight
days.
The bark leaked steadily, making about
eight feet OF water every twelve hours, and
1t was only by nnceasing efforts on the part
OF her crew that she was prevented from
going to the bottom. The Palmyra left sgd
ney with 1870 tons of coal consigned to j. j.
Moore u Co., but much of 1t was used on
the trip to keep the donkey engine going
THE FIRE ON THE GwALLA.
The fire on the bark Gwalla, Port Costa,
was put out after no less than three tugs