The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-23
ADRIFT ON A SPAR.
A Seaman's Christmas Day on
the Briny Deep.
James Burk Was Carried Overheard With the
Topmast and Rescued From Death
by British War-ship

well boys, 1t will soon be Christmas" re.
marked an old salt as lie settled down beside the
stove In Davs-stfeet bOardin house last night.
Z" Every lime Christmas comes around reminds
me of bow | spent the day 10 1879. / had
shipped on the Old Alexander Marshall IN Lon
don 10 60 TO New York. l did not care about
going IN the old packet, but had been ashore
for some time and was glad TO get the chance,
as was dead broke ard the boarding master
was looking rather black. We lowed down the
river aud came 10 anchor In the Downs, and
after getting all ready for sea. tripped our
anchor just two days before Christmas. IL was
terribly cold weather, showing and hailng nearly
all the time, besides blowing a gale from the
northeast. As the wind was fair the captain
was anxious to take advantage OF 1t, and by day
light on Christmas eve we were slipping down
channel with all the canvas The old tub could
stagger under.
ALoFT IN THE STORM.
Between whlffs at his pipe the old seaman con-
tinued: 'At o'clock that night furious storm
broke forth and all hands were ordered aloft to
shorten sail. Seven of us went to the topmast
and soon discovered THAI l. was alone on the
miZzen royal. The others had heard the order TO
come down and assist III furllng The mizzen top.
sail.
We'll. was nearly frozen by the falling sleet
and snow and was about 10 return TO the deck
when The ship was struck by terrible squall. l
heard fearful crash and The next Instant
realized that the topmast had been carried away.
! nuDS on ior GEAR Iiie ana then knew nothing
for awhile"
CARRIED OVERHEARD.
when came TO my senses l was damned in
between the topmast and the rigging, with the
big seas going over me minute. j could
hear voices and could see the lantern held over
he side as the men piled The axes TO cut away
tie rigging In order TO get clear OF the wreck.
tried 10 shout, but could not utter sound, and
all my struggles TO get clear of the rigging that
held me to The wreck were In vain. Then all be-
came dark again aud gave myself up Tor lost.
as / realized that the ship was clear OF the
wreck and was rapidly drifting away from me.
The cold was terrible and soon lost all feeling
in my hanGs and feet. How passed the night
never knew, but IL did not seem long as | was
too benumbed TO lake notice of anything. i had
sense enough left 10 know when daylight
broke on that eventful Christmas morning, and
soon the sun was stunning brightly.
RESCUED FROM THE WRECK.
II realized that my hours were numbered un-
less soon rescued. FinaIly l became uncon-
scious aud when awoke it WAS to find myself In
cot young fellow dressed as a man-Of-war' S
man stood over me and asked how | felt. Then
WAS told that was on board the big troop.shlp
Scraps OF The English navy. At shutdown Christ
mas day the vessel was at anchor In Portsmouth
Hafb0r. The Scraps was returning from Malta
when one OF HE lo0kouts sighted The wreck OF
the Alexander Marshall. Then was seen cling
ing 10 The wreck and rescued.
After spending Christmas on the Scraps |
went 10 London, and learned that the Marshal
had put into Plymouth with all three of her top
mssts gone aud that James Burk. a sailor, had
been reported killed by the falling Of the wreck
age. OF course you know my names James Burk.
% How Is that tor q Christmas adventure 2"