The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-05
THE HUSTLER VENT DOWN
A New Bedford Graft, Bound for
Seattle, Wrecked Near Cape
Horn.
Terrible Journey Through a Desc
late Country on q Very
Soant Diet.
Living for Days IN Herring, Leaves and
Mussels-How George Knowles Was
Finally Rescued. Isl

SAN Francisco, Nov. 4.-Among the crew
of the steamer Mineola that arrived at this
port yesterday was George Knowles. a ma
tive Of Lowell. Mass. Knowles was stew
ard of the Inflated barkentine Hustler. OF
New Bedfork, wrecked ON the coast of Terra
del Fuego while ON a voyage from Phila-
dslphia to Seattle with a cargo of iron pipe.
The Hustler was u new vessel, on her frat
voyage, and was wrecked on what is known
as False Cape Horn on June Is.
The vessel struck on a rock at two O'Clock
in the afternoon and leaked so badly that
three pumps had to be kept going in order
to prevent her from sinking under their
feet. For thirty-six hours the crew kept at
the pump, but the water gained so rapidly
that she WAS anchored az close to the shore
as possible and the crew busted themselves
with packing up clothes and provisions be-
fore the vessel sank.
Quite q store of food was collected out of
tbs vessel before she sank, and then a camp
was formed, whore the castaways remained
some time making sails for their boats.
They then made their way to a place called
Usawaya, where they were cared for by a
Mr.. Puppy, who had a sheep ranch there.
The day after Usawaya was reached
Knowles was thrown from q horse while
assisting Puppy with his sheep, and he rs-
manned behind when the others of the crew
left for Buenos Ayres in a transport belong
ing to the Argentine navy. which had called
at Usawaya on her way up the coast.
Knowles remained at the sheep ranch I'M
til his arm was nearly we'll, and then, in
spite of the long and dangerous road to be
--xn1aJ I...l. II - L. Lsc ,-Du1n-l
to Sandy Point, q Gillian station in che
Straits Of Magellan. Taking a supply of
provisions, he set out on his lonely trip of
600 miles through an unknown country,
where there was not even a trail to guide
him. Before he had been two days on his
Journey he wished himself back at the
ranch.
He did not like to turn back, so logged
along, sleeping night after night under
rocks and under trees, wherever he could
Sind shelter from the cold night wind. In
this manner he travelled for ten days, and
then the little stock Of food he carried gave
out. and for twenty-five days he lived on
berries, leaves and such mussels and she'll
fish as he could find in the streams on his
route.
To make matters worse the poor horse be-
came 30 weak from want OF food that he
could travel no further, and Knowles was
forced to travel tbs remainder of the jour
ney on foot. Early on the morning of the
eighteenth day the half-atarved traveller
ran full against a large brown bear, and
although he escaped unhurt the sight Of the
animal frightened him almost to death.
The bear was also badly frightened and
lost no. time in that locality.
knowlos' strength gave out when about
fifty n miles from Sandy Point and he
concluded that his time had come, but the
thought of dying alone in that wild ooun-
try porya1 him fn w ka onnfhnr affnrf md
just about shutdown the poor fellow stag
gefed into the hut of a sheep herder and
dropped ssnseless OF the floor
The occupant of the hut furnished the
shipwrecked man food and kept him there
until he was able to travel again. and then
leaving his flock in charge of his son took
Knowles to Sandy Point on the only horse
he. had. Two days after he reached the
settlement the Mineola called on her way
to this port mi Knowles accepted the berth
of steward, the former steward having been
discharged for incompetency.