The record-union., 1892-11-16

Extracts from the log book of the Nova
Scotian bark Fl. B. Cam, which arrived
in quarantine Sunday afternoon, 10 days
out from the Philippine Islands, read
like this:
September 18th. - Seaman Thomas
Russell died of beri-beri.
September 2Sth. - Carpenter John
Nugent died of same disease.
both bodies were buried at sea.
''Vessel called at Hampton Roads,
where eight men were transferred to hos
pital."
That is the whole story, as one would
suppose, but behind the brief record is
marine yarn of more than usual interest.
1t was told yesterday without embellish-
ment and with true sailor directness by
Captain Durkee, who commands the
bark.
With crew of fifteen men and a cargo
of raw sugar, carried in bulk, the Cam
sailed from Iloilo nearly six months ago.
All went well until the voyage was con-
slderaDly more than half completed.
BOthersome headwinds and dead calms
were encountered, and once in a while
there was sufficient weight in the wind
to necessitate taking a reef in the tOpsails.
The trials of the bark and her crew be-
gan when midway across the tropics.
The long voyage had opened some of the
seams in the vessels hull, admitting
water into the hold. The sugar began to
terment under the blistering rays Of the
sun and permeated every part of the ship.
1t was not long before the men began to
complain of a swelling in the feet, and the
Captain realized that beri-beri, an East
fnala6U araH N GT1ab ri M
stances as his crew We're IN, had appeared
among them.
The first symptoms of beri-beri, as ex-
planned by Captain Durkee, is q swelling
of the lower limbs. The Inflammation
gradually extends upward, and death in
variably ensues when it reaches the
vitals. 1t is difficult to cure patients on
shipboard, but they rapidly recover when
sent ashore.
The trouble in this case was that there
was no shore near. one after another of
the crew succeeded to the disease with the
Pathological name, until only one man
beside the Captain was left to handle the
ship.
II sent him to the wheel" said Captain
Durkee, "and took upon myself the task
of looking out for the braces. But the
sails needed little care, as it was for
many days almost a breathless calm.
Hour after hour paced the deck, watch
the quiet waters, and prayed the Lord to
make the next one little stronger"
September Z3d, the mournful cry, "All
hands bury the dead was heard in the
forecastle. The body of Thomas RUSSELL
seaman, who had died that morning
was sewed i'll canvas by his friend Car
penter Nugent, and carried to the lee
gangway by the Captain and the other
members of the crew who were able to
leave their hunks. The sad burial serv-
ice was read, and the body slipped over
the plank into the quiet waters Of the At
lantic. Up TO this time the men had kept
up their spirits. But the death and burial
of their sEipmate had its inevitable de-
pressing effect upon the others who were
suffering from the same malady. Above
them the canvas tapped idly against the
lnaSts, ana the moaning of the waves
sounded like requiem. They could
not help wondering whose turn
would come next. If only the sleeping
wind would arise and wait them shore
ward, all might still be well. But only
drowsy Zephyrs played about the be-
calmed bark, and for nearly two weeks
she lay
As idle as a painted ship
Upon painted ocean.
Meanwhile the provisions were run
ming low, and the sutferings of the crew
Were augmented by those of hunger.
When the light dawned on the morning
of September 18th the only seaman who
had retained his health made the rounds
to see who was alive. When he leaned
over the bunk of Carpenter Nugent he
called out, Dead" A man in the next
bunk hobbled over and felt him.
"Yes, he's gone,' he said. "God have
mercy on us! Who will be neXt?"
After reading the second burial service,
Captain Durkee found it necessary to also
read lecture to the survivors. He did
the best he could to revive their spirits,
but his efforts did not avail much, as he
acknowledged when telling the story yes
terday.
The lingering winds came at last, and
the vessel slowly made her way to haven.
An eager lookout was kept for passing
ships, but none appeared upon the hori-
zon until the vessel was off Cape Hat
teras. Then a steamer was sighted to
the northward, and as soon as it was seen
that she would pass within signaling
distance signal which read, 1--WE are
starving-famine on board" F" was hoisted
on the miZzen.
Captain DurlSee ran it up to the mast
head himself, and then took up his ma
rine glass to watch for a response from
the stranger. Those of the crew who
were able to stand had also ranged them
selves along the rail, and were eagerly
watching the approaching ship.
No answering signal tluttered from her
masthead, and it soon dawned upon the
famished crew that she intended to keen
on her course without taking any notice
of the signal. The incident does not seem
to possess many humorous qualities, but
Captain Durkee managed to see a little
humor in it.
''As soon as we saw the fellow was giv-
ing US the go-by," he said, lone of my
sea lawyers came aft and wanted some-
thing done about it. He was after lower
ing boat and giving her chase. 1 told
him to go an chase himself an he did.
but came back presently with all the
others hObbling after him. Then l told
them that / would do all that I could 10
bring the ship to, so | broke out the flag
from its locker and hoisted it above the
signal, union down. If they didn't pay
any attention to that, why, then, con
cluded that l had rather take my chances
of starving than to be on the same ship
with them.
''Well, do you believe me- they didn't
even stop to ask what was the matter
Then my sea lawyer started i'll with some
more Of his balloon talk. l asked him
what he wanted-'the earth?' SAYS |. and
he said he did; any part of it, he wasn't
particular Said he didn't ship to be
blooming seagul, float aroun' for six
months without anything TO eat Then
the others chimed in, and L had Nep-
tunes own time to quiet them,
Tie next day we sighted the Cure
tuck lightship. Our distress signal was
still flying, and we did not haul it down
during the day, rs we were again be-
calmed. The lightship people noticed it
and telegraphed 10 Norfolk that there was
distressed bark off shore.
That night we ate the last bit OF pro-
visions that was on board. There was
not much of that. either, can tell you;
barely halt biscuit man. ltcontlnued