Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-03-17
IN 1HE ARMS oE A CORPSE.
Horrible Tale Of shipwreek and suHerinl
I'm the China Sea.


I'm the China Sea-
George j. Merchant, mate and the |
only survivor of the crew of six on the |
i'll fated schooner Pearl, which was run
down and sunk in the China sea by an
ocean steamer. was interviewed by a
reporter at his uncle's home, on Pelham
street
'The PEARL" he said, twas a small
trading schooner Of 140 tons, and usual
ly touched ports among the Philippine
islands, but ON his last voyage we were
chartered at Pamay for Hong-Kong
with general cargo.
Nothing Of any account happened
until the night of the disaster, when we
were within eight miles of our destina-
ton.
"At o'clock that evening the barom-
eter went down rapidly and We made
ready by reducing sail to meet the tor
nado.
Myself and a man named Mayo were
on watch at IL o'clock, and at that time
we were hove to under a two reefed
foresail, the wind having increased To
gale.
suddenly we saw two side lights a
half mile away, and fearing collision
| told Mayo to get the fam lighted,
while would arouse the crew.
Before the fam could be lighted
the steamer was upon us, striking the
Pearl ON the port side and cutting her
almost in two,
"We began to sink. cut the LASH
ings of the boat, turned her over, Dut we
could not launch her, as Mayo's arm
had been broken by flying timber.
1--WE got into the boat and she floated
off | saw the steamer back astern then
proceed on her course, Notwithstanding
that yelled myself hoarse for aid.
I'm a few minutes the schooner sank
head foremost, and we came very near
being drawn down.
1--WE were alone on the ocean, as not
one of our shipmates could be seen cling
ing to the wreckage of our vessel. But,
worst of all, we had neither oars, water
nor provisions.
"The heavy sea that was running at
the time broke over the bqtt, and tore
up the bottom boards, fastened them to
; the rope at the bow and threw them
overheard These answered as a drag
and kept her head up to the sea.
"All that night we huddled together
to keep warm, expecting each moment
!, would be our last.
Morning dawned, but it was a sad
> dawning, as Mayo, overcome by the pain
of his broken arm, lay stretched out III
the bottom of the boat gasping for the
want of drink of water.
: Throughout that day many an anx
= ious glance cast over the waters. There
was no sail in sight, and the delirious
. cries of Mayo was something awful
= :. Then the storm abated. Next morning
= found myself clasped in the arms of tht
: corpse of Mayo.
= = "This was terrible, yet he must b
! buried. So raised the body as gently
q as possible and launched it into the sea
81 watched the body sink, but wha
was my horror when it rose face up
? ward. Having nothing for sinker
' took one of the boards and padded ava,
: from the terrible sight.
y ~ think it must have been about nool
- that day when became delirious, for
. . remember quite Plainly Of yelling to
I feet of imaginary ships as they passed
= but after that all was blank.
!, :, "How or when l was rescued l do nc
know, but when | came to my senses
= was on board large Chinese junk, an
= seated beside me was good nature
20 coolie with fan, who motioned me t
keep quiet. Boston Globe.