The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-06
PRESENCE OF MIND AT SEA.
An Old Saiiorman Recalls Instances In
Which /. Was AlI-lmportant.

Which II Was All-lmportant.
Speaking of presence of mind at sea-"
reflected the old Boston mariner, II re-
member that many years ago, when
Capt. William T. Glidden. formerly of
the firm of Glidden & Williams, was in
command of ship bound TO New Or
leans, she was struck by squan off
the south side of Cuba, and the head of
the foremost, close to the eyes of the
rigging, spliutered and broke but held
together. The topmast canted to lee
ward, and it would have gone over the
side if the broken part had separated.
Capt. Glidden kept the ship off, brought
the topmast upright by the backstays,
and then took "a spare spar, rove it up
through the catharpins. dashed It around
the broken head of the foremost and
the heel, or doublings, of the topmast.
and around the foremost below thetop,
and thus secured the lower mast, the
topmast and all above them.
ITO think this out was the work of
second. but hours were required TO
make it complete. BY presence of mind
and using the material at hand. Capt.
Glidden saved the expense and delay of
putting into port. Seamen, as gener-
al rule, are ready reasoners. There are
no given rules by which a disaster can
be repaired at sea; all depends upon
the experience and skill of the captain
or the officers. A captain who is not
an unmitigated egotist viii act upon a
hint suggested by common seaman.
AN iliustrat ion of this kind occurred
in which a link of the sings of the
main yard was broken. While secur-
ing the yard with tackle. sailor sug-
gested that a shacltle would supply the
place of the broken link. There were
several shaci1les on board. evidently
designed for that purpose which had
attracted the sailors notice in clearing
out locker, but which was unknown
to her captain and mates. In sddi-
ton to these there were shackles
for every piece of chain rigging in
the ship. and for the Ca bles. too The
sailor, IN turning them over, OWNED
their use On that same voyage, while
bringing the ship up in the River Ner-
sey during a gale, at Liverpool, the
ca BILE parted, but another anchor and
chain saved her from drifting ashore
At low water the parted chain and an
chor were recovered, and the broken
link was replaced by a shaekle. The
shipmaster who fitted the ship out when
new had provided for such con.ingen-
cies. but as she was then ten years old
the means 70 meet them were unknown
to her officers. The intelligence Of the
a.
These and various other means To re-
pair accidents had been regarded as 20
much old iron This led the captain
70 overhaul the contents Of every
locker in the ship, and be found
appliances for constructing a jury
rudder. for repairing pumps, stop
ping leaks, and 80 on. and had
them all properly assorted, that they
might be used when required. II was
evident that he who had fitted the ship
out was man of thought and extern f.
sive experience. and had made provision I
70 meet accidents that were liable 20
occur
Nv hen Capt, Ebcn HoTrss cornrnSu nd /
ed the New York packet Roscias a man
fell overheard while the ship was going
rapidly through the waser not only I
were the life buoys cut adrift bat spare
s,Eadding sail yards. oiliets o: wood. and
pIanks were thrown overheard. and q
man was cent aloft 20 look out - hile the +
ship was being brought ~ the wind +
ana the lee~quarter beozt was made +
ready for lowering. A passenger 4
asked Capt Hosses why be had I
thrown 20 many things overheard 4
Tie was answered. because they 1
wosld BE- guides 70 the boa. in locking 4
after the man. In sezsxay the life 4
buogs. as svea a. the man. might escape 4