The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-07-19

Down ON a Dark March Night in the
Gulf stream-Two Fine Banks With
Their Able Crews Have Never Been
Heard From.
Capt. George W. Bunker has furnished
the PRESS with some interesting parti-
culars concering the Portland bark,
'sGeorge M. Stanwood,'' Capt. Foster,
which sailed from Cienfuegos March 23d,
bound for Delaware Breakwater, and has
not since been heard from. The Nor
wegian bark "Mentor'' went to sea the
same day, bound for the same destina-
ton. Capt. Bunker and his associates
in the port babe the captains of the two
vessels hearty Godspeed, and the next
day did the same by Capt. Stahl, of the
bark sCheshire, which was also bound
for the Breakwater. Capt. Bunker
vessel did not follow until the ,28th, when
he started for the Breakwater, cheered
by the good wishes of all in port, and
saluted by whistles and colors. Both
captain and crew were anxious to over
take the vessels that had preceded them
on the way to the Breakwater, and the
probable courses and positions of the
Stanwood and the Cheshire were much
discussed. Of his own cruise, and the
probable fate of the two barks, Captain
Bunker says:
'sAll went well with us in general. On
Wednesday evening following our sail
ing we were standing inshore off the once
famed haunts of the West India pirates,
Isles de Pinos isles of Pines.) The
wind was light from the west, but to
northward all was inky in appearance,
about eight miles distant. | recall be-
ing aloft some time, intently gazing land
ward in the hope of confirming
reckoning by view of the
island ere night set in The atmosphere
and general aspect were SO inky however
that / could only distinguish the hazy
outline of the land. When at p. m. the
wind changed in fresh squall, and a
S'norther'' was upon us, our light sails
had been taken in, anticipating this
change; and away we sped westward
under lower canvas and in smooth sea,
being under the lea Of the south,coas of
Cuba. M
son the next day Thursday we passed
Cape Corientes about noon, the wind
still blowing fresh, with a clear sky, and
the wind veering a point easterly of
north. Considering that there would be
heavy north sea down the Gulf of
Mexico by Cape Antonio, we deemed it
wise to lay by a few hours for its sub
sidence. Passing Antonio at shutdown,
to the north of which point stranded
bark with spars standing was seen, we
encountered heavy north sea, thus
confirming my judgment But the
wind having somewhat lessened, we
made a comfortable way to the north
northwest.
''It is notmy purpose to give detailed
account of our voyage and experience. A
week out we had passed Havana. On
the fifteenth day april 12th) we arrived
safely at the Breakwater, without hav-
ing sustained the slightest casualty on
the entire round. The Norwegian bark
Mentor had arrived but a few hours
previous on the same day. 1t will be re-
called that she sailed in, company with
the sStanwood." Being interested as to
tidings of my friends, I sought per-
sonal interview with the captain, who
was fine specimen of the Norseman; a
thorough sailor, Intelligent and affable.
/ give Ills statement verbatim as nearly
as possible:
"'Iwas in company with the Stanwood
every day until off Havana. There we
parted company during the following
day off Cape Canaverel Straits Of
Florida), where encountered the most
severe tempest Of my experience. For
about four hours it continued, during
which my bark was nearly submerged. A
very dangerous sea was on, caused by
cyclone from the north blowing against
the gulf stream current. We managed
to iettison about fifty sacks of suguar;
and all that saved us was free use of
oil. / was at Charleston during the
tempest and earthquake, but nothing
ever surpassed my experience of those
hours off Canaverel.'
1--WE waited and watched for days,
days heightened to weeks, weeks have
heightened to months, and no tidings
have come of our comrades who sailed
from that sunny isle. for their northern
home. Capt. Stahl was accompanied by
his wife and young child. The barks
were trinity laden, commanded by as
efficient men as ever walked the quarter
deck.
Another mystery. What must be the
conclusion? AS person conversant
with the general circumstances and local
ity-the presumed position of the yes
sels-the dangerous norther encountered
by the Mentor and which l expert
enoed off the south coast, can see no
ray of hope, but have long since con-
cluded that in the suddenness and con-
fusion, being on adverse lacks, and in
close proximity, the 'Stanwood' and
Cheshire must have met insra fatal en-
counter, and speedily have met their
doom amid the turbulent waters of that
merciless Gulf Stream, with land near on
either hand, during that fateful closing
March drama
INSOLVENCY COURT.