Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-20

ever they could find to sit on. Although
protected from the furious blasts, they
were cramped and far from comfort
comfortable to last.
Under the immense pressure on the
main topsail (the only square sail set
the lee sheet, which was a heavy chain,
snapped, and with a noise like a volley
OF musketry, the sail split all the way
across. Here was work for all hands
and we were routed out of our warm
bunbs to help secure the sail before it
was blown to ribbonss The first thing
was to check in the yards and as we
manned the braces it was possible to
stand up against the wind With one
hand chnging to the rail and pulling
with the other we finally managed to
swing the yards into the wind.
With only a storm stay sail set for
ward the ship fell off into the trough,
and as we manned the gear to haul up
| the split topsail, which was thrashing
furlously in the wind, the seas swept
over us in rapid succession. AS a big
white crest rose high above our heads,
IL,
to prevent being swept away by the
mad rush Of water which descended on
our heads, then when the water had
run Off little, we worked away until
another wall of water rose threatening
iy alongside. Again We chung to the
ropes while the deluge swept over U.S.
Several men lost their hold and We're
swept across the deck, but fortunately
were not hurt beyond a few bruises.
When at last, after repeated duck
ings, the order was given to clay aloft
and furl the SAIL even some of the sail
orS hesitated. Watching a chance, l
sprang up on the rail, and on making
my way rapidly aloft, found 1 was the
first to reach the yard. 1t seemed as
If the ship was rolling her heaviest, and
that the wind was determined to tear
us out of the rigging.
While making my way far out over
the raging ocean, a furious gust drove
the sail under the yard, and in twink
ling 10th feet were knocked off the foot
rope. Sailors learn to cling on by their
eyelasheS, and as L regained my foot
hold L shouted to my chum, who was
the next one on the yard, ''MuZzle the
sail quick or somebody will be knocked
overheard
! After terrible russell, the sail being
torn from our grasp over and over
again, we finally muzzled it and on look
ing for the gilSl&etS to secure it, found
them all snarled up in the torn and
freyed out canvas. knives We're drawn
to cut the gaskets clear, and we worked
over that sail when it was enough to do
to keep the heavy rolling of the ship
and the furious blasts from sending us
overheard to certain death.
AT last the sail was secure after a
fashion and the sailors glad to leave
were soon on deck.
Having been at the yard arm l was
the last to leave and this nery nearly
cost me my life, son the way down |
met the second mate coming I'D with
extra gaS1etS.
Go back!' he shouted, I'VE must Sc
cure that sail better or Wen have all
our work to do over again."
On reaching the yard I sat on the
footrope and passed the turns of the
gaskets up to the second mate, who sat
astride of the big yard.
While seated Oh the footrope | could
just reach with my left hand the iron
jachstay OF rod which ran along the top
of the yard. The ship was rolling heav-
lily, but suddenly an unusually heavy
lurch to leeWard caused me to slide off
the fOOtrOpe.
hn6
no chance to catch at anything, and but
for the grip Of my left hand | would
have gone overheard. AS it was I was
left hanging far out beyond the ships
side and seventy feet or more above the
raging ocean. My peculiar position
made it impossible to help myself, and
in the darkness my danger was IN
noticed by the second mate, who was
busy trying to keep his own position
astride of the yard.
Had my hold been broken nothing
could have saned me, as l would have
disappeared in the angry sea un-
noticed in the intense darkness. 1t was
an extremely perilous position and it
seemed to me hours almost before the
ship righted and | was able to regain
my position. Sailors became accustom-
cd 10 narrow escapes, so after catching
a breath 1 resumed my work and the
mate never knew Of my peril
On reaching the deck some time later
we found the crew busy setting a
storm trysail in place of the split topsail,
and then, as, all was comparatively
snug, the watch was allowed to go be-
low again
AS it would be our watch on deck at
midnight no one thought of taking off
even an oil suit, SO bracing ourselves
against the chests or hunks we tried to
catch a few winl1s of sleep. Eight bells
soon came, and we went on deck for
the midnight watch there was no
change in the situation, although there
was a rll1nor that we were near land.
AS we knew the ship was hemmed in
on all sides the thought was ar from
being a pleasant one. 1t was a dreary
night watch, enlivened only by a big
steamer passing at very close quarters. |
After being in cramped positions for
four hours, unable to sleep or even rest,
for one was glad to turn in at a. M.
as I had had little sleep in the last two
days. 1t was now Sunday, the fourth
day since sighting Cape Clear, and, as
the wind was slowly moderating and
hauling to west, our hopes Of reaching
port rose again.