The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-09-15
A SHIP IN THE DESERT,
THE HANDSOME BRIG LIES IN.
DEATH VALLEY.
Built by Man Who Expected Salton,
Lake to Cover tho Desert-Every Rope
Is In Place and the Decks Are as Clean
and White as a Man Of Wars.


and White as a Man. Of Wars.
"One of the queerest and most
surprising sights I ever saw in all
my wanderings over the wilds OF
this country" said E. G.. Traver,
well-known prospector and civil en-
g1neer, few days ago, "was a newly
constructed brig lying on the floor
OF Death valley. And 1t is there
yet, so that any body can see it.,
"When 1 first saw it L was almost
paralyzed. I could not believe nv
eyes, and thought I must have
passed through some mental lapse
and was not in the Death valley at
all. But after gazing at the strange
object a few minutes and then look
ing around me and seeing the wastes
of burning sands and feeling the hot
breath of the desert wind, I knew
that everything about me was most
realistically real.
/ lit was by the merest chance that
ran across the vessel" said Mr.
Iraver. ''because had I been few
1eet further south I would never
+ have seen it. You see, l had been
working on the eastern side of the
valley for several weeks without sue
cess, and concluded to go to Mount
Darwin, where I would at least be
/ sure of expenses. I was crossing
Ethe valley at the northern end, which
tSls quite narrow, but about the lowest
l2spot on the earth's surface. I am
mot exactly certain, but I think that
where the vessel is located it is
about 200 feet below sea level
/ ''After the first surprise had worn
off l began to figure out how the
craft came there. That the vessel
was relic of a past age never en-
tered my head for moment, because
it was constructed on perfectly
modern lines and the wood had: a
yellow appearance, Indicating that
lit had not been cut very long. am
lTsomething of sailor myself, and the
first glance told me that it was the
work of some modern ship builder;
but that only made the mystery
greater.
"Going close, l made a careful
examination of my strange find. 1t
proved to be a perfect brig of about
400 TONS. that had never. been in
water. Every thing about It was Of
the best style of workmanship, and
showed plainly that the workman
had put forth his best efforts. The
keel was laid fiat on the sand. and
the starboard side placed up against
small reef of rocks. The port side
was supported in the usual manner.
"Climbing onto the deck by a
small rope ladder, I found every
thing in ship-shape. The decks
| were as clean and white as man-of-
wars, and every rope was in place.
| Entering the cabin, I found every
thing neat and clean, and several
| hunks with bedding ready to sleep
in. Such thing, however, would
have been impossible, as the heat
was simply unbearable, and I had to
go to the door, gasping for breath,
before I had completed my investiga-
tion. The more / looked the more
interested and mystifed l became.
1t was plain the brig had been built
where she was; but by whom, and
for what?
II spent the whole afternoon
climbing over the vessel. 1 went
into the rigging and looked over the
surrounding country, but could see
no sign of a human being. When
night came on l concluded to camp
near by, but had no sooner got fixed
comfortably when a voice from some
where called Good evening" You
may be sure jumped, as my nerves
were feeling little weak through
my strange afternoons experience
! ''There was no need to be alarmed
though, for a good-natured looking
man with gray hair and beard was
smiling at me. OF course I at once
concluded that he knew something
about the brig. I was right, and in
a few moments he explained the
whole thing to me and also showed
to what ends foolish idea will drive
a man.
s'He saio his name was Frederick
Evans, and that he was a ship build
er by trade and one of the California
| pioneers of 49,. He had never made
a big strike, but had always kept
prospecting, and when the water
rose in Salton lake. a few years ago
| he, was at work in the mountains
around Death valley. It was then
| that he got it in his head that the
| water would eventually reach that
locality and he was determined to
| have the first vessel to float in.
the new sea. Evans was not poor
man, but had enough money to hire
a couple of men to help him lay the
keel Of the vessel, putt the masts
and Q the other heavy work At
first the work was pushed rapidly,
but when the waters commenced to
recede Evans took things easy and
did all the work himself, because he
thought the water would not come
again for a year. He has been dis
appointed every year since, but still
thinks that Death valley will become
la sea, and he is ready for it. d. .s
5a'.l was we'll treated by Evans s
said M, Iraver in concluding. He