The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-12-16

NU.
awful storm ! have ever experienced,
struck us about nightfall At that time
we were about twenty miles to the
westward of Destruction Island. hav-
ding run somewhat off our course The
seas broke around and over us with
terrible fury and the staunch old ship
groaned under the strain. One blast
of wind carried away our mizzen-top-
sail, lower mizzen topsadl, fore topsail,
fore topmast staysaal, and jib. leaving
us under bare poles. During the night
our ballast shifted in fIdghtful man
ner to the starborad side, and the ship
listed fully six streaks.
"a new horror was now added Ito the
poor fever-racked souls on board. The
howling hurricane was lashang up great
walls Of water that threatened to wash
the decks clean, from stem to stern.
Bach fresh gale of wind sent the ves-
sci over ON her beam ends, and sew
eral times the s5as broke over her
Isaarbdard bulwarks. Just how the night
wore ON cannot now remember. dp
remember just once of seeing the pale
face of the new moon peeping through
la rift of the flying clouds, and 1t sent a
ray of silvery light far across the
fonning crest of the waves. 1t remain
ed but a moment, however, and then
disappeared, but 1 thought at the time
that it WAS a signal of hope flashed
from the heavens. Sunday dawned, but
it brought with it no cheering pros
pedts. The violence Of the hurricane
had increased and our staunch old
ship bravely battled for life. All the
men who were able went below and
commenced shifting ballast, and by
night had the vessel back to a couple
of streaks, where you now see her
That night the storm subsided and the
men were able to take few hours of
needed rest. More sails were bent, but
the fore topsaiI was soon blown clean
from her bolts On Monday morning
the vthtrd death occurred ON board. A.
B. McLargy, the ships carpenter. worn
out by fever and the rough voyage
gave up his life. and the following day
was buried in the same manner as his
comrades.
1.-The medicine chest was now empty,
but little grub was left besides the
canned goods, and all in all, matters
looked extremely serious. The weather
moderated however, which was a bles.
sing. and two or three days later we
picked up pilot This morning when
the curling column of black smoke
from the tug was noticed, in the east,
a score Of hearts we're made happy.
Personally I think 1t was one Of the
gnandee5t and most welcome sights /
have ever witnessed, and weak as
was l could scarcely refrain from
dancing with joy The captain. poor
fellow, cam scarcely move about, and
must say he has displayed wonderful
courage throughout the entire yoyage.
Myself and second officer have both
suffered with fever ever since we start
ed, and l assure you that / feel far
from strong alt the present time"
Dr. Walker returned after about an
hour and placed Mr.. Smith in charge OF
the ship, saying THAT he would keep
her in quarantine until today, when
he will make another examination. He
found every man on board suffering
from the effects of fewer, and the
Ioatswafn in a critical condition. Six
of the crew are on their backs and as
many more should be dn their hunks.
The ships papers showed that the Bal
lantyn left Acapulco with the second
officer and nine sailors with Mexican
"Calentura," or malarial fever
While the captain was conversing
with THE health officer he had vio-
lent chill, and was hardly able to keep
on his feet. The men about the boat
looked not unlike walking shadows.
Dr. Walker will II he finds no conta-
glous diseases ON board. have the crew
removed to the hospital today.
The ship was brought up and anchor
ed off the Seaside cannery last night.