The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-07-20
,ABRIG INTHE DESERT
SURPRISING DISCOVERY OF A TRAv-
ELER IN DEATH VALLEY.

A Man Constructed and Fitted Up Vessel
on a Sandy Waste Because He Wants to
Be Ready When the Water Rises, as He
Firmly Believes 1t Will.
zone of the queerest and most surpris-
ing sights ever saw in all my wander
ings over the wilds of this country, !"
said E. c. Traver, well known pros
pector and civil engineer, few days
ago, twas newly constructed brig ly-
ing on the floor of Death valley. And it
Is there yet, SO that anybody can see it.
"When l first saw it, was almost
paralyzed could not believe my eyes
and thought I must have passed through
some mental lapse and was not in Death
valley at all But, after gazing at the
strange object few minutes and then
looking around me and seeing the wastes
of burning sands and feeling the hot
breath of the desert wind, knew that
everything about me was most realistic
ally real
''It was by the merest chance that
ran across the vessel, said Mr.. Traver,
because had been few feet farther
south l would never have seen it. You
see, had been working on the eastern
side of the valley for several weeks with
out success and concluded to go to
Mount Darwin, where l would at least
be sure Of expenses. l was crossing the
valley at the northern end, which is
quite narrow, but about the lowest spot
on the earth's surface. | am not exactly
certain, but think that where the YES
sci is it is about 200 feet below sea level.
"After the first surprise had worn off
I began to figure out how the craft came
there. That the vessel was relic Of q
past age never entered my head for
moment, because it was constructed on
perfectly modern lines and the wood
had yellow appearance, indicating
that it had not been cut very long. l am
something of q sailor myself, and the
first glance told me that it was the work
of some modern shipbuilder, but that
only made the mystery greater.
"Going close, l made careful ex-
animation of my strange find. 1t proved
to be 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 builder had put forth his best eff
forts. 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 msnner
Climbing onto the deck by a small |
rope ladder, found everything ship |
shape. The decks were as clean and |
white as man -of-war's, and every rope |
was in place. Entering the cabin, I |
found everything 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 / had to go to
the door, gasping for breath, before I
had completed my investigation. The
more looked the more mystified I be-
came. 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. went into the rigging
and looked over the surrounding coun-
try but could see no sign of human
being. When night came ON, l conclud-
ed to camp near by, but had no sooner
got fixed comfortably when voice from
somewhere 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 good natured looking man,
with gray hair and beard, was smiling
at me. Of course l at once concluded
that he knew something about the brig.
was right, and in few moments he
explained the whole thing to me and
also showed to what ends foolish idea
will drive man.
He said that his name was Freder-
ok Evans that he was a ship builder
by trade and one of the California pion-
eers Of 40. He had never made big
strike, but had always kept prospecting
md when the water rose in Salton lake
/ few years ago he was at work in the
Mountains around Death valley 1t was
hen that he got it into his head that
he water would eventually reach that
ocality, and he was determined to have
he first vessel TO float in the new sea.
Evans was not poor man, but had
money enough to hire couple of men
o help him lay the keel of the vessel,
'ut in the masts and do the other heavy
york. At first the work was pushed
apidly, but when the water commenced I
o recede Evans took things easily and
id all the work himself, because he
bought the water would not come again
or year He has been disappointed 8
very year since, but still thinks that
Death valley will become sea, and he
) ready for it
II was well treated by Evans, " said
ir. Traver in concluding. HE took me
D his abode, which was a deep cave a
ew feet from the brig, with a delight
al temperature. staid with him two
avs and found him a well educated
IAN and very interesting, but when l
1T him his last words were, When the q
'ater rises, will be ready for it. - '
an Francisco Call
Monuments to Women.