The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-04
A LINE AND BOOM.
Saved Lives From a Ship
in Distress.
Total Loss of the American Bark
Richard Parsons-Story of
the Wreck.

Readers of sea stories will remember the
reported loss of the American bark Rich
ard Parsons. 1t was told here by the
wires about two months ago. Her skip
per, Captain B. w. Joy, came back to the
United States 10 the steamer Rio Janeiro
yesterday and he says that he is glad that
he is living. Numerous persons nova
days are accredited with this same express
sion, but in the case of Captain Joy one
cannot help from remarklng, "Well, he
ought to be-" that is after hearing how the
mariner escaped from his wrecked ship.
"The Richard Parsons" said Captain
Joy, leaning meditatively against the
Rios rail ana gazing longingly toward the
dock, for the captain was awfully anxious
to get ashore, started from Manila for
Newcastle to secure coal. While we were
off the Philippines it looked stormy so we
put into Paun Bay. at the island of Min
dora. We remained there several days,
then started for our destination.
Scarcely had we cleared the harbor
and stood away on our course under a
pretty good showing aloft when the
smallest OF small black clouds appeared on
the horizon. 1t seemed to be scurrying
along at high rate of speed, so l ordered
all hands to take In sail. was convinced
that it was getting ready to blow.
Sail was shortened. The wind veeIed
round and forced US to beat off shore.
Then it shifted again, and continued tO
shift until it was almost impossible to
keep the yards braced up on the right
course.
1.-THE storm came down on US with great
fury. l decided to put back to Palun,
but before the bay was within a reason
able distance the gale turned into hurri-
cane.
I'VE were blown straight toward the
rocks south of the harbor and struck very
soon thereafter. it being impossible to pre-
vent the ship from drifting with the tide
and wind.
'We were in very exposed position.
The waves broke over us with force for
ward, smashing all the boats and making
it impossible for man to leave the poop
without risking his life. We were all
huddled together near the stern expecting
every moment would be our last.
81 suddenly thought of an idea. The
extremity of a cliff was not far from where
we lay. At the foot of the cliff was
beach that shelved in such manner that
it was above water at various points. We
cut away the heavy miZZen-bo0m, attached
strong line,to il. then pushed the boom
overheard, 1t drifted ashore and was
thrown by big wave we'll up on the
rocks.
"Over the line we had to haul ourselves.
one ny oDes until nail exhausted, and
nearly dead from submersion we would
drag our bodies out of the surf
The ships carpenter and a MALAY
sailor tried the lifeline first. They reached
the shore in safety. but First Mate AM
brose +. Flower and Steward Archibald
lost their hold on the rope, went down be-
fore our eyes and were drowned. Cook
Kilsh and three Malays of the crew lost
their lives before all had dragged them
selves from the bark
There was no hope for the vessel. so
the survivors of our little company. headed
by myself, made our way over the bills to
the native settlement. We were received
kindly, fed on tie best the poor inhab
tants had to give US, and housed. VIE
were sixteen days on the island, durin Q
which time we had to subsist on mice
mostly, for the natives were short of food.
"One day we tramped across the island
to the other side and there found fishing
settlement. There was a small schooner
In port, which we chartered, and on her
made our way to Manila. thence to Hong
Kong
The Richard Parsons was owned in
New Bedford. l am on the way there
now"