The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-07-25
ABRIG INTHE DESERT
SURPRISING DISCOVERY OF A TRAv-
ELER IN DEATH VALLEY.

A Man Constructed and Fitted Up Vessel
on n Sandy Waste because lie Wants TO
Tie Ready When the Water Rises, as He
Firmly Believes II WIN.
zone of the uueerest and most surpris-
ing sights | ever saw in all my wander.
ings over the wilds of this country"
said Il. G. Traver, well known pros
pector and civil engineer, few days
ago, twas q newly constructed brig ly-
ing on tho floor of Death valley. And it
is there yet, so that anybody can see it.
"When l first saw it, l was almost
paralyzed. could not believe my eyes
and Thought | 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 reaf
1T was by the morest chance that I
ran across the vessel, said Mr.. Traver,
because had l been few feet farther
south ] would never have seen II. You
see, had been working on the eastern
side of the valley for several weeks with
out success and concluded TO go 20
Mount Darwin, where would at least
be sure of expenses ! was crossing tho
valley at the northern end, which is
quite narrow, but about the lowest spot
on the earth's 3 surface. am not exactly
certain, but think that where the ves-
sci is it Is about 200 feet below sea level.
'After the first surprise had worn off
began to figure out how the craft came
there That the vessel was relic of q
past age never entered my head for a
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 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, | made a careful ex-
animation of my strange find. It proved
to be n 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. Tho 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 q small
rope ladder, l found everything ship
shape. The decks were as clean and
white rs man Of wars, and every rope
was in place. Entering the cabin,
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 ]
had completed my investigation. The
more looked the more mystified be-
came It was plain the brig had been
built where she was. but by whom and
for what?
81 spent the whole afternoon climbing
over the vessel. went into the rigging
and looked over the surrounding coun-
try, hut could SEQ no sign Of human
being. When night came on, conclud-
ed to camp near by, but had no sooner
got fixed comfortably when voice from
somewhere called Good eveningr 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 n good natured looking man,
with gray hair and beard, was smiling
at me. Of course / 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
ick Evans, that he was ship builder
by trade and one of the California pion
GERS of 40. He had never made big
strike, but had always kept prospecting
and when the water rose in Salton lakt
few years ago he was at work in thu
mountains around Death valley. 1t wa
then that Inc got it into his head tha
the water would eventually reach tina
locality, and he was determined to hav,
the first vessel to float in the new sea-
Evans was not poor man, but hat
to help him lay the keel of the vessel
put in the masts and do the other heav,
work. At first the work was pushe,
rapidly. but when the water commence,
TO recede Evans took things easily ant
did all the work himself, because h
thought the water would not come agail
for year He has been disappointe,
every year since, but still thinks tina
Death valley will become sea, and h
is ready for it,
II was well treated by Evans" salt
Mr.. Traver in concluding. HE took m
to his abode, which was a deep cave
few feet from the brig, with delight
full temperature. staid with him tw
days and found him well educate,
man and very interesting but when
left him his last words were, When tn
water rises, / will be ready for it. -
San Francisco Call