The morning call., 1894-12-13
THE SHIP LONG OVERDUE.
Narrow Escape of the Melrose
From Going on the Rocks.
SAVED BY A PRESS OF CANVAS.
How Captain Kolb Risked Dismantling
His Vessel to Save Her From
Being a Total Wreck.

LIZ seems reasonably CoTldlu TO suppose
that the ship India, from Nanaimo, with
coal for John Rosenfeld & Son, has gone
down iu mdocean much after the manner
in which the fated Ivanhoe is presumed tn
have been lost. The India left the north
nineteen days ago, and had she been
favored with any sort of luck she would
have been in port some time last week.
Mr.. Resented thinks that the ship is all
Right, but no one else seems to be of his
opinion. Stancher craft than the Ioda
have suffered from the recent storm. A
nineteen days trip from the sound is some
thing very unusual.
The ships L. j. Morse and Jabez Howe
and barks Melrose, Undaunted and Kate
Davenport sailed several days later than
the overdue vessel, and all are safely tied
to the wnarves at this city.
The India is an old ship. She was built
at Bath, Me-, in 1863 and has seen some
pretty hard service since the day of her
landing. She is of wooden construction
and is commanded by Captain Merriman,
who has been coast skipper for num-
Der of year.
All told there were about twenty men
on the ship when she left Nanalmo. If
the vessel went down there Is little hope
of any Of them ever being rescued.
There never has been such an unlucky
year for ships In the history of the Pacific
Coast marine. according TO the marine ln-
surance people. The recent storm Is just
being heard from to the extent of reports
of disasters all along the coast. Within
the period of the past three or fur days
there have been half d0Zen narrow es-
capes from wrecks Among the most
thrilling of these adventures is that of the
bark Melrose, that arrived mere Sunday
night from Puget Sound.
Captain krlb gave bis story of the voy-
age yesterday. 1t is related that the Mel
rose nearly went ashore al Point Reyes
during the recent blow.
''The kilograms from Victoria 10 the
daily papers gave an account of our hay.
ing to put back twice. Now, L Will give
you few memoranda that have not been
published" said the captain.
1--WE made the trip from Puget Sound TO
Point Reyes in six DAYS, arriving off the
point on Thursday Of last week. Friday it
blew up sou'easter, and | b d sail short
ened 10 lower topsais. At 3 o'clock the
wind shifted to the southwest. BY 10
clock at night it had blown up terrific
gale, but rrior TO that time we stood in
for Pint Reyes until we were about if
teen miles off. Then we tackled until we
were within five miles OF the heads. The
Kate Davenport and Oriental were in
company with US, but they hailed tugs
and were towel in.
II did not feel that I could pay any,
thing Tor a tug, as we had had so much
bad luck up north. The breeze had died
down, and l thought / could sail in. On
approaching the bar the wind proved too
light, so | stood off for sea again.
AT 10 O'Clock We had Point Rsyes north
west by north, with freshening wind
a-starboard. | headed the ship ives ward,
and by II o'clock ran into gale. l
ordered courses hauled up and upper top
sails hauled down.
AT o'clock Sunday morning the storm
was at lis height. II rained, whew! how
it did pour. never saw anything like it,"
Here the captain raised his hands above
his head and brought them down with a
thump on his knees. "My God, never
experienced such weather." he exclaimed.
"As dav broke l calculated that we were
several miles off Reyes, but | made a mis-
calculation. Tue tide and wind had
worked us almost right on top of the
rocks. The roaring surf sounded under
our quarter.
There was only one Thing left to do to
save the ship and save the crew-set sail.
1t was risky business piling on canvas in
a stiff SOU wester, but had to get the Mel
rose out of there or she was lost.
II ordered upper tops ails set and dragged
her out inch by inch. The upper topsails
were still loose; but for that they never
could have been SET, and the ship could not
have been hauled off.
''ln ten hours we only made fifteen
miles. for on Sunday morning we were
only that distance from the shore.
Another rain squall set in and CON-
mencad to drive us back. 1t was terrific
but | determined to crowd On more sail. 1t
was matter of life and death. Her sticks
are strong and the canvas good, | said !;
hen l shouted to set the topgallant sails
and courses.
"The masts hent tn the storu hut hold
We succeeded in making the bar, and
without further ado headed for port
1--WE had very little trouble crossing in,
but we barely missed tremendous sea
tina. would have caused us trouble. 1t
broke just aft of US.
"What do you think about the Irdia's
chances for coming into port?" was asked
OF Captain Kolb.
"How long has she been out?"
Nineteen days"
Then don't look for her; she is gone"
replied the skipper decidedly.