The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-16

had gained the deck. Thank heaven, the
boat was soon made fast to US and We
We were in tow again"
Captain Arnesen of the Norwegian ship
Briedabl;k jotted these memoranda down
In his logbook when he reached Astoria.
1t was only the preface to his story of
terrible experience.
The tug Fearless arrived from the
north yesterday morning. Captain Dan
HASKELL was in command of her and it was
he who took charge of towing the Brieda-
blk to Astoria some days ago. He re-
ported that the storm through which he
had passed was one of the worst that he
had ever experienced and that he consid-
ers it very lucky that the tug and ship
made port in safety.
AS the report of Captain Arnesen has
not been dwell upon by the local press to
any extent and as it contains many thrill
ing instances of bravery on the part of
skipper and crew, its exciting pages are
first quoted, before giving the account of
the FearlPss's splendid battle with the hur-
ricaue to save her charge.
Mrs. Arnesen has for several years trav-
eled with her husband. She is a brave
woman and one well accustomed to the
sea. Her fortitude and courage during
hours of peril cannot but be admired by
all who read OF her adventures. Captain
Arnesen is a mariner who has brayed
many storms, but he does not hesitate 10
say that the Pacific Coast has succeeded in
outrivaling the world in big winds as well
as in many other much more agreeable
things.
At7 o'clock. as per the captains memo
randum, on the morning of a week ago
last Wednesday, the Briedablik dropped
out from the wharf at San Fra cisco.
Some time later the Fearless took up the
end of the towline and started off on the
northern journey. The weather was very
stormy outside and it took several hours
to round Point Reyes against a 3O-kuot
breeze aud high cross sea-
Ii was not until Friday however that
the real storm set in. The wind began to
freshen with great rapidly soon af er mid
night, and when day broke it was blowing
a furious gale. aud it was not possible to
keep the ship on course that would re-
Iieye the strain on the hawser.
The ballast shifted, and before 10 o'clock
IT was very clear TO be seen that the Fear
less would have to let her tow go. Signals
were exchanged and at 10 o'clock, before
the line could be cast off. il parted. A jib
and three staysails were set. but they
were blown away almost as soon as made
fast.
The ship was at the mercy of the waves
from o'clock that afternoon until nearly
midnight. She was perfectly unmanage-
able. She dipped from side to side until
her crew thought surely she would roll
over and sink. Fortunately the gale mod
Grated toward night and shortly after dark
the Fearless whistle was heard and be-
fore long the tug was alongside again and
had another hawser out.
The moderate weather continued up to
noon OF Saturday, then the glass began to
fall rapidly. As night closed down still
fiereer storm came up from the southeast,
and before 10 o'clock the seas were run
ming so high that the tug was buried in
them more than half the time. Captain
Haskell signaled with his whistle for the
ship to starboard her helm and heave to.
About twenty fathoms of extra chain were
run out t. relieve the strain on the hawser,
but In spite of this precauti0n the big 81
inch rope parted again close to the tug.
The vessels head swung around and sea
after sea went clean over her forward and
aft. The ballast shifted again and the sail
gear could not be handled.
The rolling was fearful. The lower