New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-31
A CARGO or YARNS.
THE NAVAL RESERVE HAS NOT LACKED
ADVENTURE
EXCITING AND PERIIOCs TINES ABOARD AhI
PoRTsMOuTH-sHE CALAMITY BEANS
OUT THE OLD SUPERSTITION OF
SAILORS THAT HERS Is
EXCITING AND
CHARMED LIFE.

CHARMED LIFE.
Fishers Island, July 80 (SpeciaD.-Ihe new -'e'
sev Naval Reserve-ship Portsmouth returned aho
cast anchor of this island this afternoon after an
exciting and perilous night on Long lsiand eouho
Several more tales were added TO the cargo or
thrilling warns with which the Reserve will return
TO Hoboken The Portsmouth left here yesterday
afternoon
The original intention to sail early IN the
morning but not a breath OF air was stirring, ana
even the long. thin pennant at the main huns
limp and lifeless. breeze came up early In the
afternoon anchor weighed at once and the
Portsmouth sailed through the race into the SOUND
and off toward Long Island, with the intention OF
making a long reach and then lacking. After sew
eral hours sail in that way she was brought ABOUT
I'm stays only to run into dense fog on brehtoh
Reef 1t was deemed advisable to cast anchor AT
once and the young sailors surprised ana deiiBhteo
Commander Irving with the manner in which they
climbed the shrouds, the yards ard furled
sails
The fog thickened as the tight came on. and the
night became intensely dark. The bell was sounded
at intervals OF very fifteen seconds and other pre-
cautioi.s thought necessary were taken. The an
chorage was right in the line Of the big SOUND
steamers however and Commander Irving not only
realized the danger but became convinced that the
loss OF time occasoned would make II impossibir to
reach the Vineyard Haven nd return TO Genciove
by Saturday In time TO kee) an engagement with
Governor Griggs. Garrett a. Hobart, and other
prominent New-Jersey men. hope OF being able
to secure tug to help cate for lost time was
entertained, and Nav. tor i'eters. With Adjutant
Farnham Yardley and select crew was ordered to
proceed In the first cutter for NewLondon in search
of tug.
The under aking dangerous one, but the
selected crew was anxious and willing The crew
comprised Coxswain Burke. Coxswain Jackson ana
seamen Lea.y. Brett. Davenport Walker, soper'
Kudlick Geayer. Bennett and Lunger Navigator
Peters was obliged to guide the cutter entirely by
compass. and It required five hours to nnaHy
reach the beach near the Pequot House az New
London There II was learned that tug was
available While Navigator Peters was cropping his
way through the fog to New-London the Ports
mouth calamity bore out the superstition that sail
ors entertained years ago about her having a
charmed life At 10 o'clock steamer shot out or
the stern out OF the darkness, and hailed her with
an inquiry AS TO the location Of the Brenon Reef
Iieutenan Commander Craven shouted back the
desired information
Soon afterward the faint blowing Of whistles
could be heard. but real danger appeared 10
come until shortly after u o'clock. when the look
out on the starboard cathead sung out mat there
was a whistle to starboard At the same moment
another whistle heard astern. Commander
Irving and Lieutenant Commander Craven, VINO
we're on the bridge. concluded that steamers were
approaching IN opposite directions. Their surmlse
each other that they were going 10 starboard
Tho signal Of the steamer off the starboard bow
no sooner sounded than its headlight flashed
upon the Portsmouth. There violent ringing
OF bells. hoarse shouting and quick orders. 1t
looked as II the steamer would strike the Ports
mouth about at the mizzen starhoard shroud
The big steamer lost Roadway gradually, drew
of and disappeared in the mist, while the steamer
astern cleared her and also disappeared. At the
moment the steamers whistle sounded Lieutenant
Commander Craven decided to have the ship :
crew ready for emergency. The order, All hands
on deckr' was passed quickly below. The men
were out Of their hammocks quickly. They rushed
on deck barefoot and half-dressed just in time TO
see the big steamer disappear in a flood OF light
and 10 hear the order Stand fast" which meant
that the danger was over, and that they could re-
turn 10 their hanmocks ,. H..
The intention reach Vineyard haven was ana
donAd this morning. and at noon the snip saller
hack 70 Fishers Island. where the anchor was
again dropped at o'clock
Tomorrow will be devoted by Commander lrv-
ing to putting the men through sham battle on
the island Late in the afternoon the order,
anchor up,' will be passed. and the Portsmouth
Will head homeward II Is expected thar Glen
Cove will be reached Saturday morning, ana there
Governor C;riggs and party will be taken aboard for
the Trim 10 Hoboken II IL probable that the Ports
saturday night and return TO Hoboken early on
sunday The appear to have enjoyed tne
cruise thus far with all its novel exciting ad-
ventures: but they think the cargo or yarns -
nrte large enough and they want the homeward
voyage to be quiet and uneVentul.