The Portland daily press., 1897-03-22

to shape his course via Cape Horn, rath-
er than by the Cape of Good Hope, hop
ing thereby to makelbetter time. Wealth.
er remained fine and nothing but light
airs and calms were experienced until
Capt Horn was rounded 1877 days out.
In the meantime the Chinese cook had
been taken down with severe cold and
died November II. Afterwards seaman
named Thomas King was taken down
with what appeared to be sourvy and
died December as. Soon afterwards
seaman Thomas Olsen was taken i'll and
died January H. Thomas Judge, an
other seaman was taken ill with cancer
in the stomach. Later mate Stephen
q. Bunker. showed symptoms Of sourvy.
The latter died February 4, and WAS
quickly followed by George King, an
old man, who died the 9th. The 18th
Judge succumbed' making In all six
deaths. One by one other sailors were
obliged to quit work until March 1st no.
body was left..except the second and third
mates, the Captain and vile who were
well nigh exhausted. When q strong
northerly gale sprang up, on: that day
the woman was obliged to take the helm
for eight hours. Without relief. without
SO much as drink of water she Kept the
ship on her course.
The only vessel sighted during the en-
tire voyage. except the ship Gov. Robie,
was the north bound I4amport and Holt
steamer which passed the Cakes of
Pernambuco too far of to distinguish
signals. For the pasts20 days the Oakes
encountered a succession Of north and
northwest gales with high turbulent
SEAS On arrival at quarantine the ves-
sci was visited by the health officer and
placed in strict quarantine. Crew ap-
peared on 1.-THE mend though unable to
leave their bunks
Mrs. Reed who Is woman Of great
pluck and endurance, was born in New
Hampshire about 50yeaIs ago, and direct
descendant of Molly Stark, wife Of Gem
era Stark of revolutionary fame. For
the last fourteen years she has accom-
panied her husband on allS his voyages,
having been nine years with him in the
Oakes. Mrs. Reed labored day and
night. Provisions running short,
although supply was obtained
January 18th from American ship
Gov. Robie, New York for Melbourne,
when off Plant, Trinidad. and the crew
being left without other than barest me-
cessaries a sharp lookout was kept for
passing vessels. Nothing was sean until
the KasLek hove in sight to ameliorate
the condition of the stricken sailors. AL
though all fresh provisions had run out
she made br0ths and gruels of corn meal
and oatmeal for them often making as
much as five gallons day. Mrs. Reed
handed she was obliged to turn to and help
work the ship. She knew how to steer
a straight course, by compass, she gen.
rally relieved her husband at the wheel
while he turned to with the crew and
made or furled sail. AT other, times she
hauled at the ropes with the men. March
1st it came on to blow brisk gale. Said
Mrs. Reed: About seven in the morning
went on deck and asked Capt. Reed if
1 could help him. Mr.. Abrams and Mr..
Ragan, the two mates and one seaman.
were aloft trying to fuTl the maintop-
mast, two Chinese servants doing. their
best to haul the clew lines. Capt. Reed
asked me to take the wheel while he
helped those on deck. did SO. 1t was
bitterly cold and / was not prepared for
the weather. / stuck it out till my hus-
band ran aft to see how I was getting on
and gave me chance to run below and
get big ulster to wrap myself in. From
that time until Moons was steadily at it.
The WORK was not very hard, as I am
pretty strong, and the snip was soudding
before the gale but was tired before l
was relieved. Then we had something
to eat and altogether I was at it five
hours.
Capt and Mrs. Reed live in Haver-
hill. Mass. where they have married
son and daughter.