Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-05-06
A MEMORABLE VOYAGE.
Fire. Shipwreck, Mutiny and Short
Provisions.

I
in 1850. She wss built at Newbu Neck,
South Surry, and registered about 200
tons. l sailed her with very good success
until December 1851.
On this trip sailed from Boston down
to Rockport, formerly called Goose River,
| to load with lime for Charleston, South
/ Carolina. | left Rockport on Decem Der
p, ISL. We had very bad weather before
VT passed Cape Cod: then we encoun-
+ tered heavy gales, these carrying sway
/ our tore-yard in the sings. We also lost
4 our boat from the dsvits, and one from
! the deck and were left without a boat.
] On January 20, 1852, We found that q
small leak, around the so-called sampson
| post, had set the cargo on fire forward in
the hold. We sealed up the hold 10 pre-
vent the fire from blazing When the
fire was discovered we were 20 or
800 mites from land, so our chances
for lie were small. We had not sighted
sail for some time. On January p.
/ about O'Clock in the morning. We
sighted bark laying to about three miles
on our weather beam. The bark WAS
under close-reeted main-top-sail. We
were under storm-stsy-sail. | ordered
the flag set union down in the rigging
The bark Immediately kept off for us; and
ran across our stern as near as possible
| informed the captain of the bark that
our vessel was on fire, and that we wanted
to be taken off. He replied that it would
be impossible at present, but that he
would lay by US. We were in longitude
SD. SIN. west; and latitude 36d. 24m.
/ north.
About O'Clock in the afternoon OF the
same day the mate volunteered to get the
boat out, and he with four OF the men
came to our rescue, and at O'Clock We
were all on board the bark "Brothers". Of
Yarmouth, Mass, captain, Allen Baxter;
first mate, Rufus Crowell; second mate
Josh Welding, all of Yarmouth. We were
treated very kindly by Capt. Baxter and
his mate. Mr.. Crowell died about three
years ago IN Boston.
The ship was loaded with tobacco, from
Baltimore bound to Tryere. After thirty
days the bark stopped at the Rock OF Glib
raltar to land her ship-wrecked crew. We
went ashore, including a passenger from
the bark, Mr.. Pickering from Balti-
more, he having taken the voyage for his
health. He decided to return with us.
We found the Rock strongly fortified by
nature, and walled in on the west side
with gateways to enclose the city. We
went to the American consul's office.
There We learned hat a steamer was due
in two weeks that would take Us to Liver
pool. At the hotel We met two Americans,
and enjoyed ourselves as well as possible
under the circumstances.
After eight days we sighted a bark
standing in under the rock, flying the
American flag. 1t proved to be the bark
"Croton'. OF New York. She was from
Palermo bound to New York with fruit,
Capt. Hoodlet having put in here for pro-
visions. He agreed TO take US to New
York for so each. He had four cabin
passengers and my four men forward.
The next day we sailed with head winds.
After forty days We were getting short OF
provisions so the captain put the men
forward on allowance.
About this time We sighted vessel but
did not speak her. This made the sailors
more angry. In two days after sighting
this vessel about, as sailors say, in the
dog watch, between 6 and S p. m.
the captain rushed into the after cabin
and cried; "Mutiny among the sailors
The mate, Mr.. Cassidy, jumped from his
berth with his revolver in hand; l fol-
lowed him. We found the steward
knocked down, stabbed and bleeding, but
not seriously injured. The riot was soon
quoted.
On April is We sighted ship and
changed our course for her as near as the
wind would permit, but could not reach
her. We Immediately set distress sig
nal. This was the second and only time
| ever SAW this signal We were in lon
gitude SOD. PIN. west, and latitude 27d
5m. north. The ship kept off for Us.
The first officer got out a boat and with
four men boarded her and got good sup
ply of provisions. We then took more
favorable winds, and Oh April 80 took a
pilot off Sandy Hook. We had very little
to eat except fruit. The next day We ar
rived in New York. / had been l55 days
al sea, includinglthe eight days at Glib
raltar.
In regard to Capt. Baxter | want to say
that found him to be as fine man as
ever sailed the blue sea. He was very
kind to me while ON board his bark. He
died few years ago. His wife, whom |
have not spoken of before, accompanied
him on this voyage. She was very esti-
mable lady. CAPT. y. H. MEANS.
Ellsworth, April %, 1897.
NORTH ELLSWORTH.