The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-09

The most fooIhardy expedition that has
yet started to the gold fields Of Alaska
was picked up by the Empire Line steam
ship Pennsylvania at Monteviieo and
brought into San Francisco a few days
ago. II was made up Of the Boston
schooner StowelI Sherman and lot Of
schooiboys and clerks who put out from
Boston for ST. Michael without an expert
enced seaman on board. The Pennsylvania
tered 10 the government for transport
services. A letter written to the company
officials here gives the interesting story
of the experiences OF the Fasteners on
the Sherman.
The Hub City got the gold craze short
ly after the arrival of the Portland and
got 1t very bad" Among those who de-
cided 10 go north were number Of young
clerks and schooinoys They purchased
the schooner Stowell Sherman and pro-
visioned here. The officers OF the vessel
were elected by ballot and the favorites
won. Not that il made much difference.
however, for none OF them knew anything
men Martin F. Cuihert was elected cap
tain; Thomas Rose chief officer. and Chas.
Cousins. navigating officer. Their schooa-
er was . feet long and built at Essex
Mass, in 1876.
The start was made last November Once
out at sea the little craft was knocked,
about by every wind that blew and her
inexperienced navigaiors pointed her
oowsprit to almost every point in the COM
pass In u vain endeavor TO find land. In
some OF the storms that were encountered
the amateur sailors almost gave up hope.
When almost worn out they sighted the
coast of Brazil and finally made Para
Three of the men. including the second
officer. deserted and shipped Oh a Norwe-
gian vessel bound for Pensacola The 9th
ers again Went out TO sea and on May
got into Montevideo. The navigating of
heer died on the voyage quite suddenly
The Stoweii Sherman was in very bad con
dition and the marine surveyors said she
could never get through the Straits OF
Magellan without repairs. The Sherman
party had plenty of provisions. hu; no
money. They did not know what to do
Finally. they appealed to the American
consul, who secured them transportation
to San Francisco on the Pennsylvania
which put into MonteyiGeo sor repairs
The captain and man remained be-
hind to look after the schooner and the
Ntastf nine Will tFS 10 @Ofk tnelE way
north from San Francisco.
The party that sailed from New York
n the schooner Actaea is reported rs
stranded at Buenos Ayres. Their vessel
was irjared In storm and they have no
money for repairs They are living aboard
the schooner eating up their stock of pro-
visions while waiting for remittances from
the states. or some vessel In which they
can come home.
There are three Eastern schooners all
under 100 tons burden, and one bark with
klondike parties on board that have been
out a very long time and for which some
anxiety is felt. They are in charge of
competent masters and did not sail with
out charts like the Sherman party. but
are liable TO have met with difficulty.
The bark Agate. out l61 days from New
York pilotcd the Sherman into Montevideo
on May . and was badly In need OF re-
pairs. Her Klonditers had money. how
ever. and she soon got away.
The Thomas F. Bayard, out los days
from Philadelphia. with miners on board,
sailed from Valparaiso on May 8 for Seat
tie and Alaska and has not been reported
since.
The little schooners Reub L. Richardson
and Mildred f.. have never been heard
from since leaving Boston for Seattle last
winter The Richardson is hi days out
ard the Mildred F.. ll9 days. They are
both old-timers, and the voyage around
on them must be very tiresome. The Reub
Richardson is 81 feet long and was built al
Bath Me The Mildred f. was formerly
the British schooner Magnum and Is So
feet long.