The Opelousas courier., 1898-12-17

we nave hecn permitted to use thu
following letter from our young frient
J. |. Shute giving a graphic description
of the adventures of the Scorpin on hel
trip from Havana to Port Royal:
Port Royal, S. c., Dec. 9, 1893.
DR.. |. L. Shute, Opelonsas, La.
My dear Fatler-We had the pleasure
of seeing relief ship, Topeka enter
the harbor Of Havana Sunday Nov. Goth
at II o'clock and fred her solute to the
ing we set sail for New York. We had
pleasant weather until Thursday morn
ing, Nov. 80, at 9 O'clock in the morn
ing, when the wind began to rise, and
by IL o'clock that day it was blowing a
gale and continued until Thursday, "a
We continued on Our course all day
Thursday making only from 3 to 3 knots
all hour. The seas swept our decks,
one after another and entered the fire
and that, with tho ash chnte leak
ing, 500 filled the fire Don with water
waist deep. Our bilge pipe leading to
the fire room became cIogged with coal,
and we were compelled to use the
"handy billy" to pump it out some of
the coal beavers and fireman became
exhausted aud were replaced by men
from the deck three of the men are
still on the sick list in consequence.
There was no sleep to be had anywhere
except in bammocks and very little
there.
Dec. Z. i began this letter last Fri
day but had to stop to do some work and
did not find time to finish it before we
left this port on a second attempt to
reach New York. Our Captain tried to
get this ship repaired here, but the au-
tliOrities at Washington would not con-
sent, So we prepared to sail Saturday
morning, Dec. 3. but the fog was 50
dense that we could not see so feet
ahead of the ship and did not raise an
Choir until 3 pm. with a stiff breeze and
good weather. On Sunday, the 4th, at
4 o'clock in the morning the wind began
to rise and gave us fair warning Of what
to expect We We're compelled to heave
to at $50 a. III. We got under way for
s~helter-"any port III II storm you
know-but could not make it. At 10 M.
Il genuine squall struck us and we were
compelled to about and face it. Seas
came Ove bow and rail in such volumes
that the scruppers could not carry the
water off and We opened the gangway
gates and doors in The side of the rail
to free her. At about 5 o'clock in the
evening the seas were about IS feet
Understanding to old sailors-and
about this time our steam steering
gear was carried away. Three men ran
off to the reserve wheel, but before they
reached it IA green sea" came over our
bow, broke in the matches, filled all the
berths, came down the two gangways,
carrying everything with it, including
the reserve wheel and stern rail of the
ship, and leaving us at the mercy of the
1t crippled eight men, knocking
one senseless and washed him through
The scrnpper ont to sea, but his coat
caught on a bolt and held him until the
plunged her rail under, which
brought him back, and as he passed
near two fellowship were holding on
the hand raii-they caught and saved !
lin. The waters ranged in the gang
way from three feet to waist deep, the
,ilge pipes became clogged in the
room and the waters came up in
here and we stood at our posts waist
leep. 1t vas all we could do to keep
lep head dry and up to the wind.
When on the bow you had to look al
most straight up in the air to see the
op of the waves. The officers gave
cry few orders, for they, as we'll as the
est of the crew, thought tho Scorpion
for "Davy Jones" locker, but
was no need for orders, for the
rev seemed to know what to do, and
i'd not hesitate to do it. We poured
il overheard all day. When the steer
ng gear was washed away five men
vent down in the hold and brought up
he "sea anchor" aud cast it overheard
s a last resort. This was the bravest
ct of all for had a sea came aboard
lille they Were down there, it would
ave been the last of them. / did not
|eep any Sunday night and very little
Ionday night and / have put in a hard
to-day putting in heaters,
Or the weather bas turned very cold
ne poor fellow had his hands and feet
rOstbitten this morning.
We will be here about 3 weeks re-
damages. Address me here un-
| further notice.
The Scorpion" is one of the best
essels at1oat according to her dimen-
ons; she is 218 1T. long, 90 it. beam
nd carries a crew of 107 men, 1916 inch
uns. Will give you further particulars
hen | write agsin 4; just wrote tc-
light for fear you will be uneasy. do
OF care to go to Annapolis, would
lther stay on water-Love to all.
our on.
j. I. SHUTE.