Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-03-02
STORIES OF CUBA.
AN EXCITING RACE WITH THE
SETTING Sun.
CAPT. RICHARDSON WON IT, But BY
A NARROW MARGIN SOME ILLUS
TRIOUS PASSENGERS HE
DID NOT GET.

TRIOUS PASSENGERS HE
DID NOT GET.
Written for THE AMERICAN by Capt. Ed. \.
Rcharj-Jn, OF Deer Isle
the island of Cuba are generally mild
The only serious Disturbances are occa-
sionaj hurricanes in thct- due sea son aud
the ii -ree uortncr, OF winter tdat some
times sweep down across the Gulf of
Mexico and beat wildly upon the western
half Of tue mort hern coast.
From Cap Aulptne to salt Cay bank
there are no comm odtou4 o. accessible
harbor- excepting the ports OF Havana,
Matanzt- and CrGcnas. Down towards
the eape the dangerous Colorado reefs lie
off quite out OF sight from land, while
along near Havana the deep sea washes
the beaches and the very foot OF the cliffs
no anchorage, scarcely soundings. 1t
sometimes occurs that vessel may be
damned near the coast and have a hard
time to keep clear. 1t is only, however,
the very worst northers, which occur at
rare intervals, that may endanger the
safety OF All able and we'll managed vessel.
On one occasion we ran through the old
Bahama channel with south wind, and
at daylight were off the Dou bic headed
Shots, when the wind suddenly struck
down from the north in binding squal.
We had made good time from the clyde,
and of course | had a strong desire to
bat ln,r
spot quick passage when SO near the
goal As is often the case in that
neighbuthood, the sudden change to
thick < ue continued through the greater
part OF he day, but we hoped it would
clear sfore night.
With he wind on starboard beam, all
the Canvas was held on that she could
possibly smo, her under. She was light
lon ed, able and we'll geared up The sea
500. became very sharp, quic.. and short,
but what she couldn't get over she went
through. Late in the afternoon the rain
aud mist cleared away, when Moro castle
aud the handsome white buildings in the
western part OF Havana showed up plainly
not far under the lee. As the sun broke
cut to view 1t showed that within forty
minutes it would set.
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fight the weather all night at least, with
almost IA csr,alnIy thtg TIE sun-rIsing
woutd not tind Us in suod position
RACE WITH -rtiE aFx.
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$500. -
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hundred ltCt OF the 1OFt, ana thence
along a narrow STRAIT OF half mile or
more III length, where 1t opens INTO a
fairly roumy herbor With two branches.
Every rope Was laid clear, anchors quickly
got ready, " hiie an extra hand stood at
the lee heel. The American flag Was set
and We swept on toward the narrow en-
trance, looking first east aud then vest
watching the low sun ON the one hand