New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-08
FOUGHT WIND AND WAVES
STORMY TRIP OF THE SCHOONER MIL
DRIED FROM SAN BIAS.

MET STORM AFTER sroRM-CREw WITHOUT FOOD
FORCED TO EAT COCoANUTs FROM THE CARGO.
Within short sailing distance of this port and
twice beaten back after two months voyage WAS
the story told by the little schooner Mildred which
arrived here yesterday. ffty-six days out from san
Bias Central America. with cargo of cocoanuts.
The crew were forced to use cocoanut milk in place
OF water. the for food and the shells for fire
in the galley
The little schooner picked up on Tuesday
by the tug Protector, of Philadelphia. and brought
into this port yesterday morning and tied UP at
Pier NO 3. East River She was badly damaged by
the series OF storms she had encountered Her bow
was split her sides strained, and her sails in tat
ters She also leaking badly. and her pumps
were kept going all the time. Captain Tibbett
Of the schooner said as he landed yesterday:
Thank God. it IS all now. ! never expected
in here alive
According to the account Of the voyage given
by the captain. the Mildred left San Bias ffty-sx
days ago. From the first she encountered rough
weather. and after beating about until November
she ran short OF provisions and was compelled
to put into Inagua. She then resumed her voyage.
and had fair weather until she OFF Cape Hat
teras where she encountered heavy gales with
high seas. which drove her of shore In this gale
rather. series OF gales. her af errail washed
away. her cutwater split. and her sails were torn
In lull in the torn she made the
Cape, only to be blown of again by another storm
and was compelled TO beat up against the head
winds which prevailed. For nearly thirty days she
bufeted around off the coast like log of
wood Their than a stanch sailing vessel. She was
driven here and there by the wind and waves. and
her captain and crew had almost given up hope
Of ever reaching land again.
After persistent work the part Of the men
the Mildred arrived off fuckers Beach, when an
other terrific gale struck her. This was regular
northeaster. and Captain Tibbett was once more
compelled to put out TO in order TO get steering
room.
Finally on December g. the little schooner. out OF
provisions. and with the crew exhausted and dis
couraged arrived off Cape May. There she fell in
with the p.lot-boa: Philadelphia which supplied
her with provisions and water. For number Of
days the provisions and water on the Mildred had
been exhausted. and the men had opened one OF
the matches and taken out cocoanuts. The milk
was used TO quench their thirst, and the meat Of
the nuts was all the food they had. The shells,
as we'll as some Of the woodwork of the ship. were
burned in the galley fire in order 10 give warmth
to the men who had for nearly forty days been In
the midst Of series Of storms. with the sea sweep
ing the deck
The little food furnished to the crew by the pilot
boat was enough keep them from starvation
and to give them new courage to proceed on their
voyage 10 this port
Once moro the Mildred started her way. only
to heavy storm again. This time the cap.
storm increased. and both the anchors OF TIE Nil
dred were carried away. Captain Tlbbelt then or
dered all the sail remaining set and manased 70
work the vessel out 10 sea. She met tramp steam
or about this time and asked 20 oe to"ed mo
port. but the tramp after hauling in close 10 the
Mildred. passed in her course. 60
Finally the tug Protector was sighted, ana win
out asking any questions. Captain Tibbett tod the
captain OF the Protector TO bring him IN mere as
The mate Of the Mildred said that the crew
Of five men. with the exception OF an lndlan LAD
and negro cook. were useless.
Il was forced" he said not only TO stand lor
hours In the wind and storm al the vince, out
there were often times when l was forced TO lash
the wheel and take turn AZ the pumps. II was
an awful time We would not gct over one gale
before another one would strike us. The canvas
that We spread when the first set OF sails went
was soon in rags and were forced 10 reef ana
use what was left. The provisions that We brought
from Inagua were all gone. except bedhS'
and this was excellent fare. The cook announced
some days after the pea soup diet had been begun
that the last Of the rewood vas being used Ihen we
began break up the ship ~
You see he said. that since then we nav, nave
burned the railing about the deck and the chain
box We got tired OF SOUP and the COOK at
tempted all kinds OF impossible dishes with hour
beans and peas. Some days he could not llght the
fire and then We what was loft over from the
day before ,.,.. ~, -,
this city.