The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-26
FROM SOUTH AMERICA,

was at Sandy Point, Chill, S, A., in
the Straights of Magellen in November
when the letters were written:
November 26, 1898,
We arrived here Thursday from Ba-
hia, after fifteen days at sea. We came
in ahead Of all the ships; the Sterl-
ing coming in twenty-five or thirty
minutes after us. The other ships have
not arrived yet; they are at Rio Tame
rio. This is very nice country. Very
cold spring time; snow on the noun
tains, beautiful scenery; a very nice
city of about 1000 inhabitants, mostly
pilot men who take ships through the
Straights.
We cannot tell yet where we will go,
but hope we will keep on to Frisco.
We get liberty here, at least the crew
does, except four and am one of the
four. Well, 1 will have no money to
spend. We were paid off in English
gold in pounds. One pound English
money is equal to $50 in Chilian money.
A pair of boots costs $40; "a. 5OEnglish
money, "a. 48 our money, Beef is cheap.
Six dollars will buy whole beef; 50
for mutton.
Well I hope this will find all we'll.
This leaves me all 0. X. When you
write, address in care of Navy Depart
ment, Washington, d. G. Give my
love to the children and friends. / hope
1 will be lucky and go on round.
Good bye, your son, HAYES,
November 81 will write once more.
We are still here waiting on battle
ships. 1 wish l could get a letter,
which I probably will on Thursday
Just think of Christmas night; [ guess
[ will be at sea-hope so any way; be.
cause l would feel bad if | was in port
and | could not get liberty; dom
care any way, only remember your boy
who is far away.
This letter goes from here to Valpa
riso and from there to Panama across
on railroad, and from there to New Or
leans. I guess about three weeks from
today you will receive it, Any way
Christmas gift, Give my love to tn
children and tell them to be good.
On the 18th of November the steam
ship Sterling was at sea AZ degrees
points off Starboard bow of the steam
er Justin, both bound for Sandy Point
The Sterling being faster ship, bu
on account of our Captain being Senio
he could not pass us without permits
sion. We had been steaming this wa,
for thirteen days; on the 18th we wer,
going to take out three lin ks Of chail
which was connected to steam engin
to steer ships; so the engine was Gu
out and the hand gear put in. At thi
time we were going at 10 knot gat
and the Sterliug was in hailing, SO al
at once a man named Fitziohn, blacl
smith cut links. The ship then be
came unmanageable swung around to
, ward the Sterling at full speed. w
were up pretty close when the First II
gave the signal to stop and to back en-
} gines; but we could not back our en-
CINE, and it looked like we were goin
to sink her and ourselves too, when on
Captain shouted to go ahead at ful
speed; luckily we did, for we jus
scraped her end. A close call. A COT
head was all that saved us probabl
I from a watery grave. Three times "
e came near coliding with other ship
3 once we were coming from Philade
o phia to Norfolk and collided with th
/ Yosemite. A tug saved her by givin
: us a line and swinging our bow arount
4 The other times we were on trips at Sc
at night. Well, don't be uneasy OF
: inch miss is as good as mile.
s Your boy, HAVE
e Nov, 3O.-Today it showed and
a very cold, but is moderating somewha
n I am now acting engineers stor
q keeper, very good job. Two mat
j. of mine went ashore and got job
pounds a month and board, firing
o saw-mill; $35 our money. They d
v serted and our captain offered $40 +
e ward, but they have gone in concef
IS ment until we leave. would not Iii
! to desert, aud I will not do SOL wa
is an honorable discharge. 1t is hard
IN keep from breaking the rules, so ma
T. offers are so everbearing. But ha
ID gotten along so far and | guess | W
,t get through all right as | intend to
# my duty as near as can.
Z Yesterday / was talking to a coul
rs of boys who spoke English, from l.
al erpool, who slowed themselves away
a. a passenger boat that runs from Liv
I'd pool to VALPARAISO, When she cal
On here the boys were put ashore and tn
ol came aboard yesterday and. tried 81
or stoway, or any thing to get to
States; but the master of arms 7
IN them off. Twas sorry for them 1
p- we'll. This will be the last letter IN
r. we see where we are going. I will Sc
nu newspaper published in VALPARAISO.
IS Hood bva vour hov HAw