The Red Cloud chief., 1899-05-26
PHANTOM SHIP
The Flying DUtchman.
~~-BY CAPTAIN MARRYAr.


~ u wv" dNoN'ii'h W
the same cause, running up undrcsse1.
Another shock succeeded, and the ship
carcened to port. Philip then knew
that the ship was on shore.
The thickness OF the night prevented
them from ascertaining where they
were. but the lead was thrown over
the side and they found that they were
lying on shore on a sand bank. with
not more than fourteen feet OF water
on the deepest side, and that they were
broadsidc on with n strong current
pressing them further UP on the bank;
indeed. the current ran like u millracC,
and each minute they were swept into
shallow water.
On examination they found that the
ship had dragged her anchor, which.
with the cable, was still taut from the
starboard bow, but this did not appear
to prevent the vessel from being swept
further up or the bank. IL was sup
posed that the anchor had parted at
the shank, and another anchor was
let go.
Nothing more could be done till day
break, and impatiently did they walt
till the next morning. As the sun rose
the mist cleared away, and they dis
covered that they were on shore on a
sand-bank, a small portion of which
was above water. and round which the
current ran with great impetuosity.
About three miles from them was a
cluster Of small islands with cocoa
trees growing on them, but with no
appearance OF inhabitants.
II fear we have little chance OBJ
served Krantz to Philip. "If we tighten
the vessel the anchor may o hold.
and we shall be swept further on. and
II Is impossible TO lay out an anchor
against the force Of this current"
AT all events we must try: but
grant that our situation Is anything
but satisfactory. Send all the hands
aft"
The men came aft, gloomy and dis
pirited.
my lads" said Phil, "why are you
disheartened?"
I'VE are doomed, sir; we knew IL
would be So"
Il thought II probable that the shiT
would be LOST told you so-but tn,
loss Of the ship does not involve tina,
Of the ships company-nay. 1t does moi
follow that the ship Is to be lost, nj
though she may be In great difficulty
as she is at present. What fear Il
there for us. my men? The water II
smooth-we have plenty OF time befor,
us; we can make a raft and take e
our boats; II never blows among thes,
islands, and w have land close unde,
our lee. Let us first try what we car
do with the ship; II we fail, we mus
then take care of ourselves"
The men caught at the idea and went
to work Willingly; the water casks
were started, the pumps set going. and
everything that could be spared was
thrown over to tighten the ship: but
the anchor still dragged, from the
strength Of the current and bad hold.
Ing ground, and Philip and Krantz per-
ceived that they were swept further on
the bank.
Night came on before they quilted
their toll, and then n fresh breeze
sprang up and created a swell, which
occasioDed the vessel to beat on the
hard sand; thus did they continue
until the next morning. At daylight
the men resumed their labors, and the
pumps were again manned to clear the
vessel OF the water which had beer
started, but after a time they pumped
up sand. This told them that a FLANK
had started, and that their labors were
useless; the men left their work. bu,
Philip again encouraged them. and
pointed out that they could easily save
themselves, and all that they had to do
was to construct a raft which would
hold provisions for them, and receive
that portion OF the crew who could not
be taken into the boats.
After some repose the men again set
to work; the topsails were struck. the
yards lowered down and the raft was
commenced under the lee OF the yes
sci, where the strong current was
checked. Philip. recollecting his former
disaster, took great pains in the con-
struction OF this raft, and aware that
as the water and provisions were ex-
pended, there would be no occasion to
tow so heavy a mass, he constructed It
In two parts, which might easily be
severed, and thus the boats would have
less to tow, as 500 as circumstances
would enable them to part with one of
them.