The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-06-10

The Senator is an old wooden craft.
having served her owners in various
trades for twenty three years past She
lcompleted her cargo of LOO, 600 feet of
lumber at Chemanis on April 4th, and
on the following day, which was an
lunlucky Friday, Captain Harrison was
injured by being struck with large
block. He was carried to his cabin
z. where he remained several days..
On May 7th the Senator was towed to
Royal Roads and anchored, remaining
there until the 22d, owing to scarcity
lof men, getting away in the face of a
harsh westerly breeze, which COM
menced at Race Rocks and continued
luntil the vessel neared Neah Bay. when
/ the wind subsidized and drew to the
IN. f.. but on reaching Flattery it turn
ed to south ard, S. S. W., and then
Is w. placing the Senator on lee
] shore The sea and weather were sc
bad that when the tug let go her cap
tain found it impossible to get the
lship's mall.
On account of these adverse winds
and the continual making and
shortening sail it was April 25th before
the ship got off the land
After succession of southerly blasts
the bark reached the parallel of Al de-
grees by April Both, and made her way
to south ard On May Sd she spoke the
IIrangard and the captain volunteered
| to receive the Senator's mail and post
lit in Honolulu. Up to this time all
seemed well, the vessel not making
much water.
/ On May 18th, in Is degrees N, 120
minutes w, when the Senator was en-
/ joying fine weather and with yards
squared, it was discovered that she was
taking water faster than was pleasant.
Ats o'clock on the morning of the 18th.
1.-THE depth of water in the hold having
| Increased the crew waited in body
on the captain and reported to him that
Their duties were so excessive that they
could do nothing more than work the
pumps Throughout that night the
men worked constantly at the pumps,
and next day when the well was sound
ed it was found to contain thirty inches
Iof water increasing at the rate of eight
| inches an hour This was a dilemma
THAT had not been contemplated-the
vessel in the doldrums, degrees NJ,
liz minutes w. in a sweltering tropical
climate, men actually painting for
breath and with an unquenchable
thirst. After a consultation between
the captain and officers it was decided
to make for the nearest port, to run no
risk again of getting into bad weather
and having to make and shorten sail,
(which added much to the hardships of
pumping and Slapped the strength of
the crew.
| Honolulu, $500 miles away. was de-
cided upon, and the course of the Sen
ator was set in that direction on May
| 18th. On Wednesday it was decided
to improyise a windmill so that the
mems laborers might be lessened.
/ On the night of Sunday, the 18th. the
water had gained SO much that every
man was called to the pumps.
| The deckioad being of lumber of large
dimensions it was impossible to think
| of jettison, even though such a course
had been prudent, which it was not.
| for it would have endangered the SAT-
| ETY. of the pumps. A lookout was kept
| for passing vessel, but none came in
sight. so the ships boats were prepared
I and equipped for emergency.
| The captain felt that it was better
| to suffer the hardship of working at the
pumps, where drinking water and food
ocean in small boat On the goth a
northeast breeze started the pump
wheels revolving, and joyful shout
was uttered by officers and crew alike
AT this time two men were off duty
from sheer exhaustion. and others were
ready to follow suit. 1t was a constant
truggle-sometimes the water would
gain, though windmill and men worked
together, and sometimes 1t would de-
crease. The captain realized that half
of their trials were before them, for on
this date they were in latitude 1926 de-
grees NJ, 1871 minutes w. with a sea
too high and wind too strong in which
to sail a boat with safety At this time
the Senator was making 200 miles per
day, and the farther she went the
stronger was the force of water enter
ing the hold. The men had been told to
prepare themselves to leave the ship
but the word to go had not been given
as the captain still had hope
On May 3d. in latitude 16 degrees N.
longitude 1872 minutes w, wind N. e.
and N. N. E., high sea and the trades a
full force, the vessel under topgalIant
sails, the port pump broke down, and
all attempts to get it to show water
We're futile. After encountering many
difficulties the machine was again put
into service. During the interval when
repairs were being made the water
gained rapidly. and the Senator listed
to such degree so that it was deemed
to shorten sail and reduce the |
dangers of turning turtle On the oath |
the port pump again broke. down, and |
the troubles of the ship increased until |
the necessary repairs were made.
A favorable breeze sprung up and |
continued, and at every revolution Of |
the wheel the ship was brought nearer |
the safety point The watch worked as |
faithfully as ever sailors worked before. |
The Senator had now been ten days on |
her flight for refuge, in which time she |
had Travelled nearly LOO miles, but on /
the 9th there was an utter breakdown |
OF the port pump and an attempt to |
get the cables bent and still keep the
pump going was not met with imme- |
date success. The water gained con-
and the wind died out. Work |
on the windmill progressed, and the |
following day, though ready for service, |
it could not be operated, owing to lack |