The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-07-11
HE KEPT A
DREARY VIGIL
NORTH-LEFT TO GUARD WRECKED SCHOONER
COURTNEY FORD He SLOWLY DIED WAITING FOR
HELP THAT NEVER REACHED HIM

HELP THAT NEVER REACHED HIM
SAN FRANCISCO July om the far shores of Morava bav
isolated spot the Alaskan story the long
vigil sailor who stood by his post on the deserted decks
OF wrecked vessel nearly waiting for the help that
and praying for the death that all
day the was left until he felt the touch of death
the end OF his weary watching this the dreay
his life and the tell sadder story could be told
tongue Hedged in by barriers OF ice for weeks with form of life
hut the beasts OF the frozen desert keep him company lonely
Waterman the wreck passed long night Alaskan winter
and gave up his lie as the sPgte was near at hand and when the
warming enghenng the days OF the Arctic circle
The diary OF this brought Seattle Captain Lndqus
the steamer St Paul Just arrived from Nome where the scrubbed
notes had been carried by who the wreck the choOn
Courtney Ford Morava bay when the passing OF the ice foes dis
closed her resting on the rocks e OF sails and showing
having been the pathetic tragedy When the
boarded the Courtney Ford however and below snug
cabin they found the greWsome remains OF W. Ode sailor and
painfully written history OF his last days.
LETT alone the vessel the morning of October h
ructon to keep faithful watch the Courtney Ford and wait for
help He faithful death and the help for which he waited
only the The OF the schooner Carrie and Annie
Wch lett mere rms week tor Mora bay to save the Courtney Ford
may succeed in their mission, but they will be the life
months
The Courtney Ford best known coasng
sells She built a'Bencia 1883 by Matthew Turner For many
she barkentne but the vessel
formed into heemasted schooner and last laden
Bugeson evil hour she the rocks of Moava
the night of September GOTH and all OF the efforts Of the skipper and his
dozen men could not get her into deep water again
Four days later the morning OF October 4h Captain Buge
detailed W. Ode of the trustworthy OF his sailors
by the schooner and with the Others he boarded the passenger
Centennial and returned Puget Sound He had told Ode
hat assistance would be forthcoming but gales prang up the rim
that bound the northerl made impossible dispatch
the 1t hoped Ode might picked
have made his sheterng camp. This
the belief held by w. c. Ibbe managing OF the Courtney
Ford.
pathetic diary lonely begins October 4h last
when he the departure OF the other members the After
they had left him he occupied the patching up M rigging
sail for the boat out of bed sheet but the gales that spane I'D and
the ice that formed the neigbong made the work useless.
Day after day his time pumping the schoone
hold trying passed
help and the vessel buried ice above
buwar The nights hardly reary than the dusky days
would alongside scamper
off when Ode looked And then days and nights would pass when
even seen appearance
mails carefully joted down by Ode in his diary, and that
the sight OF the living gave him hope.
january I9Ted get the ice says Ode in his diary
but played about yards OF the beach Had sit down
five back as weak Been suffering
from rneumaics, but thought lost SO much strength
About that time Ode began that he afflicted with
and he spoke paca OF the lack OF fresh food and OF his
dcsoate situation. Under date OF February 18th he
My limbs and body swelling and am wishing for help Help that
what need and fresh provisions Am weak hardly get across
the galley don't know what captain about by not showing DO
they think going wait till strawberry time or that am in Mar
bill up? My teeth get mouth,
and don't have help will in open
schooner don't pain but lost appetite only
wish there would help had done with this world forever
Galley leaks terrible everything wet and
| can't get dry again
February l6-Help, that what need and fresh provisions
February 7hNo fire in for three days. All cook
dried apples and enough for four five days and put flour on like
plum pudding Hope it will end them don't think there will
with the last breadth. Can't get aft any more
February 9hOne month since laid up in tins schooner Lie
but death like this Nothing but scraps and
Today gotded apples and pieces ice can make no
fire can't stay up that long.
February 2Oh.-I am waiting for my death
February 24h.-Death at last, four months alone.
story OF how poor Ode found and the condition in which
his and the schooner found by the who discovered the
and the diary be told So far known only the brief
of the shpwreed taken to Nome by the dcoV
with further report the silent tragedy MOaUa bay ode
here and the fact that reference made in the diary
his relatives may be taken evidence that he lett no immediate
family.