The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-08
DRIFTED TO SEA
IN OPEN BOAT
Strange Story Of Postal Clerk
Who Was Missing for Days.
PICKED UP BY A COASTER
All -Four Fishermen Were Made to Pull and
Haul on Ropes Of Brick
Schooner.

New York. Aug s.--After having been
strangely absent since last Sunday and
given up as dead by his family anu
friends. Thomas Blake. a clerk employed
in the postoffice at Newark. n. j., has
turned up at his home, having come he
said. on the midnight train from Phil
adelphla. Blake. who Is about "a years
old and bears a good reputa tion for So
briefly and truthfulness, told a remark
able story ~ adventures that had befallen
him and three other young men. who are
residents OF Staten island.
They were lost at sea he said In an
open. rudderless boat drifted far out OF
sight Of land. and when almost in despair
Of ever seeing home again they were
picked up by the brick schooner Alexis
bound i'm ballast for Philadelphia The
captain Of the vessel. Blake declared
refused an offer OF money 10 put ba ck
so that the four young men could get
ashore within convenient distance OF their
homes. Instead. he carried them to Phil
adelphis and compelled them TO work
their passage.
HELD CAPTIVE ON VESSEL
Even after coming TO anchor in the
Delaware below Philadelphia. Blake said.
the captain. whom he knows only by the
name OF Prank. virtually held him and
his compa anions prisoners for nearly a
hours Blake displayed lscerated fingers
as evidence Of the hard work he had been
compelled 10 perform.
II hope never TO have to undergo such
an experience again" said Blake at his
home. No. 20 wsverley avenue. NO
more OF the sea for mine.
Il arranged TO accompany a party from
Tompkinsville. Staten Island. on a fish-
ing trip down near Fire Island last Sun
day. IL was arranged the night before
that II l oversight was TO go to Atlantic
Highlands, take a sailboat and go out in
search Of the party. At the Highlands
met three others who were to go with
the party. Their names are Higgins.
Davis and Dodd and they live at Tomp-
kinsville. St George and Tottenville re-
spectively.
I'VE started Sunday afternoon and
went far out beyond Sandy Hook in the
direction OF Fire Island In search OF our
party. Then we sailed toward the light
ship. hut we could not find any trace Of
our friends. 1t was growing late by this
time. and we decided TO put back 10 the
Highlands. but the boat would not obey
the rudder.
ADRIFT IN THE NIGHT.
TRY as we would we couldn't make
a foot of headwny toward shore. In
stead the wind carried us away from
shore. We were lost on the ocean far
out from Sandy Hook and the night was
swiftly closing around US. We had no
lights TO attract attention. and vessels
passsd without seeing us.
I'm this manner We drlfted far away
from land At last the relief came in
the shape OF the brick vessel. The crew
heard our cries and when we had man
aged TO get alongside they threw us a
rope and we climbed 10 her deck, letting
our boat 60. pleaded with the captain
to put back offering to pay him for loss
OF time and his trouble. but he refused.
I'VE made \ slow voyage down the
coast and UP Delaware bay. We were
compelled TO help With the work. and
hauled on the ropes until my fingers
vert worn so that the blood came. We
dropped anchor In the Delaware river
below Philadelphia early Tuesday night.
The captain went ashore but compelled
We 10 remain on board Next day We
slowly sailed up the river 10 the docking
place, reaching there late in the after
noon. The captain even then tried 20 In
duce u- 10 stay and work back TO New
York with him. but we got ashore. and
made for home as quick az we could"
When Blake related his story 10 the
Newark postal authorities ne was rein
stated IN the position and he returned 10
his duties.