The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-12-20
THE VOYAGE OF
JAMES CASKIE''


seldom had his meals on board So /
ordered fresh meat, potatoes, vegc-
tables. etc. and paid for them. out of
sympathy, the crew had an occasional
meal of fresh food.
In three weeks time the brig was
loaded with deals and ready for sea.
| called the attention of the skipper to
the fact that we might have a long
voyage to London and the bread locker
was nearly empty and everything else
was in the same condition. lie asked
wanted to have private conversation
with me. 1 did so.
The gist of his conversation was as
follows
"Meister Mate, want yc to help me
out as you are a rich mans son and
lots of money. My expenses in this
port are SO heavy that l am afraid that
my owner viii make me pay part of
them, or turn me out with a bad char
acter. l cannot sleep at nights. Now,
couldn't you give me, say twenty-five
pounds, to help me along?'
1 fatty refused. | reminded him that
the cabin food was paid for by me. Up
to the present time we had nothing
but what the law required and that
was of the worst description. How
his expenses We're SO high I could not
imagine as nothing was supplied. "An
how are we to get home?'
ooh" said he 1--WE can hail pass
ing vessel and get a supply from them
if necessary
took care to lay in a stock for my
self and the second mate,
We sailed to London with westerly
gale to drive us home. If she sailed
badly on the way out, she was twice as
bad loaded. Give her her due, how
ever, the old tub though she yawned
about. never shipped water. Her bluff
bow would send the sea a mile away
from her.
We hailed several vessels CAmerican)
for her skipper said a British ship was
| too mean to give anything, and obtain
ed flour, pork, oil, and a few other
necessary articles of food He always
went in the boat himself, much to my
satisfaction.
The wind, fortunately, was fair and
in twelve weeks we entered the British
| channel
On arriving at Dungeness the wind
| changed to northeast, so stood off. The
following morning we were on the
French coast, tackled ship in company
with two other vessels, and towards
evening we sighted the two on the
Goodwin Sands. Had we sailed as
well as them we would have been there
also Not having anything 10 eat for
several days We bore away and next
morning anchored at Dungeness.
Then the skipper went ashore and
shortly returned with two days food
| and a pilot.
When the tide was favorable we got
under weigh. We quickly had the
anchor up and on the rail- all sails set.
and she barely moved. The following
| conversation then occurred:
Pilot; "Mr. Mate, when the devil
are you going to get that blessed an
Choir up?"
Mate: THE anchor has been up for
the last half hour and you see it is on
the rail"
Pilot: "Then what is the matter, she
will scarcely move?"
Mate: oh she is getting along
fine"
Voice from someone: she has moth
ing to eat and is lazy"
During this conversation the pilot
walked fore and aft the deck and would
look over the bow. His remarks l will
not mention here.
At last the skipper came on deck.
| Captain" said the pilot, "where on
earth did this tub come from? Damn
it, you should present her to the Queen
for a yacht"
They retired together for a while
and he finally persuaded the skipper
to get a tug.
1--WE are going to have fearful wealth
err" said he, you have no provisions
on board, and your only chance to get
to London is to employ a tug
Presently a tug came along want
a tow?' said the captain of the tug
Yes" was the reply, what will you
charge to tow to London docks?"
"Seventy-five pounds"
'No, I'll give you twenty-five"
"Offer him fifty,' said the pilot.
Just then the vessel made a huge
roll disclosing her bottom which had
grass ten feet long firmis attached.
Il wouldn't tow you for five hundred
blast you" and away he went.
The pilot was furious and talked
about sending signals of distress Lit
tie as therew as to eat, there was moth
ing to drink and night came on. Mex
morning we were still at Dungeness.
Then a tug came along and an agree
ment was made to tow her to the Lon
II don docks for as far ne \ Gan rarne1nn