Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-01-31
THE BARK SHETLAND.
story of Wreck of an Ellsworth
Built Vessel.

Built Vessel.
The story of the wreck ofthe Ellsworth
built bark Shetland, briefly told in THE
AMERICAN two weeks ago, is told in de-
tail by Capt. G. W. Heath, who arrived at
his home in Boston last Thursday.
The shetland struck near Cape Corri-
entes, an uninhabited part OF the south
coast of Cuba, and for three days the
eleven men and one woman aboard the
doomed craft were unable to land on ac-
count Of the fearful seas, while scores OF
steamers passed without taking notice of
their signals.
Brave through il all and speaking words
of encouragement TO the members OF the
crew, Mrs. Heath, wife of the captain, was
the heroine of the wreck. IL was not her
first experience. as she was with her hus-
hand on the schooner Newton when that
vessel went to pieces during a hurricane
in 1888, when all hands were saved by
steamer and taken to st. Thomas. But
Mrs. Heath declares that her love for adj
venture is lost and she win remain ashore
for the remainder OF her days.
Capt. Heath said that he left Ponce, r.
r., Dec. 10, bound to Mobile in ballast,
seeking charter. The weather was fine,
save for an occasional rain squat, until
the night OF Dec. "a, when a southwest
erly gale set in and the bark suddenly
brought up on sharp coral reef on the
south side of Cuba. The sea forced the
vessel high up on the reef.
Thriatryta hrnlrn nth dull aEv and the
sea running heavily, and it would have
been suicidal to attempt landing in a
boat through the fearful surf.
The bark soon filled with water, and
those on board expected momentarily
that she would go to pieces. The Ameri
can flag, union down, was hoisted and the
regular distress signal was also run aloft.
Then the crew scanned the horizon for
hours, and when a steamer was finally
sighted at noon they shouted in JOY. The
distress signal was run up and down to
make sure that the steamer would take
notice, and those on board watched and
waited. But the unknown never slack
ened her speed, and when she was lost to
view despair was depicted on every face.
A dozen times in forty-eight hours the
crew went through the same experience,
their hopes being raised by some passing
steamer, only to be dashed, when she
would continue on her course without
taking heed to the mute appeals for help.
The Shetland still held together, but the
masts were loosening and the hold was
filled with water. Her bottom was
knocked out, and every time the tide rose
she was in danger OF being dashed to
pieces.
On the third day, four men were sent
ashore to explore and see II help could be
summoned. Two went in one direction
and the others in the opposite, but al
though they travelled miles, they could
not lind living being. After returning
70 the bark, two boats were provisioned
ana made ready to leave the wreck. Six
men went in the long boat, and the cap
smaller boat
IN Corrientes bay they sighted Cuban
schooner and were taken on board and
landed at Aroyas. Most OF the crew re-
NAMED on the schooner and were taken to
havana, while Capt. and Mrs. Heath went
10 Havana on a small coasting steamer.
Inc sailors were given free transportation
70 Mobile by the consul at Havana, and
vapt. and Mrs. Heath sailed on steamer
Monterey for New York.
cN apt Heath was the sole owner of the
shetland, having purchased her from John
O. Emery Il Co., Boston, last April.