The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-21
Albert DeBroux, First Mate,
Tells of Encountering
Earthquake and Storm.
Captain Gustave Axelsen
Knocked Overheard and
Drowned, But None of the
Others Lost-Doris, Dis
nlasted, Drifted for Four
Days Before Being Picked
Up.

IN letter, III which he graphically
describes the loss of Capt Gustave
Axelsen and dismasting of the Aneri-
can schooner Doris, First Mate Albert
DeBrouX, of this city, tells of the yes.
sci encountering a terrible storm and
earthquake after being at sea a few
days on the voyage from Belize to
Mobile No other members of the
crew were lost.
This letter reached here yesterday
morning only a few hours after the
owners of the death Of Captain Axel-
was as follows:
by Wireless from Cruiser Tacoma,
via Key West. Dec. 19, 1910.
IN. Johnson, Pensacola, Fla.
Schooner Doris anchored at Sol
Point. Captain lost overheard. Spank
er boom and sails. except fcresail, car
lied away Cruiser Tacoma will tow
us to Puerto Cotez. (Sisued)
"D'DROUX."
A THRILLING EXPERIENCE.
The following extracts from a letter
from First Mate DeBroux TO his wife
IN this city was dated Tela, Spanish
Honduras, Dec. 13, and was sent by a
steamer to Mobile, where it was mail
ed Dec. 10, and tells of the loss OF
Captain Axelsen and the experience
OF the remainder of the crew with the
storm and earthquake: 1..
I'VE started home and got into a
terribel storm and earthquake, in
which poor old Canaan Axelsen was
k1oekad. Qyerboafu III droHaed.- The
thing happened 80 quick that We hard
ly realized he was gone. The Doris
has lost all her sails and broke the
spanker boom. drifted tor four days
expecting to be cast on the reef at
any time, as rocKs were all along the
coast, and I did not know where I
was. Was not able to get latitude or
nothing else.
II fired up some way and tried for
this place, and thank God we are safe
but the poor captain is gone. 1 wish
was home. l am nearly crazy. l
have written to Tommy Johnson adj
vising him. In case you see him tell
him about this and also break the
news to Mrs. Axelsen. Tell him also
that am sick. but that the Doris is in
good harbor. but that the spanker
boom is broken in two and will have
to be repaired and the forestaysail Is
gone, also all of her sails. but the
mainsail and one new staysail which l
can't use until We get to place
where we can get some one to help
Us Tell him also to advise me at
once what to do. Tell him I have not
incurred any expenses and won't if l
can help it, Will await his orders,
THE poor captain. I cant get him
out of my head. I cannot sleep in the
cabin at all 1t is too awful TO think
about The crew is demoraliZed over
it.
The captain told me three times
in joking way that if he died in this
country ne wanted to be buried at sea.
He had some presentment OF his
death. for he talked about it all the
time. I did all / could to save his
schooner for his wife and I have to
thank fate. will explain more later.
as the ship is now ready to sail for
Mobile. Don't fail to call Mr. John
son. You can show him this letter.
The Doris is safe but ali of her rig
ging and sails are practically gone
and she must have all Of this fixed
before she can sail for home. She
is leaking badly wher at sea.
Write me at Peurto Cortez. Span
ish Honduras. or telegraph me at
once. | will stand by 'tIll orders
come. am not we'll after this awful
storm and cannot stand much. 1t is
all I can do to write this letter.
Il am sending this by chance. and
have also written to Mr.. Johnson by
chance. Am sending by small boats
and it may not reach you. am not
at Peurto Cortez. but at Port Sol,
about seventeen miles from Cortez.
"ALBERT D'BROUX."
OWNERS OF DORIS
The Doris is owned by Capt. Gus
A3elsen. who vas drowned, Jonn
Christie. J. Mel. Gillis, Bryan Dun
wody. Arthur. Johnson. Thomas John
son and Charles Mason. The vessel
was not insured.