Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-11

have f1oated three years and six days,
and to have drifted over 10000 miles.
Abandoned off Cape Hatteras. she foated
in q northeasterly direction with the
gulf stream until she passed the sixtieth
meridian Then OFF toward the southeast
went this ocean wanderer, and became a
danger to steamers bound west from
Gibraltar. She is then traced wandering
south, until she reached the northern limit
of the northeast trade winds, when she
followed the approximate direction of the
sailing route from the equator. She was
ultimately wrecked on the shores OF this
country. About forty-five vessels report
ed seeing this derelict but, not being
equipped with suitable means for destroy
ing the waterlogged hulk. they could do
nothing more than convey the Information
as to its whereabouts.
A singular derelict was the Fred B.
Taylor She collided with the steamer
Trave, and was cut cleanly in two near
ly amidships. The two parts did not
sink. however, but separated. going In dill
ferent and, indeed. in Numerically OPP
posite directions. The bow went south,
the stern north, both portions experience
Ing a brief career along the southern
coast of this country.
There are persons who decry the dan
ger of the waterspout, and some who
have expressed doubts as to the actual
existence Of this phenomenon. Yet the
photographic Office considers the water
spout among the grave dangers OF the
ocean. 1t appears that the conditions
are such as to induce the occurrence OF
these whirling columns OF water. me
records show that there can be little
rational doubt Of the existence of TINS
marine peril. Thus the American park
Reindeer was struck by a severe water
spout despite her utmost efforts, unoer
full sail, to avoid the onrushing whiri1ng
mass of water. which, passing over the
vessel, completely dismasted her belo"
the heads of the three lower maSts.
This singular encounter did not happen
In tempest, either, but the weather is
described as having been comparatively
clear, and the entire occurrence was
over In a few minutes. Capt Cleary OF
the British steamship River Avon re-
marks that he observed what he thought
was a heavy squall to the southeast, put
upon looking at it through his grass ne
discovered it was whirlwind, raising
the water to an extraordinary altitude.
He estimates that the sWirltng mass must
have been more than a mile in diameter
but he did not ascertain the height, nor
does he estimate the velocity Of the move
ment. which must, however, have ex-
erted terrific force and afforded very
real danger to any vessel in its path.
One Of the most remarkable accounts
of waterspouts is that from the
schooner Ethel A. Marritt. This YES
sci was in the gulf stream, Off Key
West There was a light breeze from
the northeast at the time." reads the
account in the logbook. land the sky
was about half covered with nimbus
clouds. moving slowly. Just after a
light squall had passed by. the first
appearance of .waterspout was In
Dictated by the formation Of whirl-
wind, gradually increasing in size. II
was cylindrical in shape below. spread
ing out above, and rotating in the d.
rection of the hand movement OF a
watch. When within about 100 yards
Of the vessel it's angular altitude was
about 35 degrees. which would indl-
cate a height Of ESQ feet or less. 1t
was moving at the rate of eight miles
an hour. At the base 1t was trans
parent, and descending currents SEEM
ed to be plainly visible. causing the
water at the surface to ny in all d.
rections A heavy shower accompanied
the phenomenon"
All the perils Of ocean travel are,
indeed taken into consideration by the
photographic Office. and. from the
traveller on the luxurious liner to the
master and crew of the battered
tramp" those who go down to the
sea in ships" have good reason for
thanking the workers in this institu-
ton of Uncle Sans.