The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-13

fee planter, Bruno G. Mijares, at Ia
pachula, Mex, for S16900 In gold.
Now, Miiares has operated the light
er business at Ocos, and knew con-
siderable about tidal conditions there,
and he conceived the idea that the first
northwest storm would move the sand
round the ship, so that she could be
pulled off He kept men aboard the
Sesostris and kept her in shape, ready
for operation and then sat down to wait
for the wind.
Fails to Get Vessel Off
For two years Mijares waited and
finally a northwest storm did come,
and washed enough of the sand from
around the ship to float her in a lit
tie basin. the bar still remaining be-
tween her and freedom, however. The
story is that Mijares was offered $780,
600 by fhe fruit company for his ship
as she floated that day, and that he
refused 1t.
Everybody connected with the ven
ture was wild with excitement and all
expected that the next high tide would
lift the ship safely over the bar. Steam
was up and smoke was coming out OF
the funnel, and from a long black cigar
Senior Mijares proudly puffed as he
| turned down the offer of a tenth of q
million in cold cash. That night the
wind changed, the sea went down and
the storm passed on. The sand came
\ back, building round the ship until
she was so feet from high water mark
resting on a bed of green grass Mi
jares gave up in despair.
| Last summer the story of the ship was
| told to Mr.. Wood, whose company Is
building the great brealxwater at Hilo
Hawaii, for the government, when he
was In San Francisco. Mr.. Woods In
| for1nant went on to say that tho Sesos
| iris was 37S feet long, 4S feet in bean
and so feet In depth, that both hull and
engines were In perfect condition ant
! that most of the equipment was aboard
1.-THE tale seemed so incredible to m,
that l confessed considerable doubt as t,
| its veracity." said Mr.. Wood, in relating
| the incident. However, l made inquiry
as to the price the vessel was held at
and the answer was $4,000 cash. My reply
was that such a deal was sure to fal
| through, as the terms were ridiculous
but that IL the owner wanted to take i
or l5 per cent, he would probably ge
someone interested. Finally 1 decided Il
| take flyer, and SO, subject to guar
| antee that the facts were as stated,
| made an offer of $25,000 for the ship, thu
| outcome being that after some negotiation
| the deal was closed, and 1 found mysel
| the owner of an unseen wreck"
Mr.. Wood left New York last Septem
Der and travelling through Mexico fina1l,
found himself at Ocos.
There in front of me when I came II
| sight of the beach was a ship which
would carry 1000 tons cargo and 40 pas
| sengers," said Mr. Wood. ''She was higl
| and dry on the beach, and looked for al
| the world like big hotel, with the lawr
| coming right up to the front porch.
| went aboard and found that the Sesos
iris gave the appearance of having jus
been abandoned.
Ship Finally FlOated
1.-THE aneroid barometer on the wall o.
1 the captains cabin was working. Th'
! cornpasses were in good condition, onl,
reeding readJustment to be ready FOL
| use. Glasses charts and signal flags were
all in their racks, silk hangings wer,
over the port holes plush furniture II
tthe saloon. and even piano was almost
| in tune. Only the rigging, top hampe,
and light steel ventilators on deck showed
signs Of wear
The machinery proved to be In good
condition, with many spare parts and con.
siderable equipment A survey showed
| that II was less than 500 feet to where
| the ship would float. Mr.. Wood go'
busy on the telegraph and had necessary
supplies shipped to him. Within a few
months Golfer dam was put round tho
ship and a canal dredged to deep water
| through which the Sesostris can pass un.
| der her own steam.