Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-07-27

with him on q voyage. There vas still
another advantage; the young sailor
had saved $4,000 and became part
owner in the ship he commanded.
Captain Alvarez was not given a
large ship; indeed, the concern which
owned these vessels confined their ma
rine operations to small ones. The YES
sci to which the young captain was
appointed was intended for a freighter
between Cadiz and South America,
though there were rooms for a few
passengers whenever any such desired
to go on her. But since she was not a
steamer. passengers seldom cared to
use her unless it was between points
where a steamer was not to be had.
When the ship was loaded there was
a wedding on shore, and the captain
took his bride aboard his ship. There
were several passengers, including a
few women and children. The trip be-
ing the wedding journey of the captain
of the vessel, naturally the start was
a Jolly one. The captain and his bride
were acquainted with the passengers,
and the voyage babe fair to be a party
of pleasure.
The only drawback to this prospect
was the great European war, which
was In its second year, and the sinking
of ships by means of German subma
rines. At that time there was no arm
ing of merchantmen, and they were at
the mercy of any submarine that could
come near enough to get "a shot at
them. But Captain Alvarez believed
that submarines infested the lanes
usually Travelled by steamers, and his
course tool him far from such lanes
He proposed to skirt the African coast
for some distance and then turn east
ward and cross the Atlantic where the
ocean surface was largely free from
ships. Indeed, he intended to sail hear
ly. upon the course sailed by Columbus
on the voyage which resulted in the
discovery of America.
However, he must cross the ship
lane taken by vessels running between
New York and Gibraltar. Here was
his danger. If he got over it in safety
there would not be much danger for
the rest Of the voyage unless unhap
ply he might meet one of those ships
sent out by the German government as
sea raiders.
True enough, it was on the sea lane
between New York and Gibraltar that
a blow fell. The captain, his wife and
the passengers were about to sit down
to breakfast one morning when the
watch called out from above:
Captain, there's a submarine on our
port bowl"
The captain ran on deck, followed by
the men passengers. while the women
huddled together, clasping the children
in their arms with blanched faces.
The submarines periscope could be
seer above the surface Of the water
moving toward the vessel. There was
a fine wind, and Alvarez determined to
try to escape by putting on all sail.
Turning his stern to the submarine, he
showed her heels an6 had the wind
held might have escaped, but within
half an hour he struck a calm. Then
the submarine pulled up near the ship
and ordered those aboard of her to
take to the boats.
There was nothing to be done except
to obey the order. The women and
children were first put into the boats,
which were stocked with provisions
and water; then the crew and the cap
tain last. All must be done hastily,
for the captain of the submarine had
given a limit of time, and they feared
that If they exceeded it the ship would
be sunk before they could effect the
transfer. Besides, to embark on the
heaving pillows many miles from shore
with nothing but oars to propel the
boats was in itself a dreadful expert
ence.
While they were making the transfer
the captain of the submarine asked
Captain Alvarez what kind of a cargo
he carried. Alvarez answered that Ii
was principally Spanish wines. The
German, not averse to taking aboard
such a stock, determined before sink
ing his prize to send for some Of the
juice of the grape.
The passengers had left the ship and
were pulling for the coast when two
things appeared which changed the
situation. The smoke of a British
cruiser was seen. the vessel coming
from the direction of Gibraltar. The
submarine made off southwark. She
had barely started before a thick fog
rolled up and wrapped everything in
oblivion.
Those in the boats had a compass
with them and were thus enabled to
steer a straight course. After terrible
exposure they reached a wild part of
Africa and in time made their way
back to Cadiz.
Their return was d melancholy one,
especially since the groom's savings of
nearly ten years at sea were supposed
to have been sent to the bottom of the
Atlantic by the submarine. The ship
owners did not relish risking more yes
sells on the deep, and Alvarez was
Obliged TO remain at home in idleneSS,