Evening star., 1923-11-18

packed with ice. this spray freezing
wherever II struck.
The ship became. In fact. like a wall
Of concrete. Before long there were
two feet Of ice on our decks which
gave the little vessel a dangerous
list.
No matter how hard we worked we
could not get the sails down and with
the wind at the velocity 1 have men,
toned there was grave danger OF our
masts giving way.
In this emergency became ac-
quainted with another wrinkle" OF
great lake seamanship. We had in
our hold several barrels of salt and
the mate suggested that we should
get some Of 1t and throw 1t around
the decks to melt the ice which was
dragging her down.
She was listing SO badly from the
weight of this Ice that I would not
have been greatly surprised to see her
go over.
The salt was hauled up and broken
out" and before long all hands, ex-
cept the helmsman. were busily en-
gagged scattering salt on the decks
and wherever 1t would do most good.
The ice melted considerably and not
withstanding a continuance of the
spray did not gain. This righted the
ship. By the same means we were
able to melt the ice from the blocks
and to work the gear. We managed
to get our sails down and virtually to
save the ship by the use OF this salt.
OF course, such tactics would have
been Of no avail except on fresh
water.
TOWARD daylight the wind mod
i Grated considerably. and you can
depend upon 1t that I was Immensely
relieved when I was able to take a
sight and ascertain our position.
BY using the crude instruments I
had brought with me, and checking
them over for inaccuracies. found
that we had held our own during
the night, only losing ten miles by
the gale. This was a very remark
able accomplishment for q vessel un-
der those conditions.
We hauled In toward the Wisconsin
shore and were pleased to verify, by
bearings on shore, the accuracy of
our observations.
Reefs were now shaken out. top
sails and jibs set. and the Resump-
ton, leaning on her center board.
managed to clip or twelve knots an
hour.
We dropped our anchor in Green
~, Iaf1 xL4A f-D ~
needless to say. our stores were un-
loaded by willing hands.
Returning to Chicago following this
experience I began to look around
for another ship. but as the strike
was shortly afterward settled. was
not in line for regular work as a
master on the lakes. Wishing to
know more about the lakes. however.
shipped out on q vessel going to
Buffalo and became fairly we'll ac-
quainted with Lake Huron and Lake
Erie. I made my way to Cleveland
and for a period Of about two years
mastered all the intracacies Of lake
navigation. achieving the position Of
first officer.
My experience was not confined to
sailing vessels. as made several
trips on steamers.
With respect to narrow escapes,
am reminded Of an incident that be-.
fell me when taking q ship from
Chicago to Buffalo with q cargo OF
grain.
I shipped as Quartermaster on g.
steamer bound from Chicago to Buff
falo with a cargo OF oats. All went
well until we were in Lake Erie,
about sixty miles from Buffalo.
had q trick at the wheel from 8 to
IL o'clock in the first night watch
and on being relieved went forward
to the deckhouse, filled my pipe and
prepared to enjoy q smoke.
Scarcely had I got It we'll lighted
when heard q cry Of dre. Rushing
out, I saw flames bursting through
the afterhatch close to the COM
panionway leading to the cabin.
The captain, who had been on deck
most OF the time during the first
watch. had gone below few minutes
before. His wife. who was with us
on the trip, was In the cabin at the
moment. Running aft. / realized we
had q very dangerous fire with which
to contend. The deck watch, in
charge Of the mate. attacked the
blaze and I dashed into the cabin to
notify the captain and his wife.
In q few, minutes they were both
on deck and the fite had 90 increased
that suggested the advisability Of
getting out the boat and launching.
4