Year: 1875

CAPEs FROM DEATH ON RECORD.


A ship some time ago arrived at
Bristol, after o successful Pacific
whaling voyage. Time was when
thousands of vessels tracked the great
monsters in search OF oil, but the
discovery of the mineral article has
made the trade no longer remunera-
tive, or, at least, much less an object
of pursuit. The ship referred to was
the West Wind, commanded by Capt.
Parker, who met with q most peril
Gus adventure during bis cruise, and
which came very near costing him
his life. Under the most favorable
circumstances, the occupation of a
whaler is one Of great danger and
physical trial, and very few ships
ever return to port with ,ut losing one
or more hands by the ordinary ext
gencies of the service.


II seems that Captain Parker was
out from bis ship. with a boats crew,
chasing Q whale. and, having fastened
his harpoon to the creature, it dived,
as usual, and the line, coiled in the
bows of the boat, began to run out
with lightning speed as the monster
sunk to the extreme depth o. the
ocean At this critical juncture
Capt. Parker went to the forward
part Of the boat to be sure that there
was no twist 10 the rope to prevent
its working clear. The line was run
ming out with such rapidity as to
cause smoke to arise from the wood
work of the boat, and the captain
threw water, as is the custom, upon
the spot. BY some unlucky lurch of
the boat lie was canted from his posi-
tion, and be naturally threw out his
left hand to prevent himself from
falling but, in doing so, be unfortu-
nately placed it so that the rope coil
cd about his wrist, and b, was over.
board and out of sight 10 an instant.


He was perfectly conscious while
be was rushing down. head foremost,
and with an Incredible swiftness, and
it appeared to him that his arm would
be torn from the socket, so great was
the resistance Of the water. During
these awful moments hele vas well
aware of his perilous situation, and
that bis only chance for life was to
cut the line. But how could be do
this? He could not move his right
am from bis side, to wi Lh it was
closely pressed by the force of the
element riif6ig6 which be was being
'drswn. The pressure or ,.his brain
gHw morersao more terrible, and
roxfiog a. 'oi thunder in his ears. He
= opened bis eyes for q single instant.
and it seemed as though stream of
fire was passing before them And
now came that inevitable activity of
the brain which chsrscterizes all such
perilous situations, where ones whole
life seems to pass in review 10 ON in.
slant of lime. But the captain was
q very practical man, cool and cour-
ageous always, and consequently
still selfpossessed.


He began to struggle with all his
muscular power to reach the knife
which be wore in bis belt. He felt
that be was growing weaker every
instant, aud it was now or never with
Min, though we should say, pareu-


betically. that what requires so long


describe occurred 10 time which
was reckoaed by seconds rather than
minutes. Oh. il be could but con,-
mand bis right hand for one stroke
upon that line! Now bis heart be-
gan to fail him. He did not absolute.
ly despair. but his brain reeied, bis
nerves seemed to relax their tension,
light and dsrkness appeared to alter
nate before bis eye.balls, and bis
head felt as though compressed iu 40
iron vice. Were these bis last mo-
mems! He thought, in spite Of the
agonizing pain be endured, be would
make OF more brave effort.


The line providentially slackened
for . second; be reached bis knife,
and as quick as thought iisslf. as the
rope became taut again, the keen edge
OF the blade was upon it, and by q
desperate effort Of his arm it became
severed. lie was freed, and then
commenced bis upward passage,
caused by the natural buoyancy Of
the human body After this be only
remembered . feeling Of suifocatiou,
. gurgling spasm. and all was over
uutil be swoke to an agoniziug pain
Of reviving consciousness. 10 the arms
Ut his boats crew. Truly, ono Of
the most remarkable escapes from
death on record.