USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Freeport > Three centuries of Freeport, Maine > Part 9
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May 24 Latitude 14° 18' N. Headed about northwest all day. In the afternoon heavy sea, with promise of a bad night. No birds or fish. Can of oysters for dinner, which gave five oysters a piece and three spoonfuls of juice, which, with an eighth of a biscuit, made our allowance, with about a gill of water. Such is our fare. God have mercy upon us all! We are all plainly getting weaker - there is no blinding ourselves to that sorrowful truth. Our best hope is to the westward, in the track of ships, and let go the isles, as we waste twice the time tacking for them. Such is the Captain's notion. Ah, how I wish I had striven to get the rest of my whisky! A spoonful of brandy with water has a marked effect upon us all. All the evening had a heavy and cob- bling sea.
May 25 Last night was a very hard one till about 4 A.M., the sea breaking over our weather side, making every thing wet and uncomfortable; nor was the day any better. I think hardly any one managed to keep entirely dry. Sun not fully out all day. Tried, but could get no observation. These are splendid trades for a ship, but too much for our crank craft. Nothing particular happened to-day. My cramped position makes lying one way any length of time almost impossible, and one is sore almost all over. Plenty of flying-fish about, but none disposed to come aboard. Passed at some distance a spar, but not near enough to see what it was. Saw also some whales blow. Weather misty, with very fine rain, which is penetrating. Good prospect of just such another night as last. Great difference noticeable in the men in regard to close steering and keeping a dry boat. Though our meals are very slight and poor, men were never more eager for them or appreciated them better than we do.
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May 26 Latitude 15° 50'. Last night much more comfortable than the one before this. Occasionally we took some water. In the first watch (the watches are kept up, four six-hour watches in a day) a large flying-fish came aboard, and at about 4 A.M. we caught a booby, which will do for our dinners to-day. Both fish and flesh we have to eat raw after drying or baking in the sun (which has been so far a good hot one). The men grow weaker, and, I think, despondent; they say very little, though. We can not do better with the boat than sail within eight points of the wind, particularly as the trades bring considerable sea, which aids to head us off. This beating is out of the question. It seems our best chance to get in and lie in the track of ships, with the hope that some one will run near enough our speck to see it. I fear for the other two boats, for the sea we had Thursday night and Friday was very hard for them. I hope they stood west, and are picked up.
Sunday, May 27 Latitude 16° o' 5"; longitude, by chronom- eter, 117° 22'. Our fourth Sunday! When we left the ship we reckoned on having about ten days' supplies, and now we hope to be able, by rigid economy, to make them last another week if possible. Last night the sea was comparatively quiet, but the wind headed us off to about west-northwest, which has been about our course all day to-day. Another flying-fish came aboard last night, and one more to-day - both small ones. No birds. A booby is a great catch, and a good large one makes a small din- ner for the fifteen of us - that is, of course, as dinners go in the Hornet's long-boat. Tried this morning to read the full service to myself with the communion, but found it too much; am too weak, and get sleepy, and can not give strict attention; so I put off half until this afternoon. I trust God will hear the prayers gone up for us at home to-day, and graciously answer them by sending us succor and help in this our season of deep distress. The ship was fired by carelessly drawing some varnish with an open lamp in hand, the barrel of varnish being in the "booby-hatch," where are stored spare sails, rigging, etc. Orders had been given to have it on deck to open.
May 28 Wind light and sea smooth last night, so that all hands, I hope, got a good six hours' rest. This day wind fresh- ened, enabling us to head about northwest. A good day for see-
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ing a ship, but none to be seen. I still feel pretty well, but my legs are very weak. Henry bears up and keeps strength the best of any aboard, I think, thank God! My earnest prayer is that he may be saved at any rate, and restored. Our only chance is in being picked up, unless providentially provided with more provisions in the shape of fish or birds, which now seem more and more scarce. I do not feel despondent at all, for I fully trust that the Almighty will hear our and the home prayers, and He who suffers not a sparrow to fall sees and cares for us, His creatures.
May 29 Good breeze last night, and not very rough after 9 o'clock. The moon is of great benefit to us, and a cheering com- rade. I am sorry it is now on the wane. To-day we changed to two meals a day, thereby to lengthen out our scanty stores as long as possible. We are all wonderfully well and strong, compara- tively speaking, thanks to God and the good fare we had on board the ship. All the men are hearty and strong; even the ones that were down sick are well, except poor Peter, who had to be left to the second mate's boat. The two boats are ere this saved, or I fear for them. We have here a man who might have been a duke had not political troubles banished him from Den- mark. He is one of our best men; have to-day quite enjoyed a chat with him. The rest, including "Harry" (Frenchman), seem rather callous to their condition. All seem attentive to our morning and evening prayers, which Henry reads, his voice being strongest. There is no complaining or swearing aboard, which is a great comfort. Henry and I have quiet little evening chats, which are of great comfort and consolation to us, even though they are on very painful subjects. Latitude 16° 44' N; longitude (chron.) 119° 20'.
Captain's Log: "Reduced ration to quarter of a biscuit a day to each man. Two quarts bread crumbs left, one-third of a ham, three small cans of oysters, and twenty gallons of water."
May 30 Latitude 17º 17'. Last night a comparatively quiet one. Had a good breeze, which enabled us to head about north- northwest. The result shows for itself in our latitude to-day - made over 33 miles of northing since yesterday's observation. Shipped but little water, so all hands did some sleeping. This
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noon, upon general agreement, we have changed our course to west by north. Our reasons for this are good: We are just in the latitude of a group of islands - the "American Group"- though a long way east of them; our prevailing wind (trade) is from the northeast; our chance is equally good of seeing ves- sels; and, lastly, by sailing "free" we do not waste time, which, as our provisions are very low, is a great object. It is a hard scratch and a long six hundred and fifty miles, but is, all in all, our best course. It is perfectly useless to try to beat to windward with this boat, so the other isles (the Revillagiegado Group) are of no account to us. Our ration at 9 A.M. yesterday was a piece of ham two inches square, and about as thin as it could be cut, and one-eighth of a biscuit, with about a gill of water. At 5 P.M. we had about a quarter of a biscuit, five oysters (which constitute one-fifteenth of a can), one and a half tablespoonsful of the juice, and a gill of water. Our stores, however, will not stand even two such meals a day as the above. We have got to reduce the ra- tions further, for our bread is almost gone. We have now left: 1 can of oysters, about 3 pounds of raisins, I can of "soup-and- bouille," less than half a ham, and about 3 pints of biscuit crumbs. God help us and provide for us! Somehow I feel much encouraged by this change of course we inaugurated today.
May 31 Very little to chronicle to-day. Last night was cold, but not very wet. Made good headway all the twenty-four hours. God grant us deliverance soon, in the shape of a ship, or if not, strength to reach the "American Group" of islands! This A.M. the bread-bag was found open and some bread miss- ing. We dislike to suspect any one of such a rascally act, but there is no question that this grave crime has been committed. Two days will certainly finish the remaining morsels. Day ob- scured until about 3 P.M., when the wind and sea always seem to increase, but afterward generally subside somewhat. We have kept an anxious look-out for vessels all day, but it was all for naught. The hope was vain. The Captain has lost his glasses, and therefore he can not read our pocket prayer-books as much as I think he would like, though he is not familiar with them. He is a good man, and has been most kind to us - al- most fatherly. He says if he had been offered the command of the ship sooner he should have brought his two daughters with
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him. Naturally enough, he is now devoutly thankful he did not.
Captain's Log: "Two meals a day: of fourteen raisins and a piece of cracker the size of a cent, for tea; and a gill of water, and a piece of ham and a piece of bread, each the size of a cent, for breakfast."
June 1 Last night and to-day sea very high and cobbling, breaking over and making us all wet and cold. Weather squal- ly, and there is no doubt that only careful management - with God's protecting care - preserved us through both the night and the day; and really it is most marvelous how every morsel that passes our lips is blessed to us. It makes me think daily of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Henry keeps up wonder- fully, which is a great consolation to me. I somehow have great confidence, and hope that our afflictions will soon be ended, though we are running rapidly across the track of both out- ward and inward bound vessels, and away from them; our chief hope is a whaler, man-of-war, or some Australian ship. The isles we are steering for are put down in Bowditch, but on my map are said to be doubtful. God grant they may be there!
Captain's Log: "Hardest day yet."
June 2 Latitude 18° 9'. Last night much like previous one - equally cloudy, with slight showers of rain and a heavy sea. This morning much the same; toward noon, however, the sea went down somewhat, and, although it is still high, it is a great deal more comfortable. The sun, also, was out a good part of the time, which has not been the case for a day or two. It is a great blessing, as it dries us. The charitable breeze keeps off thirst wonderfully, so that we even save water out of our scanty allow- ances. We see very few birds now except "Mother Cary's chick- ens"; occasionally a "boatswain," and some sea-birds that keep continually darting about just over the tops of the waves. I can not help thinking of the cheerful and comfortable time we had aboard the Hornet.
Captain's Log: "Two days' scanty supplies left - ten rations of water apiece and a little morsel of bread. But the sun shines, and God is merciful."
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Sunday, June 3 Latitude 17º 54'. Heavy sea all night, and from 4 A.M. very wet, the sea breaking over us in frequent sluices, and soaking every thing aft, particularly. All day the sea has been very high, and it is a wonder that we are not swamped. Heaven grant that it may go down this evening! Our suspense and condition are getting terrible. I managed this morning to crawl, more than step, to the forward end of the boat, and was surprised to find I was so weak, especially in the legs and knees. The sun has been out again, and I have dried some things, and hope for a better night.
June 4 Latitude 17° 6'; longitude 131° 30'. Shipped hardly any seas last night, and to-day the sea has gone down somewhat, although it is still too high for comfort, as we have an occasion- al reminder that water is wet. The sun has been out all day, and so we have had a good drying. I have been trying for the past ten or twelve days to get a pair of drawers dry enough to put on, and to-day at last succeeded. I mention this to show the state in which we have lived. If our chronometer is any where near right, we ought to see the American Isles tomorrow or next day. If they are not there, we have only the chance, for a few days, of a stray ship, for we can not eke out the provisions more than five or six days longer, and our strength is failing very fast. I was much surprised to-day to note how my legs have wasted away above my knees; they are hardly thicker than my upper arm used to be. Still I trust in God's infinite mercy, and feel sure He will do what is best for us. To survive, as we have done, thirty-two days in an open boat, with only about ten days' fair provisions for thirty-one men in the first place, and these twice divided subsequently, is more than mere unassisted human art and strength could have accomplished or endured.
Captain's Log: "Bread and raisins all done."
June 5 Quiet night and pretty comfortable day, though our sail and block show signs of failing, and need taking down - which latter is something of a job, as it requires the climbing of the mast. We also had had news from forward, there being discontent and some threatening complaints of unfair allow- ances, etc., all as unreasonable as foolish; still these things bid us be on our guard. I am getting miserably weak, but try to
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keep up the best I can. If we can not find those isles we can only try to make northwest and get in the track of Sandwich Island bound vessels, living as best we can in the mean time. To-day we changed to one meal, and that at about noon, with a small ration of water at 8 or 9 A.M., another at 12 M., and a third at 5 or 6 P.M.
Captain's Log: "Nothing left but a little piece of ham and a gill of water, all round."
Note secretly passed by Henry to his brother: "Cox told me last night there is getting to be a good deal of ugly talk among the men against the Captain and us aft. Harry, Jack, and Fred especially. They say that the Captain is the cause of all - that he did not try to save the ship at all, nor to get provisions, and even would not let the men put in some they had, and that partiality is shown us in apportioning our rations aft. Jack asked Cox the other day if he would starve first or eat human flesh. Cox answered he would starve. Jack then told him it would be only killing himself. If we do not find these islands we would do well to prepare for anything. Harry is the loudest of all."
Answer: "We can depend on Charley, I think, and Thomas, and Cox, can we not?"
Second Note: "I guess so, and very likely on Peter - but there is no telling. Charley and Cox are certain. There is nothing defi- nite said or hinted as yet, as I understand Cox; but starving men are the same as maniacs. It would be well to keep a watch on your pistol, so as to have it and the cartridges safe from theft."
June 6 Latitude 16° 30'; longitude (chron.) 134°. Dry night, and wind steady enough to require no change in sail; but this A.M. an attempt to lower it proved abortive. First, the third mate tried and got up to the block, and fastened a temporary arrangement to reeve the halyards through, but had to come down, weak and almost fainting, before finishing; then Joe tried, and after twice ascending, fixed it and brought down the block; but it was very exhausting work, and afterward he was good for nothing all day. The clew-iron which we are trying to
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make serve for the broken block works, however, very indif- ferently, and will, I am afraid, soon cut the rope. It is very ne- cessary to get every thing connected with the sail in good, easy running order before we get too weak to do any thing with it.
Captain's Log: "Only three meals left."
June 7 Latitude 16° 35' N .; longitude 136° 30' W. Night wet and uncomfortable. To-day shows us pretty conclusively that the American Isles are not here, though we have had some signs that looked like them. At noon we decided to abandon looking any further for them, and to-night haul a little more northerly, so as to get in the way of Sandwich Island vessels, which, fortu- nately, come down pretty well this way - say to latitude 19° to 20° to get the benefit of the trade-winds. Of course all the west- ing we have made is gain, and I hope the chronometer is wrong in our favor, for I do not see how any such delicate instrument can keep good time with the constant jarring and thumping we get from the sea. With the strong trade we have, I hope that a week from Sunday will put us in sight of the Sandwich Is- lands, if we are not saved before that time by being picked up.
June 8 My cough troubled me a good deal last night, and therefore I got hardly any sleep at all. Still I make out pretty well, and should not complain. Yesterday the third mate mended the block, and this P.M. the sail, after some difficulty, was got down, and Harry got to the top of the mast and rove the halyards through after some hardship, so that it now works easy and well. This getting up the mast is no easy matter at any time with the sea we have, and is very exhausting in our present state. We could only reward Harry by an extra ration of water. We have made good time and course to-day. Heading her up, however, makes the boat ship seas, and keeps us all wet; how- ever, it can not be helped. Writing is a rather precarious thing these times. Our meal to-day for the fifteen consists of half a can of "soup-and-bouille"- the other half is reserved for to- morrow. Henry still keeps up grandly, and is a great favorite. God grant he may be spared!
Captain's Log: "A better feeling prevails among the men."
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June 9 Latitude 17º 53'. Finished to-day, I may say, our whole stock of provisions. We have only left a lower end of a ham-bone, with some of the outer rind and skin on. In regard to the water, however, I think we have got ten days' supply at our present rate of allowance. This, with what nourishment we can get from boot-legs and such chewable matter, we hope will enable us to weather it out till we get to the Sandwich Islands, or sailing in the mean time in the track of vessels thither bound, be picked up. My hope is in the latter - for in all hu- man probability I can not stand the other. Still we have been marvelously protected, and God, I hope, will preserve us all in His own good time and way. The men are getting weaker, but are still quiet and orderly.
Sunday, June 10 Latitude 18° 40', longitude 142° 34'. A pretty good night last night, with some wettings, and again an- other beautiful Sunday. I can not but think how we should all enjoy it at home, and what a contrast is here! How terrible their suspense must begin to be! God grant it may be relieved before very long, and He certainly seems to be with us in every thing we do, and has preserved this boat miraculously; for since we left the ship we have sailed considerably over three thousand miles, which, taking into consideration our meagre stock of provisions, is almost unprecedented. As yet I do not feel the stint of food so much as I do that of water. Even Henry, who is naturally a great water-drinker, can save half of his allow- ance from time to time, when I can not. My diseased throat may have something to do with that, however.
Henry Ferguson's journal completes the account of this ter- rible adventure. His first entry is made on the day after taking to the boats and from
May 4 to May 12 Doldrums: - Tells it all. Never saw, never felt, never heard, never experienced such heat, such darkness, such lightning and thunder, and wind and rain, in my life be- fore.
May 17 He sets down that a water-spout stalked by them, and they trembled for their lives, but he also adds that "it might have been a fine sight from a ship." And for the same day:
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Passed a most awful night. Rained hard nearly all the time, and blew in squalls, accompanied by terrific thunder and lightning, from all points of the compass.
June 4 Men growing dreadfully discontented, and awful grumbling and unpleasant talking is arising. God save us from all strife of men; and if we must die now, take us himself and not embitter our bitter death still more.
June 5 Dreadful forebodings. God spare us from all such hor- rors! Some of the men getting to talk a good deal. Nothing to write down. Heart very sad.
June 6 Passed some sea-weed, and something that looked like the trunk of an old tree, but no birds; beginning to be afraid islands not there. To-day it was said to the Captain, in the hear- ing of all, that some of the men would not shrink, when a man was dead, from using the flesh, though they would not kill. Horrible! God give us all full use of our reason, and spare us from such things! "From plague, pestilence, and famine, from battle and murder - and from sudden death: Good Lord de- liver us!"
Sunday, June 10 Our ham-bone has given us a taste of food to- day, and we have got left a little meat and the remainder of the bone for to-morrow. Certainly never was there such a sweet knuckle-bone, or one which was so thoroughly appreciated. . . . I do not know that I feel any worse that I did last Sunday, not- withstanding the reduction of diet; and I trust that we may all have strength given us to sustain the sufferings and hardships of the coming week. We estimate that we are within 700 miles of the Sandwich Islands, and that our average, daily, is some- what over 100 miles, so that our hopes have some foundation in reason. Heaven send we may all live to reach land!
June 11 Ate the meat and rind of our ham-bone, and have the bone and the greasy cloth from around the ham left to eat to- morrow. God send us birds or fish, and let us not perish of hunger, or be brought to the dreadful alternative of feeding on human flesh! As I feel now, I do not think any thing could persuade me; but you can not tell what you will do when you are reduced by hunger and your mind wandering. I hope and
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pray we can make out to reach the Islands before we get to this strait; but we have one or two pretty desperate men aboard, though they are quiet enough now. It is my firm trust and be- lief that we are going to be saved.
Captain's Log: "All food gone."
June 12 Stiff breeze, and we are fairly flying - dead ahead of it - and toward the Islands. Good hopes, but the prospects of hunger are awful. Ate ham-bone to-day. It is the Captain's birthday - he is 54 years old to-day.
June 13 The ham-rags are not gone yet, and the boot-legs, we find, are very palatable after we get the salt out of them. A little smoke, I think, does some little good; but I don't know.
June 14 Hunger does not pain us much, but we are dreadful weak. Our water is getting frightfully low. God grant we may see land soon! Nothing to eat - but feel better than I did yes- terday. Toward evening saw a magnificent, double-rainbow - the first we had seen. Captain said, "Cheer up, boys, it's a prophecy! - it's the bow of promise!"
June 15 God be forever praised for His infinite mercy to us! Land in sight! Rapidly neared it, and soon were sure of it. . . . Two noble Kanakas swam out and took the boat ashore. We were joyfully received by two white men - Mr. Jones and his steward, Charley - and a crowd of native men, women, and children. They treated us splendidly - aided us, and carried us up the bank, and brought us water, poi, bananas, and green cocoa-nuts; but the white men took care of us, and prevented those who would have eaten too much from doing so. Every body overjoyed to see us, and all sympathy expressed in faces, deeds, and words. We were then helped up to the house, and help we needed. Mr. Jones and his steward, Charley, are the only white men here. Treated us splendidly. Gave us first about a teaspoonful of spirits in water, and then to each a cup of hot tea with a little bread. Takes every care of us. Gave us later another cup of tea - and bread the same - and then let us go to rest. It is the happiest day of my life. God, in His mercy, has heard our prayer, and we are saved. .. . Every body is so kind. Words can not tell -
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June 16 Mr. Jones gave us a delightful bed, and we surely had a good night's rest - but not sleep - we were too happy to sleep. They gave the Captain a little room, and the same to Sam and me, and gave the sitting-room to the men. We enjoyed the night, but did not sleep - would keep the reality, and not let it turn to a delusion - dreaded that we might wake up and find ourselves in the boat again. . . .
Captain Mitchell kept a personal diary for the year 1866, from this we have selected the entries beginning May 6, in order to give a more complete picture of what took place in the boat. The diary gives an inkling of the private thoughts of the leader under the strain of great responsibility. Intended as it was for the eyes of his wife and family in case he did not survive he trusted that by some chance his record might be preserved for them. Written upon the cover of the diary was this request:
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