. Capt. J. D. Winchester's experience on a voyage from Lynn, Massachusetts, to San Francisco, Cal., and to the Alaskan gold fields .... who cameto see them off, it was a disgraceful sight. Here werethe reputable citizens, forming the bone and sinew of ourcompany, all in a beastly state of intoxication,—I hadnever seen any worse among old sailors, who are supposedto enjoy their last day on shore in a similar way. The tug boat gave us a hawser and the word was passed, weigh anchor, and then there was a wild rush for theend of the Diver we call the bow ; they were crowdingand walking over each ot
. Capt. J. D. Winchester's experience on a voyage from Lynn, Massachusetts, to San Francisco, Cal., and to the Alaskan gold fields .... who cameto see them off, it was a disgraceful sight. Here werethe reputable citizens, forming the bone and sinew of ourcompany, all in a beastly state of intoxication,—I hadnever seen any worse among old sailors, who are supposedto enjoy their last day on shore in a similar way. The tug boat gave us a hawser and the word was passed, weigh anchor, and then there was a wild rush for theend of the Diver we call the bow ; they were crowdingand walking over each others feet, and finally swarmed inthe bow as far as they could go without going into thesea. Yes, this must be the place to operate, and some didoperate with their heads over the vessels side; they gaveback to Lynn what they were forbidden to carry away withthem; after a struggle and two or three getting upset, thewindlass brakes were shipped and the anchor was raisedwithout any casualty, and the Diver was towed out of theharbor. The next order was given to make sail, Hoistthe foresail. There was another rush, for there were two. ifllllllllllill! lllilll LEAVING LYNN, NOV. IO, 1899. PREPARATION FOR THE CRUISE. 39 sailors in the crowd that these men attempted to follow,but it being dark, they followed the wrong man, and camerunning aft, chasing one another around the afterhouse,stumbling over loose ropes that happened to lie in theirway, but finally seeing where they were wanted, rusheddown on their fellows like a lot of frightened colts, andbegan to pull the first rope they could lay their hands could see that the foresail was hoisted by some one, so Idid not put myself out of the way to find out whichpart}- it was, but I knew it could not be those who werehauling on the jib halliards with the down haul fast. Theforesail was up and belay all was given, then the nextorder was hoist the mainsail. Here was some hardwork for the boys ; they were getting pretty well fatigued,a
Size: 1627px × 1535px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublishersalemmassnewcombga
