The voyage of the Indian war canoe, Tilikum, across the Pacific from Canada to Australia : being the first portion of the voyage round the world, by Captain Voss, in the smallest boat that has ever crossed the Pacific Ocean, travelling a distance of 12,300 miles

Voss, John Claus, McConechy and Joyce (the Caxton), Invercargill, N.Z., 1903

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EPUB ISBN: 978-0-908328-23-9

PDF ISBN: 978-0-908331-19-2

Title: The voyage of the Indian war canoe, Tilikum, across the Pacific from Canada to Australia : being the first portion of the voyage round the world, by Captain Voss, in the smallest boat that has ever crossed the Pacific Ocean, travelling a distance of 12,300 miles.

Author: Voss, John Claus

Published: McConechy and Joyce (the Caxton), Invercargill, N.Z., 1903

PREFACE

This little book is an account of the voyage of the Tilikum, including very valuble information for old and young, which is written from experiences by myself. No man can write on the paititular points which are given in this book without the practical experience. As my readers will understand by reading this book that I have sailed over 12,300 miles in a smaller boat than a common-size lifeboat, without moving a nail in my boat; that should be sufficient proof that I, as a seaman, understand my business, and my readers should take particular notice and read my information carefully as you never know what is before you. You may think that you will never travel on the ocean, and, therefore, have no use tor my book or information. Suppose you never do need my information, which I hope you never will, but should you ever get into one of the positions I have mentioned, a knowledge of the contents of this little took will show you what action to take, and thus be the means of saving your life. The information I have given is short, direct, and to the point. When carried out, it will be the means of great saving of life in the future. After completing my voyage to England I will try and introduce the sea anchor for all boats and seagoing vessels, as it is very little known amongst seafaring people. Keep this book amongst your valuables.

CAPT. J. C. VOSS

Contents.

Page.

Preface 3

Tilikum at Anchor at Apia (Samoa) 5

Photo of Captain Voss 7

Tilikum on Lake Wendouree, Ballarat 9

Photo, of W. A. Donald, manager 11

The Sea Anchor 13

Photo, of T. O’Connell, mate 15

"The Tilikum" -A Poem, by "T.E.H." 17

Explanatory 17

The Voyage 18

In the Pacific 19

Among the Islands 20-21

Continuing the Voyage 22

In Melbourne 22-23

The Rescue of O’Connell 24

Adventurous Trip Round the World 25

An Awful Experience 26

How the Project Originated 27

Cruising Among the Islands 28

Description of the Tilikum 28

Hints on Boat Sailing 29

Hints to Passengers 30

A Pointer on Seasickness 31

Boat Forced on to a Lee Shore 31

The Tilikum and the Spray—A Comparison 32

At Apia, Samoa. TILIKUM. J. C. Voss, Master. Photo by Mr Davis, Samoa.

CAPTAIN J. C. VOSS.

TJLIKUM, J. C. Voss, Master, On Lake Wendoure^,-Ballarat.

W. ARTHUR DONALD, Manager.

How a Sea Anchor is Made and Used

For a common-size boat take a wooden or iron ring, fairly strong, about 2ft in diameter; sew canvas round it as if you were making a bag ; 3ft. to 4ft. from the ring let the canvas come into a point; leave a hole in end of about 2in. in diameter. When finished the sea anchor will look like a funnel. Then tie three ropes to the ring at an equal distance apart. Let the ropes come together about two or three feet from the ring. This completes a sea anchor.

As the sea anchor is only used in heavy weather, when it is blowing hard, and seas are running high and breaking, and you are amongst it in a small boat; then take a line of about 100 ft long, tie one end on to the triangle and the other end to the bow of the boat, then throw your sea anchor overboard. Trim your boat down a little by the stern, and the sea anchor will keep the boat’s head on to the sea, and the boat will ride anything that comes along.

On my voyage to Australia* and previously, 1 have proved the usefulness of the sea anchor on scores of occasions.

When I get into a heavy sea I fix my boat as stated above, and as a rule I lay down and go to sleep, and my boat is always there when I wake up. J. C. VOSS.

T. O’CONNELX, Mate.

The Tilikum.

(By T. E H.)

Swift as the swallow through wind and through foam

1 fly, leaving leagues behind me;

And though the ocean’s my limitless home,

Far inland they often find me.

Through tempest and calm 1 fearlessly roam,

There’s really nothing to bind me.

Light and frail though I seem

In keel, top, length, and beam,

For triumphs my owner designed me.

Over seas have I come, over seas will I go

While the blue waters dance, while the merry winds blow,

And my rival, ah, e’er will he come?

Not for speed and for safety his challenge will be,

In my size is my strength, and he’ll drop in my lee.

For remember my name’s TIL-I-KUM!

The Cruise of the Tilikum.

Being an Abstract from the Log Book of Captain Voss, who navigated and sailed the Tilikum from Vancouver, British Columbia, across the Pacific to Sydney, and thence to Melbourne and New Zealand.

Explanatory.

THE voyage of the Tilikum is without parallel in the annals of the sea, bristling though those annals are with both deeds of bravery and skilful seamanship.

Long sea voyages have been frequently accomplished in small boats, but this is the first occasion on which an ordinary canoe, made by illiterate but clever savages, has been selected as a means of circumnavigating the globe.

The venture really owes its existence to that keen rivalry that exists between the Canadians and their American cousins, and the determination of the one to excel the other in any deed of daring or skill. Thus, on the news of the success that attended the voyage of the American boat Spray, which was navigated by Captain Slocum round the world, reaching Minnesota, U.S.A., some “ tall ” talk of a party of Americans, who were

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THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

dining with several Canadians, led the latter to assert that a Canadian could accomplish the feat in a smaller boat, and the assertion was backed un bv a wager of 5,000 dollars a-side.

At this time the principal in the wager, so far as accomplishing the feat was concerned, was Mr N. K. Luxton, a journalist, who, with that confidence which is so characteristic of his profession, undertook the task, and then had to look round for a man to carry it out. In this he was fortunate, for he almost immediately happened on Captain Voss, a sailor of proved courage and experience, and also an adept in small boat sailing —a branch of his profession that not one sailor in a thousand knows. Captain Voss entered into the spirit of the adventure with avidity, and determined to increase the novelty of the voyage and, it is feared, also the danger, by utilising an ordinary Indian canoe. A search of the Indian villages brought him in contact with an old Chief, who had so far forgotten his past glory as to rejoice in the name of “ Sambo,” and a consideration induced him to part with the Tilikum, which had been cut out of a huge red cedar log some forty summers before, and used by his tribe as a war canoe. The advance of civilisation eventually reaching those far Canadian lakes and rivers, stopped the tribal wars, and the Tilikum — which, by the way, is Indian for “ friend ” —fell from her high estate as a war vessel, to the more prosaic calling of a, fishing craft. Her wellseasoned hull, however, and roomy interior, caught Captain Voss’s eye at once, and he was soon busy at work decking her over, and making all ready for his long and already-proved adventurous voyage.

The Voyage.

The preparations for the trip were completed early in May, 1901, and on the 22nd the little vessel put to sea, her crew consisting of Captain Voss and the journalist, Luxton. The latter had, however, never smelt water before, and long before the broad bosom of the mighty Pacific was reached he was incapacitated by seasickness. The voyage was started under the most auspicious conditions, with a light favourable wind, and the canoe, under all sail, made splendid headway, and soon ran the land of her birth out of sight. A course was shaped for Cape Flattery, and as soon as that forbidding piece of coastline was astern the wind changed more into the westward, and blew a full gale. The little vessel stood up to her-work well, but the weather got so bad that Captain Voss felt compelled to run back into a small Bay to the east of Suck Harbour for shelter, where she lay nice and snug till the following morning. The day broke with a favourable easterly wind, and the Tilikum raised the spirits of her crew by cutting away at a great pace until the afternoon, when the wind, veering to the westward, increased to a gale, and forced the little craft back to port once more. For three days she was wind bound in Suck Harbour, and on the fourth day, when at last the Pacific was reached, she met with a terrific SW gale, before which the craft had to

THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

20

run, and eventually brought up off the Indian village of San Van. For eight days the canoe was detained in the bay by terrific gales, which raised a sen that a great steamer could not face, much less the Tilikum. On no portion of the American Coast have so many shipwrecks occurred as here —the treacherous nature of the tides, the thick fogs, and fierce gales accounting for the loss of hundreds of ships, and the death of thousands of sailors. In reaching the refuge of the anchorage as she did, the little Tilikum proved herself an excellent and seaworthy craft, and although Captain Voss’s seasick companion could not see anything to admire in the lively little vessel, that gentleman was delighted with her behaviour.

At 4,30 a.m. on June 6 the voyage was resumed, and fair progress was made to the open sea until 10 p.m., when the wind veered round to the south’ard, and at 11 p.m. the canoe was under storm canvas, battling with a North Pacific “Snorter.” At 11.30 the sea, which was continuing to rise and become dangerous, was too much for the little vessel to face, so she turned tail and ran before the wind and sea for twenty hours. Now, of all the nerve-shaking experience a sailor is called upon to pass through, that of steering a vessel before a heavy gale of wind and following sea is the worst. The slightest mistake, or neglect to check the tendency all vessels hare to run up in the wind, as they rush down the great gulfs between the waves, will cause them to broach to, and in the case of a vessel like the Tilikum, total destruction follows. Even with a mate capable of taking his turn at the tiller, the task would have been difficult, hut with a sick mate it was terrible. “ For twenty hours,” Captain Voss writes, “ I sat in the little cock-pit at the stern of the boat, wet to the akin, and unable to move from the tiller, where the waves drenched me, and the cutting wind tore my clothing to rags.” At midnight the little vessel got under the lea of Cape Beal, and, although the anchorage was not too safe, or the shelter too good, the exhausted man dropped anchor, and lay there till morning. With daylight the fury of the gale seemed to increase, and the course was made for Dodger’s Cove where the canoe remained until the weather settled. Bad weather continued until July 6, hut as there were numerous Indians about, the adventurous voyagers were able to put in their time profitably, and also collect a great manv curios, which are on view in the boat.

In the Pacific.

When at last the weather cleared and the voyage was resumed fair winds carried the Tilikum well on the Great Pacific, and, although that capricious ocean was on her best behaviour, an unexpected danger lose up to meet the little craft. The story is best told in Captain Voss’ own words ; “At 3 p.m. I sighted a whale, who was apparently in trouble with a sword fish, as he was throwing his huge liody out of the water, so far that I could see his under flippers, and would then fall hack in the

THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM.

21

water with a tremendous splash. He continued to do this several times, and as he was coming towards the boat we felt anything but comfortable. He suddenly rose about 30 feet from us and lifted himself fully 40 feet out of the water, and as he was covered with blood presented a ghastly sight. It looked as if he was going to fall on the boat, and Luxton turned pale, and I felt my blood • run into my finger tips. The huge monster being above us for fully a minute, and then fell from us with a mighty splash that sent the spray high over our mast heads and turned the ocean into a whirpool in which the Tilikum was tossed hither and thither like a cork.”

Fair winds and sunny skies made the following days pleasant for the voyagers, and the, monotony was broken on July 11th by speaking the schooner “ Excelsior.” The same afternoon the wind increased to a gale, before which tiie canoe was run until the seas started to break dangerously over the stern. Captain Voss determined to bring the vessel to the wind, an operation fraught with much danger at all times, but particularly so with a vessel like the Tilikum. He first of all put a rope round Luxton, and making it fast to the mainmast, gave him the sea anchor, and told him to go forward and drop it in the water when the vessel ran up in the wind, “ I then put the helm down,” writes Captain Voss in his log book, “ and she ran up into the wind most beautifully, the stay-sail hauled down and the sea anchor let go. Just then, however, a tremendous sea came aiong, and as the canoe w 7 as lifting to it Luxton jumped up on the foremast, thinking, as he afterwards explained, that the stern of the Tilikum had broken ofi'.”

The behaviour of the canoe in this gale, in which she rode to a sea :;iichor for 24 hours, increased the confidence of the crew in.their little craft, and blow high or blow low they were satisfied ever after. Slow progress through the doldrums wearied the two men more than the fierce gales, and Luxton became quite dispirited, and bilked of making a hole in the water and other depressing things. Captain Voss kept up a good flow of spirits, however, and on September 2nd the sea-weary eyes of the sailors were gladdened by the sight of land.

Amongst the Islands.

This land proved to be Penryn Island, one of the gems of the Pacific but with an unenviable reputation for cannibalism among the natives’ High on the reefs that guard the outer edge of the surf-lined, palm-clad island were the hulls of two iron ships that had come to grief in the days of long ago .the “South Pacific Directory,” the guide of all marines in those waters for the first time, warns visitors of the treacherous character of the Natives, so that it was only with the greatest caution that Captain A-oss and Ins companion approached the land. What was their surprise to find a trading schooner in the lagoon, and the “cannibals” a most obliging race of men who entertained the visitors, cleaned ..n.l a

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THE CRUISE OP THE TILIKUM

their boat and loaded them with presents! The passage from Vancouver Island had occupied fifty-eight .lays, and it is needless to say that, as neither of the men had been on their feet for that period, they were only too pleased to stretch their legs. During their stay at the island H.M.S. Torch arrived.

On the 17th September the voyage was resumed, and, with a full • cargo ofcocanqts, which the Natives insisted on placing on board, the little craft once more made her bow to the sea, and on September 21 reached Humphrey’s Island. At this island the party dined with the King, the menu consisting of roasted pig, and different dishes, sufficient tor the wants of about 300 men. The only drawback to the feast was that there were no knives and forks, so the pig had to be pulled asunder by the white men, but this did not trouble them much, for, as Captain Voss remarks, “We were hungry enough to eat a bull.” For five days the visitors remained at the island, eating and drinking, and being entertained at dances by the Natives, who could not do enough for the white men. On leaving, the King—who was as genial as “ Old King Cole asked to be remembered to the King of England, and added that as he (the dark potentate) had discontinued eating white men, lie need not send any more men-of-war around. He also offered Captain Yoss his daughter, but the Princess, although very handsome, was not to be induced to cross the ocean in the Tilikum.

At 9 a.m. on September 25 anchor was weighed, and the canoe headed on a course for Danger Island, which was reached three days later. A very brief stay was made here, a.s the Natives were not to be trusted and a good run was made to Apia,, whence she sailed again m October 10. A call was made at (Nina Ifou Island, and a course w;i ti. n shaped for Fiji. At 3 a.m. on the 16th October the careers of the Tilikum and her occupants were nearly ended by the vessel striking on a reef. The Captain was asleep at the time, but the shock brought him on deck only to find the breakers washing over the boat, and the position perilous in the extreme. A sea suddenly lifted the boat right over the reef into tire smootli water of the lagoon, and tire anchor was dropped in eight fathoms of wafer. Suva was reached on October 19, and ht v Mr Buxton left the boat. hi> i .'.ien heimr toupn hv T, kprrpnt.

The Tilikum left Suva at 4 p.ra. on October 21, and all went well until October 28, when Begent fell ovurhoard during the night, whilst attending to the compass light, and wa- never seen again. When the accident happened the boat was in 25.20deg. south, and 167.37deg, eas. , and as the unfortunate man took die compas with him into the sea the rest of the voyage to Sydney hj i to be completed by Captain Voss .done • and without a compass. The loss of his companion was followed bv bad weather, during which the fore topmast went by the board, and the ooat had frequently to ride out heavy gules to a sea anchor. dvdnev is reached on Noven.oer 19, and thus was completed the firs; s ction of the Tilikum'.s voyage round the world. The total distance (ravelled up to this time was 10,000 miles.

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THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

Continuation of Voyage.

After the arrival of the Tilikum in Sydney the yacht was taken to Manly for exhibition purposes, and remained there from 20th November until 28th December, 1901, some 15,000 people seeing the tiny craft, and Captain Voss was received everywhere with the greatest hospitality and entertained by tire Mayor and Councillors. On the latter date a start was mfide to shift the boat to George street, Haymarket, where she remained until the 17th January, 1902, when she was taken overland to Newcastle. In the meantime Captain Voss had shipped a Mr A. Hamilton to take the place of the unfortunate Louis Regent, Mr Luxton having decided to go back to Canada. A stay was made at Newcastle until the 16th February, 1902, when she was towed to sea by Captains Beal and Herbert’s naptha launch. At 11 a.m, the Nobbys were passed, and the launch let go in a light southerly wind. Nothing of interest took place, with the exception of Captain Voss losing his pipe overboard, and Mr Hamilton being very sick, until. Tuesday, the 20th, when a strong westerly wind was met and the boat placed unde - the storm sails. At noon the wind increased to a heavy gale, and the sea anchor was put out. The gale continued, accompanied with heavy rain squalls, until midnight of the 27th February, when the gale lulled and the sea anchor was taken on board, all sail being set at 6 a.m. The gale had not passed without some damage. At 4 p.m. on the 26th the Tilikum shipped a sea over her Mows that swept the deck and filled the cabin, ruining the time piece, the only one they had with them. This was the first time they had experienced the boat taking a sea all over her. Wet through, they had to make the best of it, sleeping on the bare boards in the cabin, and to make matters more cheerful the huge sea had split the rudder. When the welcome change came on the 28th the rudder was repaired and also the foresail, which was split in the beginning of the gale. From thence to the Ist March, when Captain Voss came very nearly losing the canoe through standing in for Sandy Point, and a flood tide took the l«jat in through the breakers, putting it on a sand bank, where they remained until 4 p.m., when they anchord in Shallow Bay, and stayed the night witn the Pilkington brothers. The weather continuing much the same for some days, they remained with the Messrs Pilkington until the morning of the 9th, when sail was once more set for Melbourne. Cape Liptrap was passed at 6 p.m., and through the Rip at Port Phillip at 1 a.m.. and on the 11th, anchored off Williamstown at noon.

In Melbourne.

Captain Voss was received here with a right royal welcome by the yachtsmen and residents, and for a few days the Tilikum was placed on exhibition at Captain Kenny’s baths, St. Hilda, eventually being taken to a shop in Collins street, under the management of Messrs Bjyd and

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THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

Brodie. It w;us whilst here that the boat met with such a severe accident that, although seaworthy, she will never be the same boat again, which will readily appeal to anyone when they remember that her hull is hewn from one solid log.

ihe great Labour Day of the State of Victoria is held on the 21st April. Thousands are in the streets watching the procession of the different trades and crafts, a number being employed at their trades on lorries drawn by four, six, or eight horses. Bakers making rolls and small loaves ; cigarmakers, cigars; furniture and cabinetmakers, farriers, stevedores, boilermakers, engineers, etc. With bands of music, the regalia and Winners, the day is much the same to the Melbournite'as the Lord Mayor s show*to the Londoner. After the procession, sports and junketings are engaged in, and thousands wend their wav to an appointed place, which this year was the Exhibition Building. Captain Voss had the boat taken hither to show for the day, and it was in taking her hack that the accident happened. It might here be stated that the Tilikum weighs exactly 31 cwt. witli the keel, the keel itself weighing 6 cwt. ; so the hull without the keel weighs exactly 25 cwt. The contractor had been given the weights and supplied the necessary slings ; and whilst she was being lifted by the crane, and 3 feet in the air, the sling broke, crashing her heavily on the asphalt. On examination it was found that she was split from the stern over the keel for a distance of 15 feet, and one split on each side for a distance of over 20 feet. An action at law was started, which resulted in an award of .£2OO being given- to Captain Voss. The contractor (Mr Wan-) appealed, and after a lot of trouble that lasted four months the matter was settled out of Court. Meanwhile Captain Voss had repaired the little ship, and strengthened her by placing steel ribs inside every 2 feet, and his sincere thanks are due to his friend, Mr Smith, the building surveyor of Melbourne, for his extreme kindness, for here Captain Voss stayed over ft or months repairing the Tilikum in Mr Smith’s private yard. This delay was most vexatious, and it is to be hoped the same little craft will not be subjected to such ill-treatment in future.

After repairs Geelong and Ballarat were visited, the boat, of course, being taken overland. The Tilikum holt!-, the distinction of being the only deep sea sailing ship that has ever sailed on Lake Wericouree, 1416 feet above sea level. Ballarat people are ever noted for their homely hospitality, and Captain Y-r will alwa . ion über the great kindne- of Mayor Shoppee, Mr Martell, Dr. Usher and many others who mail his stay so pleasant in the Golden City.

Despite the pleasantness, the Tilikum is sailing for the world’s record, and cannot stay as long as -he would like, and, after spending some little time in one place, hj i a tendency to chafe and drag at bar moorings, as if she wanted to make a dadi for t( 'bi d y ..gain. So lie was put on a railway true': for Geelong, to sail for Adelaide.

Whilst Captain Voss was in Ballarat Mi- W. A. Donald joined him as his manager, and has directed the course so that the principal cities

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THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

of the Empire will he visited, and yet time enough will be allowed to i-e,:eh Pernambuco (where the circumnavigation ends) i» the world’s record. From Adelaide the canoe will go to Hobart (Tasmania), thence to Invercargill, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Gisbufiie, and Auckland; then Thursday Island, Port Darwin. Mauritius, the Cape, and Pernambuco; afterwards to London and the English coast, and finally to Victoria, B.C.

Geelong was left on the afternoon of Sunday, November 23, 1902 ; and at f> p.m. anchored about eight miles north of Qneenscliffe, Mr Donald making the trip from Geelong to Adelaide as Captain Voss’s mate. At 7 a.m. 01. the 24th sail was set in a light easterly wind, and at 11 a.m. anchored at Queenscliff. At 2 p.m. sail' was set, and we proceeded to *•*- b'ape Otway was passed next day at noon ; fine weather prevailed nnth Ihursday, 27th, when strong westerly wind and a heavy sea was encouAfei-ed, necessitating the mainsail being taken in. Kangaroo Island light was passed at 1 a.m. on the 29th, and Cape Jervois at noon, and anchor was dropped offr.be sema.pho.-e at 9 p.m. same day, after a pleasant run of five days seven hours from Port Phillip Heads to the semaphore

Au enjoyable five weeks was spent in the South Australian capital the ftlenelg Yacht aim Dingey Clubs jiving a social to Captain Voss at the Jetty Hotel. Gleuelg was left on the nightof the Bth January. 1903. at 9.30 pun. Kul was set for Hobart (Tasmania). A great and enthusiastic crowd assembled on the wharf to give the plnckv Captain and his mate a. send-!k It was estimated that fully 5,000 people were present end thirty mmus foil-.wed some miles to see him on his southerly course Fine weather and calms prevailed until 9 p.m. on the 9th. * Anchor was cast two irnVs -nth of Point Jervois. At 2 a.m. next day, the wind hauling into trv ■’-.vffiwa.ni, go* under way at 6 a.m., passing Kangaroo light, v ana hie winds were met until Monday, January 13, when afresh, southerly breeze was met, and a v ry heavy sea running, when Edward U Connell, the mate Captain Voss snipped in Adelaide, fell overboard and was. nearly drowned. ’ ,

The Rescue of O'Connell.

extern V..-S own words the accident and rescue are told in wmp.e language; On Mm nigh! ,f the the 13th January we were TOikum " T "T”’ " Vw - V * K ‘ av . v -a, and the 1 u farm , ~s p*.* , under storm sails In lowering .he foresail the hook ‘ f'. 1 ?”f avr f’ * M .’ : 111 n l> to the top of the mast. I told unmade not to bother about it, as we could get it when the weather mode- ■ ated. i went Im,or, to turn in. uni after sleeping some little time, was awike ~V a heavy thuu on the deck. I slipped out in time to see Of onnell going r * the wet -. I tied a rope , ,„d mvself and weut after him., and managed to get him aboard with some difficulty On examining mm I founu a deep wound in i.is head, he being quite uncon-

THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

26

cions. 1 applied the treatment for the apparently drowned, and, after two hpurs hard work was rewarded by seeing hiui revive. It appears that afrer i went below, O’Connell, who is the most willing of men, went aloft to get the hook ; the boat gave a -heavy lurch, which brought his legs away from the reeling mast, and, on her rolling back, dashed lie-, head against the mast, rendering him unconscious, and he fell overboard. Since then 1 have told him he must have a life-line round him if iie intends to make the voyage with me to England.”

After this accident, that, nearly proved fatal, nothing untoward happened. A three-masted British ship was passed on the 16th, at 5 p m., steering X.E. Land vs- .sighted at 7 a.m. on the 19th. The S ■nth Cape was rounded on the 20th ; and anchor cast in Saudv ID (Hour.-'.) at 4.15 p.m. on the 21st January. 1903.

i Captain Voss was received in the usual courteous mannei h\ the residents and ’members of the Derwent Yachting Club. The »' was placed on exhibition in Macquarie Street, opposite the G.P.O. Over 5,000 people availed themselves of the opportunity of viewing this wonderful ship, and listening to the lectures of her gallant commander.

Hobart tfas left on the 9th February, 1903, at noon, for Invercargill, N.Z., where the last of the log will have to be written.

ADVENTUROUS TRIP ROUND THE WORLD

IN A FOUR-TONER.

ARRIVAL, OF THE TILIKUM.

Extract from Sydney ‘ Daily Teleoraph," Nov. 20, 1901.

The look-out at Sydnev Heads ha-- been called upon to report the arrival of all kinds and conditions of c, I, from the stately 13.000-ton palatial liner down to the diminutive coaster, of barely a score in tonnage measurement. Yesterday, however, fm the first time in the history of the port, “colours" were hoisted on a four-ton craft, “ A - ■hooner from Canada ” was the sigi al run up at the I’ i Philip static»,, and speculation was rife as to the name and ; ctionality of the vessel.

She was such a small ci At that the sign: 1-master at Snub Head had to place the glasses to his -yes a second time to make sure tin t she was not one of the pleasure crrfl from one of the resorts on the ■ >ast. Her name, in bold lettering » 'be bow, however, soon showed tin r she was the Canadian yacht. Td-kum, which had made Sydney as a -art of the programme of her voyage round the world. So fragile, so dimioutoe did she seem as she sailed in . . the Canadian flag' flying at the iir vin that one wondered and admired the pluck, perseverance, and kill displayed in bringing her aero-,.- the 9200 miles of trackless ocean.

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THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM

A good deal has already been said as to how the little vessel, after being driven back on three occasions, weathered fierce gales off the coast of Canada, and how she narrowly escaped destruction in a storm in the Fiji Group. This was given in the narrative supplied by Mr Norman K. Luxton when he arrived by the steamer Birksgate from Fiji a week or two ago. The reasons for Mr Luxton coming on to Sydney were also explained.

After leaving Suva the little vessel passed through a trying ordeal, rnd Captain Voss laid the misfortune to lose his companion, Louis Begent, who had joined the Tilikum for the run from Fiji to Sydney. He accidentally fell overboard and was drowned. Nothing daunted, the plucky captain, single-handed, subse jnently sailed his tiny craft through gales and mountainous seas, and he (ells a thrilling story of his encounter.

An Awful Experience.

TERRIFIC GALES.

THE MATE’S DISAPPEARANCE.

“We have had an awful tune of it was the remark made by Captain Voss as a Daily Telegraph reporter ranged alongside off Watson’s Hay.

The Tilikum had just been passed by the doctor of the port, and was running before the the north-easter under the jib to an anchorage in Rnslicutter’s Bay.

“ Yes, ” he repeated, “ the weather was simply awful off this coast, and lam very sorry to say that I lost my companion. He fell overboard, and was drowned, and I have been entirely on my own since. Such an experience I have never had during my long career at. sea. ”

Continuing, the Captain said : , “It was five days after leaving Suva, on the 28th ult., about midnight, that mv mate, Louis Begent, was lost over the side.”

“ How did it happen ? ” queried the reporter.

“ We were running, ” said the Captain, “ in a south-east tiade wind, making about five knots per hour, when the light went out in the binnacle. I was on watch at 'die time, and having the moon well overhead, did not call my mate until midnight. I then left him in charge, and went below to fix the binnacle light. Having lit the light, .1 passed it out of the cabin into the cockpit to the mate. He caught hold of it, and just at that moment the yacht gave a lurch. I had told my mate when he joined me to always hold on when moving about, but he did not heed my instructions, and when the vessel lurched be went over the side, binnacle and all.

“ I immediately put the helm hard down, and called out to him. but got no answer. I then put a drag out, and lay-to until daylight, meanwhile keeping a sharp look out for the missing mate.

28

THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM.

“ Nothing was seen or heard of him,” continued the Captain, “ and after remaining twelve hours in the locality I set the sail and continued my course to Sydney.

“ After that my troubles began. Having lost the binnacle I had nothing but the stars to steer by at night, and 1 would have managed right enough but for the gales. For many days and nights 1 was drifting about at the mercy of the elements, and did not know where I was. Occasionally I picked up a star and made a good course, but then the weather became bad, and all I could do was to put the drag out and iet her drift. The gales burst on me with terrific fury, and I hail the dragout three or four times a day. For four days J was without any sights, and for three days I was in a violent northerly gale. This brought me down here, and on the coast 1 got a southerly current which toon me fifty miles south of the Heads. Ī, however, managed to pick uj the light at 9 p.m. on Monday, and got in all right.”

Captain Voss looked worn and weary as he worked the craft up the harbour, and he gladly accepted a friendly tow from Mr Walsh, of the Customs Department, whilst that officer obtained the necessary information for his department.

Louis Begent, the mate who was lost overboard, was a Tasmanian. He had loined the Tilikum at Fiji, replacing Mr Luxton, who come on to Sydney by the Birksgate.

Captain Voss obtained his unfortunate mate from Captain Garth, at Fiji. He had come across from Auckland to Suva in a small island trader, and offered his services Co Captain Voss for the run to Sydney.

The Tilikum excited considerable interest as she came up the harbor, with her three tiny masts, narrow hull, and a tierce-like dragon of a figure-head.

“My craft is a good sea-boat.’ says Captain Voss, with some pride, “and never so much as shipped a bucketful of water. The only trouble was that she has a tendency to list over on her side, which makes it awkward in moving about.’

How the Project Originated.

How the venture came about is a matter of interest. At a dinner one evening in Minnesota, U.S.A., at which the company was composed largely of Canadians and Americans, the triumph of the ’■ aukees in having sailed the smallest vessel round the globe (the Spray, wnich came here with Captain Slocum), was referred to with pride. •• A Canadian could go one better,” was remarked by someone, and Mr In; ton, a Canadian journalist, who happened to. be present, was mention 'd as the man to demonstrate the belief. A wager of 5,000 dollars a-sidc resulted between fire Americans and Canadians, the stipulation being that the boat was to he smaller than Captain Slocum s Spray, and that ;,k ' once leaving Vancouver the voyagers were not to draw on home for further supplies, but were to make their own way during the voyage. Mr Luxooa .was joined in the venture by Captain J. 0. Voss.

29

THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM.

CRUISING AMONG THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

After delays extending' over two years, during which the project was worked out, and the vessel re-constructed, the Tilikum started from Viet a la, li.C.. in May last, on her perilous venture. Calls were made at several islands in the Pacific, where the two navigators were feted by the white traders, and almost worshipped by the dusky Natives. At each island visited, so generous were the Pacific Islanders, that the yacht was in danger of foundering under the liberal donations of hats, fans, mats, and other gifts. Ashore, the voyagers were feasted on the mast dainty island dishes that the .Native mind could devise. Every Native of local standing would, in the most hospitable manner, invite the yachtsmen to dinner. To refuse would have been a mortal injury to their kindly hearts, and as many as nine feasts had to lie honored on one never-to-be-forgotten gastronomic day. Finally, an arrival was made at Suva (Fiji) on the 12th October. After ten days’ rest the little vessel set sail on her journey of 1,776 miles to Sydney.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TILIKUM.

T pon the Tilikum taking up her anchorage some interesting particulars of the construction of the vessel were obtained. The hull, said the iaptain, was hewn out of one soli.; red cedar log, and is from two to tail inches thick, strengthened by frames about every two feet. Her dimensions are: Length on keel, :52ft : overall, 40ft; beam, 6ft; depth, 31 r; draught (including KWn. of a keel) 18in. ; width of bottom of boat amidships, 2ft Sin. The keel is fastened to the keelson by long spikes through the floor timbers. To the keel is fixed 4001b. of lead, Inside the boat, below the flo a. one ton of gmvel ballast is carried, while on deck are 4001b. of sand-bags for shifting ballast, which are used to trim the yacht when sailing. The vessel is fitted with three pine masts and a fore -a al-aft rig, consisting of a jib, fore-sail, mainsail, and a jib-headed spanner -58 yards in all. All the sheets and halliards lead to the cockpit , s (that all the sails are managed from that place.

In the forefront of the boat the stpres are carried. The cabin is well aft. is Bft, long, with a high coach roof 15in, above the deck. Aft of the cabin is a self-emptiug cockpit, from which the boat is worked. Uiideb the y wkpit n'-e two water tanks, containing 60 gallons each. The whole of the deck and cabin are covered with canvas, oiled and painted, thus making it perfectly water-tight. In heavy weather a sea anchor—a hickory m :st-hoop some 2tt. in diameter made into a cone-shaped bucket of canva nswered as an excellent drag. An old-fashioned Indian blanket, made of wild goat hair, and fastened to two oars, was employed on se’ oral occasions f;> ■ breaking the seas.

The Tdikum will be on exhibition at Manly for the next ffw weeks, a nominal charge being marie for inspection. One day is to he set aside exclusively for school children to pay a visit to the little craft, at the invitation of Mr Lux ton. Jieforc sailing from (Sydney advantage will he

THE CRUISE OF THE TILIKUM.

30

take'll to thoroughly overhaul the yacht, and also rib her every three or six inches, to strengthen her for the remaining part of her journey round the world.

Fiom Sydney the canoe proceeds ,to Melbourne, and after a stay there retraces her steps past Sydney on to Brisbane. From the Queensland capital a course will be shaped inside the Great Barrier Beef, ami through Torres Straits for Ceylon. All the important ports of India - ill be visited, and later Aden. Thence it is proposed to proceed through the Red Sea and Suez to the Mediterranean, where the cruise will ext- id six months. After visiting England, the Tilikum sails across the Atlantic for Halifax, where she will be placed on rail and convoyed to Victoi-'a her original port of departure.

Hints on Boat Sailing.

By Captain Yoss.

Whilst many people regard boat sailing as a dangerous amusement it is at the same time one of the most attractive. The numerous accidents that have occurred are directly traceable to people attempting to sail a boat without even a slight knowledge of the rudiments of the art,' and it is for the purpose of imparting this knowledge that I pen these lines.

Practical experience is, of course, necessary before anyone can be an adept in the art; but by following the few practical hints below accidents can be avoided.

In handling small boats under canvas the three following rules should be obeyed :

1. The man that steers should hold the main sheet in his hand so that he can let it go in an instant. ,

2. Trim your boat with ballast so that she will carry a little weather helm. If the boat is so trimmed she will run up in the wind when the tiller is let go.

3. Never attempt to “wear ” or turn a small boat before the wind when it is blowing hard. If it is necessary to go about before the wind it is better to let go the peak haliards.

The greatest care should be exercised when sailing a boat with live ballast—that is, with men on the weather rail— to see that the rigging is perfectly sound, as, in the event of a stay carrying away, the weight of the men on the weather side will capsize the boat to windward, and will probabfy fall over on them. Many lives have been lost in this way, and not so long ago fourteen footballers were drowned in Port Phillip Bay by the carrying away of the mast-stay.

31

THE CRUISE OF THE TILT

The rules of the road to be observed in boat-sailing are simple, and can be placed in rotation as follows :

1. Boats on the port tack must give way to boats on the strrboard tack.

2. A boat overtaking o.t passing another boat must give way to the boat being passed.

3. Steamers must give way to sailing boats.

Sailing vessels under way at night must carry a red light on the left or port side, and a green light on the right or starboard side.

Steamers carry similar side lights, but a bright white light on the foremast in addition.

When sailing at night, and a rod light is seen on your starboard side, it is a sign that a vessel is crossing your bows, and it is your place to keep out of her way.

To be called upon to handle a sipall boat, in a seaway is not. likely to happen to many of my readers, but still, the knowledge is useful, and I therefore give it for what it is worth. In a heavy sea the safety of a boat depends greatly on the manner in which she is trimmed. All boats should he provided with a sea anchor, and if one is not in the boat a good one can be made by lashing the oars and mast together. When this is made fast to a long line the boat should be trimmed by the stern, and in this way she will ride over the highest seas in safety. The Tilikum, which is smaller than a ship’s life-boat, weathered some of the heaviest gales 1 Imve ever experienced at sea in this way, and shipped little or no water. If there is any oil in the boat it is a good plan to put about a gallon into a canvas bag, and make it fast to the 'sea anchor. This will prevent any possibslity of a sea breaking on board.

Sailing without a compass for 1,200 miles, as I did after I lost my mate, some 120 miles to the southward and eastwad of Xew Caledonia, I was frequently beset by nigh seas, and was several times blown out of my course. In the daytime I steered by the sun, and at night by the stars. If you are steering by the sun in the daytime, and the weather threatens to become thick, take notice which way the sea is running, and, in southern latitudes, if the sea runs towards the sun at noon, you will know that it is from the south. Therefore, if you wish to sail west, keep the sea on the left side of your boat, or if to the east, on the right side of your boat. In this way it is possible for a fairly correct course to be steered without a compass.

Hints to Passengers.

The ignorance of shipboard life exhibited by passengers is excusable but dangerous in time of collisions at sea or shipwreck.. When going on, board ship, passengers should before going to sea notice that everything is secure in their cabins and place the life-belt where it can be got at a moment’s notice.

Collisions particularly occur with alarming suddenness, and it is wise

TH*

to be prepared. Befo and a life-belt, and th officers ay. When it and children art- gene,

—‘ i ,; t j'n a t once and do exactly whs or in In entering a boat . down a t , ive in almo st any - im «. »» - r. «- by sitting still.

A Pointer on Seasickness.

A passenger taking a passage on a steamship, and afraid of gcttui 0 • t engage a stateroom beforehand. Get the room as much ui seasick .ho H P n possible, as there the least motion is. The ford“mfis th“t P If vou cannot get it in the middle, get towards Te ato end of the ship-not too far aft, as there you get the shaking of the propeller. In any case, I would advise a passenger, in faking a on a sailing or steam ship, to take one or two Beecham . .... at Sme every night-start to take them about seven days bef< vu sailing Fat foods should be avoided for at least two dav s. previous to s,.ding. It this rule be followed; nine persons out of ten will never get sea wk ■ it does come on after this treatment, a tablespoonful of sea water will soon drive the sickness away.

Boat Forced on to a Lee Shore.

How to Handle a Boat in a Storm— Getting Under a Lee Shore, Where it is Not Possible to Get Off-and Therefore Obliged to go Through the Breakers to .Make a Landing.

This is a very difficult thing to do, and great care should be taken to keep the boat from turning round, or broaching to (as seamen c. it) when the breaker reaches the boat. If this is not done, destruction will be the consequence in nine cases out of ten t y

In a case ot this sort a ooau am , ;r. • x breakers by putting a sea anchor into action. In addition to putting a line tothe y mouthof the sea anchor, another line should be to the other end, so there will be a line at each end. In this case shoi lines will be sufficient. Everything being ready, drop the sea anchor over the stem. Keep a small sail on your boat-a fore stay-sail would y i ti ien steer your boat straight in for the breakers, at the J same time hold on to the line fastened to the small end of the sea anchor, A as it will not be a drawback to the boat as long as the point of anchor is pointing towards the boat. On the approach of a breaker,* “bln it gets about thirty feet off the boat, slacken off the line which* fastened to the point of the sea anchor, and make last the othei nn ie,JM sea anchor «oil then hold the boat straight on the breaker, «lj

, 32

THE CRUISE OF THE TILTHUM

t X'l ' the boat ; As **»> «« it passes, if the next one is not t«i close, turn your sea anchor the same as before, until the next ' . aker comes along. Keep on this way until your boat gets through U you have a sufficient numfer of people on the boat to trim her, then.' as }ou are going mltowards the beach, bow first, and the stern of the he W.rr tbTf tX> , thebreakera > I ,vlt People towards the bow of W. l\i *l* 81 ! haS her s tern well out of the water when the > a -ei n *es her but only when the sea anchor holds the boat, and the stern is mounting the breaker. As soon as the breaker is past, get your men aft turn your sea anchor, and trim your boat a little by the stern again until the next breaker comes along, then do as before

If the above rules are carried out you will get through without any louie. When the breakers are following each other very closely then keep your rope which is, fastened to the mouth of the sea anchor fast to the stern of the boat, trim your boat a little down bv the bow, and she Will gradually drag through the breakers. Always make the ropes of a } breakers 01 VMy 6n<l ° f yollr bow ’ which ever points to the I \

THE TILIKUM AND THE SPRAY A COMPARISON

In view of the fact that the voyage of the Tilikum arose to a great * degree out of the success of Captain Joshua Slocum, “the lone navi- j ga or, m circumnavigating the globe, a comparison between the two ' craft is of interest. The length of the Spray was 40ft., the same as Mr , Luxton s craft the beam of the yachts are widely different, the Spray’s I beam being 14ft., compared with 6ft. of the Tilikum, and the depth 4ft 4m. and 3ft respectively. The tonnage of Captain Slocum’s vessel was l.i, while Mr Luxtons yacht is four tons. Practically 12 months were occupied in the fitting up of both vessels for thfcir hazardous voyages.

\ PRIHTED AT TUB CAXTON OFFICE, CEJ ..Vi, l.\\ KRCAKUIUt, N.Z.

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