A THRILLING NARRATIVE OF SHIPWRECK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9907, 24 August 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

A THRILLING NARRATIVE OF SHIPWRECK.

ADVENTURES OF AN AUCK-

LANDER.

FLOATING IN MID OCEAN.

From a letter sent to Auckland by Mr. Harry W. Boyd, we make some extracts showing how he escaped from the wreck of the Colima off the American coast. The ! writer left Auckland in November last for i Tahiti, which place he sailed from for San Francisco, reaching the latter place on May 15. He determined to go on to New York via Panama, and left San Francisco at noon on Saturday, May IS, in the steamer Colima. The writer says :— She was commanded by Captain Taylor and a fino set of officers, who were assuming their duties on this voyage arranged for the first time in the company's new code of uniforms, and they presented an unusually smart appearance. The Colima was a steamer of just over 2000 tons register, and was built very high out of the water, and when we left was well loaded below, and carried several head of cattle and horse?, besides a large quantity of oil and kerosene on the main deck, and on the hurricane deck (the top one), in fronfe of the pilot house, was a large and heavy load of redwood timber. This wood was well lashed (tied) to the deck about four feet six inches high, and completely covered that part of the deck whereon the second-class passengers are allowed to promenade. The cabin passengers numbered about 60, second-class 40, whilst 48 Chinamen wore huddled together in a place specially set apart for them. The weather was fine, and a largo crowd of people gathered to say good-bye to their friends on the outward-bound vessel. Little did the many think ib was a last " good-bye" to the dear ones from whom they were then parting, but, alas ! so it proved in many— too many—cases. Passing Point Lobos the captain blew three blasts of the whistle, which was his last " good-bye" to his dear wife who stood ou the poinb waving her handkerchief. Our voyage from this, to Mazatlan, and from thence to San Bias, thence to Manzanillo, was a series of fine sunny days, with light sea breezes, and was the very essence of an enjoyable sea trip, Leaving Manzanillo ab 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, we sailed into a frosh breeze, which steadily increased as the day wore on. About 7 p.m. we saw a most exquisite sunset, and half a dozen of us were taking turns composing a line each about its beauties. One old sailor chimed in thab after a sunset like that we would have other things to do besides making poetry; and so it proved. j

THE STORM COMING ON about this time, the order was given for all awnings to be taken in, and the wind blew harder than ever. I turned into my hammock about eight o'clock, and slept till eleven ; then I had to come on deck, it was too hot down below. I changed my sleepins apartments no less than eight times, and finally gave up trying to sleep about four o'clock ; the wind had kept growing, and was now making things very lively for us. However, breakfast time came at last, and I ate heartily, and then joined company with my chums, and climbed on top of a cattle pan to get away from the wet decks. Here we joked about each other looking sick. The rolling was severe, our ship was hove to, and making no headway, and slightly disturbing reports began to reach us. The cattle were having a rough time, and continually fell down in their pens, and got up with a jerk when the ship rolled. One by one our party decreased until I was left alone, and I gob wet by a wave coming through the square port hole, and went below to change my clothes. It was so hot in the cabin that I did not even wait to take the things out of my wet pockets, and when I came out, all the saoond-class passengers but a few wero collected below in preference to getting wet on deck. Things were getting serious, as the loose cargo jammed into the 'tween decks was chasing the people across she deck, and many a strong man's face grew hard and pale at the outlook. Tho cooks, bakers, and all whose services were not immediately wanted joined us.

ALL ON DECK. At this time a thundering noiso below proclaimed tho shifting of the cargo. Many were the despondenb cries and prayers to be heard all around. The Chinamen sang out in dismal chorus of their Joss; someone above yelled "All on deck," and I forced my way through the legs of the struggling crowd on the companion way, and was soon on deck. A vigorous jump, and I caught hold of a swinging hammock, and hauled myself to windward, and then turned to help those who were near enough. The cries of those already in distress were heartrending, bub ono had little time to notice this at the time. After pulling up four fellows, the perpendicular state of the deck warned me of my danger, and I clambered over the rail, just in time to avoid a gigantic lurch, that landed our ship on her beam ends, and pitched several fellows into tho lee scuppers, with a number of cases of oil. Some of them were killed outright. The water was rushing in rapidly, and I looked around me and caught sight of the captain with his hand on the whistle cord, and the whistle gave out its last three blasts, that meant " All hands save themselves." 1 never saw the captain again 1

A JUMP INTO THE SKA. A mighty crunching drew my abtention aft, and I saw the hurricane deck and cabins smashed up to small pieces; and with the remark, "Shall never come up any mora !" I threw off my coat and shoes, and ran towards the ship's keel, and jumped into tho sea. I went down, down, down ; and after fighting hard, I felt myself rising, and my arm came out of the water into the cold air, and I was just going to open my mouth and take a breath when I was suddenly swished down again, head over heels, turning like a rag in a washing machine ; the breath gradually oozed oub of my mouth, the weight of water on my head was immense, and the salt water began to find its way into my lungs. I fought for all I was worth, and almost exhausted, rose to the surface and gurgled down a breath of fresh air; after sundry gasps, I was all right. The ship had disappeared.

AMONGST THE WRECKAGE. Surveying the scene I found acres of wreckage around me, and struggling people everywhere. I was cool, and nay thoughts came clearly, and I saw one young fellow— who was afterwards killed by floating timber —holding on to a bundle of shingles, and thought a similar bundle would justs suit) me. Just then a second bundle floated by the young fellow, and he caught it, and then had two, 1 called out to him to give me one. He replied, "Come for it," which I did and we swam in company until we came across a raft, on which was one man. We joined him, and almost immediately picked up a fourth (this was at 11 a.m. on the 27th May).

ON THE BAFT. We were congratulating ourselves on getting so good a raft. lb was about 12t't square, and was a piece of the hurricane deck. But it rose on the crest of a wavo and turned completely over, pitching us head first into the water. We all appeared on the surface ; two climbed on again, but the third and myself were caught between the edge of the raft and a crowd of floating timber; we were both badly crushed, and my companion groaned horribly. I pushed myself under the water, and when I came up there was space enough for me to climb on to the raft again. My companion in misfortune had disappeared. Scarcely had we gob settled when we were again thrown off. " This time I lost tho raft. I had to swim for a good while until I got a piece of dockage about 3ft by 12fb. I hung on to this, and then commenced such a squall as no one would ever wish to experience again ; my raft was being constantly pitched over ; sometimes I kept my hold, at others I had to swim back to get it. I was kept climbing first on one side, then on the other, for about an hour ; the wind came in violent gusts from all directions, picking out of the water pieces of timber large and small, and whirling them at the struggling victims. Many were killed in this manner, and I suffered some severe knocks on the body, arms, and legs, while my head was cut open in two places, and my face badly braised and lips cut. The hailstones came

at me so severely thab I dared nob open my eyes, and my flesh was lacerated by these small missiles to an alarming degree, and I had to make a vacuum with my one hand to breathe in.

I was confident in my ability to keep afloat if the flying timber would allow me to do so. It did ; and probably about two o'clock the wind fell, and the heavy swelling.- waves and crunching loads of timber were all we had bo contend with. Ab bhe time of the wreck we were in water one hundred and sixty fathoms deep, and aboub bhi rty miles from land. When the waves began to lessen I saw several rafts with men on. Before the squall or typhoon I saw two boats, one with seven men in, and one with two men.and two women in —one man out of each lob is all that live to tell the boat's history. ' The weather was boo much for them! In the course of the afternoon I freely exchanged rafbs, always alone, hoping to find one on which I could rest safely. Safety was, however, out of the question, as deaths wore occurring constantly all around me ; I cannot tell you of the horrible sights that I was forced to gaze upon. I would like to forget them, bub they are ab present too vivid.

GETS ON ANOTHER BAIT. At length I found myself drifting close to a raft that had one man on it. He was a Mexican, who spoke no English, and my Spanish was limited to Si, senor," so that we could not understand each other. Bub by signs I made out that lie was willing for me tp join him. This was about five o'clock, and dreading a night on the waves alone, though I was not afraid, I dived over and swam to him. The raft was a good strong one, about Bft by 12fb, and had a piece of rope that we couid hold, but when I climbed on to it I found its occupant was badly damaged about the chest, stomach, and back. The Mexican was a stout man about fifty, and was dressed in a rosary. His clothes, like mine, had been torn off his back by the floating timber. I had got only a pair of trousers left. Great flakes were taken off his chest and stomach, and during the night I thought he would die. I did not like the idea of pushing a dead man off the raft, so turned ray attention to relieving his sufferings.

SCRAMBLING FOR FOOD. Being hungry and thirsty, the sight of an orange was a welcome one. I watched anxiously for it to drift our way, and finally, by the aid of a lonij lath, got it. We eat half each. Then I spied a cocoanuc, and after waiting some time to drift up to it, I nearly lost sight of it, and decided to swim for it. It was a good way off, and the old man displayed heap* of satisfaction when I managed to gat back on the raft with the nub. It had the fibre on, but my lessons in Tahiti in opening cocoanuts came in handy, and I succeeded in getting a hole in it the size of the palm of my hand. We took alternate drinks at it until it was all gone. It was impossible to save any of the milk, as the waves washed clean over our heads. We eat the nut about two hours after. I also picked up two onions, which I kept in reserve. Just about sunset I spied a bundle of rags, and plunged over for them. When I had towed them back to the raft, I found it was the plush back of one of the cabin chairs that I had captured. I made the old man lie down on it, but he groaned so horribly I had to get him up again, and he sat on it all night. Two hours after I dived over and fetched back what proved to be a cushion. I ripped the velvet off ib, and made a waistcoat of ib, and sab on the cushion all night.

A SIGHT OF LA.ND. Just before dark we were gladdened by a sight of land in the distance. The moon came cut, the clouds cleared away, and a nice starry sky appeared. I bad learned, coming up from the Islands, how to tell the direction by the stars, and was mighty pleased when a strong breeze sprang up and blew us in the exact direction I knew the land to lie in east by nor'-easb.

OIL ON THE WATERS. This breeze ruffled the surface of the water considerably, and I book advantage of a floating case of oil to smooth things. After ripping the bop off the case I took out the cans, of which there were eight, knocking a hole in each side of the tins with a nail, and threw them overboard, and we had a comparatively smooth patch around us for about two hours. The Mexican dropped off into a quiet doze, and I anxiously watched the stars all night and kept my eye on him so that he should not be washed overboard. The air was cold, bub the sea was warm, and each wave warmed us up, Ab last, after straining my eyes at every shadow, and shaking myself awake when 1 nearly fell asleep—and this happened several times —each time on opening: my eyes with a jerk I fancied I saw a ship in full sail, bub each time it gradually faded away. The morning dawned, and after half an hour or so I had the pleasure of waking my companion and showing him the land some two miles away. We then shared an onion, which, soaked as ib was in salt water, was most palatable. My companion was very bad, and I rubbed his arms and neck, which were awfully stiff. He was grateful, and smiled, notwithstanding all his hurts, and his fortitude was quite pleasant to see.

A STKAMER. I kept a sharp look out, and for a long time saw nothing more promising than the distant land, when suddenly I perceived a dark long streak across the sky to windward, and was more than happy to find ib was the smoke of a steamer. I did my best to inform the Mexican, and stood up on the raft\ holding his hand to steady me, and waved a straw hat, which I had picked up the night before, to attract attention. This lasted for about an hour and a-half, when, the steamer getting nearer, we were seen, and they headed for us and blew their whistle.

THE RESCUE. A boab was lowered and we were picked up and pub aboard the steamer, which was the San Juan, and belonged to the same company as the Colima. Nineteen others wore picked up within three hours, and about fifteen have since been rescued. Once over the rail of the San Juan at 8 in. on the 28bh my spirits failed me, my body collapsed, and my legs doubled up, and I feebly crawled with some help to the cabin of the storekeeper and freight clerk, who jointly looked after me, and did it well. I first had limes cub up in half a glass of water; pub on a pair of trousers and a wool shirb they gave me, and crawled round to the men's room, and had breakfast. My word ! how I did eat! I never thought I should be able to tell when I had had enough; any way all good things come bo an end, and I scrambled bask again. However, weak as I was, I could nob be kept still. I was up and looking ab the others as they were picked up, each time tumbling back exhausted 1 in ray armchair. After cruising round till i 1.30 the San Juan steamed away for Manzanillo, where my Mexican, after being j bound up by the doctor, went ashore. We i gob an interpreter, and had quite a long talk, and he asked me bo go and live with him for good. He is a wealthy, merchant, and lost his wife and family in the wreck. I felt sorry my arrangements would nob allow mo to go with him. However, he gave me his address and asked me bo write ; to him, and promised bo write to me in England. When we parted he was greatly affected, and ib seemed to me as if I were parting from the besb friend I ever had, though I had only known him twenty-four hours, and could not even converse with him in that time. Nine days' doctoring on the San Juan brought us again to "San Francisco." . The company refunded my passage money and gave me twenty pounds for clothes and present expenses. On the 25th I left for New York, this time going overland, and should be in England just ab the time you get this, if all goes well from now.