AN ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 260, 20 October 1862, Page 7

AN ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE.

On Tuesday last, Mr Henry Sharp, wine and spirit merchant, Trongate, accompanied by his father m law, drove from Rothesay for the puroo?e of taking a small boat, intending t, visit some islands pt the Kyjes of Bute. The day being fine when they started, nothing of importance occurred during their outward trip to mar their enjoyment. As the day advanced, however, the sky became overcast, and the wind, which had hitherto been blowing very moderately, freshened into a smart breeze, ultimately blowing a "regular gale." Under these circumstances, the gentlemen speedily bethought themselves of returning ho-ne, and for this purpose they turned the boat s head in the direction of Rothesay. Having been favored with a light wind and a coniparatiuely smooth sea on their outward possage, they were not a little dispirited to find that the' task of reaching Rothesay that night was likely to be one fraught with with difficulty and danger; but, putting a stout hearr. to the work, they felt confident of successfully combatting with the elements. They had not proceeded tar, however, when one of their oars snapped, leaving fhem with oniy one oar to contend agaiust both wind and tide. Destruction now seemed to them inevitable, being left entirely at the mercy oi the tumultuous sea. M'atiwhile the small craft driited about, the two gentlemen being completely prostrate from sheer exhaustion and anxiety, and as night besau to approach their prospects were of the most gloomy descripiion. The boat having meanwhile drifud clos-3 to one of the little islands near to Colintvaivo, the voyagers determined to make for the island, draw the boat up and there encamp for the night. As soon as the boat t-uiched the groim I Mr Sharpe jumped out, forgetting in his haste to take the boat' painter along with him, in consequence of which the boat was again set adrift, tiie rebouud given by Sharpe's _ leap from the bulwarks, propeliind it ouc again into the current. Their positions had now become most critical. The one adrift in a stormy sea, having little, if any, knowledge how to manaee a boat, even though he hid oars, was now altogether helpless without them; the other cast on a smail rocky islet, without food or fuel, and with the prospect of the tide rising and covering the small spot he now stood upon. As the small boat gradua'iy receded from the island, the solitary " islander" gave himself up for lost, all chinee of the b>at ever reaehins the mainland seeming to him quite impossible ; and. consequently, no intelligence could be conveyed to his friends ot his situation. Thts small boat with its solitary passenger continued to drift about at the mercy of the waves—its occupant not knowing whither he was being carried. Darkness had now .settled down, the wind blowing fearfully, and tin; sea breaking completely over the boat; every moment he expected she would settle down. Karly in. the morning, however, the boatproyi lentially touched tiie land, when the gentleman speedily jump-el out and made her fast. Being a comparative sirangorin :iute,he did not know where he was, but ultimately ha turned out to be inrhe vicinity ot Kames. He immediately stated on foot for Rothesay, and reached home verY much exhausted. Mr Sharpe continued during the darkness of the. night, and amid the raging of the storm, to wait for the morn upon his sea girt perch, hoping to see some craft in the vicinity, whereby he mi^'ht be relieved. Morning: broke, however, with no prosp ct of relief, and hunger and cold were now pressing him v..try hard. Daylight succeeded to dawn, and still no help. The wind and sea wore still raging in increased fury, so th-re was but little chance1 of any pleasure boat being out in his vicinity that day. _At last a lar^e black speck was seen far in the distance, but which seemed gradually to approach where he stood. Hope now r..se in his breast, but, alas ! it was shortlived, for the steamer Eagle (for such she proved to be), passed at some dutonce iiithout having observed him. Despair with lil its agony now seized hold of him. Ho creamed at the top of his voice, waved his handkerchief, and rah about in the greatest frenzy. Still the steamer held her " course every moment the distance becoming greater, and consequently Ms chance of being saved diminishing. At last, however, a chance eye caught th-j signal of this modern Crusoe ; the steamer stopped, and a boat being launched, the castaway was saved from his p rilous position Having "arrived in Rothevsay, he immediately went in search of his father-in-law, but felt ef'raid to ask for him, fearing the wo;st. Thtir joy w s consequently full when 'hey again beheld each other, and mutual congratulations were speedily exchanged. Having partaken of some refrvs'inient and enjoyed a night's repose, on Thursday morning all traces of their hardships were entirely effaced. Great praise due to the cr w of rhe steamer Ea:;le for the gallantry they duplayetf in p;oii>g off to the rescue, and the heavy sea t ireateuing every moment to swamp their tiny boat. — Glasgow Herald.