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28 MARINE REVIEW AND MARINE RECORD. [Aug. 21. HISTORY AND ROMANCE OF THE LAKES. AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF SALVAGE. When an old sailor spins a yarn it is generally considered that the yarn is like a piece of India rubber and apt to be stret- ched out of all shape in regard to truthfulness. But this is a true and correct account of an adventure of my own on the waters of Lake Erie. On the morning of Dec. 22, 1853, a young fellow named Joe Weitenhoffer and myself were strolling on the west shore of the long-drawn-out northeast point of Kelley's island, the weather being clear and frosty, enabling us to see as far as the eye could reach. Now to the eastward of the body of islands, which separate what is called the head of Lake Erie from the main body of the lake, the water was entirely clear of ice. To the westward and northward the head of the lake was full of heavy ice. Joe lingered behind. I turned and found him gazing off to the north and westward with hand shading his eyes. I went to him in answer to his beckon. Pointing off in the direction of East Sister island he said: "Cap can you see that white speck, just over the horizon, just east of Old Hen island?" "You go and get my spy glass Joe," said I. After an investigation I concluded that the white spot was a signal of distress, a white flag floating at half mast. Without more ado I went to my house, procured a hand sleigh, eight loaves of bread, about 20 Ibs. of pork, an ax, a 16-ft. cedar pole, pocket compass, skates, and creepers. After securing a supply of matches and a basket of grub for home consumption, and after nailing two handles, like plow handles, to the runners of the sleigh, so as to skate and push it, I started on my errand to relieve, as I supposed, a hungry crew from starvation. The ice was smooth and I went along like a steamboat, with the prospect of a smooth journey. But in this I was disappointed, for at the end of a couple of miles from shore the ice became very rough and lumpy and I had to take off my skates and don the creepers. Some places were very weak. I had severe labor in getting over rough ice and was in danger constantly of going through. Finally I got on some good, strong and smooth ice. Then I took a bite and rested myself. Looking to the north and west, I discovered a long, dark streak in the ice about two miles distant, and found it to be a long body of clear water, about a quarter of a mile wide, as far as I could see to westward, and flowing into clear water to the eastward. Not discouraged I set about to circumvent this seeming obstacle. I came to the con- clusion that my only way was to cut off with my ax a piece of ice large enough to carry myself and sleigh, and of such a shape that I could paddle it with my round pole. The wind was blow- ing southwest about a mile distant from the clear water, and I was sorely afraid to make the trial to cross the channel on ac- count of the wind and current going out on an unwieldly raft of ice and Lake Erie all to leeward. But I made the trial. | found a strip of broken ice running out and it took all my strength and ingenuity to get through it. A point of ice pro- jected out not over 50 yds. from the clear water. On this I pushed my sleigh and jumped. not knowing if it was strong enough to bear me or not, but I had.no choice for had I missed this chance my doom was sealed. It turned out all right and I proceeded on my way. I could then just begin to see the out- lines of the schooner, being then about three miles northwest by west from the scuthwest point of Middle island. I came to about a mile of weak ice and had to be very cautious for fear of breaking through; and then I came to another long and narrow ditch of clear water. I passed this, as I did before, though with less risk and trouble. The ice for another mile was very much broken up, and in many places extremely risky to pass over. I got one leg in up to my knee. Later my sleigh broke through and nearly escaped from my. grasp. In one place I had to change my course for nearly half a mile to southwest to get around an air hole scarcely covered with ice. Now the sun had set behind a dark cloud, and still I was fully two miles from the vessel; and as far as I could see I saw no signs of life aboard. I pounded with the ax on the sleigh in order to draw attention but it was in vain. I came to a ridge where ice had collided about half a mile from the schooner. It was now quite dark. Again I pounded with the ax but no response. I had just taken a bearin& of the vessel before dark--nor'west, half west. My passage now was very slow on account of having to light matches to look at the compass several times, and the weakness of some places in the ice. I was never so lonely in my life. The night was cold and on the leg that went through the ice my trousers and shoe were frozen hard. My compass ccurse was strictly followed, for I came right on to the vessel before I saw her. I shouted, but no answer, And now my heart beat. A dark night, and I had no doubt but that the crew lay dead in the vessel. In the middle of that part of Under this general head the Review proposes to relate, as occasion may prompt, stories lakes. The present one, which is undoubtedly of an extraordinary character, Is con DY. street, Cleveland. Contributions to this department are solicited. and incidents associated with the history of the great tributed by Mr William Vessey, No 224 Clinton the lake and surrounded by ice I stood by the vessel's side de- bating the act of getting over the rail. Sailors have the repu tation of being superstitious but that is no foolishness of mine. Good sense finally brought to my view the fact that I had nothing to fear from a dead crew, so after getting my traps on board J descended the companion slide, lighted a match and peered down into the cabin. A lamp was on the table. I lighted it, and after a general survey of my surroundings found myself alone, Yes the crew had deserted her, as I afterward ascertained, right to windward of a dense body of ice, the sea flying all over her, thus making her deck load of stone a compact body, and danger- ously loading the vessel. It appears that the captain, John Miner, (who was the champion skater of the United States, and a citizen of Detroit) with his crew, deserted the schooner Storm (the vessel I was now on) and journeyed over the ice to the West Sister island. They left their clothing aboard and landed in safety. The wind shifted and the vessel drifted out of their sight and down to her present position. Feeling sure the ves- sel would founder they returned to their homes. After this interrupticn of my narrative, which seems to me to be necessary. I will proceed by stating that I built a good fire to warm myself. and to cook my supper, for I was both cold and hunery after my long and arduous tramp over the ice. This done and feeling comfortable, I set about on a trip of exploration. With a globe lamp I entered the hold through a door tn the bulk- head. The sight for the moment dismayed me, as I found in the hold not less than 200 tons of stone and nearly 4 ft. of water-- close to the cabin floor. I am confident the very heavy body of iee frozen fast around her held her from sinking. Without more ado I started a big fire and put on a boiler of water, also two kettles full to thaw out the pumps. Then with an ax and crow- bar I worked a clear place around the pump and a channel for the water to run off the deck. It must have been nearly 12 o'clock that night before I started the pump, which was a good one and fairly easy to work. I can assure you I worked with care not to jar her, for I knew that if the ice cracked she would take me to the bottom. I pumped as vigorously as possible, and taking short rests, some coffee, and a bite, had brought the water down clear of the tining. Feeling now more safe I took the op- portunity of rolling myself up in the bed and never woke up until daylight next morning. There was a clock on board and knowing within a few minutes of sun rise I wound her up and set her, so that I had the time of day. I likewise had a big job ahead of me in the shape of discharging the deckload of stone and ice. which as I said was a solid mass of nearly 200 tons. This with not less than 125 tons of stone in the hold would load her to the decks. Now I must tell those who don't know that it takes a captain, mate, cook and three sailors to efficiently handle such a schooner in the summer time. So you must know the odds against me in handling this vessel in endeavoring to save her. Hard work and the end in view, that of remunera- tion for that work, kept me from being lonely and fearful. I examined the store room and. found nearly a barrel of flour, about 50 Ibs. of salt beef, a large smoked ham, a large bag of potatoes covered up with quilts, some butter, a canister of tea and coffee and a five-gallon can of oil. This with the supply I fetched on my sleigh, and a goodly lot of stove wood which Le found cut in the lazarette, as well as five 25-ft. wheeling planks. fully sustained my resolution of staying on and saving the new vessel. I say new for the reason that she was launched the winter before and was well equipped with every needful thing. And don't think but that I worked with a will for the next four days to clear her decks of ice and stone. Strange to relate, when she was clear of all this weight she did not rise; for as she gradually went through her leakage, the water would rise on the ice and keep freezing, so that the ice was over 3 ft. thick all around her. 'This kept her from lifting, also from sinking. The yawl boat was still hanging on the davits with three good oars lashed to the thwarts as the crew walked ashore. My. next work was to unreave the running gear from the two gaftopsails. These lines and some spare blocks I rove and made purchaces for luffs, for main and fore throat and peak halliards. This done to my satisfaction, and hooked aloft to futtock staff in readiness, I ranged eight fathoms of cable chain, of small anchor, also pinched the fluke of the anchor over rail, and stoppered it with shanks painter. I also cleared up ring slapper. This was the seventh day since I left Kelley's island. Everything was in good shape. At times I hoisted the foresail, so they could see me with the glass and to pass away the time. This night I left the foresail slackly hoisted to a close reef, just passing the earring three or four times. The weather was nice and calm, there being nothing to denote what was to follow. After eating a warm supper I laid down with an easy