Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lost And Saved; Or Nellie Powers The Missionary's Daughter.
through theNarroAVS . The pilot had gone aboard the tugboat , ivmch had cast off its towline , and was now steaming away in the distance . The Highlands of Neversink were being left behind by the rapid strides the " Sparkler " was taking . The glimmer of the highland light stretched far out on the bosom of the water , and into the gloom of the approaching darkness . It was the first night at sea . As the darkness settled over the face of the ocean the wind increased almost to a gale . The " Sparkler" threw the Avater around her ice-clothed bowsand left a wake ivhich lined twelve knots . The
, water and spray from her bows were thrown as high as the foreyard , and her forerigging was covered with hanging ice . At four bells aboard a vessel , that is , six o ' clock in the evening , the first day out , the crew is called aft ; the mates choose their men and the watches are set . To the readers who may not be versed enough in nautical phrases to know why six o ' clock is called four bells , ive will explain by saying , that time out at sea is divided into watches of two or four
hours duration . Each half hour is called a bell . Four hours constitute the longest watch on a vessel the size of the "Sparkler , " which is eight bells . At eight bells the watches are relieved , and the time is again counted from one to eight bells . For convenience sake the hours from four to eight morning and evening are divided into two watches called "Dog Watches . " Why they are given this particular-name we are at a loss to say , unless it is because it gives the sailors who are sometimes doggish and lazy a chance to sleep during one of these watches .
It was now four bells on the " Sparkler '' and the men assembled aft . The first mate , by right of office took the first choice of men , the other officers folloAving . When each had chosen the men who Avere to constitute his Avatch , the first mate ' s watch remained on deck , and the others Avent beloAV and " turned in . " While the first mate ' s watch is on deck , where the wind is bloAving itself into a fury , and shrieking through the rigging like many raving maniacs , we will try to give the
reader as near as possible , a description of the men who are to follow tbe fortunes of this vessel through the storms and calms incident to an ocean voyage . Her captain and part owner , Henry Dill , was a gentleman of wealth and refinement , at the same time a natural sailor . His health having failed him on shore , he hacl some years before sold his large city residence and purchased a cottage in the suburbs of a pleasant Connecticut village . Here he left his family surrounded by beautiful landscapes
and mountain ranges , and praehasecl a share of the " Sparkling Sea . " His profits from his voyages , which had been numerous , had added to his wealth , and he had begun to think that the Lord looked with a gracious eye on all his undertakings . It was owing to his good discipline , ancl bold commanding voice , that everything aboard tbe "Sparkling Sea" bad snob a neat appearance . Being gentlemanly in all his ways , and not overexacting he found no trouble in having as good a crew as ever sailed a vessel . He believed well fed men would do more Avilling labour than those poorly fed , and from the fact that his Avas a temperance ship , the best of order had ahvays prevailed among his creAvs .
Her first officer , Mr . Sedgewick Evans , a Aveather beaten salt , had sailed with the " Sparkling Sea '' ever since Captain Dill had taken the command . He Avas an efficient officer in every respect . He had at one time commanded a Avhaler out of Nantucket , and had on another occasion sailed as second officer on a large English packet , plying betAveen Liverpool and New York . His kuoAvledge of sea life was enviable . He Avas a little past middle age , tall and muscular , and had in early life received a thorough education in the common branches of English , and navigation .
Mr . John Davidson , the second mate , Avho hacl shipped for the voyage , was a man of good appearance , about forty years af age , and one who had seen much of sea life , having made several voyages around the Avorld . Although somewhat addicted to drink that Avhich was stronger than coffee , he shipped aboard the "Sparkling Sea , " knowing her to be a temperance ship , and expecting to conform to her rules . When he came aboard however , he was in a partially intoxicated condition , in consequence of looking upon the wine when it Avas red before parting with his jovial companions . The third mate ivas Frederick Crisand , a native of the " Fatherland , " who spoke very
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lost And Saved; Or Nellie Powers The Missionary's Daughter.
through theNarroAVS . The pilot had gone aboard the tugboat , ivmch had cast off its towline , and was now steaming away in the distance . The Highlands of Neversink were being left behind by the rapid strides the " Sparkler " was taking . The glimmer of the highland light stretched far out on the bosom of the water , and into the gloom of the approaching darkness . It was the first night at sea . As the darkness settled over the face of the ocean the wind increased almost to a gale . The " Sparkler" threw the Avater around her ice-clothed bowsand left a wake ivhich lined twelve knots . The
, water and spray from her bows were thrown as high as the foreyard , and her forerigging was covered with hanging ice . At four bells aboard a vessel , that is , six o ' clock in the evening , the first day out , the crew is called aft ; the mates choose their men and the watches are set . To the readers who may not be versed enough in nautical phrases to know why six o ' clock is called four bells , ive will explain by saying , that time out at sea is divided into watches of two or four
hours duration . Each half hour is called a bell . Four hours constitute the longest watch on a vessel the size of the "Sparkler , " which is eight bells . At eight bells the watches are relieved , and the time is again counted from one to eight bells . For convenience sake the hours from four to eight morning and evening are divided into two watches called "Dog Watches . " Why they are given this particular-name we are at a loss to say , unless it is because it gives the sailors who are sometimes doggish and lazy a chance to sleep during one of these watches .
It was now four bells on the " Sparkler '' and the men assembled aft . The first mate , by right of office took the first choice of men , the other officers folloAving . When each had chosen the men who Avere to constitute his Avatch , the first mate ' s watch remained on deck , and the others Avent beloAV and " turned in . " While the first mate ' s watch is on deck , where the wind is bloAving itself into a fury , and shrieking through the rigging like many raving maniacs , we will try to give the
reader as near as possible , a description of the men who are to follow tbe fortunes of this vessel through the storms and calms incident to an ocean voyage . Her captain and part owner , Henry Dill , was a gentleman of wealth and refinement , at the same time a natural sailor . His health having failed him on shore , he hacl some years before sold his large city residence and purchased a cottage in the suburbs of a pleasant Connecticut village . Here he left his family surrounded by beautiful landscapes
and mountain ranges , and praehasecl a share of the " Sparkling Sea . " His profits from his voyages , which had been numerous , had added to his wealth , and he had begun to think that the Lord looked with a gracious eye on all his undertakings . It was owing to his good discipline , ancl bold commanding voice , that everything aboard tbe "Sparkling Sea" bad snob a neat appearance . Being gentlemanly in all his ways , and not overexacting he found no trouble in having as good a crew as ever sailed a vessel . He believed well fed men would do more Avilling labour than those poorly fed , and from the fact that his Avas a temperance ship , the best of order had ahvays prevailed among his creAvs .
Her first officer , Mr . Sedgewick Evans , a Aveather beaten salt , had sailed with the " Sparkling Sea '' ever since Captain Dill had taken the command . He Avas an efficient officer in every respect . He had at one time commanded a Avhaler out of Nantucket , and had on another occasion sailed as second officer on a large English packet , plying betAveen Liverpool and New York . His kuoAvledge of sea life was enviable . He Avas a little past middle age , tall and muscular , and had in early life received a thorough education in the common branches of English , and navigation .
Mr . John Davidson , the second mate , Avho hacl shipped for the voyage , was a man of good appearance , about forty years af age , and one who had seen much of sea life , having made several voyages around the Avorld . Although somewhat addicted to drink that Avhich was stronger than coffee , he shipped aboard the "Sparkling Sea , " knowing her to be a temperance ship , and expecting to conform to her rules . When he came aboard however , he was in a partially intoxicated condition , in consequence of looking upon the wine when it Avas red before parting with his jovial companions . The third mate ivas Frederick Crisand , a native of the " Fatherland , " who spoke very