The Log of the "Nautilus" part 4
The Andrews brothers finish their voyage across the Atlantic in the 19 foot boat the "Nautilus"
From: 1878 C.E. To: 1878 C.E.
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
“Log of the ‘Nautilus.’" from A Daring Voyage Across the Atlantic Ocean, by William Andrews and James Maculay, 1880.
Tuesday, July 23rd. — Wind W.N.W.; course E.S.E. Rain and mist with squalls. Making nine miles an hour. Hove to, and spoke Italian brig "Pape," bound to Queenstown, Ireland; Captain Nocomprehend, speakee too much Italian for us. Latitude 48.30 N.; longitude 17 W. The "Nautilus" is working now all she is good for. Saw a splendid meteor at night. When it burst it lit up all around like a sky-rocket. Passed a log twenty-five feet long and two feet in diameter, that would damage a ship if struck right—not to speak of our little half-inch boat. Also passed a trunk, skipjacks, and porpoises, dolphins, &c. Our "Nautilus" now reminds me of Longfellow's "Hiawatha," where "Every stride he strode a mile."
Wednesday, July 24th. — Wind N.W.; rain at intervals; heavy sea running. The "Nautilus" is doing her level best, under reefs, to get over this wet place, and. it does seem that we are a long time. But time will tell, and blood too. Course E. by S. half S. Two sails passed us bound to the eastward. Very hard, but I got sight from old Sol today. Latitude by observation 48.18 N. We are off our course pretty bad, about fifteen miles from where I intended to be. Longitude, D.R., 14.30 W. There is more water between England and America than I ever dreamed of, especially when you come in a small boat like this. A little bad advice in regard to the current, which sets S.W. here, will explain everything. Tremendous long seas.
Thursday, July 25th. — Wind S.W., with fog and rain; wind shifted to N.W. Course by observation E.; latitude by observation 48.44 N.; longitude, D.R., 11.30 W. Passed two sails going to W.; fog lifted a spell. Had a wash up, &c. We have not done much fishing this trip, the extent of our catch being two nautili, one rudderfish, two barnacles off our boat's bottom, one bottle of wine, with two clubs tied to it, from a good captain, one Mother Carey's chicken (which flew into our sail and fell into my lap), and last night a skipjack jumped into Walter’s lap while steering. Total, eight; so far, a curious fare for two fishermen, surely!
We have a rousing breeze from the N.W., making our miles to go less all the time. It does seem as though we were never to see the end of the ocean ahead. Spoke steamship "Daniel Steineman," of Antwerpen, Belgium, longitude 10.30 W. Said he would report us at Southampton, England. Hove to under sail, and remained most all night. Fearful high and bad seas. We are nearing Great Sole Bank, and are now on soundings. Bully for us. The "Nautilus" here threw her boom over the top of her mast three times, and we had to jibe here three or four times in order to get it back again.
Friday, July 26th.—Started at daylight, and ran on to the Great Sole Bank. Oh, what a place for a cockle-shell like this to found in! I did all that anybody could do, but had to heave to with sail up, and finally was compelled to put out the drogue at 3 p.m., and remained all night. Saw two ships, close-reefed, bound to S.W. This is the worst we ever did see. Here we are in the middle of Rennel's Current, with a N.W. gale a-howling actually between life and death, and so near across too! More rain. The water was blown into smoke with the wind. Had to throw some oil this time for our lives, and no mistake! It is no wonder that the little “John T. Ford," of Baltimore, was lost in this vicinity by her ballast shifting. But few boats could live here under these circumstances, and the "Nautilus" has her hands full.
"Yet rock'd in the cradle of the deep,
In the 'Nautilus' I lay me down to sleep."
Saturday, July 27th. — Wind N.W. Rain and mist clouds. It moderates. We must get away from here if we have any regard for our lives. If we have not, this is a grand place to perish, and but One to know it! Ginger tea, hard bread, and the last of our salt beef do the work. Get under way at 9 a.m. After running twenty miles we spoke the French barque "St. Pierre," of Bordeaux (Captain Servet), from Monte Video, South America, for Falmouth, England. Saw two more sails bound E. and W. Captain Servet wanted to take us on board, boat and all, thinking that we were a French boat blown off from shore. Was pleased and surprised to find out that we were going to Paris. Latitude by observation 49.02 N. ; longitude 8.20 W. Water quite sloppy now; forty-four days from home. Breezes up, and we lay our course for the Scilly Isles. Course E. by S.
Sunday, July 28th. — Wind comes around to S.E., which makes a bad, choppy sea, causing the "Nautilus" to pound awfully and quiver in every part of her, and a furious wind compels us to drift towards St. George's Channel. Hove to for an hour or so. At 3 p.m. got under way, and stood back into the English Channel. Could smell the new-mown hay, and knew by the great quantity of rock-weed, and the colour of the water, also the ground swell that was on, that we were in the vicinity of Old England. The mist lifting in the N.E. and S.W., we saw Bishop's Rock Lighthouse at 8 p.m., which makes us forty-five days from Thatcher's Island Lighthouse—the fastest time for any small sailing-boat. Hurrah for the "Nautilus"! We left Thatcher's Island, Cape Ann, at 9.30 p.m., June 12th, and made Bishop's Rock at 8 p.m., July 28th, just one hour and a half less than forty-five days.
Monday, July 29th.—Wind all round the compass. It moderates. Spoke Italian brig "Giulietta" (Julietta), Captain Antonio Walinza, from Monte Video to Falmouth, England, latitude 47.19 N., longitude 6.25 W. Went alongside, and he gave us a drink of brandy and a bottle of wine. Wind to the eastward, and we make the Scillys again; go within a mile of some of the group. Spoke pilot boat "Gem," of the Scillys, a Channel groper; they wanted a job, but we declined. More fog and rain as usual. The Italian brig took a pilot and went to the N.W. of Scilly; we try to make the "Lizard" on the S.E. side. A very strong current is trying to carry us towards the islands, but with a fresh breeze from the north we object.
Tuesday, July 30th. — Make Runnelstone Head at daylight; wind N.E. " Thou art so near and yet so far." Spoke pilot-boat "Norman," of Falmouth. Wind died out, and we drifted out of sight of land. Air murky. Spoke two more pilot-boats. Make the land again near Penzance. Speak with some fishing-boats in regard to fish.
Wednesday, July 31st. — Made the Lizard Point at daylight, and stand out into the great race off the point. Wind E., and a spring tide; and this is the first time this voyage that I have been really surprised. Made up my mind that I knew but little about the English Channel, and did not want to know any more just now ; but the "Nautilus" was good for it, and came out in two hours all right. Spoke schooner "Ierne," Capain Hooper, bound from Falmouth to Liverpool; he gave us a loaf of soft tack, and a can of corned beef; also some good advice in regard to Channel navigation. Many thanks.
We then sailed down the iron-bound coast of old Cornwall, the scene of hundreds of wrecks, not one of which ever got off; the place where in bygone days vessels were lured to destruction by means of false beacon-lights during storms; the cradle and hot-bed for smugglers and pirates; the home of Jack the Giant Killer; and a better abode for giants, seen as I now see it, could not be imagined. Bleak and desolate, with numerous caves—well, I will not undertake to describe the first land I made, or the Land's End; and I confess I had my mind occupied; and whether the old habits did not show up now occasionally I was in doubt, but I will put in and stand the consequences, be what they will; and seeing a small piece of sandy beach about forty feet long, thought it would be a good place for a swim, and till the wind would change; and so it was I went in with flying colours, and anchored within a few feet of an immense boulder to protect me from the wind, and such a din as the gulls and the wild birds set up I never heard.
It was Mullion Cove, coastguard and life-saving station. How fortunate we are safe! And now to a little toilet and some dinner, for it must be past noon, and I have not tasted a morsel to-day. After dinner a boat came alongside from the pilot cutter "Grand Turk," Captain George Cox, of Falmouth, and Jacob Harris heard for the first time that this was the "Nautilus," all the way from America.
Ideas rather confused! Can it be possible that America is across the sea? Why I used to think it was England. Ah, the situation is changed; yes, and such a change too. Walter took the jug and went ashore with Harris to get some water, and soon the new arrival was telegraphed to the ends of the earth. I then visited the "Grand Turk," and they did all in their power to make us comfortable. I declined to go on shore to-day, as my log and chart must be attended to.
Thursday, August 1st. — Wind E., blowing a gale. The Mounts Bay is full of storm-stayed shipping. It is very fortunate for us that we are here, or we should be blown clear off soundings, no doubt. Hauled the "Nautilus" on shore and scraped the barnacles from her bottom. They were over an inch long, and were all carried off by curiosity-seekers. A part of my log, 4000 words, was copied here, to be telegraphed to the New York Herald by special and district correspondents, by request of James Gordon Bennett, and also to London papers. Took dinner with coastguardsman Parland Griffiths. Took supper at the Old Inn, kept in town by Miss Mary Mundy, at the special invitation of Rev. E. G. Harvey, a "Friend in need and a friend indeed" to us.
Friday, August 2nd. — Wind E. Gale increasing. Bay full of shipping, including several steamships. Had chads for breakfast on board the "Grand Turk." I have a severe attack of indisposition. This part of England is renowned for its ancient remains, and I wish that I could personally inspect them. The church here, built in the fifteenth century, occupies the site of one built in the twelfth century. Got a trophy from the fount. The houses here are all built of stone and mortar whitewashed, about one storey and a half high. The "Nautilus " was photographed to-day. (This is the view given on our title-page.) Got some advice from Captain Edwards in regard to the Channel, and a guide-book.
Saturday, August 3rd.—Wind N . E . Some of the vessels left to-day to make a hitch farther up the coast, and not to be found here if the wind should veer to S.W., as it often does, for many mariners have rendered up their lives here under those circumstances; but as the barometer has not changed, and to-morrow being Sunday, I shall remain to attend a regular Church of England service by the Rev. E. G. Harvey. Rained at intervals during the day. I do not want to land again after I leave here till I get to Havre, France, and then I want a good spell on shore.
Had a Cornish pastie for supper, and slept on board the "Nautilus." It was my intention before starting to secure at least one porpoise and a shark, as trophies of the adventure, and for that purpose I procured a porpoise iron, or harpoon. I could have captured hundreds if so inclined; but as they were my constant compagnons de voyage, and served to occupy my atttention with their sportiveness, and knowing that if the whales had the desire to capture me they could, much easier than I could a porpoise, I decided that discretion was the better part of valour, and concluded that the golden rule of doing to others as we would that they should do to us would be the right principle after all; and my decision was, if the large fish would not molest me, I would not touch those in my power. An empty bottle, or even a cork floating on the water, often were welcomed by me as signs of civilization.
My greatest precaution, however, was to always have a sharp knife in my pocket, so that if the boat were capsized, and could not be righted again, I could cut a hole through her bottom, or the half-inch cedar, and so be able to reach my canned provisions. A can of Boston baked beans would be just as acceptable on one side as the other. But I never relished the idea of trying the experiment. Still, I always had an alternative for every disaster.
Sunday, August 4th. — Wind W., and light. Got photographs of the "Nautilus," from a Helston photographer, who was showing a little Yankee enterprise. Took breakfast with friend Griffiths. Attended a very-interesting service by the vicar, and then took dinner with him. A great many visit the "Nautilus." This is the only event that has happened here outside of shipwrecks for many years. Air murky and hazy. Put the boat in the water, and anchored off shore to be all ready to leave for Havre to-morrow morning if possible.
Monday, August 5th. — Wind E., and morning opened with rain. Friend Griffiths was our only audience on departure from Mullion Cove. A gloomy outlook at daylight. On our way to the Lizard Point wind veered to S.E. Passed the Stag Rocks, they breaking within forty feet of us. My previous experience had taught me this, and off the Lizard were signalled by the signal station operators. Wind S. Course E. by S. half S. Spoke pilot-boats — No. 1, of Plymouth, and No. 3, of Falmouth. The steamer "Flamingo," of Cork, saluted us. We pass many vessels during the day. Off Dodman's, or Deadman's, Point, spoke in the night a fishing-smack. Told us to have nothing to do with the land. Weather thick and rainy at intervals during the night. Wind E. Course S.E. and N.E. Beating up. Near morning passed the Eddystone Lighthouse.
Tuesday, August 6th. — Wind E. Foggy and drizzly. Wind S.E., wind S. Lay our course again. Water sloppy. Spoke British barque "Assel." Concluded to make the land and be sure of our position. Made Bolt Head, then laid our course for the Start Point; passed the point, and spoke pilot-boat No. 2, of Plymouth, the "Allow Me." They presented us with a "Pilot's Guide Book of the Channel," and were very anxious to assist us. Such men deserved success. Portland then bore N.N.E. twenty miles. Told us to improve the wind, which was now S.W., with the appearance of bad weather. We sailed forty miles farther E. by S. half S., then changed our course to S. by E., and crossed the Channel to the iron-bound coast of France, the mariner's dread. Wind W.S.W.
Wednesday, August 7th. — Made the land between Cape La Hague and Cape Barfleur, sixty-five miles from Havre. Course now S.E. Spoke British steamer "Brunette," of London. They very kindly offered to tow us to Havre, but I thanked them and declined the favour, as I have often done before on like occasions. We are off Cherbourg, where, during our war of the rebellion, the "Kearsage" sunk the "Alabama"—only think, right on the same spot. We passed through the race of Cape Barfleur, which, luckily, was not bad considering everything. We passed another steamer, and some French pilot-boats. This morning it was rough and stormy, with considerable rain; afternoon very pleasant. Made Cape La Heve double lights, that can be seen eight leagues, at 9 p.m. Sailed till we were within two leagues of them, and hove to till daylight.
Thursday, August 8th.—Entered Havre, the fine seaport of Paris, this morning, with colours flying. We were met at the outer harbour by Mr. A. H. Thompson, of 385, Quaide I lie, to whom I had a letter of introduction from Mr. C. T. Woodbury. We took his boat, which was longer than ours, in tow, and under his pilotage entered the docks. Mr. Thompson attended to the Custom House first, and putting a keeper in the "Nautilus," and procuring a cab, proceeded to attend to the inner as well as the outer man. We could not have had a better or more zealous friend, and we shall ever look upon him as only those in our condition can. It is holiday here for two days, and all the streets are gaily decorated with bunting of every description, and at night the public places are illuminated as only the French know how. The voyage of the "Nautilus" is over. We were three days from Land's End to Havre, making our time from Beverley to Havre forty-eight days.
We sleep to-night on a nice feather-bed, while the "Nautilus" calmly reposes in Mr. Cooper's dry dock. The smallest vessel ever in Havre from America before the "Nautilus" was a schooner of 213 tons. So Mr. Thompson informed me, showing me her photograph. The weight of the "Nautilus" is 600 lbs.
Andrews, William A. and James Macaulay, A Daring Voyage Across the Atlantic Ocean, E. P. Dutton and Co.,1880.
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