| It turns out that the schooner is Russian from... 955 |
[Jan. 27th, 2010|02:14 am] |
It turns out that the schooner is Russian from Varna, and is called the DemeterShe is almost entirely in ballast of silver sand, with only a small amount of cargo, a number of great wooden boxes filled with mould
This cargo was consigned to a Whitby solicitor, MrBillington, of 7, The Crescent, who this morning went aboard and took formal possession of the goods consigned to him
The Russian consul, too, acting for the charter-party, took formal possession of the ship, and paid all harbour dues, etc
Nothing is talked about here today except the strange coincidenceThe officials of the Board of Trade have been most exacting in seeing that every compliance has been made with existing regulationsAs the matter is to be a 'nine days wonder', they are evidently determined that there shall be no cause of other complaint
A good deal of interest was abroad concerning the dog which landed when the ship struck, and more than a few of the members of the S which is very strong in Whitby, have tried to befriend the animalTo the general disappointment, however, it was not to be foundIt seems to have disappeared entirely from the townIt may be that it was frightened and made its way on to the moors, where it is still hiding in terror
There are some who look with dread on such a possibility, lest later on it should in itself become a danger, for it is evidently a fierce bruteEarly this morning a large dog, a half-bred mastiff belonging to a coal merchant close to Tate Hill Pier, was found dead in the roadway opposite its master's yardIt had been fighting, and manifestly had had a savage opponent, for its throat was torn away, and its belly was slit open as if with a savage claw-By the kindness of the Board of Trade inspector, I have been permitted to look over the log book of the Demeter, which was in order up to within three days, but contained nothing of special interest except as to facts of missing menThe greatest interest, however, is with regard to the paper found in the bottle, which was today produced at the inquestAnd a more strange narrative than the two between them unfold it has not been my lot to come across
As there is no motive for concealment, I am permitted to use them, and accordingly send you a transcript, simply omitting technical details of seamanship and supercargoIt almost seems as though the captain had been seized with some kind of mania before he had got well into blue water, and that this had developed persistently throughout the voyageOf course my statement must be taken cum grano, since I am writing from the dictation of a clerk of the Russian consul, who kindly translated for me, time being short
LOG OF THE "DEMETER" Varna to Whitby
Written 18 July, things so strange happening, that I shall
keep accurate note henceforth till we land
On 6 July we finished taking in cargo, silver sand and boxes
of earthCrew, five
hands? two mates, cook, and myself, (captain)
On 11 July at dawn entered BosphorusBoarded by Turkish
Customs officers
On 12 July through DardanellesMore Customs officers and
flagboat of guarding squadronWork of
officers thorough, but quickAt dark
passed into Archipelago
On 13 July passed Cape MatapanCrew dissatisfied about
somethingSeemed scared, but would not speak out
On 14 July was somewhat anxious about crewMen all steady
fellows, who sailed with me beforeMate could not make out what
was wrongThey only told him there was SOMETHING, and crossed
themselvesMate lost temper with one of them that day and struck
himExpected fierce quarrel, but all was |
|
|
