The Charles Cooper Returns to Boston, 1861 (The conclusion of a two-part narrative) By Franklin Jordan (From Voyages by Alfred T. Hill, to be published in January I977 by David McKay Co., Inc. in cooperation with South Street Seaport Museum) Up to the middle of May we experienced a succession of heavy squalls, head winds, and calms, during which time many light sails were blown away . The squalls were of daily occurrence; it rained in torrents, and we were always able to keep our stock of water full. By the last of May we had reached the Mozambique Channel, where we experienced a heavy gale for three days. June 23-Strong gale from the south and clear sky, carrying all sail possible. At 5:00 P .M. furled royals and top gallant sails. Gale increasing, closereefed the topsails and furled the mainsail. Very heavy squalls with hail and lightning. At 9:00 P.M. called all hands and took in the foresail. Ship laboring hard and heavy sea running. Something of our prospects could be imagined, after such good weather, for Good Hope was yet to be doubled in the winter season, and we were soon to experience its terrible storms and icy seas, for we could not expect to reach it before the middle of July, which corresponds to January in northern latitudes. "And now there came both mist and snow, And it grew wondrous cold." July I-Strong gale from the northwest and rapidly falling barometer with ugly cross-sea running. At 7:00 P.M. wind suddenly hauled to the west. Close-reefed the topsails. Ran before the wind. Land called Plattenberg
bearing north I 7 miles . July 7-While tacking ship mainsail was blown to ribbons in a heavy squall, striking at the time. Heavy head seas running and ship laboring heavily. July I I-Strong gale from the northwest. Furled mainsail and close-reefed topsails . At midnight took in the foresail and hove to. Gale increasing, took in fore and mizzen topsails. Main topsail blew away and fore staysail torn from bolt ropes . Sea ran so high the main spencer was no use. Lay to under bare poles. Storm so terrific it is impossible to keep the ship's reckoning or write the log. Ship nearly on her beam ends and liable to go down at any moment. All that can be done is to await events. The helm is lashed down and the ship drifting helplessly to southward. July I3-5:00 P .M. Wind abated. Upper main topsail set close-reefed-new sail very strong. With this alone the ship was swung off before the wind and with great difficulty kept from broaching to in the heavy sea. 7:00 P.M. sent lower topsail aloft and set it. Being far south of the Cape, we can now hold our course to the north-west. Occas10nally heavy squalls of hail would come up astern and make the ship stagger and reel like a drunken man. In two days more (July 15) we were able to set the topsails and foresail, and under them the ship went tearing through the seas, and it would have been about as comfortable overboard as on deck . The water was pouring over the side and bows like a cataract. It was freezing cold, and we were wet to the skin with the seas that came roaring over the side and pelted
with snow and hail from above . The situation was far from pleasant, but we were homeward bound and thankful that every drenching sea and squall of hail and snow sent us nearer home . For two days we kept along with all sail the ship could possibly stagger under, and when the watch went below they would say, "The Boston girls have got hold of the tow rope at last." To our infinite joy on the 20th of July we were in the region of the south-east trade winds and with all sail set were making a rapid run to the north-west. "But frowning, stern, and wrapped in sullen shade, Tremendous rock emerges on the sight; north-east a league." Up to the last of July we were still rolling along before the wind with all sail set and good weather; we had seen land only once since leaving Calcutta on April 6th, and we were bearing up for St. Helena, which from our calculations could not be far off. Next day at 4:00 P .M. the cry of "Land, ho!" was heard from a man in the fore-topmast cross trees. "Where away?" asked the captain. ''Two points on the weather bow, sir!" Soon from the deck we could see the giant rock looming up from the deep some 35 miles distant. August 8-Since losing sight of St. Helena, nothing eventful has occurred. We have had fine weather and fair winds and again crossed the equator in gallant style with studding sails set on both sides. Longitude 2I0 30' west. The good breeze hardly failed us after crossing the line, and when we were three degrees north, a stiff and favoring
Above, the Charles Cooper (977 tons) in the Falkland Islands today, is protected by a tin roof bought by the National Society to help preserve the ship. At left, the packet John Clark (1160 tons) was built in 1856, the same year as the Cooper, for the Baltimore-Liverpool run. She is portrayed by D. McFarlane battling a hurricane on her first return voyage. From the George L. Radcliffe Maritime Museum, Baltimore, Md.
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