We were grieved to hear that Nelson, whom I have more than once referred to as an able helmsman, fell from a boat in the harbor of New York a short time after we arrived, and was drowned. The report which we received of the event conveyed an intimation that he had been drinking too freely. He certainly had marks of genius, showing itself in the way in which he made the ship toss the waves from the bows. It was a pleasure, when he was steering, to go forward and climb into the knight heads, and lean over and feel by the way in which the ship went through the water that Nelson was driving her. To be there was as pleasurable as it ever can be to any one to sit by the side of Mr. Bonner, with a cigar in one’s mouth, while he is driving “Fashion.” A great swell coming toward you, looking every moment as though it would overflow the deck, Nelson sees, draws in his nigh rein, runs the ship into it as though he would say, Why leap ye, ye high hills? for now he is on the top of one of them and not a drop has reached the deck; though they are the mighty waves of the sea he seems to sport with them. He fell by strong drink; the great wave overtook him which has engulphed so many; he died ignobly in smooth water, not in battle, hand to hand with a tempest.
LUXURY OF SEEING A SNOW-STORM.
Much as I had enjoyed in different climes among the Creator’s works, I remember that when the first fall of snow came after my arrival, it seemed to me that I had not witnessed anything abroad so beautiful. I had not seen snow for two years. I was in the country, and I walked two hours, enjoying what seemed to me a most charming meteoric phenomenon, a snow-storm. In deference to custom I took an umbrella with me, and I felt it proper to open it, but as it hid the falling snow from my view, I shut it. I wondered if people were unhappy from any cause, who lived where they could see the snow crystals forming and alighting around them.
Here let me abruptly close, else I shall more than confirm the general belief to which the preceding narrative may have given confirmation, that there is a fatal power in sea-faring experience to amplify one’s experience beyond due limit. I will only add my thanks to the benevolent reader for his companionship while attending to this narration, wishing him, after a prosperous voyage through life, a safe arrival at his home on high.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Crojick, alias crossjack; a large square sail which hangs from the mizzen mast. When the wind is aft the crojick “robs” the main sail and therefore is not in constant use; while in some ships it is rejected.
[2] The following is from English “Notes and Queries”. “Feb. 15, lat. 22, 54, long. 55, 28. At 11.50 saw the ‘Southern Cross’ for the first time. This was the only commission you gave to me, and I execute it as a matter of business.” It may not be of any practical use to say that Dec. 6th we first saw it, when it was rising, in lat. 34. 10 S., long. 50. 6 W.
[3] In Lieut Maury’s Geography of the Sea, a most useful book, may be found a satisfactory account of the Trade Winds.
[4] Crew of the Golden Fleece, from New York to San Francisco, Oct. 26, 1869–Feb. 12, 1870.
Mates.