FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 59 



Loss of the Schooner Henrietta Greenleaf, 



Four Men Drowned in their Berths — The Remainder of the Crew Take to 

 their Dories — Adrift in an Open Dory, with Scanty Clothing, amid Sleet 

 and Cold, without Oars, for Forty- Five Hours — The Dories Part Company 

 — One Rescued by Sch. Lizzie K. Clark — The Other Never Heard From. 



The new sch. Henrietta Greenleaf 'left Gloucester Thursday, April 6, 1876, 

 for a Grand Bank trip ; and this was her first and last trip. She was com- 

 manded by Capt. William H. Greenleaf, who was also part owner, and from 

 him we obtained the following particulars: 



On Friday night was to the southward of La Have Bank, and had fine 

 weather with a six knot south-southwest breeze. The watch on deck were 

 George Olsen and Philip McCloud, and the remainder of the men were be- 

 low, asleep. Shortly before three o'clock the watch called all hands to 

 handle sail, and all turned out. Capt. Greenleaf was the first one on deck, 

 and when he took the wheel the vessel was masts down in the water. The 

 squall was the most terrific he ever experienced, and came so suddenly that 

 there was no escape from it. All hands were ordered to the weather side, 

 and the rigging was at once cut away in order to let the masts break off, and 

 thus ease the vessel ; but of no avail, and it was evident that she was fast 

 sinking, and if they would save their lives they must get out of her as soon 

 as possible. There was no time even to secure oars, water or food, and all 

 the men, except the watch, had only their pants, shirts and stockings on. 

 Thus illy provided, they proceeded to launch the dories, when it was found 

 that four of the crew were missing, and these had been drowned in their 

 berths, having been unable to reach the deck on account of the deluge of 

 water which had overtaken them in their attempt. The names of these un- 

 fortunate men were Franklin Greenleaf, brother of the master, 25 years of 

 age ; Alfred Short, a native of Olsenburg, Norway, who had followed fishing 

 from this port several years; James Peters, of Prospect, N. S.; George 

 Connors, brother-in-law of Capt. Greenleaf, 15 years of age. 



The loss of these men threw a gloom over the remainder of the crew; but 

 there was no time for repining; they must work quickly, and at about half- 

 past three they left the vessel, with the wind blowing hard and a rough sea 

 running. The dories kept company all day Saturday, and the winds were 

 variable, with snow squalls and cold, biting sleet, which made their situation 

 extremely uncomfortable, and they suffered greatly. They were frequently 

 wet with the water shipped by the dories, and it required constant effort 



