leo 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
[Feb. 2S, igi4f-\ 
An Escapade/' 
Log of the Yawl Escape, 
BY GEORGE MATTHEWS. 
(Continued /rom page 141,) 
July 30.~South West Harbor. Under way at 7 A. M , 
and, with a N.W. breeze, ran along shore to the west- 
ward. The wind kept shifting from N.W. to S.W., but 
generally in such a way as to allow U;, to lay our course 
Went through Casco Passage, Deer Island Thorough- 
fare, and Fox Island Thoroughfare. 
At this point it got very squally and, on coming out 
into West Penobscot Bay, we found a heavy sea run- 
ning. Beat out under mizzen and jib, but, finding it 
slow worK, put double-reefed mainsail on her and drove 
her through it. In attempting to ease off the main- 
sail a trifle, the sheet got away from Emil, and mate 
Colson, who was perched on the cockpit rail, had a 
narrow escape from going overboard, as it was his 
heels fiew up in a most undignified manner. We fought 
our way to Rockland, and were glad enough when we 
got under the shelter of Owl's Head. 
July 31, Sundaj'.— Blew very hard during the night and 
all day. At anchor. 
August I. — Wind still S.W., but more moderate. 
Under way by 7:35 A. M., and had a nice beat down 
to Whitehead, where we found a very heavy swell. The 
good little boat rode this nicely, and we gradually 
worked past Tennants Harbor, Mosquito Island, and 
finally old Pamaquid itself, after which we could ease 
sheets a trifle and run into Booth Bay in fine style, 
ap.choring about 7 oclock. A black yawl, considerably 
larger than Escape, started out after us from Rock- 
land, but at Whitehead, we had left her nearly out of 
sight astern. While rounding Pemaquid to-dav, the 
phonograph took another tumble, and went permanently 
out of business along with "Bedelia" and most of the 
other Wagnerian airs. The survivors, including "San 
to Portland, arriving about 3 P. M. 
_ Mate and cabin boy landed for mail and marketing. 
Captain and sailing master got aboard the spare sails, 
etc., left at the yacht club on our eastern run, and then 
to the New York steamer for provisions and soda 
water sent from New York. 
August 4. — Under way at 8 A. M.; S. breeze, very 
light at first, and the tide against us. About noon the 
wind freshened a little; but a heavy head-sea made 
progress very slow, and at about 6 o'clock the wind 
failed altogether, and we rolled and slatted most dis- 
tressingly, finally working into Cape Neddick Roads in 
the dark. Got a bad scare while feeling our way in 
with the lead. Emil reported "five fathoms" several 
times, and then shouted, "No water at all!" and the 
boat was put in the wind— all hands in a panic. 
It turned out that in the darkness the lead had caught 
in the runner ■ tackle. We anchored in three fathoms 
and found pretty fair protection from the roll; but this 
is a risky anchorage, being entirely exposed to N., 
N.E., or E. winds. Mate Colson must leave us to- 
morrow, and Captain, Dodo and Emil must tackle the 
Cape alone. 
August 5. — Early breakfast in order to give mate 
Colson a fair start on his trip back to New York. The 
Captain and cabin boy manned the dinghy and landed 
him on the beach througk the surf. A small comber 
came over the stern as we touched the shore, and the 
mate got his feet and the seat of his trousers wet, but 
left regretfully for Portsmouth, Boston and New York. 
Under way about 8:30 A. M., with brisk S. wind and 
heavy sea. Soon found it necessary to double reef, and, 
owing to the rough water, made very slow progress 
past Portsmouth and down the shore. At about 3:30 
P. M., we found ourselves off Newburyport and, as we 
were tired of threshing so slowly to windward, we 
put in. Found the harbor a difficult one to enter, and 
an uncomfortable anchorage, on account of the fierce 
tide and narrow channel. Dropped our hook rather too 
near Joppa Flats. 
owl's head, MAINE, 
Domingo Maid" and the "Boolah Girl," were conse- 
quently done up in cotton wadding and consigned to a 
padded cell. Next time, we will take less lively music. 
A phonograph is a great joy on a cruise, but a good 
strong baritone voice, such as is possessed by mate 
Struthers is more easily stowed and less liable to 
fracture or contusions. 
Colson went ashore for mail, but found that it should 
have been addressed Booth Bay Harbor, instead of 
Booth Bay, which is two miles inland. He telegraphed, 
and it was sent over by buggy. While waiting at the 
boat-landing for Dodo, who had gone to the post- 
office the second time for the forwarded mail, the 
Captain met a yachtsman who was hunting for his 
dinghy which someone had evidently borrowed. He 
offered to take the boatless man out to his yacht, and 
was astonished to find his vessel was Penikese, of 
New Rochelle, the last boat to finish in the Block 
Island race. She had followed us all the way to Maine 
and was now on the way home. All hands tired — early 
to bed. 
August 2. — Rained a little in the night, and the morn- 
ing is dull and cheerless. Light N.E. breeze. Said 
good-bye; to: the owner of Penikese, who rcSwed over 
to us to.:bid ;Us farewell, he having to wait over for a 
new gaff to replace one carried away on Sunday. Got 
water and provisions aboard, and made sail at 10 A. M. 
Light and variable winds carried us as far as Cape 
Small, when it died away to nothing. We had hoped 
to make Portland; but as it was now 4 o'clock, we 
eased sheets and drifted up to Carrying Place Head and 
anchored in the bight off the northern end of the head. 
Beautiful place, but spoiled by a smelly fishing camp. 
August 3. — It rained again last night, and we are in 
for another dismal and sprinkly day. Got under way 
at 7:30 A. M., with a light N. air. Jigger sheet fouled 
bowsprit of a fishing boat anchored close aboard us, 
and threw our head around almost on the rocky shore. 
Got off without touching, however, and stood out by 
way of White Bull and Bold Dick. Wind continued 
very light and variable until reaching Chandler's Cove, 
then cons}4erabIy, and we made a quick rup 
August 6. — Up at S A. M., hurried breakfast, and, in 
spite of the threatening look of the weather, started 
out. At the breakwater were struck by a bad 
squall, and knowing that if we once got out we 
could not get back until the turn of the tide, six hours 
later, we put back and anchored in the old berth. 
We there reefed the mizzen and put three reefs in the 
mainsail, and about noon, the weather looking a trifle 
better, we hoisted No; 2 jib and stood out with the 
last of the ebb. Wind was from S., just enough to 
allow us to lay a course for Cape Ann. We were 
greatly bothered by the breakwater being built off 
Rockport, as it is very long but does not yet show 
above water. Finally located the buoys, and stood in- 
side of it. Going out between the breakwater and 
Straitsmouth Island, we encountered a tremendous sea 
and head wind, bucking up against the strong tide. 
Near Thatcher's Island it grew light, and we rolled 
badly. After numerous tacks, we got clear of the 
island and could lay our course toward Gloucester, 
which port we made about dark, anchoring behind Ten- 
Pound Island. 
The happy days of gliding down the wind, early 
anchoring and delightful evenings under the awning arc 
over. Now the programme is early rising, hard work, 
head winds, late dinner, canned provisions and early 
to bed. 
August 7. — Up at 5 A. M. Dodo sent ashore to 
mail letters; a hasty breakfast, and under way bright 
and early. A fine day at last, with a nice breeze from 
S.W. By 3 o'clock we were off the upper end of Cape 
Cod, and as it looked as though we were in for a spell 
of nice weather, we decided to run down the cape and 
anchor as near Monomoy as possible. Toward evening 
the wind fell light, and at dark we were able to make 
out Nauset Beacons. After leaving these (7:45) and 
sWrting along shore, we were unable to make out 
Chatham Light. 
9 P. M. — No light in sight and all hands gettmg 
nervous, as we have sailed far enough to be alrnost 
abreast of it, and it is starlight. Now we know the 
reason, for a heavy bank of fog from the fouthward hps 
rolled over us, and we can hear fog horns tooting all 
around us, 
9:30 A, M. — We have turned tail and are trying to 
pick up Nauset Beacons again, so we can locate our- 
selves and anchor. 
10:30 A. M. — The fog thinned as we ran north, and 
we soon made out the beacons and began to wo«4: in- 
shore, sounding constantly as we went. Now anchored 
in five fathoms, and all hands decided to stay up all 
night, as it is most uncanny here so close to the beach. 
TERN. 
Owned by John Hyslop, New York' Y. C. , 
on which the surf is dismally roaring and the fog 
shutting out everything but strange noises. 
August 8.— All hands tired and nervous. Fog still 
thick. At about 7 A. M., were startled by a loud clap 
of thunder and a downpour of rain on the cabin roof. 
Luckily the wind, which rose rapidly, came right off 
shore and did not disturb us. Tied in our third and 
last reef and awaited events. About 11 A. M., it 
partially cleared off, and the wind came again from the 
S.W. Got our anchor and eighteen fathoms of chain 
with great labor and started on our way toward Mono- 
moy, wishing we were safely back on Long Island 
Sound. 
By this time the tide was strong against us, and 
we made but slow progress. Could not seem to get 
away from the dismal wreck on Chatham Bar, which 
had a damaging effect on the old man's nerves. 
Off the whistling buoy the fog, which was hanging 
in a solid bank to southward, seemed to be closing in 
on us again, and we squared away in a panic and ran 
for the beach to anchor. Before we got there, how- 
ever, the mist cleared up a little and the wind freshened, 
so we grew bold and stood in the direction of Pollock 
Shoal Lightship again, shaking out our reefs. At last 
we made out the lightship in the fog, and, standing 
about a mile to the westward of it to get out of the 
fairway, anchored in five fathoms, at about 4 P. M. 
We tied in two reefs, in case of trouble in the night, 
and left the mizzen set, for, should an easier spring up, 
it would catch us in a dangerous trap. 
About dusk we sighted a sloop, remarkably like 
Penikese, standing out to sea, apparently- bound over 
the shoals by night. Wonder if it can be she? By 
dark it was quite clear, so we had early dinner and 
Emil turned in for a rest, while the old man and Dodo 
PLEASURE. 
Owned by Theodore C. Zerega, New York Y. C. 
kept anchor watch until midnight, by whick , time it 
was blowing a fine breeze from N.W. and clear as a 
bell. A number of coasters now anchored all around 
us. Emil on the watch until 4 A. M. 
'August 9. — Under way by 5 A. M., Tide against us 
until 7:30^ Set storm jib, reefed mainsail and reefed 
