Read Alone at Sea : The Adventures of Joshua Slocum (9780385674072) Online
Authors: Ann Spencer
Previously Unpublished Letter Written by Joshua Slocum to Westport, Nova Scotia, Postmaster, August 1895
This letter, missing the first two pages, came to Slocum biographer Walter Teller, author of
The Search for Captain Slocum
, through Mrs. Melvin Tibert (née Florence Wallis) of Freeport, Nova Scotia. The letter is missing a return address and the salutation, so its point of mailing and addressee remained a mystery. It has never before been published. It was originally thought that Slocum must have written the letter to his friend J.J. Wallis (Florence’s father), editor of the
Yarmouth Light
. It was also assumed that Slocum posted the letter from Faial in the Azores, during his stop there in July 1895, on the first leg of his circumnavigation.
Phillip D. Shea, author and past director of the Joshua Slocum Society International, first brought the letter to public attention in an article that ran in both Halifax newspapers, the
Chronicle-Herald
and the
Mail Star
, on November 15, 1996. Entitled “Slocum’s Lost Letter Found,” Shea’s article attempts to decipher the captain’s mysterious allegation of “treachery” during his stopover in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He reflects: “What could have caused Slocum’s outrage? His letter doesn’t give details of the insult nor does he even mention it in his book, but it annoyed Slocum so much he fantasized a visit to
Halifax to challenge the perpetrator … What was the ‘treachery’ or was it only an imagined slight that enraged the thin-skinned skipper? A search of Nova Scotia newspapers for that period has revealed a front-page story in the Halifax
Herald
of June 24, 1895 that undoubtedly raised his ire. The short item was headed ‘Another Brilliant Nova Scotian’; unfortunately, it was not about the captain of the
Spray
, but about the election of Professor Simon Newcomb, a native of Wallace, N.S., as a foreign associate of the Academy of Science in Paris.”
Shea further deduces: “Underneath, in the same column, ran a story from Yarmouth with the headline: ‘Another Crank At Large.’ The report, which appears innocuous itself, gives details of Slocum’s proposed voyage in ‘his little vessel.’ It also mentions ‘Captain Slocum feels confident of the success of his voyage, as he has been for many years voyaging in these diminutive crafts’ — certainly a demeaning description of a master mariner who in 30 years at sea had been captain of some of the largest and finest vessels afloat. The so-called ‘Crank’ was not amused.” Phillip Shea also notes: “The misspellings and grammatical errors [in the letter] resemble those in other Slocum correspondence.”
When Shea’s article appeared in the newspapers, Westport resident Robert McDormand found a copy of the same letter in his brother’s papers, with the first two pages intact. The letter was posted from Gibraltar, but was not addressed to Wallis. Slocum was writing to Mr. Ruggles, who was postmaster at Westport, Digby County, Nova Scotia.
The Spray,
Gibraltar, August 10th, %95
Dear Mr. Ruggles:
According to promise, I write or try to write you a letter:
The
Spray
“discovered” Spain Aug. 2nd, 29 days sail from Cape Sable, having called at Fayal to which port she was 18 days from Cape Sable.
I have been quite well throughout except in one night a sort of cholera from green fruit and goat cheese after leaving Fayal, and such an attack as I had then might have killed me had it overtaken me ashore.
John Bull is doing the handsome thing by the
Spray
. The old craft is now the guest of Admiral ships and among guns of great calibre. The Senior officer of the port, having taken charge of the sloop, brought her into the arsenal. Gunboats made room for her — yes Sir, they did.
Captain Prince in command put everything at my disposal. H.B.M. will have quite an interest in the voyage, hence yours, etc. is not slighted! Not at all!
Every body was very kind to me at Westport. I saw many very smart young men there, too, some of my old school mates and chums. Will you kindly remember me to all Briar Island? — The whole island has to come to you for letter! and for the news!
(Page 3, where letter in the Teller Collection begins): The
Spray
came across the little old pond, it may interest you to know; as quickly as possible; Had there been, even ten men onboard sailing her she could not have come more quickly. I made a good voyage and know it one that may stand a long time unbeaten by any one man: “Be not however vain glorious” is the admonition of my thoughts. There is perhaps little in it to speak of at all but people are interested so let it stand!
A chap in Halifax tried to do me harm: In Yarmouth
his representative enjoyed a half hour of the
Spray
’s “hospitality” — the best she had — And he the next day, in Halifax a hundred miles off fired a shot — at my back.
A South Sea Islander could not have shown greater treachery. Upon leaving Yarmouth, therefore, I beat a course in for Halifax, for, said I, this educated gentleman being such as appears it will be worth my while to enter the port and study the characteristic of the people — one object of the voyage being, as you are aware sir, to gather information.
Night was coming on when the
Spray
entered the mouth of their harbor.
Perceiving the natives preparing a fire on the beach where I made signs I would land: and not knowing their number or their mode of attack: I hauled off! From the hour till I arrived at Fayal the
Spray
never ceased going! It was wonderful how well she kept her course, even before the wind. Indeed I didn’t do much on the voyage except make, take in, and trim sails.
Some one warned me that I would loose my voice, too, I was told I had a musical voice. So it would be a pity to lose that!
Now few of my friends ever heard me sing but it occured to me that I might by the aid of song keep my voice intact.
I was surprised at my success. I believe that my voice is, even, improved: “Home Sweet Home” “Annie Laurie” and “God Save the Queen” went rolling free over the ocean. Turtle and sea lions poked their heads up to catch the air: One morning when I was singing my favorite song a porpoise jumped clean over the bowsprit — and it wasn’t a very good day either for jumping! But that is no matter!
Perhaps you didn’t hear that the
Spray
rescued a deacon at Yarmouth, well she did: A real live, and good, deep-water baptist deacon!: But he was tickled to get on deck and out of the water for all that! I wish your reporter for the Digby paper would mention to my friends that I am well and — mentioning, too, my escape at Halifax if not too much trouble and I am sure there are still, on the hospitable side of the dear old Province, those who will be glad to hear that I am still alive. One at least I know as he scans this my poor scrawl and looks back over the past: over the joys and sorrows, will not “Thurst for my blood.”
Will you please rember me very kindly to your family, all!
Sir I remain
Very Sincerely
Joshua Slocum
Letters Written by Henrietta Slocum to Mrs. Alfred McNutt, 1889 and 1910
The following three letters were written by Hettie Slocum to Mrs. Alfred McNutt in Colchester County, Nova Scotia. The Slocums met Captain and Mrs. McNutt when the
Liberdade
was in Barbados. Hettie wrote the first about the voyage home in the
Liberdade
, and the other two about the disappearance of her husband on “November 14, 1908.” All three letters are kept in the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. (All spellings reproduced here are from the originals.)
Washington D.C.
Jan. 28th 1889
Mrs. McNutt
Dear Friend —
Long befor this reaches you, you will no doubt have heard of our safe arrival in America do Norte.
We first touched American soil at South Santee, S.C. Oct. 29th.
We left Barbados Oct. 7th made Mayatuez Porto Rico the 11th. Sailed again the 15th.
Just touched at Lobo Quay for water. Sailed over the Great Bahamas banks. Called at one of the Bimini Islands for shells and sponges.
Crossed the Gulf Oct. 25th. The first light we sighted on the coast was at Cape Canaveral Florida.
First port of regstry was South Port, S.C. We spent two weeks there and at Wilmington, sailed again Nov. 16th was only outside a few hours when the wind came ahead again.
We run into New River Inlet with bar breaking bad, got over without any trouble and layed snug inside nine days while one of the bigest northeasters of the season on the coast was blowing. The storm raised the rivers and ditches so much that we were able to go inside the rest of the way.
We went through drawing 2 feet 4 inches of water where at ordinary time it was a rare thing to have more than twelve inches.
We were very glad for we had already had enough of it outside. Spent one day at Beaufort, N.C.
The next port we made was Norfolk Va. where we stayed until Christmas Eve. We set sail for Washington, D.C. Xmas day was spent in the Chesapeake bay.
We ate our Xmas on board the Liberdade. The weather was fine and wind fair So we enjoyed our sail up the Chesapeake with Potomac very much.
Arrived here Dec. 27th sound and well making Washington winter quarters for “Liberdade” and crew. You may imagine we were all very glad to haul up for the winter after our long and tiresome voyage.
The “Liberdade” did her part well. I think lots of the little craft now.
I have thought of you and your good husband very many time since I last saw you.
How I did dread starting out again from Barbados on our little ship that feeling soon left me and I felt quite happy
as we sailed along. We had a big storm off the coast of Cuba and some bad weather on this coast.
We came through everything nicely.
It surprises me more and more when I think of all we have come through.
Our voyage is full of interest to us. I look back with pleasure over it now.
We will remain here until after Inauguration and then go to Baltimore. Will get to New York in due time.
I have not been to see my folks yet. hope to get a chance to go from Baltimore.
There is a big interest taken here in our voyage.
Ther people in Baltimore are very anxious to see the little craft. We will give them all a chance to see her.
This is a very fine city.
I should like to know very much where you are now. I want you to write me. I want to hear from you very much. I look back with pleasure to the days spent on board you ship. If you should get this soon you may address me at Washington D.C. Foot of 6th Street (Liberdade). Anytime you write me at East Boston I will get it. If I am not there my folks will forward to me wherever I am. We are all in good health. As soon as I learn where you are I will send you some photographs of the boat, and our own.
I do hope Mrs. McNutt that we will have the pleasure of meeting you and Captain McNutt again. Josh say to tell you he is enjoying the stockings you gave him more than anything else this winter. He thinks they are splendid. Josh sends his best wishes to you and Capt. McNutt. With kind regards to your husband. I am your friend, Hettie M. Slocum P.S. This address will always find me. H.M.S.
Address. 69 Saratoga Street
East Boston
Mass
1910/ Aug 28
Windham Depot
Box 54 Cobbett’s North Shore
New Hampshire
Dear Mrs. McNutt —
Your kind letter received at above address.
I am sorry to say that there seem but little or no doubt but that something serious has happened Captain Slocum and the “Spray”. He sailed from Vineyard Haven the Spray’s home port on Nov. 14th, 1908 bound to the West Indies, and to my knowledge nothing has ever been heard from him since that date. When a day or two out from the Vineyard the “Spray” was sighted by a passing fishing vessel who reported the “Spray” making heavy weather in a gale.
Captain Slocum asked me to write him at Nassau to be called for. It was his purpose to spend the winter in the West Indies to escape the cold weather at home and to do some business while there as he had done before here to fore.
I have tried to persuade myself that he might have decided after sailing to undertake some new adventure and keep out of touch with the outside world for a time. But all things considered I do not feel that this atal probable, I am deeply impressed that something serious has happened. Nor do I consider it strange if the “Spray” has met her fate at sea.
I have tried to find out if possible the fate of the “Spray”, but as yet have not learned anything that would throw any light on it as yet.
I tried to persuade my husband not to go for it seemed so hard for him to undertake such a voyage alone. He said he knew he could not stand the cold weather at home through another winter, he felt the cold very much.
I really think that the voyage to West Indies was more than he was physically able to stand. He was very anxious for me to go with him, said he knew I would have a good time when I got to the West Indies. I could not think of such a thing now. I have not as much courage as I had when we made the Voyage in the Liberdade.
Captain Slocum’s love for adventure I have always felt led him beyond all reason for his own good and the well being of his family.
He was in good spirits when he sailed, and talked a lot about things he intended to do at home when he returned in the Spring to Early Summer.
Some people are inclined to think that Captain Slocum has gone on some new adventure and will show up at some future time. If he was a younger man I would think this very probable. But under the circumstances and all things considered I do not believe this atal likely.
He was not any hand to talk or dwell on the narrow escapes he had had.
But he told me of a narrow escape he had on the trip before goint to West Indies of being smashed to pieces on a coral reef, and also of being run down at night by a steamship.
Victor at the present time is on a whaling cruise. I think he went as much for the adventure as anything. He does not follow the sea for a living. Garfield is married and has two children lives in New York State.
I have been spending a few weeks here with my sister at her summer cottage,
I have not spent much time at my Vineyard home, since Capt Slocum went away, When I am there I cannot help but keep looking for his return. I shall probably spend the winter in Boston as I have done for the last few winters. Now that I am left alone, our property at West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard is a very poor investment, and I shall never be able to get anything like the money it cost back. And I cannot live alone there. I am fortunate to have the deeds of property there in my own name. I am up against legal difficulties by the disappearance of my husband without any proof of what has happened. For instance I cannot collect any royalties from Captain’s book “Sailing Alone” for seven years, so I am tied up more or less by legal complications. A gentleman in Washington, a good friend of Captain Slocum’s has written me of late, since he saw the report of the supposed disaster in the papers, That he was going to try and find out if possible some thing of the fate of the “Spray” By way of inquiry through the “New York Herald”. “London Times” and Australian papers. I shall be very thankful if this man is able to learn something of the “Spray’s” fate.
It is distressing to say the least the suspense of not knowing what has happened. Any thing definate would be a satisfaction to know the worst would be a relief, rather than not knowing.
I was very glad to hear from you and Capt McNutt. I am sure it was very kind of you to write me at this time.
I am sorry I cannot give you more hopeful news.
I have not forgotten how kind you were to us when we were in Barbados, on the Liberdade voyage. I would be very
glad if I could have better news to write you at some time in the near future. I have no faith myself that my husband is now alive.
Thanking you for your kind letter.
Very sincerely —
Henrietta M. Slocum