Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1901 — TWO DAYS ON BARREN ROCK. [ARTICLE]

TWO DAYS ON BARREN ROCK.

Bailers Cast Away and Suffer Many Hardship* In the Pacific. Marooned for two days and two nights upon a little rock Island Jutting up through the turbulent waters of Deception pass was the unusual and unpleasant experience of John Lewis and C. F. Mitchell. Their rescue, half famished and athirst, was scarcely less remarkable than the accident Itself. Lewis and Mitchell, both experienced sailors, were cruising among the islands of the lower sound in an open centerboard sloop about twenty-six feet in length. From the waters lying between Wliidby Island and the mainland they attempted to pass out to the open Straits of Fuca through Deception pass, a most dangerous channel even in summer weather and at this season in full sweep of the winter tities a regular maelstrom. midway in the pass the boat was caught by a whirlpool and swept up against one of the many little rock islands. Lewis and Mitchell scrambled out upon the rocks and while looking for a place where the boat might be safely moored a twist of waters swept the painter from their grasp and boat went whirling dotyn the pass toward the straits. The shores on both ■ides of the pass are precipitious. There are very few houses along them and none within sight of the rock upon which the men were marooned. Steamers avoid the pass during the winter season. The situation seemed desperate. There was no fresh water on the rock and scarcely any vegetation. After two days had passed without a sign of relief they found a bit of drift timber on the rock capable of supporting in the water the weight of one man. Lots were cast and It fell to Lewis to make the desperate effort. Astride the timber he intrusted himself to the waters and, twisting and turning, was carried out to the straits. Outside the mouth of the pass the man and his singular craft happened to attract the attention of the lightkeeper at Dewey. Lewis was picked up and with the assistance of the lightkeeper and others went back and brought Mitchell from the rocks.—San Francisco Call.