A LONELY VOYAGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5, 6 January 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

A LONELY VOYAGE.

♦ One of the most adventurous voyages ever attempted has been successfully accomplished by Captain Howard Blackburn, who left Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S.A., on June 18, 1899, m a four-ton sloop, and crossed the Atlantio, arriving m Gloucester, England, on August 19, where he had a right royal reception by the deputy- mayor, town clerk, and members of the corporation. Captain Blackburn, on his arrival, presented a letter of introduction from the Mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts, to Aldeman Braiae, Mayor of Gloucester, England. He left Gloucester, Massachusetts, m a 80ft sloop named Great Western, which was built to designs made by himself. A crowd of some 10,000 people watched him start. The journey took just 62 days. The Gieat Western is decked, cutter-rigged, about 80ft over all, Bft Bin beam, 17ft on keel, and 4ft 6in deep. He estimated that he would do the trip m 40 or 50 days, but took stores, mostly tinned meat and fruit, for 90 days. The day after setting sail, the lonely voyager was seized with illness, his right foot and knee swelling to an enormous size, and causing him- considerable suffering. For eight days he made but little headway, and during that time his only food waa one bottle of malted milk. While incapacitated, he kept well to the southward, to avoid coming m contact with America-bound vessels, lest on reaching land they should report unfavorably of his condition. On recovery he made up for lost time, although for 82 days he experienced thick fog and rain. The first land sighted was the Scilly tales. For the first part of the voyage he slept during tbe day and sailed at night. Mr Blackburn stood turn at the wheel for 88 hours at a stretch, once for 85 hours, and twice for 84. On one occasion, not having made any observation for eight days, he hailed the steamer Carlton, of Newcastle, the officers of which gave him all information. All things considered Mr Blackburn was of opinion that he managed his boat much better than he anticipated, but sbould he contemplate another such voyage, he would prefer a smaller, lighter-rigged vessel.