ATELIER OSMUNDSEN BRONZES FROM THE SEA

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The performance of this astounding feat is calculated to excite wonder and comment all over the world .

 While there is possibly no great benefit to be derived from the result, yet viewed as an athletic accomplishment it will go down in the history of aquatic sports as unequaled and unparalleled  The physical hardships attendant upon such a journey are scarcely to be comprehended. Since the 6th of June last Harbo and Samuelsen have been pulling away at the oars,  It was certainly a battle royal;  the indomitable pluck of man against the fierce elements of nature, with the triumph of the man as a result.

The continued lunge of the boat from the crest to the trough of the waves, the occasional upsetting, with an incidental somersault, the fierce storms of wind and rain, the appearance of a shark fin here and there,  all combined to make the exploit extremely trying and dangerous, not to say anything of the pangs caused by thirst and hunger, the severe muscular  stain caused by thirst and hunger, the severe muscular strain caused by incessant rowing and the care necessary in steering and maintaining the boat in an upright position.


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These dangers were all met and overcome and the two venturesome mariners are safe at their journey's end receiving the congratulations of their friends.

The success of the little boat in making the journey under the navigable conditions of only two pairs of lusty arms is all the more marvelous when we pause to consider how powerful steamships of great tonnage have frequently gone amiss, and the melancholy roll of derelicts, whose erratic wanderings are reported by the Hydrographic Office, show how many sailing ships have been beaten by its storms.

That its dangers are not imaginary and that marine disasters are not yet obsolete is provided every day. But one finds that hard of compression when reading of how two adventurers set out with the deliberate intention of bridging that stretch of water in a tiny boat, destitute of sail and propelled in so elementary a way.

When the little cockleshell was pushed out from its Battery slip on the
afternoon of June 6 in the wake of Captain James Moorhead's (manager of the
police Gazette) steam yacht,  "Richard K. Fox,” there were many to say  had gone to the port of missing craft. It is a short boat, eighteen feet in length, and only twelve inches of planking showed above the water's edge.  Several freely commented on their indisposition to even cross the river in it, owing to its size and open build.





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The boat was built under the supervision of Harbo and voyage was undertaken for such honor and lucre as might accrue from a successful accomplishment of it.

The boat is clinker built and of cedar, a double- ender with space forward  used  for water tanks, and over this a canvas cover is buttoned.  Sixty gallons of water were carried  the tanks and as the men expected to out sixty days ,that gave a an allowance of one gallon per day .

Provisions for the same length of time were put on board .  They consisted chiefly of canned goods, for there would have been difficulty in preserving any other sort.

A cornucopia shaped bit of canvas , to be used as a sea anchor when storms arose, a compass and sextant completed, with two pairs of oars, the equipment of the boat.  The oars not in use were secured by stout lashings, for the boat would have been in a bad way if these were lost.

When leaving port the men expected to average fifty-four miles a day.  Each man was to pull eighteen hours out of the twenty-four.  Five hours were to be allowed for sleep and one for meals. Rest was to be had in daytime, the men taking turn and turn about.

To lesson danger of collision the men decided to take a route to the southward of the "Steamship lanes".  They were spoken but twice during the voyage .

Mr. Richard K. Fox, of the Police Gazette whom the little craft was named, will present Harbo and Samuelsen with gold medals to commemorate the accomplishment of their marvelous trip.

 

The National Police Gazette

September 12, 1896; vol 69, no 994; pg 11

 

                                       THE FOLLOWING IS WORTH READING.

______

Consulate of the United States of America.

                                                    Havre, France, August 12, 1896.

 

             Richard K. Fox, Esq., London—Dear Sir: On the arrival of the rowboat, "Richard K. Fox," at this port, the two men, Harbo and Samuelson, reported to me in absolute destitution—without money or clothing—and I took the responsibility of providing them, in an economical manner, with the necessaries of life, on the faith of the statement of the men that the amount would no doubt be refunded by you, as the patron of the daring enterprise. I, therefore, beg to enclose herein copies of the several bills for your information and consideration.

If the men had come upon the Consulate as destitute American seamen, regularly discharged from an American vessel, I should then have the authority to charge the government with the relief afforded, but as this is a unique case I do not feel authorized to charge the government with the expenditure, and shall have to pocket the loss, unless you are inclined to intervene.

I have made a somewhat elaborate report to the government of the circumstances and facts connected with this wonderful feat, that adds another glory to the American name and flag, and have forwarded affidavits to establish beyond question the fact that the voyage was made in good faith and without the aid of any other propelling power than the strong arms and trusty oars of the audacious mariners.

Hoping to hear from you at your convenience, I am, dear sir,

Yours very respectfully, .

C.W.Chancellor, Consul

 

It is needless to say that the money advanced by the Hon. Consul was immediately sent him by Mr. Richard K. Fox. The POLICE GAZETTE and its proprietor's reputation for liberality in all that he is interested in are known the world over.

 

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