The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903 Page: 123
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Reminiscences of C . Cow.
123
in the Navy-but will give the prominent features in a few words.
From the San jacinto I was transfered to the Steam Ship of war
Zavalla, Capt Lathrop Commanding. this vessel carried about 10
guns and was a well equiped manofwar. When the ship left Gal-
veston she proceeded to N. 0. here we remained a short time, en-
listing men and taking in supplies. Thence we proceeded on a
cruise in the gulf and after some days anchored at the Arcos Islands
-not far off the Coast of Yucatan. Among the recruits who
joined us at New Orleans, was a young midshipman, I have forgot-
ten his name, who had contracted yellow fever & was taken down
soon after coming on board. I donot know if I took the fever from
him, but I do recollect that I was sick, and that we lay together in
the saloon of the steamer, and that the young man died at my side.
I donot remember the time we spent at the Islands-perhaps a
month or two[.] But in course of time our vessel appeared off the
mouth of the Tobasco River and came to Anchor about Sundown
one evening it being then too late to cross the Bar. The sea was
quite smooth the sky clear and not a breath of wind. Very soon a
heavy sea came rolling in from the Gulf. the strong current from
the River which after entering the gulf took a course along the land
made the ship ride in the trough of the sea, and she rolled from side
to side like a great log. Orders were at once given to weigh Anchor
& get under way but before that could be done a huge wave carried
away our rudder. this rendered us helpless & the order to get up
Anchor was countermanded-and now commenced an experience
the like of which I expect few sailors ever witnessed. We lay in
this position 5 days-no wind but the waves rolling in mountain
high[.] We were about 2 miles off shore, our anchors draged some,
and the vessel sometimes gave a heavy thump on the bottom [.] To
lighten the ship, our guns, one after another went overboard-the
shot had gone over first. we cut away the masts, that the ship
would not be so topheavy. Our Coal gave out, for we had steam up
all the time-and all the bulkheads and available parts of the in-
terior of the ship was cut out to make fuel-in all these days &
nights the vessel rolled like a log-first one Wheelhouse, then the
other under water, it was unsafe to be on deck without fastening
yourself to something. every moment it looked as if the next
would upset the ship or nock her to pieces. I was dreadful sea sick
and felt quite indifferent to the danger[.] The morning of the 5th
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903, periodical, 1903; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101028/m1/127/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.