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19 August.--The sequel to the strange arrival of the derelict in the storm last night is almost more startling than the
2thing itself. It turns out that the schooner is a Russian from Varna, and is called the Demeter. She is almost entirely
3in ballast of silver sand, with only a small amount of cargo--a number of great wooden boxes filled with mould. This
4cargo was consigned to a Whitby solicitor, Mr. S. F. Billington, of 7, The Crescent, who this morning went aboard and
5formally took possession of the goods consigned to him. The Russian consul, too, acting for the charter-party, took
6formal possession of the ship, and paid all harbour dues, etc. Nothing is talked about here to-day except the strange
7coincidence; the officials of the Board of Trade have been most exacting in seeing that every compliance has been made
8with existing regulations. As the matter is to be a "nine days' wonder," they are evidently determined that there shall
9be no cause of after complaint. A good deal of interest was abroad concerning the dog which landed when the ship struck,
10and more than a few of the members of the S. P. C. A., which is very strong in Whitby, have tried to befriend the
11animal. To the general disappointment, however, it was not to be found; it seems to have disappeared entirely from the
12town. It may be that it was frightened and made its way on to the moors, where it is still hiding in terror. There are
13some who look with dread on such a possibility, lest later on it should in itself become a danger, for it is evidently a
14fierce brute. Early this morning a large dog, a half-bred mastiff belonging to a coal merchant close to Tate Hill Pier,
15was found dead in the roadway opposite to its master's yard. It had been fighting, and manifestly had had a savage
16opponent, for its throat was torn away, and its belly was slit open as if with a savage claw. Later.--By the kindness of
17the Board of Trade inspector, I have been permitted to look over the log-book of the Demeter, which was in order up to
18within three days, but contained nothing of special interest except as to facts of missing men. The greatest interest,
19however, is with regard to the paper found in the bottle, which was to-day produced at the inquest; and a more strange
20narrative than the two between them unfold it has not been my lot to come across. As there is no motive for concealment,
21I am permitted to use them, and accordingly send you a rescript, simply omitting technical details of seamanship and
22supercargo. It almost seems as though the captain had been seized with some kind of mania before he had got well into
23blue water, and that this had developed persistently throughout the voyage. Of course my statement must be taken cum
24grano, since I am writing from the dictation of a clerk of the Russian consul, who kindly translated for me, time being
25short. LOG OF THE "DEMETER." Varna to Whitby. Written 18 July, things so strange happening, that I shall keep accurate
26note henceforth till we land. On 6 July we finished taking in cargo, silver sand and boxes of earth. At noon set sail.
27East wind, fresh. Crew, five hands ... two mates, cook, and myself (captain). On 11 July at dawn entered Bosphorus.
28Boarded by Turkish Customs officers. Backsheesh. All correct. Under way at 4 p. m. On 12 July through Dardanelles. More
29Customs officers and flagboat of guarding squadron. Backsheesh again. Work of officers thorough, but quick. Want us off
30soon. At dark passed into Archipelago. On 13 July passed Cape Matapan. Crew dissatisfied about something. Seemed scared,
31but would not speak out. On 14 July was somewhat anxious about crew. Men all steady fellows, who sailed with me before.
32Mate could not make out what was wrong; they only told him there was something, and crossed themselves. Mate lost temper
33with one of them that day and struck him. Expected fierce quarrel, but all was quiet. On 16 July mate reported in the
34morning that one of crew, Petrofsky, was missing. Could not account for it. Took larboard watch eight bells last night;
35was relieved by Abramoff, but did not go to bunk. Men more downcast than ever. All said they expected something of the
36kind, but would not say more than there was something aboard. Mate getting very impatient with them; feared some trouble
37ahead. On 17 July, yesterday, one of the men, Olgaren, came to my cabin, and in an awestruck way confided to me that he
38thought there was a strange man aboard the ship. He said that in his watch he had been sheltering behind the deck-house,
39as there was a rain-storm, when he saw a tall, thin man, who was not like any of the crew, come up the companion-way,
40and go along the deck forward, and disappear. He followed cautiously, but when he got to bows found no one, and the
41hatchways were all closed. He was in a panic of superstitious fear, and I am afraid the panic may spread. To allay it, I
42shall to-day search entire ship carefully from stem to stern. Later in the day I got together the whole crew, and told
43them, as they evidently thought there was some one in the ship, we would search from stem to stern. First mate angry;
44said it was folly, and to yield to such foolish ideas would demoralise the men; said he would engage to keep them out of
45trouble with a handspike. I let him take the helm, while the rest began thorough search, all keeping abreast, with
46lanterns: we left no corner unsearched. As there were only the big wooden boxes, there were no odd corners where a man
47could hide. Men much relieved when search over, and went back to work cheerfully. First mate scowled, but said nothing.
4822 July.--Rough weather last three days, and all hands busy with sails--no time to be frightened. Men seem to have
49forgotten their dread. Mate cheerful again, and all on good terms. Praised men for work in bad weather. Passed Gibralter
50and out through Straits. All well. 24 July.--There seems some doom over this ship. Already a hand short, and entering on
51the Bay of Biscay with wild weather ahead, and yet last night another man lost--disappeared. Like the first, he came off
52his watch and was not seen again. Men all in a panic of fear; sent a round robin, asking to have double watch, as they
53fear to be alone. Mate angry. Fear there will be some trouble, as either he or the men will do some violence. 28
54July.--Four days in hell, knocking about in a sort of maelstrom, and the wind a tempest. No sleep for any one. Men all
55worn out. Hardly know how to set a watch, since no one fit to go on. Second mate volunteered to steer and watch, and let
56men snatch a few hours' sleep. Wind abating; seas still terrific, but feel them less, as ship is steadier. 29
57July.--Another tragedy. Had single watch to-night, as crew too tired to double. When morning watch came on deck could
58find no one except steersman. Raised outcry, and all came on deck. Thorough search, but no one found. Are now without
59second mate, and crew in a panic. Mate and I agreed to go armed henceforth and wait for any sign of cause. 30
60July.--Last night. Rejoiced we are nearing England. Weather fine, all sails set. Retired worn out; slept soundly; awaked
61by mate telling me that both man of watch and steersman missing. Only self and mate and two hands left to work ship. 1
62August.--Two days of fog, and not a sail sighted. Had hoped when in the English Channel to be able to signal for help or
63get in somewhere. Not having power to work sails, have to run before wind. Dare not lower, as could not raise them
64again. We seem to be drifting to some terrible doom. Mate now more demoralised than either of men. His stronger nature
65seems to have worked inwardly against himself. Men are beyond fear, working stolidly and patiently, with minds made up
66to worst. They are Russian, he Roumanian. 2 August, midnight.--Woke up from few minutes' sleep by hearing a cry,
67seemingly outside my port. Could see nothing in fog. Rushed on deck, and ran against mate. Tells me heard cry and ran,
68but no sign of man on watch. One more gone. Lord, help us! Mate says we must be past Straits of Dover, as in a moment of
69fog lifting he saw North Foreland, just as he heard the man cry out. If so we are now off in the North Sea, and only God
70can guide us in the fog, which seems to move with us; and God seems to have deserted us.
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