Fresh Bread
July 12
Shortly after breakfast a sail was sighted off the starboard bow. It was the "Mary Winkleman" from Honolulu with a cargo of sugar. The waves were quite high so it was not safe to board her for dinner but the captain lowered a few loafs of bread much to the pleasure of Voss and Luxton.
A Leaky Boat
August 12
There appeared to be a leak on board and Voss and Luxton had kept busy bailing. Much to their horror they discovered it was a leak but not in the boat. It was a leak in one of the water tanks and they had been baling fresh water overboard. The tank was all but empty now and the other only 1/2 full. Rationing was begun to save what they had and they prayed for rain.
A Strange Visit
August 18
Now according to Luxton they were not making much headway and rations were getting low. They experienced the doldrums, which meant no wind. It was on Luxton's watch that he suddenly saw an image of an old friend "George Grieves" who Luxton had known in Winnipeg. The image communicated to Luxton that he should "make sail at once". Then the apparition disappeared. Luxton did not want to argue with such a formidable guest and immediately pulled up the sea anchor and hoisted all the sales. He also hoisted every shirt and towel he could find. For the first time in a long time the wind came up and in the next 3 days they made from 100-170 miles a day. The best distance the Tilikum had every made. (George Grieves died 3 days before he appeared on the deck of the Tilikum).
August 22
The last of the sea biscuits (bread) are gone and the water is rationed. One cup per day is allowed to sponge there bodies and liquid is obtained from the last remaining tins of peas and tomatoes.
August 27
The food is now gone and there is less than 1 gallon of water left. Voss figures Penrhyn Island is less than 3 days away. He is wrong......
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