Chapter 2
Caution: Readers,
refer to header of Chapter 1 before
continuing.
The Tahmawo, which Rocco pronounced "Tahmaroo", was an old tub.
Posters had advertised that it had "comfortable staterooms of good
variety" but, in fact, the staterooms were only folding bunks in the bowels
of the ship that crashed together in the slightest rough water. The food
was slimy salt pork, sour jerked beef, wormy cheese, hardtack full of weevils,
and "two bugs to every bean." Passengers were not allowed to inspect
their accommodations until after the ship got underway. Then, a riot
ensued! It was a time of great excitement which Rocco enjoyed. But,
he was planning a little surprise himself.
Although he had been required to sign on for the full round-trip voyage, he intended to jump ship at Yerba Buena, and take off for the hills. Unfortunately, because his plans must be kept secret, he had not been able to buy or bring aboard one of those highly-advertised gold digging machines. His other regret of which he was reminded too often, to plague him, was that word from his brother's arrival might not get to the priest. Rocco's friend in Boston was not always reliable. Sometimes he had streaks of cowardice.
The 17,000-mile "voyage" around the southern tip of South America was one of the toughest courses ever run by sailing ships. It alternated between strong gales, heavy seas, shuddering timbers, and salt water smashing across the decks . . . on the one hand. On the other, there were periods when the vessel just sat for days at a time in calm waters. Passengers fearfully complained that the precious gold nuggets in California were all being scooped up by others arriving first. It was all Rocco could do not to join them in their moaning. This was one of the few times in his life, Rocco said later, when he had to keep his mouth shut.
The already crowded conditions became increasingly worse as the ship picked up Chilean, Peruvian, and other miners at every South American port, as well as large numbers of stranded gold seekers at the west coast Mexican ports who had taken the "quicker route" across the Isthmus. They had "missed" their Pacific connections, with transportation already paid for . . . on apparently non-existent ships. With every new passenger coming aboard, the ship settled lower in the water. The crowded decks and swarming hold became more unbearable, and provisions more scarce.
Finally, the Tahmawo sailed through the Golden Gate with all passengers on deck. The crew piled outside and hit the beach, eager for news. "Are we too late?" "Is the gold all gone?" No, no, they were assured. There were nuggets even bigger and riches even greater than they had heard of before. Rocco could not get any of his gear off the ship for he was not willing to take the risk of returning aboard. He need not have worried. Every crewman and officer had jumped ship too. They were all on their way to the gold fields. It was now July 1, 1849, after a five-month voyage.
End of Chapter 2
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