Leaving the Island and Arriving in Santa Barbara

Excerpt from Carl Dittman's memoir, “Narrative of a Seafaring Life on the Coast of California."

… About a month later having secured something over 80 otter skins, & the otter having scattered we started on our return. We had barely left the Island when a gale sprang up so violent that several times we thought we should have to return to the Island. Late in the afternoon however we arrived in safety under the lee of Santa Cruz island & the next morning early reached Santa Barbara. When the gale sprang up after leaving the Island the old woman made signs to us that she was going to stop the wind. Accordingly she got down on her knees & remained so for some time apparently engaged in prayer, & facing in the direction of the wind. This she repeated several time during the day until the storm abated late in the afternoon, when turning to us she made signs that her prayers had been answered. On approaching the beach at Santa Barbara she saw, evidently for the first time, an ox cart & a man on horse back. At first sight of them her delight was unbounded. She laughed & danced, & continued to point at them & talk about them as long as they were in sight.

From the beach we took her to George Nidever’s house where she remained until her death which took place about seven weeks from the time she landed.

• Listen to memories of visit to San Nicolas Island in 1853

  
  

  Carl Dittman describes leaving the island, the trip back to the mainland, and arriving in Santa Barbara.

  Date created:

  10/14/2020