Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-09-01
From Chambers Journal.
THE FISHERS WIDOW

10 the early part of November, 1874, during
one Of those short but violent gales Of such lre-
quent occurrence on the northeast coast of Scot.
land, an event took place which is unhappily so
common on our stormy shores as to create but a
passing sensation, unless circumstances arise to
bring it more Immediately under our view. The
facts were these:
Early in the morning. boat manned by five
of the "fisher lolk' of -, father and four
sons, went two or three miles out to sea, in pur-
suance of their constant occupation after the
close Of the herring SeaSon-fshinr for had
dock, whiting, &c. There was a srifr breeze
blowing from the norhwest-bul such as these
hardy men have so frequently to encounter, as
TO be rendered often too careless Of its danger
and nothing appeared to threaten a storm
However, with the sun, as is frequently the case,
rose the wind; and with the wind, in a space of
time incredibly short 10 those who had witness
ed it, rose The wild waves, rolling in with deaf
enlng sound upon the iron-bound coast, which
speedily became encircled by belt of white
surf, reaching many yards out from the shore,
and amid which it was impossible for a boat 10
live. The fishers perceived the change in the
weather, and differed in opinion as to the course
they should adopt. Some were for remaining
on the open sea, where, unless the storm became
very severe, they were in comparative safety;
but the old father and his youngest and favorite
son urged their immediate return, as the season
was too far advanced to permit of any certain
reliance on the various prognostics, so well
known to the fishers of the coast, which seem
ed to announce that the gale would have but a
short duration. Their counsel carried the dav,
for all loved and respected their father; aud the
young George, the only one of the brothers who
had wife and children, represented that it was
due 10 the helpless ones dependent on him to
Iun no avodable risk. So the boats head was
turned 10 land, and the furious gale urged her
OnwarGS with fearful speed. Yet to this the har-
dy men were well accustomed; and they guided
her safely, so as 10 avoid the breaking waters
Il they reached the entrance of the bay in
which the town of - is situated, and which
by this time presented an appalling spectacle in
deed 10 those who knew their only chance of
life lay through those furious and loamng wa
ters,
Sill they held on their course, and the luIe
vessel rode gallant!y; five minutes more oftheir
swift and perilous career, and the harbor would
have been gained. But it was not so to be-
Rapidly they neared dark and dangerous reef
of rocks in the middle of the bay. Vainly were
strength, and skill, and energy exered 10 turn
the little vessel from the fearful barrier ahead;
the whole force of the Northern Ocean. in its
widest mood, was opposed TO their efforts; a
mighty wave carried them almost on to the reef
and as the bark keeled over on the returning
surge, another and another swept into her: one
smothered Strickland she is gone!
Those on shore-oh, = with what beating hoarts
had watched the gallant but unequal struggle;
and now wild scream arose from many voices
and above all was heard the desparing cry of
the young wile-so soon to be wdow-as she
sank nsensible on the shore. Bul the boat RI
ses!-she has righled! No: she rises indeed,
but keel uppermost and where are they. so late
ly strainlng every manly snew, and flushed with
the struggle for dear life! Twice the waves
carry under the devoted bark; but she rises a.
gain; and oh! this time there are living forms
Clinglng TO her keel! and three strong men are
seen supporting their helpless and insensible old
father. By this time a small boat, manned by
two nobIe-hearted fellows, who have ventured in
the face of almost certain death, in the hope of
rescuing their comrades, has nearcd them; the
waves, toe, seem pausing to contemplate their
work of destruction. There is a momcntary
rescued are placed in the little boat by their de-
llverers, the old man 10 all appearance corpse.
But where is the fiflh--the youngest born-the
pride of his fathers heart! Alas! in vain do
me gallant fellows linger among the foaming
breakers all every hope has fed and their own
nui'heh' danger forces them from the spot
lie Is gone; and when the speedily. y.subsidingwa-
ters (or the storm did not last above four hours)
permitted search TO be made for the boat a
corpse was found, wrapped in the sail as IN a
wndng-sheet:: He had evidently made a GAL
liant struggle Tor HE; for clasp-knie was found
clenched in his dying grasp, and the sail was
partly ripped open; but its deadly folds had en-.
circled him too firmly, and the choking waters
did the rest.
heard amentabe account of the despair
of the poor young widow, thus deprived of the
companion other life, ard the sole means Of sup
port for herself and her three infants, and was
anxious 10 visit her; but my trusty Jean, whom