Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-12-14
From the New Haven Register.
Another Grace Darling.

The recent courageous ana even desperate act
of Capt Brooks, keeper Of the Faulkncrs Island
Light House. in rcscuing the captain. his wife and
crew, from a wreck, in Long Island Sound. deser-
yes more thnn passing notice. II will be remem-
bered that Faulkner's Island itself is more than
two miles from land, aud that its ony inhabitants
are the keeper of the lighthouse and his family.
Cant 0. n. Brooks The wreck lay upon Goose
Island, some two miles from this; but Capt Brooks
could see, with his glass, the persons in the rig
cing, and the sea lashed into unusual fury max
ing breach high over its decks, and threatening
instant destruction. II was too sad sight for
the brave man to endure; and provided he
was hy. Government with nothing but small
salbiat, to go between the island and the
mainland he would have been fully justified in
leaving them TO a fate horrible TO think Of. His
wife was on shore, and he alone with his fam
ily Of little children but telling them Of the peril
he was about to assume fearful peril from
which he might never return--hc kissed them
and calling upon Col to protect them and bless
his cndeayor, lac jumped into his frail skill,
and stccred boldly into the storm and the bill
lows.
Those on board saw the attempt. and even in
their agony wondered at his bodncss, predicted
its failure aud grieved At what they considered an
u..rrcGssary sacrifice. But still the brave man.
RELYING upon Providence, kept up his heart and
hopes and although every wave threatened him
with destruction. he reached ut last the wreck and
= hailed the despondng crew with words of cheer.
by the most 81 llfu management of his bat now
shooting past. Hnd~eacc over the very wreck IL
self, he at last managed 'tspick them off one ut
tire and then turned for tre>shor But it was
only by constant mailing and trr,aendous efforts
that tho boat wa, kept above water, and AT last
reached the Island, with its innatcSf Nhausted.
and nearly dead Nh hGngcr and cxpn>ir". Ga
thu shore waiting G,r their father. Me lite
children Of Captain Brooks, who with tenrs and
.-scrcamS NJ joy. saw the boat tossed violently
nPfr~<Le LAM by the angry waves. with its
nycrtaskc1~ II rescued mariners. <>Nyho were
Immediately tanSl1TTrfr~ 4,gtth6use residence
AMI made ,yrlcomc ami comfortable
4 ge<sEman familiar with the circumstances
-rrr n with the dangers Of lie sea, assures
tia, it wa, the most daring feat he ever read Of.
that the bpni Na4 entirely uni FOR such service,
ard that nothing bat untIyallrl coulncss Great
skill a, Il altman, AMI the hand of Pro, idenee
over al. maze the cifart successful, Captain i.
tae,yh 1t NJ least an equal chance that h. should
he lost; thengh with a proper HE or surf boat. Lee
wou'tr-t have A">ttarl an instant about going 10
the wreck Wien hc it,t liscNrrei the danger and
A,..L..@4frrf saAc the>isl, OF the tle grlthc cap
-iaa'o child ef three ycafs--whe fell from his cX-
hnu,tcd arms in,o the sea- ~lali an honr before
Clpt Il. reached the wreck. W. have known Capt.
Brooks for several years rs ul,r II the most faith
!nen in the Lssts+tr~nsc service, antmeans will be
taken t~c.lll the attention Of the Governmemt to
lbs merits. and hope HAT they may b&. provided
with Il boat suitable Tor the kind If SERVICE he Is
50 frequently called upon to enter. There AoulI-
be nl>o nj such au cxpuScl pout, ASST VIZ
keeper for had Mr. Brooks hccnl,.-t in histH NJ
To save the crew or this .pssei there would have.
been missing to the marinrrn bong Island Sound
on that nighbttr eyer-steady beacon light of Fanl
lncr's Island. II ever hero deserved the public
iewpt1 OF bravery, that man is Oliver \. Brooks,
,he Military watcher On IL sea ,rt island. 1852