The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-01-05
A Heroic Aot-Another Grace Darling

~ r W
The secent courageous and even des-
perate act of Capt. Brooks, keeper of the
Faulkner's Island light in rescuing the
captain, bis wife aud crew, from wreck
in Long Island Sound deserves more than
passing notice. 1t win be remembered
that Faulkner's Island itself. is more than
two miles from the laad, and that its only !.
inhabitants are the keeper of the light. !.
house and his family, Capt, Oliver N,
Brooks. The wreck lay upon ssGoosc IL.
land some two miles from this; but C.pt,
Brooks could see, with his glass, the per.
sons in the rigging and the sea lashed int,
unusual fry. making 4 breach over ia
decks, and threatening instant destruction.
1t was too sad aightfori the brave ma6fs
to endurea and provided as he yasbyIg0v-
ernment with nothing but small sail boat
TO go between the Island and the maiu
land. he would hare been fully justified in
leaving them to fate too horrible to think
|of .s.''-- @
His wife Was on shore and he was alone
with his family of little children and ,tel0
ling them Of the peril that he was about
Ito assume-a fearful peril, from which he !,
might never return-he kissed them, aud
calling upon God to protect them, and
blessed his eudeavor, he jumped into bio :
frail skiff, and steered boldly into the stores I
and the billows. Those on board saw
the attempt and even in their agony won.
dered at its boldness predicted its failure,
and grieved at what they considered III
unnecessary sacrifice. But sstill the brave
man. relying upon providence, kept mp. his
heart and hopes, although every wavs.
threatened him with destruction be reach4
ed at last the wreck, and hailed the des..
lponding crew with, words oficcheefs9 by
most skillful management, Of hissboat nuiS
shooting past. and once over the. ysrya
wreck itself, he managed at last 10 pick
them of one at a time, aud then turned
for the Shore. But it was Only BY con-
stsut bailing and tremendous efforts that
the boat was kept above water and atlast
reached the island with its inmates exhans.
tied and nearly dead with hunger and ex.
lposare. tcse 2 = s'
On the shore waiting for their father,
we're the little children of Capt Brooky,
who with tears and screams of Joy, ssW
the boat tossed violently upon the lsad
by the angry waves. with its oveytsSksd
load of rescued mariners, who were i'm.
mediately transferred to the lighthouse
residence, and made welcome ssnds com.
Portable. A, gentleman familiar with The
circumstances, and also with the dangers
4 Of the sea, assures rs that Il was the. most
daring fsat'he ever read Of: that the boat
was entirely unfit for such service, and
nothing but unrivaled GOODNESS, great SKIN
as q bostman and the hand of Providencs
over all made the effort successful. Capt
Brooks thought it at least an equal chance
THAT he should be lost, though. with :
lproper life or surf.bost he would not havs
hesitated an instant about going 30 the
4 wreck. when he FIRST discovered the dam
ger, and might have saved the life Of the
little girl-the captains child, Of three
.Iyear--which fell from his exhausted arms
into tho sea, half an hour before Capt
!, Brooks reached the wreck.--Nne Huss,s
Register -. -. ,i sgf e.rea L