St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-14

l J
daughters lives"
But even if our lives are spared,
the loss of this ship just at this time
would ruin me. IF we are saved it
will be through your coolness and
skill, and | shall then be your debtor
to such an extent that see but one
way to repay you. ! know that my
daughter loves you. believe you to
be worthy Of her, and hereby give
NV c0nsent to your marriage"
calmly, I hope you do not think me
incapable of doing my duty without
hope of reward"
"You mistake me, sir I do not
make you this promise as an incen-
tive to increased exertion, but as an
act of simple justice to you and to my
darling child"
Warner had no time to reply, for
the second mate now advanced and re-
ported that the anchor was ready, and
though the work had been performed
with the utmost dispatch, it was COM
pleted none too soon, for the ship in
the meantime had been rushing at the
speed of a race-horse toward the
breakers, and was now in situation
well calculated to appal the bravest.
All eyes were turned toward War
ner, upon whose skill and steadiness of
nerve their lives depended. His face
was pale at the thought of the awful
responsibility resting upon him but
| fhora xvaS cnuraorn IN bic ava apl tho
rigid contraction of his lips indicated
an iron will that would not finch in
the presence of danger or death.
"Stand by the anchor, Mr.. Gray,
and after it is gone, be in readiness
with an axe to cut away the stops
when give the word" he exclaimed
Main chains there, how much wa
ter had you at the last cast ?"
Eight fathom, sir"
Every well, get another cast as
quick as you can. Come aft here and
clue the mizzen topsail up. Let go
the haIyards, clue the yard down, start
away the lee sheet, haul away the lee
clew lines, let go to the windward,
haul mp the weather clue, haul away
on your buntlines. So--beIay the
mizzen topsail. Now stand by the
main braces (To the helmsmau)
Keep her good full, and let her go
through the water"
These orders We're rapidly given
and obeycd.
"Quartcr less eight !" sung out the
lcad's-man.
Hcave your helm down. cried
Warner. /" Hard lee
This cry was taken up by those in
the waist and echoed from forward
The ship Immediately lnfied up, and
her head sails began to shiver and
spill the wind, Warner watched hen
closely, and as he came head to wind
he cried
Let go the anchor
As the anchor fell, the ship had be-
gun to gather sternway, but when the
thirty fathom of chain had run out, il
checked her with jerk, aud her head
sail being aback she immediately ly be
gan to pay round.
; "Main topsail, haul was Warner.
next command. The men ran away
with the braces, and the heavy yard:
swung round as if they were but play
things. At the quick command, Icac
traces stand by !" the after yards were
Delayed in twinkling, and the men
, ran for'ard.
During this time the ship had beer
almost in the very midst of the foam
, ing breakers, which actually threw
, their spray on deck and the more
timid passengers had closed thcil
eyes to shut out the fearful sight.
"Fore bowline. Let go and haul,
shouted Warner, at the decisive mo
ment, through his trumpet, for tht
roar of the winds and waves was al
. most deafening.
The head yards were hauldel
swiftly round, and braced sharp mp o,
!, the other tack. They instantly filled
but for few moments the ship re
manned stationary, the breakers howl
> ing around her as if furious at the pros
:, pect of losing their prey. Almost i'm
!, perceptibly she gathered headway.
= Cut away the anchor - crie'
Warner, as she began to move.
Down came the second mates broa
q axe upon the stout rope which stoI
Il pered the chain to the bits.
l. The cable fell among the breaker
II and disappeared. and the Cornucopi
5 bounded swiftly away from the dreat
l ed shore.
q The greater peril was now pas
II but still it would be barely touc
/ and go" if the ship rounded the e,
treme point of the reef. Much yet d.
r pended on the skill of the officers an
: the exertions Of the men the brace
e. had scarcely been coiled away whe
IF Warner gave the command to max
IS sail.
T. Come aft here and sheet home tn
% mizen topsail" AS soon as this wa
&c done he continued, Shake the re,
W out of the spanker. Set the mainsai
Mr.. Gray. Three smart hands loos
re the gallant sails. Hoist the inner an
outer jibs."
a These orders We're promptly exec
Of ted the light sails were soon Sc
and when the main tack was taken
yc the capstan and hove aboard, the sh
ul laid down to it till her lee chains wel
al submerged but luckily the wind ha
IL abated somewhat, or she could II
have long carried the increased spre;
an of canvas.
st Shall we go clear or not, sir =:
asked Mr. Lemaire, addressing Wa
ner for the first time since the convt
L." sation before recorded.
go think we shall, sir, but it will
lie close shave. Ten minutes will &
to eide however, and may God help us
and he walked away forward to ia
at up his position on the top gallant foi
castle, which was inundated at eve
'm plunge Of the ship. With some di
es Guilty he reached it and holding ia
We by the windlass bits, fixed his eyes
on the jagged point of the reef.
u Not word was spoken as the 81
,g rapidly approached it, for all knt