Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-08-03
GOING ASHORE.

The boat was soon launched and every
man at his post, the father Of thetwo lads
taking his place by the side of the cox
swain; for no amount Of pursuation on eth
er side could efecs a change. .@ ''' "'
There was another cheer, rising above
the storm, and again the gallant crew we're
launched into the surf that seemed to curl
around the boat as though to fill it in an
instant. Itrose and fell, dark mass amid
the white fosm for an instant and then
seemed to plunge into a bank of foggy
blackness, for night had fallen. ''7.. <e'','
/ could not drag myself away from the
stirring scene around me, for l seemed
held to the spot by strange fascination.
All at once Iurid light shot up, for a
quantity of straw had been set on fire, and
the flames roared and cracked as dry sea
weed and pieces Of wood were heaped up
to increase the glare, which appeared to
gid the crests of the waves, and threw in
to bold relief the figures on the sands
some gazing out to sea; some watching
eagerly the fringe of breakers, ready to
rush down and secure anything that might
be washed ashore from the wreck.
. More straw was hesped upon the fire,
and the flames and sparks rushed inland,
as they rose with the mighty current Of
air, and darted across the sand-banks.-
Outseaward all seemed black darkness,
and the ewes strained after the. life-bost
were, for while, strained in vain. ..r.....
All at once there was cry of "Here
she comes" but it vas prolonged into a
wild will of despair; for by the light from
the fire, the boat could be seen broadside
on, and close to the shore; and then, af-
ter tossing about for a moment she was
dashed, bottom upwards, upon the sand
= There was rush to aid the men strug.
Cling in the surf. Some were dragged
ashore :. some scrambled unaided from the
water: while more than one was sucked
back by the uudertow, but the life-beltc
they wore kept them aAoat; and at last,
more or less hurt, the whole crew wa;
ashore, three being carried up to the vii
lage insensible.
/ learned that about half way to the
vessel the steersman's oar had snapped il
two, and the boat fell into the trough o
the sea; when, in their efforts to right
her, a couple more blades were broken; a
wave swept over them and washed two
men from their seats, but they regainet
their places: and then, with the dread o
death upon them, the boat became un
manageable in their hands; for in spite o
the efforts of the old coxswain the mel
appeared pauic-stricken, and rowed at ran
dom. ann ,-.s.,-.t. .,ftt, .r,.sSy
The light that then glared upon the shore
now showed that. it was completely strewr
with wreck, and looked with horror up
on the various signs which SO plainly dis
closed the fate Of the good ship. Spar
plank, beam and cask, entangled with
rope, were being churned over and over il
the sand, and twice saw something drag.
eed ashore and carried away, which sent
a shudder through my frame. ~ ag
ID AT last, heartsick and weary, | turned
away, inquired where the crew of the boat
were, and who had suffered; when, to my
sorrow, learned that the only one serious
" injured was old Marks, who had so gal
lantly set the example that eyening--ar
example which had resulted in the saving
of fifteen poor creatures from watery
grave. .fr
On entering the village soon fount
where the old man had been conveyed
and few minutes after | was at the bed
side Of the sufferer ! found him sensible
but with a change in his countenance tha
no amount of pain or suffering alone would
have placed there. He was quite calm
and smiled as | entered.
..Has she gone to pieces" he whispered
stopping to wipe the blood away tha
oozed from his lips. =
=. II fear so" l replied; "the shore is
strewed with wreck"
81 knowed she would, he gasped.-
g Poor things, poor things! How many
did we bring ashore Z"
] told him fifteen. r, ID. +.
"Ahm he groaned, +" not enough, no
enough" I'd" aa
"But it was most gallant act" | said
sand more would have been saved but fol
the accident. Where are you hurt! i
is not serious, | hope!" 81 a't
''Serious," he whispered, and then,
with smile, +" No; it amt serious. Fm
the only one hurt; and my times up long
ago-four years and more. So it AIM
serious" .....---. .'-,.--.,...
"where are you hhrt!' / said.
cribs all crushed" he whispered. 81
was under the gunwale of the boat; and
its all over. | could see it in the doctors
look"
A gush of blood stopped his utteranee
and | dared not whisper the comfort
could not feel. so s'ao-a7si' 'rs
ats all right, sir" he whispered after
living with his eyes closed for about hal
an hour-'it's all right, and an old tai
couldn't die better than doin' his duty.
never thought to, but | always felt as !
should like to die in harness, as they say
and SO 1 shall; {; but l wish there had beer
more. f.ti5'- t"9 ~ q. - '''a' D'tit
e "More whatw =.
E "More saved" he whispered, ''YeI
see I've been afore now in action, and the
Almighty only knows how many souls Fy'
cut off; and | should like to feel sure a
I'd saved more than l did for-thats all
Perhaps they might so, in the scale tC
balance the bad" asa,rua ,aT
"But you did it all as a part of you
duty?"
+ dAh!r' he whispered, "duty. Yes
sailors should do their duty; and felt j
was mine, tonight to go. We old men
o'-war's men were trained to answer to
call in calm or storm; and when lives wer
at stake tonight I felt that / was called
and hope did my duty. VIII you ssl