Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-17
Calls aud Sketthes.
GOING ASHORE.

and in arf an hour, if she amt on Bland
Sands, I'm Dutchman."
Nv companion was no native of dam
land. for there was Briton written in every
feature of his bronze red face, as he stood
by me in Baythrope shore, in his canvas
trousers, heavy fishers boots, blue Jer-
sey shirt, and tarpauiin hat, tied on with
a bit OF oakum band, while the flap be-
hind beat about in the tremendous wind
that was raging in our faces.
Bang" went the dull. smothered re-
port of "a heavy gun, and in the shade of
the coming night Just caught sight of a
faint flash of light. Where we stood, the
spray came rushing in like a heavy storm
of rain: while the whistling of the wind,
and the laundering in Of the huge rollers
as they ycurled over and over upon the
stud tearing it out from among the clay,
and scrapng it away by tons, made stand
ing in the face of such storm extremely
confusing: and yet hundreds were out
upon the shore close under the great sand
bank, drenched to the skin with the spray,
for the news had spread through the vii
laee that threemaster was going ashore.
Going ashore! Simple words to a lands
mans ears but what do they mean? The
noble vessel tearing and plunging through
the broken water-now down in the trough
of the waves, now rising like cork upon
the white crests, and then Il shock as she
strikes upon the sand, and seems immove-
able a shuddcring quiver through plank
and beam and then crash crash-mast
after mast gone by the board-snapped
like brittle twigs on dead stem; while
huge ropes part like burned twine; then
the rising of the apparently immovable
vessel, as she is lifted by the waves to fall
crashing again upon the sands. parting
in the middle rushing pillows pouring
tuns upon tuns of water over the the deck !;
a wild, wild cry for help; and then the
shore strewed with fragments, casks,
bodies, as the merciless waves sport with
them, tossing them on TO the sands, and
then curling over TO drag them back.
Going ashore; not safely from a wild
storm, but death.
"Ah,n said the old salt by my side,
shouting at me with his hand to his mouth,
"did yer hear that gum
| nodded.
There goes another he continued,
stretching out his hand, and pointing to
where the flash could be seen, while di-
rectly after came another dull, heavy re-
port. Can't yer see her now, sir?"
Mine were not sea going eyes; and it
was no easy task to make out a distant OBJ
iect through the binding storm of spray
which beat dead in my face; but | just
managed to make out a dark mass right
amongst the boiling waves, and shudder-
ed as | thought of the fate of them on
board
.She must come to it, said the man
''she IL come to it just there" and he
pointed to spot amongst the waves
where they seemed toughest; 'shell be
there in less time than said; and then,
Lord have mercy upon EN-. Amen ~
As he said this, the old man reverently
took off his tarpaulin sou-wester, and
stood with the storm tearing through the
remains of his grizzly hair; ball. rugged
and weather beaten, the coarseness OF his
features seemed for the moment subdued
-soitened by the feeling within his breast
AS he stood there in no apt represents
ton Of Il seer OF old
'Is there no chance for them ?" / shout
ed.
The old man shook his head and
shrugged his shoulders. Precious lit
tie. " he said. 'unless them chaps come
down with the life boat; but who'd &C
out ?"
1t did look desperate venture, indeed
to attempt to launch boat with such sea
on, and having no reply, | stood shading
my eyes and looking out to sea.
"Bang!
There was another flash, and another
dull, echoless report, and as the veil OF
spray seemed to clear during lul in the
storm, could perceive large three
masted vessel about five hundred yards
from the shore and once as she keeled
over, and showed her de "a, | could see
that it was crowded with people"
God help them," | muttered.
"Amen - said the man; and just then
away to our fort, we saw the life-tbat car
riage coming down at Il trot, drawn by
two stout horses; while q loud and pro-
longed "hurray!" welcomed its arrival
as another flash, and its following heavy
report, seemed to come from the doomed
vessel like a groan OF pain in its hour o
sore distress.
They'll never go out to her." said tht
old man, shouting in my ear. for after th'
lull, the storm came down with redoublet
lury-the wind shrieking and bowling
past, cutting the crests of the waves OFT a:
it came tearing over the hill of the waters
and dashing the salt spray in my face til
it almost seemed to cut my flesh; while
at times the women who had come dowf
were completely held back against the
steep bandkank.
"There! look there!" cried the old man
suddenly seizing my arm.-"Catehing a
straws. Why, there's a boat-load coming
ashore. There; don't you see--now tol
o. that breaker" ?"
caught sight of small boat crowded
with figures, and there seemed to be n tai
wave curl over it, and saw it no more,
Gone " said the old man; Il knowc'
it, Nothing could live in such storm. '
Lets go to the liie-boat, and see
they are going off," said !; but the OLE
man was intently gazing out to sea:
There; just as / said he shouted
hoarsely, 'just in the place. She's struck.
And then, above the yelling Of the storm
we could hear crash. and a wild shrek
that seems to ring through me now upo1
Il stormy night, when far inland listen t
the bowling wind.
"Its now or never!, said the old man
as he ran down towards where the life
boat stood upon its carriage, with a crow