Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-29


we have little more than Ell or e. head, which
the receiver Of wreck gets us from the board of
trade" rr.s "a
"Well, George, you have given me something
TO think of, and now perhaps it will be better
to turn in for an hour OF two. I'll be at the
ietty in time in the morning. Good night"
Then, deeming it the best plan to follow my
own advice, | first arranged the contents of
Georges bundle ready for use, and very quick
ly after dropped into the arms Of Morpheus,
knowing no more till loud knocking at my
bedroom door reused me up, when Boots enter
cd with light and a cup Of hot coffee
was soon dressed in my borrowed clothes.
Imprims, thick blue Guernsey frock over my
ordinary under clothing, next to that heavy
coat of pilot cloth, being incased in trousers of
thick pilot cloth, with 0veralls of coarse wors-
ted, and over them heavy grained leather boots
reaching to the thigh, a strong sou'wester, COW
ering neck and ears, being tied close under my
chin.
felt like moving mountain as stumped
down stairs with such weight of clothing on,
and passing thought suggested that, should
fall overheard, no human power could save me.
Ughl what gust of wind was that, as, issu-
ing from the door into which appeared for the
moment an abyss OF darkness, | staggered on
towards the jetty, on reaching which found
George and his mates waiting; and getting into
the boat we were soon on board the smack,
when went below with one of the crew while
she was being got under way.
The Sally was fine vessel of about fifty tons
burden, and possessing an amount of personal
accommodation such as never expected to find
in one of her class; for her cabin would hold
nearly dozen people with ease and comfort,
and besides the broad seats at each side over
the lockers, on which were laid heaps of rough
dry clothing, there was roomy stove, securely
fixed containing fire Just lit, and fitted with
a waterbOiler, showing that creature comforts
were not quite unprovided for, nor, as | subse-
quently found, by any means unnecessary.
We were not long in getting under way, and
though with sails close reefed, bowled on in
comparatively smooth water at a splendid rate,
in company with three other smacks, bound, as
| was told, on a similar speculative expedition.
Gliding through a perfect lane of anchored
ships which had put in for shelter, whose nod
ding light blinking the darkness caused strange
and somewhat weird effect, we soon cleared the
harbOr, when, with plunge that threw some
thing more than spray from stem to stern, our
trusty craft felt the full force of wind and sea,
then bounded forward like high mettled racer
just loOsened from his tetber, and l felt sym
pathy that made the blood course quickly
through my veins.
Now on this track, then on that, we fought
our way along, till, on reaching to windward of
the first most dangerous sand, the gale increas-
ing to hurricane, we lay to.
None went below, and amidst the bowling
gale and roaring OF the angry sea, which seemed
dashed into perfect fury, we each held on and
mutely watched for signals oil distress from any
vessel within range of sight. 1t was just day.
break, when a sudden squall of binding snow
and hail swept swiftly over us, like a huge white
pail suspended by an evil angel, which for a
time hid everything from sight.
At last it clears, and daylight opens up to
view a signal of distress from small vessel
stranded on the sand some distance off. No
time was lost. With sheets hauled taut, away
Al l11..t Cd d., 81.
ever and anon almost buried herself in the heavy
sea, onward we sped, race for life; for it was
soon clear to our experienced crew that the
stranded vessel could not long hold together,
with the waves leaping clean over her as if they
longed to sweep away the Shipwrecked crew,
whom we could just see clinging to the rigging
as last resort, and doubtless praying that help
might come.
"See, there's anotherp shouted one of our
crew; and sure enough, there was a large full
rugged ship flying signal of distress, and, of
the two, nearer than the schooner, though on u
different tack. She would be something like IL
prize
George, who was at the tiller, gave the stran-
ded shipbut mOmentaFy glance, and made no
remark.
Come, George" urged two or three almost
together, don't let us lose such chance as we've
not had for many day; bear down to the big
ship first and take the other after
1t was no slight temptation certainly. Here,
close at hand, was a prize worth thousands,
with comparatively little risk; there, bare hu-
man life to be saved, probably at the risk Of
their own, and little or nothing to be got by it
in the way of reward.
George stood it like a rock, as with set teeth
he said.
"No, mates, mol Be men; we may want help
ourselves some day; We'll take our chance for
the big ship by and by. Look, at yonder poor
fellows clinging to the rigging of that schooner;
they see us making for them, and we are near
ing fast. We've had many a cruise together,
mates, and never yet passed by drowning crew,
nor will we now, so let us keep our course"
No more was said, and our little bark dashed
madly on as though she sympathized with her
noble-hearted master, and was eager to be there.
Methought there's many so-called virtuous
man on shore who would not pass so clearly
through such temptation as these poor men have
done at the instance of one determined honest
hearted man among them!
At last we reached the spot as near as prudence
would permit without stranding our own little
craft, and was glad to see two other smacks
approaching. We were not bit too soon. The
doomed vessel had taken dangerous list to lee
ward with the rising tide, and the waves, dash
ing clean over her, threatened each moment to
sweep away the exhausted crew, who were cling
ing to the rigging.
The boat was quickly launched, and manned
by George (whO took the lead) with four others
of our crew. Sturdily they pulled through the
dreadful surf, each moment in peril of being
beached or swamped.
They reach the wreck at last, and bringing
their boat under the overhanging masts, two of
the shipwrecked crew drop into her from the
rigging. EXultant l shout, when, o hOrriblel a
huge wave with terrific force throws the doomed
ship entirely on her beam ends, burrying the
hapless boat and her noble crew under her spars
and rigging.
To swim with their heavy boots and load of
clothing would be utterly impossible; when, to
my intense, though but momentary relief, see
they have succeeded in clinging TO the rigging,
save one, and that was George. o, where was
he, the nobest of them all? To look on help
lesSly and be unable to render any aid was mad
dening. o, that we could get near enough to
throw Incl But it was quite obvious that to
approach nearer than we were would only have
added another wreck and useless sacrifice of life.
Hurrahl the other two smacks are up; they see
it all; out go their boats, and straining every
nerve, the gallant fellows pull furiously to the
rescue. 1t was a race for life indeed and noble
ran. They reach her simultaneously.
BreathlesSly look on. A moments panse
takes place. It's clear they cannot close on the
wreck as, when surging in che boiling sea, her
spars and rigging would swamp them both.
They have it! Pulling to the weather-side,
they hail the shipwrecked men, whom | now
see diyesting themselves of their heavy clothing
as fast as circumstances would permit, and
watching their opportunity, as the waves rose
and fell line from each boat was thrown
across the surging ship, to which man made
himself fast and was quickly drawn through
the raging surf into one or other of the boats,
till all were in like manner gathered in. All /!
alas that / should have to say it, not all; poor
George was for moment seen entangled in a
sail beyond all human aid, and then he disap-
peared. 1t was, indeed, a saddening sight never
to be forgotten; but others, including ourselves,
were still in danger, and at such time regret
full thought must be lost in action.
We soon received on board our own rescued
men and two Of the shipwrecked crew, the re-
mainder being divided between the two other
smacks. The doomed ship Immediately after
went to pieces, and the gale, as if satiated with
its victim, now sensibly abating, it was useless
remaining longer on the fatal spot; so we lost
no time in making sail for home with our near
ly exhausted crew, passing the tempting big
ship (now in other hands) without word,
almost without a thought.
II was a relief to go below and find that
could be of some use now, for one of the ship
wrecked crew was all but gone, and for some
time required unceasing attention, such as
could bestow, while a portion of our crew as
sisted their disabled comrades. Warm, dry
clothing, hot coffee and provisions were soon
produced, ard it did ones heart good to see the
kindness shown by these rough men to one an
other, especially to the nearly drowned mana
foreigner who could not speak word of English
All got somewhat to rights by the time we
ha har n