The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-01-18
From the San Francisco Alta. Nov. 9Th.

Captain Hopken's Dream.
From the San Francisco Alta. Nov. 9Th
On the memorable 18th day Of Octo-
Der, when the sail of the wrecked brig
Shelehoff was seen in the distance by the
second mate of the Moses Taylor, this
vessel had drifted long distance out of
her course. The brig appearing to be in
distressed condition. caused Captain Ben
nett to steer to it. The Moses Taylor
approached within twenty feet of. the
wreck, and as the Captain viewed it from
the wheel-house there appeared no sign
of life; indeed, it looked as though no
one could live upon it. His view Of the
brig was complete, the Moses Taylor
standing within the short distance stated
Of the stern, not a soul appeared to be
on board But what mariners term
crows nest rugged in the foretop
cross trees, attracted his eye, and, know
ing its purpose, he concluded that the
bones, at least, Of some lost mariners
might be found there. 1t was construct
ed as place where protection against
the waves might be obtained where
from his elevated position the wrecked
mariners might see and signal friendly
vessel to their assistance. And if the
bones of the mariner remained not, then
clue might be obtained as to who the
Captain, crew and passengers we're
some record which might be Of use, or
bring tidings to some home of the fate
of a lost one. The waves dashed furi
ously over the brig; her stern was car
ried away. and through the opening the
water rushed with the same fury. Her
bow alone, or part Of it, was not touched
by the waves; and here the Captain saw
small piece of canvas, and his manly
instinct prompted the notion that there
might bo purchance some one there.
The passengers viewed the wreck with
concern and anxiety, but so improbable
did 1t appear that living soul should be
there that they urged the Captain 20
proceed, and not waste time boarii it.
Ihe weak mariner may act on sugges-
ton of this kind, but Captain Bennett
shrank from the idea of abandoning an
unexp!ored wreck-from the idea that he
failed to discharge noble duty, from the
feeling, however faint, that he might
have saved the life of one human being,
and that he did not make any effort to
do so. lie at once ordered the second
mate to lower boat, and board the
wreck, IN company with the third mate
and seamen. The orders were that
the third mate should ascend the rigging
TO the crow s nest, assisted by the sea-
man, while the second mate should re-
main in the boat. This was accomplish
ed with great difficulty. The sea was
running high and breaking with violence
against the wreck. While the two men
were examining the rigging. the second
mate brought his boat under the bow
where the Captain saw the canvass, and
cried out Brig ahoy!" expecting, OF
course, no response. The exclamation is
natural to a seaman, under such circum-
stances, and was made impulsively and
without reflection; certainly without the
falntest idea of the result that followed.
The signal was answered by Captain
Hopkeu, who was sheltered by the little
piece Of canvass. raising bis head. In
doing SO he knocked 1t against timber,
which threw him back again. The mate
saw the mans head rise in response to
his call, and not having the remotest
idea that living soul was on board. he
felt that some spirit Of the dead had
risen from his watery abode. He trem.
bled with emotion; he became sadly
frightened, and his nerve was completely
shaken. The Captain arose again raised
one hand IN the air, and placing the
other on his breast, with his eyes up
turned. and perfectly unconscious that
he was surrouaden by men and friends,
exclaimed, Great God am saved 2''
The second mate, recovering his pres
ence OF mind, called the third mate and
sailor down from the rigging. CAPTAIN
Bennett having heard and seen the un-
fortunate Captain Hopken, (but now the
lucky and supposing that there were
others to be rescued, ordered another
boat to be launched, but unfortunately
there was work only for one boat to do.
ihe emaciated Captain Hopken was low
cred gently into the second mates boat
ana was placed on board the Moses Tay-
ior, the noble prize of its still nobler COM
mancer, by whom he was warmly and
tenderiy received. While being taken to
stateroom he spoke, saving: s.HaIloo
Captain Bennett, is that you?" He an
peared to speak consciously, and to real
lie fully that he was taken from the very
jaws of death. Ga board he received
every attention possible. fortunately
there were two physicians on the Moses
baylor, the regular ships surgeon, and
another one wko was going to Join the
Nebraska. Both gentlemen gave Can
tain Hopken their undivided care. Eth
er one was with him continually. He was
SO weak that he could not bear more than
teaspoonful of cruel at time, and the
same quantity of wine, which were onlv
given at stated intervals. It was not
until the Moses Taylor was within half a
day S run to Honolulu that Captain Ben
nett permitted two newspaper gentlemen
who were on board to obtain the particu.
lars which appeared in the Hawaiian Ga