The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-22
THE CASE OF CAPTAIN JOHN HILSoN:

Editor Morning Star:
Ga the seventh of October, 1889, the
British steamship "Copnaught," 1000 tons,
sprung a leak which gained upon her 30
rapidly that by the next morning the water
had extinguished her engine fires, leaving
her a CT fiji for Col human beings, sinking
slowly but surely in a heavy sea. In this
condition, and while $50 miles from Boston
haI Dor, fire ~ bich had been smpulderlng
for some daya, uuknowI) burst out, and
doubled the chances for death. She was an
iron slip, and soon her sides became 80 hot
that the Lissed aCd steamed size rolled,
deeper aud deeper. There was a race be-
tween fire and water for ali these hves,
aod to do the best they conld the boats
would not be able TO save - third of them
from dealt or the other.
TIE American brig MInuir S:hsefer, l9c
tons, Captain John WI'sou. "a ihe hisziug,
sinking steamer, and bore Gnwn 10 her a.
sistance. So slow and difficult was t@e
Ia dor of getting the Passengers into and cut
of the boats that only 2oD ccold be trans
feEred to the brig before - down. Taru
John Wilson said alt is a lcrrlp.- af3.r
to see the SUI going down and 81 many
people vet on board the ~ reck: settling
down AID burning up. l Will 90 al IL my
power 10 save them" He nuojy h-pt lis
word. As good a sal or as he 4 man,
lie can= Iowa 10 es~ard of iue wreck,
II aGs fast u Ter, acd be ore midnight the
las. EIab GA btI Ot EA-l!st c. --.!a-
passed Tito The bI.g safely. Try - l.ccaGc
IT. y great ocean steamer. .!th water
pouring in from without TO Ill. Ter L p acd
f.e roaring within 10 burn her down: over
400 lives IN TIE balance. Any lGrc1 sne
NJ ade M sLc Lave been her last, and Il she
had rolled over and supk-what hope for
the little brig. Sac did not sirk iast then.
J I'm Wilson left her, sheet of flame, ard
landed his priceless cargo safe at generous
Boston,"
In recognition of his courage. humanity
and good seamanship the Btitlsr govern
ment gave him gold watch and chain.
The company to which the Connaught
belonged presented him with $500; Boston
added a silver service and medals ; teeth
monials and subscriptions in plenty came
in. Nor were his crew forgotten in the
general enthusiasm. Then came the war.
Some sums granted TO him were withheld;
property in which he had invested his
money was captured or destroyed. BY
which side When state that he is now
sixty four years Of age, is disabled By fail
ing eyesight from following his profession;
that his wife is a confirmed Invalid; that all
his testimonial gifts have been sold or left
in pledge for bread, and that this once self
reliant and always brave and true man is
utterly destitute-is it worth while to ask
When he made fast to the burning Con-
naught he said nothing about politics.
Ii humanity has no politics. Shall we not
paraphrase his own words and say" This
Is a horrible affair to SEQ the sun going
down upon the wreck with so much good
yet on board. We Will do all IL our power
to help him.
Before l make au appeal abroad fer this
afflicted hero, it is only far that his coun
trymen should be given the opportunity-I
may almost say the priviiege-ot assisting
him. Hisresidence Is $40 Franklin street,
New Orleans. aud subacriptiuns may be
cent to Mrs Hill, No. 3CG Baroure street;
MT. Creevy, corner Of Culon aud CaIonde-
let streets. or to
Your obedient servant,
A. De FOSgLASQCE.