Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-05
Misfellailsous.
TIMELY RESCUE-EXCITIyG ACCIDENT.

"Man overheard p said an old seafaring
man to reporter. "Do you want to hear
the story? They are only two words, vet
doubt if there is any cry that sends such
thrill through every one on board of
ship as does this. The cry of fire or
breakers ahead is no doubt sufficiently
alarming. but neither can be weighed for
moment with this cry, which tells of one
OF the ships company left behind to strug-
gle for his life in the wide waste OF waters.
"lf lis in the night that a man falls
overheard, the chances of his recovery are
very remote, and in the daytime, If the
breeze be fresh and the sea rough, the
odds are fearfully against him. Much then
depends on the GOODNESS of the officer of
the deck, for if he loses his head the man
is gone.
II was passenger once on q packet
ship bound from New York to Liverpool,
when one afternoon at about three O'Clock
that cry was heard. The wind was about
north, fresh breeze. and there was con-
siderable sea on. The ship was heading
east by south, carrying all three royals and
top-mast and top gallant sails, going about
ten miles an hour.
was sitting on deck reading when the
cry was heard. The mate had charge of
the deck, an old officer, whose equanimity
no emergency could disturb. l can hear
him before me now distinctly, and hear
his rapid orders. "Down with the helm -
said he to the man at the wheel, and as he
himself sprang to the taffrail and cut away
the life buoys, his orders came continuous,
Jump up in the rigging there, one of you,
and keep your eye on him let 60 the royal
halliards. fore and aft let 60 the top-mast
and top-gallant studding sail tacks; hard
lee, there; forward ! rise tacks and sheets;
main bowlings; get aft here now to your
braces quick, mainsail haul !" and as the
ships head had come round TO the west
ward, the after yards swung around and
the mates voice was again heard 'tLet
the head yards stand leave your head
sheets flowing clear away the lee-quarter
boat, and Mr.. Jones jump into her there
with four good men. Now, then, stand
by to lower. Steady, and mind what
you've got hold of. Now, then, lower
away and as the boat touched the water.
"Hold on to your forward tackle; let go
att unhook; let 60 forward. Now, then,
give way right out on the lee bow; that's
where you'll find him ~ and the boat was
OF, not over ten minutes having elapsed
since the first alarm was given.
"Only those who have passed through a
slmilar.experience can properly appreciate
the anxiety with which we watched that
boat. Now we would lose sight of her
entirely, as she sank in the trough of
the sea, and again as she rose on its
crest, the men were lying their whole
weight upon the oars in their efforts to
reach their drowning shipmate. Every
minute or so the mate would hail the look
out at the masthead: "Can you still see
him ?" and the answer would come back
Can see his cap, sir, once in a while, as
it rises on the sea, but can't tell whether
the head is in it or not.'
"Soon the masthead hailed again "The
boat has stopped sir; they're pickin' up
something" and the next minute we saw
her heading toward the ship.
Now, thon," said the mate, "get a
whip on that davit and stand by to run
him up quick when they get alongside.
Nearer and nearer came the boat, and
soon rounded to under the quarter of the
ship. In the stern-sheets lay limp mass,
but whether alive or dead we, on board
ship, could not tell. bend onto him
careful, said the Captain. land two or
three OF you jump over the side and
steady him up.' In trice the second
mate had passed couple of turns OF the
whip around the mans body, and as the
word was given the men off the deck
walked away and ran him up to the davit,
the men over the side steadying him care
fully. to prevent him swinging in against
the ship on his passage up. As he came
on deck he feebly opened his eyes, and
the steward, who was standing near with
glass OF grog, put little of it between
his lips. Rousing up he took down all
that there was in the tumbler, good
''three-tinger nip" HELL do" said the
Captain; I'm risk you now hook on
that boat and hoist her up" AS she came
out of the water he shouted: "Put up
your helm fill away the head yards. stand
by your after braces !" and away the ship
went round on her heel, and, fifteen min
utes later was going on her course again
at the rate of ten knots, with studding
sails allow and aloft.