Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-10-02
THE GREAT STORM.
Thrilling Incident on Lake Erie.
Saturdays Cleveland Leader.


Saturdays Cleveland Leader.
The unprecedented force of the wind
and waves upon the lake during Thurs
day night naturally excited fears for
the safety of the water-works crib, and
Engineer Whitelaw and Contractor Nc
Donald were earl upon the lake shore,
where they spent the day in anxiety,
This was not little increased by find
ing, from time to time, pieces of
wrecked stuff washing ashore among
which their practiced eye detected
pieces Of the ceiling Of the crib, of fur
nlture, and of parts of the keepers
boat. 1t WAS supposed that the keeper
would raise his flag as a signal if he
were IN distress. but none appeared
Toward night, however, a hole was
clearly discerned through the crib and
careful inspection discovered the light
keepers flag flying from the derrick
used to hoist the crib boat. Two brave
men, Frank Brewster and Walter Met
calfe, volunteered to go to the rescue Of
MIR. Harry Best, the light-keeper. They
got into one of Laws light row-boats
and were taken in tow by the tug Peter
Snah, which cast them off near the
CRIB. The trip was a frightful one to
the brave men In the boat With q
short tOw-llne, at times it seemed as if
they would be dashed from the crest of
wave upon the tug, and in another mo-
ment their egg-sheli of a boat would be
IN the trough Of the sea with the TUG
completely hidden from view. When
they were cast off by the tug, they had
no little trouble to get near the crib
without being dashed to pieces. But
they finally got near enough to make
Mr.. Best hear their whistle, when he
appeared IN sight, overjoyed at the
prospect of release from his perilous
situation. To get him into the boat
was still a problem, but it was finally
accomplished by his banging from the
door of the crib, and jumping into the
little craft as she was washed past it in
to the trough of the sea by receding
wave. Barefooted and bare legged,
thoroughly drenched as he had been
for hours, he worea cork jacket in pre-
paratlCn for the moment when it might
be necessary to take the desperate
chances involved in an effort to swim
to the shore. Fortunately Mrs. Best,
who usually lives at the crib, was away,
and was spared the horror Of the long
night and day of peril.
The little boat was rowed to the shore
by It's brave crew, being more than
once nearl swamped on the passage by
the waves. Mr.. Best says that the crib
began to break on the north side about
! o'clock. On that side late north
Ctn hoI cA
bers, and Mr.. Whitelaw had the dam
age ascertained by diver, and the ma
terial was just ready to repair the dam
age and strengthen the work when the
present storm broke against the crib
Huge blocks of stone, weighing from
one to three tons each. had been taken
out and deposited on the north side Of
the crib to serve rs a breakwater and
protect it, bat these were picked up as
though they were chips, but were like
batterlng-rams when they were dashed
against the walls Of the Glib. All night
long Mr.. Best listened TO their fearful
pounding against the structure, not
knowing at what moment he would find
himself struggling in the raging waters
for his life. The sea dashed completely
OFol VIC CIID, uldklIlS IL lulpOSSlDlc W
light the lantern and carrying away the
halyards, so that Mr.. Best could not
hoist his flag during yesterday.
At o'clock on Friday morning the
north wall of the crib gave way, the sea
making a clean sweep to the wall. One
piece Of iron tubing Of several tons
weight was washed out into the lake.
Daylight came at last, and Mr.. Best
fastened his flag TO the derrick, as be-
fore mentioned, and waited for rescue.
The long day Of peril and suspense was
nearly ended before the brave volun-
teers got him into their boat. The
nerve of Mr. Best has been tested many
times, but never as in the storm Of
Thursday night and the peril of Friday.
He is deserving of all honor for his
bravery, as are Messrs. Brewster and
Metcalfe, for their gallantry in going to
his rescue. Such men are scarce in
any community, and too much praise
cannot be awarded them.
Enreipn Gains in America