The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-09-03

steamer had to be turned head to 1t
to keep her from being swamped
under the huge waves that broke over
her, sometimes sweeping over the tpo
of the deck saloon. Sails were blown
clean away, state-room windows, and
hatch-lights on deck were stove IN
by the seas she sometimes shipped,
until the state-rooms and main saloon
were flooded with water. Through
it all rode the noble ship, quivering,
it almost seemed, with Titanic life
under the determination to save her
precious burden of freight and hu-
man life. Through it all, too, Cap
tain Chester was cool, alert, never
losing his presence Of mind, always
doing the right thing at the right
moment, and was most ably seconded
in whatever was necessary to be
done, by John Risk, first mate the
second mate, 6. T. Smith, chief en-.
gineer; and, in fact, by all the subor
dinates, and so quietly and promptly,
as showed a high degree of efficiency
and discipline. Nor on this danger
Gus occasion, as all through the voy-
age, were Mr.. Richard Gilmore, the
prince OF stewards, and his competent
corps of assistants, at all behind in
their efforts for the comfort and Sc
curity of the passengers. The writer
has often been on the sea, and has
seen many a storm, but none to ex-
coed this Of the 18th; nor of larger
and smaller vessels, has he seen one
ride it out more nobly and CALAMITY.
Certainly with such staunch vessel,
and manned with such an able COM
mander and efficient crew, none
need hesitate a moment to trust their
lives aud property. Nor can one
travel with better, more geniel, and
accommodating and capable purser,
than Mr.. J. J. Witt, whose kindness
and attention to all never tagged.
In appreciation of the valuable SER
vices Of Captain Chester and his Off
GERS, the following was unanimously
adopted by the passengers:
At meeting held on board ship, Au-
gust 10Th, the following preamble and
resolutions we're unanimously adopted
as slight means of showing our high
appreciation of, and gratitude for the
skillful and courageous manner in which
thegood ship City of Dallas was handled
by Captain F. Chester and his officers,
during the terrible storm of the 18th,
which occurred in latitude 37o 15', Ion
gitnde IA AS, and was one of the most
severe storms on the coast for many
years, and which for the space Of some
hours eliminated into hurricane At
ter the loss of sails, and after shipping
heavy seas, the ship, with all on board,
was brought safely into port therefore,
ResolUed, That under Providence, we
consider ourselves and feel deeply in-
debted to Captain Chester for bringing
us safely through this imminent danger.
His conduct during all these trying hours
was, that of cool-headed and skillful
commander, standing constantly at his
post and never for moment losing con-
troll of the vessel.
ReSOlUed, That his subordinate officers
also deserve our hearty praise for their
prompt and efficient assistance.
ReSolUed, That we desire to express
our entire confidence in the strength,
safety and sea-going qualities of the
Steamship City of Dallas
THOMAS BAssNErT, Chairman.
Mrs. THOMAS BAssNETT,
Rev. J. B. FITZPATRICK,
Mrs. F. d. CLARK,
Miss LILLIAN CLARK,
Miss ELIZA CHASE,
j. E. EATON,
JULIUS BALL,
T. J. HERMAN,
w. P. WEBSTER,
GEORGE HUIsT.
JAMES POWELL,
J. j. LAWRENCE.
A. E. SAWYER, Secretary.
Also, N. r. SCovEL,
Captain J. 3. PARSONS.
W. S. HUNT,
Committee on Resolutions.
N. r. S.
NeaU York august 20, 1879.