Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-08-08

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After the Grand Banks are passed, going
to the westward, it always seems rs il one
could almost see the rdge-pole of the old
homestead and the well-sweep rising by it,
especially if driving northeaster makes the
lads in the forecastle sing, "The girls at home
have got hold of the tow-rope" And that
was Just the wind which now swept the Jen-
ME Lane along like a mad race-horse, send
ding over the foaming crests on bce-line
for Boston Light. Captain Baker always
carried sail hard, and he could do this safely
because he never lost his head and could take
in canvass in n squall with perfect GOODNESS.
The bark now staggered under press Of sail
rarely seen in such weather except on Yankee
ships, and when commanded by such men rs
Captain Abiinh Baker. When the canvas
blew away, all hands were sent aloft to bend
and set on another sail on the yard
by George but if this isn't glorious
exclaimed the hale old sea-dog III Johunie
don't look out, wen get into Boston Bay be-
fore he sights the Headland Light. :"
But the nearer they came TO the coast the
thicker the weather became-not exactly
fog, but dripping Scotch mist and rain that
efIectually shut everythingout ofsight n ships
length ahead, requiring constant, careful
lookout. with frequent blowing of the fog
horn. But they kept driving the bark on
her course, although she rolled heavily in the
immense seas heaying under the quarter and
the mttling and crashing of tin pans and
crockery below, and the faint CLEANS Of light
ming in the southwest indicated the growing
severity Of the storm. But Captain Baker,
Judging from the barometer and certain signs
significant TO the experienced eye, inferred
that there would be shift of the wind ahead
before morning, and was anxious to make all
81 1 T.. J.. IT,
1t had Just struck eight bells. There is
something peculiarly solemn in the toll Of
ships bell on n dark, stormy night. when the
wind is chanting a shrill weird vail in the
rigging and the melancholy swash Of the
waves seems TO shut out the lonely vessel and
the isolated beings on her deck from all the
est of creation.
Mr. Partridge said the captain 60 the
mate whose watch it was on deck Mr..
Partridge, you'll keep a good lookout, aud If
there's any sigu of change Of weather give
me a call. If the wind hasn't shifted when
they change the watch. wen h,aye to, as We
don't want to run in too close while it contin-
ues thick like this.
Captain Baker then turned to go below, and
had lust reached the companion way when
the lookout on the forecastlc sang OUT
Vessel dead ahead, close aboard of u.s.
Port hard-a-poft 80 rang ont the thun-
der-toucs Of Captain Bakers voice, and like
an echo Of his own voice came back the cry
from the unknown ship, Port - and the
bark, suddenly arrested in her conrse swung
to windward, rceling over on her side. and
her foretopmast swapping of even with the
cap as she preached to. But it was too late.
At the same instant she rose on a sea and
rushed down with a Tremendous crash into
the vessel Rht al and as she swung back.
stunned by the shock, and then surged on
again, schooner loomod up out of the
gloom, ranged alongside, and went down
with IA last sinothereG cry of agony rising
from her deck blending with The bowling OF
the gale. Hen-coops, SPAR, and life preserv-
ers were thrown over from the bark, If haply
some poor soul might lay hold of one but,
obviously. the first duty was TO see whether
the Jennie lane had suffered such damage
as would place her own existence in danger.
The pumps were sounded, and a slight in
crease of water WAS found. indicating that
she had started some of her forward timbers I:
but, most fortunately, the water did not rush
in so fast as to be an object Of immediate con
corp. proving under control of the pumps.
But some Of her upper works had been car
ricd away, including her jib-boom and fore
topmn-t and top-gallant mast, so that she
seemed to be in quite forlorn condition.
While the investigation rs to the damage
done was going On forward, voice was
heard in the fore chains and it WIS found
that one Of the schooner's crew was ciiuging
there, who had managed 10 get hold, but
spraining his ankle WAS unable to climb fur
ther He WAS at once r,scused and brought
aft in half drowned condition.
"What schooner was that 7" inquired Cap
tnin Baker
''She was the Gent" Annie, Of
what the Gentle Annie, John Baker
skppcrY exclaimed the Captain, shaking
like leaf
Yes, sir.
My God, O my God.' groaned the poor
Captain, leaning against the rail for support
IN tho extremity ot his emotion. 80 my
boy my poor boy ~
But when the hr-t laroNysm Of sudden
grief and despair "its over, Captain Baker
like all men Of action Of lis stamp, ncrved
himself to his duty, unl ,oairolling the out
ward eXpro ssion of his ,idss, went about
the ship to sec that all MAS made snug and
secure. To put boat oyr in that sea
and mist, in search OF tho s,hooncrs crew,
was hopeless task, and would only needless
ly risk other liyts. He Therefore gave orders
to keep the bark rs near as possible to the 20
sition Of the catastrophe until dayhreak and,
having assured himself that lis vessel was III
no present danger from the collision, he went
below to pass the saddesi night OF his life.
A long and earnest search o" the following
morning brought no rchet to 'he hopeless
father. The wind had shifted aud 'sconed
the fog away but nothing was TO oe seen eN,
cept mere ana there distant SAIL ABOUT
midday pilot was taken on board, and IN
twenty-iour hours, with the Gld OF a tug, the
Jennie Lane was alongside Of Long wharf.
The news OF the coin'ion' bong III the hH,
ture oil hdlnss, ana lhNolElhs inc laie OF
three men at Captain linker's home-the rest
OF the lost men were from other pIaces-l' II
reached The place without Dc lay one evening
after candle-hght As usual "h'h the maii
arrived, there was knot OF ioaicrS collected
inside OF the store, with such more reputable
and industrious VilhBers as eN ct," letters;
The postmaster paper was s'iz' d hy one OF
those most greedy Tor news ana II any item
OF news occurred he read 1t aloud. The au-
dienco being composed largely OF Seniarihs
people, the column OF ship-n,"s wa, hatur-
ally the hrst to receive attention. Oh lhi7
occasion Jerry Fuller lank -lmbed speei-