Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-23
SAVED FROM
RescHe orfhe Crew ola Distressed
Vessel In MidOeean by Seamen
from the White Star Steamer
Germanie---.A Thrilling Ro-
nance Ofthe Sea.

nance Ofthe Sea.
New York Heraldl
AT SEA, STEAMSHIP GERMANIc,
December 1, 18Sl.--It was between
one and two o'clock this morning that
we were awakened out of our sleep by
considerable commotion on deck. The
screw was silent and the horrible
thought flashed across our minds that
the ship was in some danger OF dis
tress. Huddling on my clothes as
quickly as possible | hurried up the
companionway and was informed
that there was a large ship in distress
a mile away and the Germanic pro-
posed to stop and lend a hand to save
her. The night was dark and the rain
had commenced to fall. Away of in
the blackness / could see two great
lights blazing fore and aft of appar-
emily a very big vessel. Now and then
she dipped right below the horizon,
and it would seem as though she
had sunk. Then again the blazing
beacons would revive. Next
a rocket went up and it was evident
to the Captain that the signal was not
one Of those used by the well known
lines Of the transatlantic steamers.
1t was most probably some merchant
steam vessel disabled by the recent
heavy gales. Anyhow, Captain Ken
nedy decided that nothing could be
done until morning, SO we hove to.
In the morning all hands, including
nearly all the saloon passengers, we're
on deck as soon as it was light, and
the distressed vessel was eagerly dis
cussed. She was a three masted, top
sail schooner steamship, with one fun
mel marked with a Great big ID, :"
the monogram offs firm called David.
son, Of Newcastle-on Tyne. 1t was
quite evident that she was totally
helpless, drifting at the mercy Of the
winds and waves. -Four signals Aoated
at her mastheads, but they were so
badly hoisted that they we're unintel.
ligible, But the appearance Of the
ship was quite enough. She turned
hither and thither, and was, as it
turned out, rudderless and out Of
hand. Accordingly the Germanic
circled round and round the water
logged steamer, and when within a
half mile or SO lowered a lifeboal
manned by five men, and commanded
by First Officer Robert Bence.
TO THE RESCUE.
The sea was running very high and
the lifeboat danced like a cookie shell
on the raging waters--now deep down
out Of sight in the trough of the great
seas and anon perched upon the crest
Of a rolling mountain. 1t was an
anxious time enough waiting for the
return of that boat But her gallant
crew did return within an hour, laden
with some seven or eight men and the
intelligence that there were fifteen
more to come. This necessitated two
more journeys, and frsught with
danger they were. The most critical
moments were in the disembarking OF
the rescued crew of the Hurworth, as
the steamer was called, consisting in
all Of twenty-five men. The second
voyage was as successful US the iist,
and the third only resulted in a catas
trophe at the last moment. The entire
rescued crew had been, with very
considerable difficulty got on board, as
the sea was running so fearfully that
the boat sank and rose with dangerous
velocity. Three White Star seamen
we're left in the boat, which it was
hoped could be lifted up bodily again
to the davits whence it had been
lowered. But it soon became evident
that it was either impossible or, at all
events, under the circumstances, i'm
practicable. There was a good deal Of
excitement among the deck hands,
and the sea was very heavy and
boisterous just at this particular mo
ment. 1t was necessary, in order TO
raise the boat by the pulley ropes,
that the hooks fore and aft should be
fastened simultaneously. For my own
part | did not believe the feat was
possible, SO unsteady was the boat,
and the enormous blocks dangling in
the air we're so dangerous that in the
end only one hook was fastened; then,
unfortunately, the pulley rope got
stuck and the nose of the boat was
pulled up, emptying the three seamen
into the water. Then came q scramble
for ropes, the sea filed the boat, and
it seemed that a very nasty accident
was imminent. Two of the men, how.
ever, managed to climb the side of the
ship, while the third became entangled
between the ship and the boat, and il
was only by extraordinary GOODNESS
and dexterity that, by a series OIL
maneuvers, he first got into and then
kept himselfin the dangling boat. Al
last a rope was thrown down, and he
was hauled up almost exhausted
Finding it impossible TO a v the boat
it was cut away and soon disappeared
on the horizon, and we saw the last o
as good a little craft as ever saved /
ships crew from the jaws of death.
In this way at | o'clock of Decsm
Der !, after a delay Of nearly lively,
hours, the Germanic proceeded on hel
way rejoicing, plus twenty three soul
and a kitten saved from the wreck
The saloon passengers partook Of al
the sensations of a thrilling spectacle
while tie three White Star sailor.
were in imminent peril of their lives
Ladies covered their eyes with theiI
hands and shut out the scene, Will,
all held their breath until the danger
was passed. But James Adair, tht
quartermaster, had no fear ali thu
time he was alone in that boat. ]
never saw before, and probably neyeI
shall see again, so much GOODNESS anC
courage displayed under such terribl,
circumstances. BafHed here and buff
feted there Adair always had another
resource. He did not propose to gel