The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-06-22

to him. frantically besought the protec-
ton which he was unable to afford
Very soon after the first shock, heavy
wave struck the vessel ON the quarter,
and raising her off the rock allowed her
Immediately after to fall violently upon
it when, a sharp ledge striking her
about midships, she was fairly broken
into two pieces; and the afterpart, con-
taining the cabin and many passengers,
was instantly carried off by a rapid cur
rent through the Pifagut, while the fore
part remained on the rock.
\ portion of the passengers and crew
had previously betaken themselves to
the foremost part of the vessel, consid-
ering it to be the safest place.
In this dreadful situation, exposed
amid darkness to the buffeting of the
waves, and fearful lest each rising surge
should sweep away into the deep the
fragment of the wreck on which they
stood, they waited in anxious expect
ancy the breaking of the day. In the
fore-cabin, also exposed to the intrusion
of the sea, was a woman, the wife of a
weaver, with her two children, who
when relief at last came, was found yet
alive, but her two children lay stiffened
corpses in her arms.
Such was their seemingly hopeless po-
sition, when, soon after day break, they
were deserted from the Longstone by
the Darlings, at nearly mile distance.
A mist hovered over the island; and,
though the wind had somewhat abated
its violence, the sea was still raging
fearfully, making any approach to the
rugged pinnacles and sunkcn rocks
which surround these islands work of
extreme peril. Indeed, even at later
period of the day, a reward of f5, offer
ed by the stewart of scarborough Cas-
tie, could scarcely induce a party of
fishermen to venture off from the main
land.
To have braved the dangers of that
terrible passage would have done the
highest honor even to the well-tried
nerves of the stoutest of the male sex.
But what shall be said of the errand of
mercy being undertaken and accom-
plished mainly through the strength of
female heart and arm?
Through the dim mist. with the aid
of glass, the figures of the sufferers
were seen clinging to the wreck. But
who could dare to tempt the raging
abyss that interviewed. in the hopes of
succoring them? Mr.. Darling, it is said,
shrank from the attempt. Not so his
daughter. At her solicitation, the boat
was. launched. with the assistance of
her mother-the father and daughter
entering it, and each taking an oar.
In estimating the danger which the
heroic adventures encountered, there
is one circumstance which ought not to
be forgotten. Had it not been ebb tide
the boat could not have passed between
the islands; and they knew that the tide
would be flowing on their return, when
their united strength would be utterly
insufficient to row the boat back to the
lighthouse island. So that, had they
not got the assistance of the survivors
on their return, they themselves would
have been compelled to remain on the
rock, beside the wreck, until the tide
again ebbed.
1t could then only be by the eXertion
of great muscular power, as well as of
determined courage. that they could
hope to reach the wreck; and when there,
the danger would be much increased
from the liability they would run of be-
ing dashed to pieces on these rugged
rocks.
1t must have seemed to them forlorn
hope; but their courage rose with the
emergency, Gods blessing accompanied
them, and their efforts were crowned
with success. The whole of the nine
survivors were taken into their little
bark, and conveyed in safety to the
lighthouse. Here, owing to the vio-
lent seas which continued to prevail,
they were compelled to remain two
days, during which time they received
every kindness and comfort that the
household could afford, and of which
they were so much in need.
The party who had left in the ship 8
boat, also nine in number, were picked
up the next morning by Montrose
sloop, and conveyed to Shields.
The subsequent event of Grace Oar
ling's life are soon told. The deed she
had done may be said to have waited
her name all over Europe. That lonely
| lighthouse became speedily the center
| of attraction to curious and sympathiz-
ing thousands, including many of the
wealthy and the great, who, in numer-
| Gus instances, testified by substantial
| tokens the feelings with which they re-
| garded the young heroine. Among the
number were the Duke and Duchess of
Northumberland, who invited her faith
er and herself to Alnwick Castle, and
presented her with gold watch. Grace
| and her father received the silver med
al of the National Lifeboat (then Ship
wreck) Institution, and numerous teS-
| timonials from other public bodies and
admiring strangers. A public subscrip-
| ton was also raised with view to re-
ward her for her bravery and humani-
| tv, which is said to have amounted to
about $4,000. To such an extent, in
deed, did the popular enthusiasm reach
/ that portraits of herwere eagerly sought
| for; and she was even offered large
sums by the proprietors of one or more
| of the metropolitan theaters, on the con-
| dition that she should merely sit in a
boat for brief space during the per-
| formance of q piece whose chief attrac-
ton she was to be. All such offers,
however, were promptly and steadily re-
fused; and it is gratifying to know that.
amid all this tumult of applause, Grace
| Darling never for a moment forgot the
modest dignity or conduct which be-
| came her sex and station. The tiatter-
ing testimonials of all kinds which were
showered on her seemed to produce in
her mind no other feelings than those OF
wonder and grateful pleasure. She con-
tinued to reside at the Longstone Light
| house with her father and mother, find.
ing, in her limited sphere of domestic
duty, on that seagirt islet, a more hon.
orable and more rational enjoyment
than the crowded haunts of the main.
land would have afforded her, and thus
giving, by her conduct, the best proof
that the iberality OF the public had moi
been unworthily bestowed.
Grace Darling did not live long in the
enjoyment of the honors that had beer
showered On her. She died of con,
sumption on the 25th of October, 1912
at the age of twentv-0e--,., wears ans
tour Years after the occurrence whicl
had made her name famous for all time
Sunday at Home.