Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-10-13
After Many Years.


TIE STORY OF CoNNEc1rcur Hero
On the 26th Of September. 1916
the ship Minerva of this city,
Captain j. X. Bowen, was In
mid.ocean on her passage from
the Mediterranean, homeward
boz nd
sust It sunset a lookout on her
decL . served o dark object on
the ! es..zon about fve miles to
to windward, which the glass re-
vealed 10 be the hull OF wreck.
No signal OF distress or any indi-
cation Of life, however, was yisi-
BILE; and Captain Bowen. thinking
his duty to the owners OF the
Minerva more urgent than cur
iosity respecting what seemed to
be useless hulk, concluded not
to interrupt the voyage.
It was rapidly growing dark,
too, and there were dangers to be
apprehended in dispatching a
small boat. But the first officer
Of the Minerva, q brave young
fellow Of two and twenty, was
differently inclined. He kept the
log and was naturally ambitious
TO chronicle something out Of the
common that papers would he
glad to get at New York. But,
more than this, his heart was
touched at the possibility Of de-
ssrting fellow being--a sailor,
too---in dire extremity. The
thought that ono poor fellow
might be on that wreck, too weak
to show q signal OF distress, would
not let him eat his supper.
He pushed aside his plate and
begged permission to man a boat.
The captain reluctantly concented.
Volunteers were called for, four
brave fellows responded, boat
was lowered; q compass, lantern.
and some jugs Of fresh water
were put in, and the young officer
ordered his men to sgive way"
toward the wreck. Even to these
sailors there was an awe Of the
vast stiffness and darkness Of
m:d-ocean; and when, almost at
the start, the little boat was
found to be leaky, it was no won
der that after rowing q couple of
miles more than one murmur es-
capped the rowers.
It also became necessary to
bail ont the rapidly accumulating
water, and whom, while in this
process. piece Of plank was
torn up with nail in it that
pierced the foot Of one man quite
painfully, the crew were out
spoken in their desire to return.
Chsered on, however, by the Of
fcer. they continued their exer-
tions; but be himself wavered, as,
after rowing the supposed dis-
ancs, no trace could be found Of
the wreck.
At this juncture an unusual
odor was perceived which, be-
coming more pungent as the
beat advanced. convinced him
that IL proceeded from the object
IN search. "Give way hearty,
! Amsnr' he cried. The men re-
kpondsd with . vim; and present.
" the young leader rising in the
stern sent out across old ocean q
me " Wreck ahoyl" But no
ar aver came, though the wreck
rt B and fell in full view. The
sailors laid on their oars in
silence and then came upon one
and all = mysterious feeling and
dread a. they glided toward the
hulk. Wreck ahoyr again
shouted the officer, more to arouse
his companions than in hope Of
reply. But . response did come
- faint and uncanny - Boat
ahoy, for Gods sake. save u.s."
The scene that followed is in
dsscribable. As IL was re-told to
ths writer by the young officer
referred to, be could scarcely re-
strain his emotion, and tears
would not obey one usually their
master. Five men were on board
alive. but so little Of life in them
that they seemed almost like
specters. They had been ten
days without food or water; a
drop or two OF the latter, how
ever, added to the excitement Of
being rescued, lent them voices.
Cautioned not to get into the boat
all It once, they obeyed like chill
dren, and Il was pitiful to notice
their meek patience.
Az one poor fellow was lifted
in the arms Of the young officer
he family murmured:
"OhI don't throw me over
board. l am not dead yeti"
And when the entire five were
got into the boat, despite theil
exhaustion, they asked permission
to bail or row. insisting upon do
ing something in their own be.
half.
I'VE are whalsmen; we arr
strong" they cried, as they vain
ly tried TO grasp q bailing buckle
or oar.
At this time the Minerva wa
singaled; she bore toward he
boat. soon had its contents upol
her deck, and there was, Of cours Q
great rejoicing. When the res
cued whalemen had been care,
for, Capt. Bowen grasped til
hand Of bis first officer and said
"Never in my life, sir, will I b
inclined to pass wreck agai
without rigid investigation"
Each of the five men rascue