Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-13
ANOTHER HERO oFrHEDExTER
Varied and Thrilling Experiences of
Lieut.. Roath.


Lieut.. Roath.
The revenue cutter Dexter, in her COM
plement of officers, says the Boston GLOBE,
has some possessed of the most daring
bravery. The deeds of Lieut.. Rhodes at
the wreck of the Columbus are yet fresh
in public remembrance, and now the
Newport Neacs tells the story Of First
Lieut.. Warrenton D. Roath, Of the same
vessel, in the following words:
He was born in Preston, Conn. His
nautical experience began as deck boy
on a steamboat when 9 years of age. AT II
years of age he served as cook on a
schooner. The following year he was en-
gagged upon a clipper ship. in which ne
doubled Cape Horn to California, sand
wich Islands, and elsewhere. This was
followed by trips TO China, Japan ana
Siam.
At the outbreak of the war, 1861, he en-
listed in the Second Connecticut Nolun-
teers. and at the expiration Of the three
months service he accepted an appoint
ment as acting master IN the navy, ana
was ordered to the gunboat New London,
of the West Gulf squadron. Here IN re-
peated actions. for bravery and EMERGENCY,
he was promoted by Admiral Farragut,
and ordered to the command the United
States brig BOhiO. and ordered to cruise
along the coast of Texas for distance OF
sixty miles. Subsequently he was trans
terred to che command OF the United
States bark Midnight and United states
steamer Brignonia. As the war drew 70
a close he rendered his resignation to
take command of merchantmen between
New York and Savannah. 1t was on this
line that he performed one OF those daring
exploits which earn the righteous laurel
of national recognition. Leaving New
York with a crew of about twenty
five men and thirty passengers, the
ship encountered a terrible hurricane
off Cape Hatteras. A number OF YES
sells were lost in this storm, among which
was the steamship Tennessee, with nearly
all on board. At midnight word came to
Capt. Roath that the ship had sprung
aleak and would soon sink, the fires being
speedily eXtinguished. Leaving the pilot
house, he was struck by a heavy sea and
washed aft, but saved himself by grasp
ing a stanchion. All supposed him lost.
Hope was nearly lost among the passen-
gers who prepared for the worst. Throw
ing off his coat, he cut with an axe
through the bulkhead. Crawling in among |
the cargo, which imperilled his life at
every roll of the ship, he worked his way, |
inch by inch. for % feet, being nearly /
crushed by the cargo at times, until he |
reached the scene of trouble. Here he |
found a headlight had burst in near the |
waters edge. Held by the surging cargo, |
he was nearly drowned in stopping the /
leak. By this imminent risk of his life |
the passengers were saved from speedy I
destruction, testifying their gratitude by /
handshaking and tears. This was on |
October %, 1866.
In 1867 he went to England to bring |
home Commodore Benefits yacht, Hen
rietta. In 1871 he entered the revenue
marine service as Third Lieutenant. The
following year he was promoted to Second /
Lieutenant and in 1877 to First Lieutenant.
At the wreck the Columbus he served |
as executive officer. Under his personal |
action coffee was ordered, boats lowered /
and the rescued and dead taken on board
the Dexter. On the second trip of one of
the boats he encountered the perils of
wreckage and ayes, and deserves to be
enrolled with the bravest that imperiled
their lives on that awful day.