The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-12-12
WHAT BELLE DID.
Saved by the Pluck Of the Cap.
tain's Wife.
The Masters Story Of Foundered Schoon.
er-How a Ships Crew Was Rescued
Through the Efforts of a Brave
Little Woman.

"She was the bravest woman I ever
saw, and little bit of body, too, but
if it hadn't ha' been for her pluck and
courage God knows what would have
become of us.
The speaker, one of the crew of the
ill-fated schooner John T. Ferris, was
seated on the deck OF the steamship
City of Durham, which was blowing her
way through a heavy sea towards
Boston Light the morning of Thursday
last. The little knot of seamen who
gathered about the wrecked mariner
asked eagerly for the story, and at their
request the following account was
given. 1t is here related for publca-
ton by an officer of the Durham. who
was present at the rescue. He said:
"After Captain Lund observed the
signals of distress that were displayed
Thursday morning by schooner which
afterwards turned out to be the Ferris,
we were very much perplexed, because
some hours before two vessels, which
think were American craft. passed us
sailing in the exact direction of the dis
tressed vessel. We were eight miles
away at the time when the schooner
was discovered. The moment the Cap
tain saw the flag he gave orders to turn
the steamer in the direction of the sink
ing ship and to fire up.
This was about nine o'clock in the
morning, and the storm was but slowly
going down. 1t was blowing a gale
and the sea was very rough. As we
continued on orr course all eyes on
board the Durham were intently fixed
on the schooner, which, as we came
nearer, could be seen to roll heavily in
the sea- 1t could be readily seen that
she was full of water, and the only
question was. How long can she be kept
afloatP The Captain. with characters
tic promptness. had ordered the boats
to be made ready for lowering. and he
only waited for a favorable opportunity
to give the word.
The Durham presently came within
speaking distance. and then the Captain
shouted, Shall send you boats?'
No, was the answer sent over the
water in clear. feminine voice; we
have boat. and will come to YOU
Eat this point / came on deck, and
the sight which met my eyes shall al
ways remember. The low, dark hull
OF the Ferris was almost under water.
The waves were breaking forcibly over
her bows. and what remained of a once
full deck cargo was being gradually
forced overheard. In the stern, with
his hands upon his head. as if to steady
his wasted and weary brain, stood the
Captain, knee-deep in water, while of
to leeward of the sinking craft was
floating the ships boat in which we saw
the form OF man and woman. while in
the bottom was lying the figure of
boy.
ut was some minutes before the man
on board made up his mind to leave
the deck. Finally, however, call from
the boat brought him to his senses, and
casting around a sorrowful glance. he
went over the side and made for the
trail shell that was floating with great
buoyancy on the tops of the waves. The
old Durham, true to her helm, came up
Into the wind, and as we passed by a
rope was thrown. Ten minutes later
the last of the party was on board, the
steamers head was turned. and as we
glanced over the stern of the boat we
saw the Ferris. her sails tapping wildly
In the wind, give long roll. and then
go down like lead into the deep waters.
"As the party came over the side the
master grasped the hand of Captain
Lund and exclaimed. with tears in his
eyes: God bless you, Captain, Won have
saved my wife. A slight figure, clad
in dark. wet garments, next came to
our sight l was never, to tell the truth.
more surprised in my life. The figure
was that of girl scarcely eighteen
years OF age. Her light, thick hair was
gracefully blowing about her face,
which. though soiled and careworn.
gave evidence of much beauty. She was
under middle height and quite small.
As she stepped upon the deck she gave
us look shall never forget So weak
was she that she could scarcely stand.
She attempted to walk but could not.
and would have fallen if the second
mate had not caught her in his arms
and carried her in a partly unconscious
condition to the cabin below. The how
and seaman were then pulled up, and
while the officers were providing for the
comforts of the castaways the story of
their msfortunes was graphically told.
The master. Captain Belts, said: If