The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-09-10
Belle, God Bless Her."


OF AWFUL TERROR.
"She was the bravest woman | ever
saw, and little bit of body, too, but il
it hadn't ha been for her pluck and cour-
age, God knows what would have be-
come of u.s."
The speaker, one of the crew of the ill
fated schooner John r. Ferris, was seat
ed on the deck Of the steamship City ol
Durham, which was ploughng her way
through heavy sea towards Boston
Light, on the morning of Thursday last.
The little knot Of seamen who gathered
about the wrecked mariner asked eager
" for the story and at their request the
following account was given. 1t is here
related for publication by an officer OF
the Durham, who was present at the
rescue. He said L:
"Alter Captain Lund observed the
signals of distress that were displayed on
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 crafts 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 captain
saw the flag he gave orders to turn the
steamer in the direction of the sinking
ship and to fire up.
This was about 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 con-
tlnued on our 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 atloat ? The captain,
with characteristic promptness, had or
dered the boats to be made ready for
lowering, and he only waited for a favor
able opportunity to give the wo~d.
1.-The Durham presently cane within
speaking distance, and then the captain
shouted, Shall send you boats?'
"'No, was the answer, sent over the
water in clear, feminine voice; swe
have boat and will come to YOU
AT this point | came on deck, and the
sight which met my eyes | shall always
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 lull
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 off to lee
ward Of the sinking craft was floating the
ships boat, in which we saw the form of
a man and woman, while in tn bottom
was laying the figure of boy.
sit was some minutes before the man
on board made up bis mind to leave the
deck. Finally, however, call from the
boat brought him to his senses, and cast
ing around a sorrowful glance
SHE WENT OVER TIE SIDE
and made for the frail 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 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 flap
ping 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
ORC hn
Lund and exclaimed, with tears IN his
eyes, God bless you, captain, you have
saved my wife A slight figure, clad in
dark, wet garments, next came to our
sight. | was never, to tell the truth,
more surprised in my life. The figure
was that of girl scarcely Is years of
age. Her light, thick, hair was grace
fully blowing about her face, which,
though soiled and careworn, gave evil
dence 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 partly unconscious condition, to
the cabin below. The boy and seamcn
were then pulled up, and while the Off
GERS We're providing for the comforts of
the castaWayS the story of their misfor-
tune was graphically told. The master,
Captain Bctts, said
II IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR BELLE.
God knows what would have become of
us. >no is the best wife man ever had.
and though have now lost everything |
have in the world save her | ought to
rejoice that We have escaped together.
We left Calais on Sunday morning, and
had a good run until the storm struck
Us. On Wednesday night the gale was
terrific. There were only three hands
on board besides my wife one Of these
was hey, and could not be counted on
to do mems work. The storm had
caused us to be up much, and we were
we'll nigh exhausted when the report
came up from below that we had sprung
aleak. The night was dark and dreary
and the waves We're high No vessel was
within hail IRON which we could Get
assistance. All that remained for us to
do was to man the pumps and battle as
we could against the water In the hold.
which was slowly but surely gaining on
us. At this time all hope seemed out of
piacc before morning the Ferris would
be cables under the waves. and all that
would be left to tell the tale OF our life
and death would perhaps be found float
ing on the water by passing ship days
after the storm was over. Only one who
has been in similar circumstances can
realize how little life seems worth
"But at that hour when it seemed
impossible to make successful effort
Belle came from the cabin
HER FACE WHITE, But DETERMINED,
and said:
Don't give up, there is hope yet.
Hasten to the pumps. | will steer the
ship And in truth she did, all the
long hours Of that fearful night. She
stood at the Wheel using her entire
strength to keep the vessel up into the
wind. The rest of us pumped, pumped,
until it seemed that our limbs would
break. Nerved by the fearfulness of the
situation we worked with full force all
the time, and much to our satisfaction
found that the water no longer gained
on u.s. Our hope and prayer was for the
morrow, because when daylight came
there would be a chance for help Be-
fore dawn our hearts again sunk. Nature
could no longer stand the test, and our
Ioy- L., l..