The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-10-29
WHAT BELLE DID.
Saved by the Pluck Of the Gap
tain's Wife.
The Masters Story of q Foundered Schoon-
er-How Ships Crew Was Rescued
Through the Efforts of q 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-fatsd schooner John T. Ferris, was
seated on the deck of the steamship
City of Durham, which was plowing 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 publica-
tion 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. It was blowing a gale
and the sea was very rough. As we
continued on our course all ewes 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
atioat? The Captain, with characteris-
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 a clear, feminine voice; we
have boat, and will come to you.'
AT this point / came on deck, and
the sight which met my eyes shall al
ways remember The low, dark hull
o. the Ferris was almost under water.
Inc waves were breaking forcibly over
ner bows, and what remained of once
iull deck cargo was being gradually
Forced overheard. In the stern, with
nus hands upon his head, as if to steady
1ls wasted and weary brain, stood the
vaptaan, knee-deep in water, while off
70 leeward of the sinking craft was
noafing the ships boat. in which we saw
tne form of man and woman, while in
s sle bottom was lying the figure of a
Is was some minutes before the man
VI BOARD made up his mind to leave
.ne deck. Finally. however, call from
.ne Doat brought him to his senses, and
cssung around sofrowful glance. he
vent over the side and made for the
an Shell that was floating with great
oaVyancy on the tops of the waves. The
o'u Ournam, true to her helm, came up
lnlo the wind, and as we passed by a
sN-SNAs 4OA u1tuuGCS xhtSE
sae last Of the party was on board. the
s,samer's head was turned, and as we
slanced over the stern of the boat we
: saw = the Ferris, her sails Tapping wildly
- sae WIND, give a long roll, and then
So uoWn like lead into the deep waters.
as the party came over the side the
MASTER grasped the hand of CAPTAIN
Aunu and exclaimed, with tears in his
eyes: God bless you, Captain, YOU have
saved my WIFE A slight figure, clad
n dark, wet garments, next came to
O OUT sight. was never, to tell the truth,
~.a ~ole surprised in my life. The figure
ss vas mat OF girl scarcely eighteen
@ srsas Of age, Her light, thick hair was
gracefully blowing about her face
.nleh. though soiled and careworn
sase evidence of much beauty. She was
ssasr e sh middle height and quite small.
ns = a1e , stepped upon the deck she gave
y s0ok shall never forget, So weak