Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-18
aGET THE BOAT READY
A Tribute to the Young Aeronaut, For
rest Mcneil

1t is impossible for one who did not wit
ness the balloon ascension on Christmas
day in West Point, Ga, says the La
Grange Reporter, TO appreciate the posi-
ton of the subject of this notice, and his
untimely death in his descension into the
ChattahoOchee river.
The violence that marked his progress
through the air and above the clouds was
a contrasting one to the transports of the
people, who viewed in utter consterna-
ton his thrilling and exciting exhibition.
His keen penetration, discerning his
close proximity to the river, apprehended
at glance the imminent danger to which
he was subjected.
His wonderful skill at once lost sight
OF the field in which to display itself, and
he began to call for help in the pathetic
wOrds-"Get the boat ready"-which were
repested four times. as houses and people
swept past him like vision. Life aud
death hung on every breeze, and sect the
boat ready" echoed from the multitude on
the banks of the river. Alas! only to view
his fatal leap into eternity. VAN speed
The boat was too late, and the Inflated
aerOnaut terminated his wonderful feats
upon the trapeZe in the omInous stream
that marks his vain pursuit. and will ever
remain a warning TO those who plight
their youth to such daring adventures.
A letter was found about his person
bearing beautiful prayer from his pious
and anxious mOther-which suggested the
following lines:
get THE BOAT READY"
Get the boat ready" for the mantling tides
Are gathering darkly, where my ''Air ship"
guides,
And chilling winds bear on my dreary way,
Where smiles and sunny lights have ceased to
No hope. no joys can now my life Hume.
No friends are near to cheer and warm my
gloom.
All! cruel breeze Of Fortune; thus to spring.
And darken now those dreams to which 1
cling!
Oh! treaeherous dream in all loved to scan
In air above the bright domain OF man:
Breathec that fabric which gives folly scope,
Borne without sails in visionary hope,
A whitening flame that sickens and decays,
Ih&t takes It's range where man presump-
tive plays
Too late! my willing soul its ills resign,
Too late! il bears me whore dark waters Irvine
The chain Of ages, in their WautOn tide,
Where venturing life must, with grim death,
abide.
''Get the boat ready" for the dying son
Hath given up his ship-hs race is run;
hehoid him now, within a watery grave,
His words are lost, and freezing on the
WaVe.N
Get the boat ready" launch it once again,
10 bear his spirit where lis soul must re gn;
Once more embarked upon a different stream,
His Angel Pilot" DER the waters beam,
foswel the sails that watt him far away
Beyond this life of Tines sad feeting day.
The boat is anchored-that good Angel fair
Caught up those words left freezing on the
air"
And with one breath Of love. divinely strong
one tear Of pity, thaWed them INTO song
or triumph o er the tempes.'s deadly chain,
No more TO fetter to the earth again
\ soul reclaimed from its first bond OF sin,
Now landed where that mothers prayers
have been.
Get the boatready," ye who linger still
Gliding on ana on through dark and stormy
i'll
Thy sails be those of heavenly light urfurfd, I
To land thee safely in another world.
FLORIDA III. REED.
West Point Dec. IS. 1851