Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-12
Gales aud $ketthes.
4 Shipwreck OF Cape Cod.
A TRUE STORY OF Our COAST HEROES.

A TRUE STORY OF OUR COAST HEROES.
Twas sitting in my Office in the town Of
Truro. Cape Cod, reading. one stormy
winter evening, when suddenly there
came loud rap at my door. Before
could arise to my feet, it opened, and in
walked Dick Smith. my nearest neighbor
out OF breath and very much excited.
"There il . vessel come ashore at the
backside. Doctor; l think perhaps you
would like to 90 up," he said, shaking
the water from his sou'wester.
That would. Dick !" exclaimed.
Then hurry bit, SIR" he said, "for
am afraid she be coming we'll on. and
with this sea she don't last long. sir"
The storm was at its height when we
left the house and strobe through the
wind and rain down to the shore. where
groups OF excited people were gathered
watching eagerly through the darkness
something which was tossing about help
lessly on the angry waters. The sight
which presented itself to my gaze as
made my way along the rough roadway
to the shore, was one which could not fail
to strike the beholder with awe. The
force. and dashing high their spray in air.
The sky was black and lowering. and Gov
cred by huge, drifting masses of inky
clouds The rain and sleet were falling
heavily. and showers of spray from the
white capped waves dashed in our very
faces. while through the darkness shone
the red light of vessel. She was
amongst the breakers, rolling and pitch
ing about in helpless condition. Every
moment it was thought she would strike.
and it was evident to all that she was
doomed to certain destruction. | hurried
along TIL came to the side of Capt. Nell
son of the Life Saving station, and putting
my hand on his shoulder. | said: Cant
anything be done for her. Captain p'
This is terrible business, he said
hoarsely. They are getting the life-boat
out. but it is an impossibilty to launch her
in the face of such a storm. All ~ he ex
claimed, as a sudden groan arose stimuli
taneously from the crowd assembled,
she has struck Now. Lord save them ~
As the Captain had said, it was almost
an impossibility to launch the life-boat in
the teeth of such wind. and with such
a sea on. and although the men were
preparing the boat, and pushing it to
within few yards of the surf, they felt
that their errand was a fruitless one. be-
sides placing their own lives in but lit
tie less jeopardy than were those on the
vessel. Only the year before, nearly a
whole boats crew were lost while at
tempting rescue. short distance below
there on the Peaked Hill Bars. Presently
the Captain strobe away to the boat. and
stood helping with the casks and lines
until it was ready to be launched, when,
with CHEEKY, Jump in, my lads ~ he
took his place at the helm. In less time
than it takes to tell it. every seat was filled
and every hand grasping an oar, and the
next moment the life boat was pushed far
out on the receding wave by a score of
stout arms from the shore. the hardy
fishermen rushing up to their waists in
the surf, and barely regaining place of
safety before the next roller came dashing
in.
But wait; see that immense roller come
surging toward us it's larger than the
few preceding ones; every man of us in
voluntarily holds his breath. The next
instant the boat is caught up like feath-
err. filled with water to the gunwale, and
dashed high upon the beach. The men
in her. drencned to the skin. barely escaped
before the succeeding wave, coming in
with tremendous force, struck the boat,
turning it completely end over end One
poor fellow. as it was, was seized bv the
undertow before he had fairly gained his
footing. and hauled off his feet, and but
tor the timely assistance of one of his
mates. who. with line around his waist.
dashed into the surf and rescued him. he
must surely have been drowned The
Captain was right. To launch the boat
now was an impossibility he had tried
and failed. What would be done nextp
We had not long to wait. for the brave
fellows. wet though they were, soon
came from out the house. dragging
through the soft sand the heavy carriage
containing gun, shot-line, hawser. and
other appliances necessary to establish
communication with the wreck The tide
had receded somewhat, so that there was
now space to haul the carriage along the
beach, between the high bank and the
surf, until opposite the wreck. and dawn
was just beginning to break when every
thing was ready for action. The vessel
lay well over on her side, the pillows
breaking completely over her. The crew
what were left of them. with seeming diff.
ficulty, were clinging to the rigging One
huge fellow, almost Hercules, was three
times washed away from the vessel twice
he regained his hold, but the third time
his strength failed. and he sank beneath
the waves. Two others, before the car.
riage was in position, gave up the strug.
gle. and releasing their grasp. were sweep,
away. The survivors told us afterwards
that one poor boy named James Downing
whose home was in Boston, succumbed tc
the cold
81 can't stand it any longer, Captain, =
said he, 81 am going to die"
When last seen. he was lying in the lee
scupper. his head hanging listlesslv to one
side, huge cut on his left cheek. caused
by his striking against the hatchway
combings when he fell from the rigging
his arms clutching in their death-grip {
coil of frozen rope. Some days after
wards his body was washed up on the
beach. about three miles below the Sta
ton. At last the captain whispered
hoarsely: Goodbye. boys. I shall try
for the shore. May God keep me, for my
poor wife's sake!" A dory was dropped
over the side. but was crushed in an in.
slant. Capt. Cation then tore off the cabin
sky light. and heaving it overheard
sprang after it. His support was soon
wrenched from his grasp. but he strug-
gled manfully. He fought his way quite