Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-08-15
CORRESPONDENCE
ON THE .sEASHORE.
Life i'm Sight OF the Rolling Wave.

Life In Sight OF the Rolling Wave.
OCEAN GROVE, N J., August 8, 1885.
To the MINING JOURNAL.
While still sojourning in the city by
the sea / thought that few more lines
might not weary the patience of your
readers.
Sunday, July Goth, the National
Temperance Association held its last
meeting at 7:45 p. m, George W. Balm,
Esq, being the speaker. 1t is rarely
ones privilege to hear more eloquent
or soul-stirring orator. His entire
being seems possessed with the spirit
of the great reform, or rather he is its
living, acting incarnation. Hence,
eloquencc sits upon his lips and glows
in his actions. A vast audience of
5000 persons were held enraptured for
over an hour while the rain was pour
ing in torrents without. At his con-
clusion, as request had been made
that there be no manifestation of APP
plause, it was proposed that there be a
handkerchief amen, whereupon thous-
ands of white pieces were futtering in
the air, waving back and forth. 1t
was a pretty and novel sight. The
congregation went home in dreneh-
ing rain, but amply repaid for such
discomfort by having its better nature
aroused by the thrilling words OF the
great temperance advocate.
The storm referred to was from the
northeast, the heaviest and worst that
blows on this coast. All night the
wind whstled and the waves pounded
and ratified on the shore. There was
sense of comfort as one lay snug in
his bed while all this uproar was going
on without-now and then thinking
of the tempest-tossed mariner and his
weary hours of toll aud watching.
When morning dawned as far as the
eye could reach were wbite-capped
waves pitching and rolling toward the
beach. A natural impulse seized each
to push ones way through the furious
wind and driving rain to the pavilious
to witness
The oceans mighty swing,
When heav.lg the tempest wing.
The grandeur Of the sight was truly
appalling. The swing of those mighty
pillows would toss the navies of the
world helpless wrecks on the coast ;
sporting with them now on their crests,
now in their troughs as feathers in the
air. 1t was something fascinating to
watch the swells as they approached
the shore. Some carried with them
such mass of water as to break half
annie out at sea others came shore,
ward gathering strength as they moved
on; now rearing themselves aloft as
they approached the shallow places,
then with beautiful curl dash them
selves forward with mighty roar,
whirling high the spray and sending
sheet Of foaming, seething waters
far up on the beach. Away out al sea
some ambitious wave overlapping all
the others looked like snow-clad hill.
Up and down the coast there was a
WIDE belt of frotby water crawling up
on the shore in graceful eddies, then
sweeping back into the ocean. AT
some points of observation one could
see long, heavy surge after surge, with
deep troughs between, thus forming
some idea of vessels danger when
broadside to one of these pillows.
Early in the morning of this storm
some one deserted small yacht onlv a
half-mile OF, riding at anchor aud fly
ing signal OF distress. Three men
could be seen, one seated at the rudder,
another at his side. Soon the beach
was lined with q sympathetic crowd of
men, women and children. To the eye
of the inexperienced she seemed in the
greatest peril, at one time rushing like
race-horse the length of her cable,
at another tossing about as if every
moment she would be capsized, seem
ing to be continually shipping water.
Some persons became almost frantic,
gentlemen offering watches and
money, ladies diamond rings to who
ever would rescue tn" party.
There are two life. saving stations,
each about IL mile and ahalf from
where their help was needed. but the
men are not employed during the sum
mer months and consequently were
scattered about the country at their
homes. The captain and crew of six
men were collected with all possible
despatch About II o'clock an effort
was made to launch the boat, but the
surf ran SO high that the boat was ear
ried about mile down the coast. The
captain said the yacht was in no real
danger and seemed to be so deliberate
in his movements that the crowd be-
came almost furious, upbraiding him
with unconcern for the lives of others,
and offering to take the boat and res.
cue the men. The captain never lost
bic top,,.r but Sl,a6 fbo nort,, tl,,.