The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-04-21
SWIMMTNG FOR HIS LIFE.
STORY OF A SOLDIERS HARpIHooD
IN CHARLESTON BAY.


these two points Leander accomplished
that swimming feat which secured him
both place in history and the heart, if
not the hand, of Hero. Lord Byron, un-
mindful of the tragic fate of the luckless
Leander, attempted and achieved the
same feat without the inspiration Of love,
but from consuming thiEst for noto-
riety, which was at once the passion and
the plague of his eventful life.
We have a swimming feat to commence
rate that was prompted neither by gal
lantry nor ambition, but by an instructive
love of life. What it lacks of the halo
of romance is more than compensated by
the truth of history.
1t was the night of the 30th of August,
1853. For several days the Twentieth
South Carolina and the Twenty-third
Georgia regiments had been scoring at
Battery Wagner on Morris Island. So
heavy and continuous was the FIRE of the
enemy's feet and battery on this outpost
that 1t was necessary to relieve at short
intervals the regiments on duty at that
point A small wooden steamer bearing
the formidable name of Sumter was en-
ployed in the interchange of troops be-
tween the main land and the several forts
and batteries that protected Charleston.
These relief expeditions of the Sumter
were carried on after nightfall, as a need
full prccaution against the long-range
guns of the Yankee feet. On the occa-
sion referred to one, Pat McCarty, gal
liant son of Erin, went over as a courier
from headquarters. A fresh breeze blew
from seaward and cloud-racks overhead
obscured the starlight, and betokened
foul weather in the next twenty-fo
hours. The Sumter made her run to
Morris Island without accident or note
worthy incident. Probably four hours
were occupied in the landing of the re-
lieving regiments, and in the embarka-
ton of the two South Carolina and
Georgia regiments, beside about fifty
sick and wounded soldiers who were or
dered to the hospitals.
About nightfall the steamer with her
human freight crowdiEg hold and deck,
set forth to convey the Twentieth Caro-
lima regiment to its camp on Sullivan's
Island. To avoid the sand bars the YES
sci must needs make a circuit and strike
a certain channel, and approach Fort
Moultrie somewhat from the direction of
the Yankee feet lying inside the bar.
The commandant at Fort Moultrie,
suspecting that the unknown craft might
be a Federal vessel attempting to pass the
blockade, ordered gunner of Captain
Kirkley's battery to open fire.
In a moment a solid shot went boom
ing past the Sumter In another minute
the second shot was fired, this time fall
ing short of the steamer, but striking
near enough to splash the water on her
crowded deck. In vain did the Sumter
attempt to signal the fort. The next
time Captain Kirkley, who was famous
shot, was ordered to fire himself. He
did it, however, under protest, as he as
sured his superior officer that the
steamer was not an ironclad, and could
not therefore belong to the Federal fleet.
This third shot struck the Sumter at the
water line, knocking a hole in her as
large as hogshead.
Almost Immediately the steamer began
to ELL and settle. The CONSERVATION on
board was, of course, fearful and in hot
haste the boats were lowered and
launched. In the midst of the uproar a
large number of the best swimmers
plunged into the sea and struck out for
Sullivan's Island. Among these was our
hero, Pat McCarty. According to his
subsequent statement he rose from his
bath in a state of mental confusion.
As well as he was able he aimed at a
dim light which he thought was beam
ing on Sullivan's Island. With lusty
strokes he gradually neared the light |
until he found himself almost under
the port holes of the Ironsides,
the monarch of the Yam
kee feet. He was well nigh |
exhausted when he made this startling
discovery. With little knowledge Of his |
bearings he struck off in an opposite di- |
rection, intending TO reach Fort Sumter.
With a stouter heart than the most illus /
trious Caesar, when he was buffeted by |
the waves of ''the yellow Tiber." F" he put |
forth his utmost strength, but the incom- |
ing tide swept him from his course /,
With all his heart and hopes he would |
have fallen a prey to the sharks had it |
not been for an occasional sand-bar.
where he could stop and recuperate his
failing strength.
After one or two of these stages he
discovered that in stopping his legs be-
came cramped so as to disable him for
swimming. Rallying his energies for a
inal and desperate effort he was success
al. He landed, however, on James
sland, far away from his original desti-
nation In his anxiety TO escape the
arthest sweep of some rehuent wave that
night bear him back to the sea he scram-
lied not less than hundred yards up
he sandy beach. Here he was found
'alf dead, but by the timely use of
Whisky and other restoratives he was en-
bled to relate his singular adventure.
according TO McCarty's soberest estimate
e swan not less than four miles. thus
istancing the English lord and the
Topic swain. -- PHILADELPHIA Times
A new torpedo boat recently built ut
.ondn by Yarrow & Co.. has attained
he remarkable speed Of "A, or knots or
4 66 miles per hour This is believed
} be the fastest time ever reached nv |