The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-22
FIVE HEROES LOST.
Brave Sailors Drowned While
Trying to Render Assistance.
Their Boat Overturned While Help
ing a Disabled Steamer.

While performing an act Of heroism First
officer Bartholomew Il. Henry, of the steam
, ship Kniekerbocker Of the Cromwell line Of
steamers, and four brave members Of the yes
sells crew lost their lives the other morning
in the terrible storm of wind and blipding
snow which swept the New Jersey coast ri
The Knickerbocker arrived at New York
from New Orleans after tempestuous
voyage Of seven days. When she had been
Rsds Rsb fast to her sshans moorngs Captain Frank
the loss Of his friend Henry and the others,
with tears streaming down his cheeks This
Is the Captains story: -
On Wednesday the Knickerbocker left New
Orleans with passengers, crew and cargo for,
New York City. The weather was fair until
] the steamer struck the Florida coast, when
heavy winds, varying from northeast to
the vesse! proceeded on her way with only
little difficulty. ss.. g.s.E
At o'clock A. N. the following Tuesday,
the weather was nasty. The wind was blow
ing a gale from the northeast, with a driving
snow-storm. When the Five Fathom Light
house had been reached, which is 150 miles
distant from New York city aud of the
coast Of New Jersey, the lookout sighted q
large schooner in the distance with the dis
tress signal flying. zc< ,2ts
First Office Henry prop; sed to the Cap.
tain that men be sent to her relief Heprom-
ised to 60 himself. and asked that four men
Of the crew be detailed to accompany him.
,, When the crew learned what was wanted
four of the most experienced of the sailors
and William Metgaten-volunteered their
services. - -. -;
Just then the northeast gale changed to q
gale from the northwest, and the sea was
rolling in mountains With great difficulty
and danger the lifeboat, which was a new
; one and of the most improved pattern, was.
lowered. Officers and men jumped in and
pulled away on their erland Of mercy to the
disabled schooner in the distanca Nearly
an hour it took the boat to reach the
schooner, and every now and then on her
trip she was lost to the breata IS ESssengers
and crew, who were, watching her from the
steamer rocking in the trough Of tie sea.
At last the schooner was. reached. She
proved to be the Mary D. Creamer, bound
to Philadelphia Her captain said that her
rudder had broken, and that she was help
less She wanted to be towed to Fhiladel-
phia. IS
Those on board the Knickerbocker then
saw Officer Henry take q line from the
cruiser and saw the boats crew pull toward
the Kn:ckerbocker. AS the crew rowed
away the line from the schooner was payed.
out, little by little. Finally, when about
half the distance had been accomplished, q
wave like mountain came and struck the
boat broadside.
The towline parted in twain, the lifeboat
capsized and her commanding officer and
crew were seen struggling in ths water for
their lives. - ~
1t seemed hours, but It was in reality only.
few minutes when the boat was righted and
three of those struggling with the waves
fn ole nhop info hor
two were never seen again. Two sailors Were
drowned. -
Again the boat proceeded laboriously on
its journey. First officer Henry took the
place Of one of the sailors at the oars and
pulled with the remnant Of his crew. The
passengers on the steamer saw him cease
rowing once He at that time lashed him.
self to the seat on which he sat
The wind still continued to blow the tre-
men ious gale, and the billows seened higher
than ever before. But on and on the boat
came with progress hardly perceptible
until it was within easy hailing Of the anx.
ious watchers on the steamers decks. -
Then there rolled threatening wave from
the northwest, higher by far than any which
had preceded it, and struck the life beat
terrific blow. Once more she capsized, and
the three men could be distinctly seen bat
tling the waves. f.s5S
The next wave that came took the boat on
its crest, and wilh tremendous force flung tt
against the hull of the steamer. It was
stove in in an instant and sunk out Of sight
Scarcely had the lhe-boat gone to the bot
tom when the body Of man was seen float
ing near the steamers side It was that Of
First Officer Henry. Lines were thrown and
the remains were brought on deck. They
were put in the state-room he occupied in
life, and were brought to the city. The.
bodies Of the sailors were not found.