Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-10-07

Inen tne nOrary-tnat case OF llIty VOL
umes provided for their reading-was
cut loose from its fastenings, and
though the books were all soaked, that,
too, was saved. In fact, they got
everything belonging to the Govern
ment on shore that was not smashed
and could be used again, including the
clock and the thermometer. They
even saved portion OF the broken
stove, to show, as they said, that it was
not worth saving. But by this time the
first and second stories of the house
were under water, the ice had STAYED in
its sides, and The tide was running
through it. They had saved all the
lighthouse stuff worth saving, but
they had lost all their own personal be-
longings; even their cooked food, on
which they had reekoned to break the
fast which had been so prolonged,
that. too, had been carried away. If
they had attended to their own goods
first they might have been saved; but
the keepers feared the wreck might
break away at any moment, and they
preferred to be true, entirely true, to
the trust repQsed in them.
That was splendid conduct, true
bravery" said the doctor, 'but, pray,
how did they come outp"
"a passing steamer was sent to their
aid. The inspector, the one of whom
you spoke, doctor. in reporting the less
of the lighthouse, spoke well Of them.
Let me read you what he said. This is
from the otlcial report: 4 can not
commend too highly the admirable
conduct of these keepers, and their sue.
cessful efforts to save the movable
property seem most praiseworthy.
Then we wrote thus to them, said the
Commodore, reading from his letter
book:
"'The board has learned with pleas.
ure of your faithful and courageous
conduct in remaining at your post
when the Sharp's Island lighthouse was
threatened with overthrow by ice, and
particularly in saving the lens and
other lighthouse property after the
house had, on February 10, been car.
ried away, and after you had been
afloat in 1t for more than sixteen hours
without fire or food and in constant
and imminent danger.
:" In recognition of this proper per
Torrance of your duty the board has
placed your names on the list of those
deserving its special commentator. ,
"And / hope the board won't forge
its PROMISE" said the doctor, "fol
those men came from my county. Blu
between us, now, Commodore, weren't
they rather foolhardy to peril theil
lives for mere sentiment? What rea
good could they do by staying in the
lighthouse when it was in actual dan
gerp They could not show their light
and if they had it could have done nj
good. No boats could be running
when there was so much ice in tn,
bay, you know"
"You don't know our steamboa
men" replied the Commodore. "They
60 if they can get out of the harbor-
the more fools they without regart
to the ice. Why, a steamer wen
ashore on Sharp's Island within thirty
six hours after the light was carried
away, and the absence of the ligh
was alleged to be the cause of the dis
aster. Then, too, our men are trained
to understand that it is their duty t,
keep up their lights before and in spit
of everything else. They are brough
up to feel that on the maintenance o
their lights may depend the safety o
many lives and much property. The,
are instructed that they must max
every thing give way to the prim
necessity of keeping their lights burn
ing. They know themselves to be tn
sentries of the sea. No keeper ca,
leave his post while on duty withou
great danger to others and deep dis
grace to himself. So those who ar
trained in our service will suffer, an,
see those belonging to them suffer, be
fore they will finch. And the boar,
sternly enforces this doctrine. 1t ha
come to be known that no excuse TO
an extinguished light will be accepted
If light goes out so does its keeper
Some have alleged the sickness of wifi
or child, the need to go for doctor o
nurse, as an excuse for failure in duty
but the answer is always the same
There is no need that wife or chill
should be present at a lighthouse
Their presence is never required, an
their presence is permitted only o.
condition that they are never to be
hindrance. Keepers are held to
high sense of the Importance of thei
positions. 1850.
The doctor, who had begun to shoy
signs of impotence, now said: Eyes
that is a fine idea; but, Commodore
to return to the case of the poor feI
lows at Choptauk, l trust you will nc
deem it necessary to accept the resigna
tions they sent in while suffering I'M
der the somewhat unnecessary strict
ures of the inspector Consider thei
feelings"
~ had hoped it would be unneces
sary to revert to that matter, sir.
broke in the Commodore, VIII
was now pacing the floor, an
had shipped his quarterback face
Looking the doctor sqHarely i
the face and lowering his volc
to an intense tone, he continued
mo, sir; the designations of thes
keepers will not be accepted; but" an
here there was fire in his voice as we
as in his glance, "but instead, sir, the
will be dismissed, sir, dismissed TO
desertion. sir; crime that deserves tn
most signal punishment, sir.
''Oh, but Commodore, think of tn
disgrace"
Disgrace, yes, but not half they de
serve. Why, sir, you don't compr,
bend the enormity of their conduc
taking their own statement of it. Why
SIR" and here his voice began to raise
"why, sir, if it was in my power l.
hang them, sir, as deserters, placart
; ing their crimes on their breasts. Thu
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