The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-05-30
The ElanshiD Trenton.

calculating age to read the story of the
flagship Trenton ct Samoa. Once more
the heart beats high, and n mist comes
before the eyes, rs there used to now and
then in war time.
We seem to see the gallant Trenton, as
We read, driven b. the whistlinS gale
about the harbor at Apia. Her rudder
is gone, her fires have been put out by
the waves. She has no sail, no steam,
no rudIer, and yet her gallant navigat-
ing officer. Lieut.. R. NJ. G. Brown, is able
to save her and the 450 American sailors
on board. She carries Admiral Kimbcr-
II too.
The navigating officer orders the storm
sal to be set. 1t is done with the great
est difficulty. That helps some, but the
great Trenton drifts in towards the death
reef in spite of it. Sho seems surely
going to her doom. Suddenly Lieut..
Brown orders all on board into the port
rigging. There they cling for life. The
compact mass of humanity throws thus
its weight on the side Of the ship next
the storm. The close rows Of bodies are
as good as q sail, and act as such. The
big ship veers slowly around, and away
from the reef
Anew danger arises. The Trenton is
being driven by: the wind against the
Olga. Now nothing can save her. In
that moment those On shore see the Stars
and Stripes suddenly run up the peak of
the flagship. The brave 4J9 have read
their doom. They will go down with
colors flying. The two vessels strike.
There is a crash, splintering of tim
bers, heard even above the awful stofza.
The American flag waivers and goes down.
It falls upon the deck of the German
ship Olga; a strange incident. 1t ought
to be an omen Of peace and good will.
But it seems that a power greater than
the tempest saves the two ships. Neither
is destroyed, though both arc fearfully
injured Then the disabled giant drifts
back into the .iarbor. Now she drives
down upon the Vandalia. A hundred
men still cling desperately to tho rigging
of the Vandalia. They have been there
twelve hours. The ropes have cut
into thoir flesh, they are bruised black
and blue, their eyes are blinded by the
salt spray, but still they are alive.
Now they see the black hull of the
Trenton bearing down upon them. 1t is
bitter thus to die by blow from their
e own comrades.
But what is that? A cheering cry. It
comes from their brothers on the Tren-
ton. Those on shore hear it. "Th-ee
cheers for the Vanda1ia!" 1t is the Tren-
tons men, with death before them all,
insniring the men in the rigging. They
~ it, and It does indeed put life into
them. They even answer back feebly,
the saddest, faintest little cheer ever
human lips uttered.
Then the suffering men in Glo rigging
hear another sound. Above the whis-
ting of the gale, above the roar of the
breakers, it comes, clear, strong, sweet.
1t is the band of the Trenton, and in that
awful moment they are actually playing
the ''Star Spangled Banner" Well, it is
glorious tune to die by. Heroes souls
have been waited into the beyond by its
strains before today.
Not yet! That which seemed their
certain death is their salvation. Instead
of running the Vandalia down, the Tren-
ton swings gently alongside. The ex-
hausted men in the rigging are taken
quickly off. The dying Trenton drifts
back upon the reef. There is no saving
her now. So stanch is her great hull,
though. and SO deep, that she settles
upon the reef high out of water, and
docs not go to pieces. She keeps her
cargo of brave men safe till the storm is
over.
Gallant old Trenton! Gallant 450!
While tho republic stands, while thes star
spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
you shall live in your country's storyl
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