The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-18

RESCUED FROM A LIFE-8OAT IN
THE CHESAPEAKE.

Thrilling Iale OF the Drowiiing Of Five
Msn-Gordonsviile Expecting a Boom
News Gathered in Many Parts Of the
Commonwealth.
NORFOLK. VA. Mar IT, Special. The
clyde Line steamer Defiance. which arrived
IN port yesterday afternoon. had ON board
Assistant Lighthouse Keeper James B.
Hurst. Of the York spirit lighthouse, who
had been rescued from life-boat floating in
the Chesapeake bay.
After being taken aboard the steamer,
Mr.. Hurst told a thrilling story 20 Captain
Burgess. and reported the drowning Of five
men. whom De had attempted 10 rescne
from watcry grave. Keeper Hurst says
that between 90 and II o'clock yesterday
morning De discovered a schooner ashore in
York spit. near the northwest buoy. A few
minutes after discovering the vessel he saw
yawl-h0at. containing five men. leave and
pull toward the lighthouse. The wind was
blowing with terrific force at the time, and
an angry sea was running. As the boat
approached the lighthouse 10 was picked
mp by large wave and thrown against the
iron piles OF the structure with such ter
rifle force that all tive men were thrown In
the water. The men grasped the iron piles
in desperate struggle for life, but
they were soon benumbed and OyerpOwered
hy the icy sea which washed over them
fur0usly. Keeper Hurst threw line 10 the
unfortunate seamen, which two of them
erasped. but the three others went
down before they could catch hold
of IL. The brave keeper then low
cred his own boat. descended pile and
jumped into 10. one of the men still held 10
the line. and the keeper did all he could 10
get him in his boat but the seaman was sO
exhausted himself that Dee could do nothing,
and, after hye-minutes' struggle,
the lighthouse keeper had 90 let 20
of him. and be- followed his four
companions. who had before gone 20
the bottom. The boat which the keeper was
loo broke loose from her m0orngs, and be
was RAPIDLY drifting 90 sea when picked mp
bg the Defiance. The name OF the schooner
+. unknown. but 90 is thought she was one
of the vessels trading between Norfolk and
Baltimore.
Congressman George J.. Bowden arrived
town in Yesterday. and when in Collector
Banks Office this morning be was the at-
mirod centre of "a group of about fifty heel
ers. thirty.nNeOf of whom We're negroes. There
are "a large number OF lighthouse keepers
t0 Dee appointed in few days. besides two
hundred and nny census takers.
and these politicians are after
these places. All the counties
in the second district are represented, and
it has been "a perfect field day. 30 great was
ihe crowd t0 see Mr.. B0wden. and so anN-
ilus We're they 90 talk with him that line
was formed from one end OF the collectors
Office % the other. and each man took his
turn 90 say his say.
The nitod States steamship Fortune
hurried ol from tine navy yard last night to
go fO the relief OF the nited states steam
shin Despatch. which went ashore near
Cedar Point in The Potomac river saturday
afternoon. The Despatch has secretary
Tracy and party aboard, and the first news
OF her being ashore WAS brought m by ihe
steamer George Leary last night The
Leary made several trials tO haul the lles-
patch Od but they were fruliless. The
water in The Potomac river was very low
saturday afternoon. having been blown our
bV the uOrihWesieriy storm. and this is pro-
badly the cause of the war slOop being
ashore.
The business OF packing oysters is rapidly
legouOraung in Norfolk. and the close oi this
season will s0n thc dissolution of several of
the LARGEST firms. The North Carolina
sounds seem tO Doe the layOrite places for
0nerafi0ns now. and prominent packers
think tine next two years viii witness Won
derfnl deyelOpemont in their vicinity.
Col. Charles W. Mackey. President Of
the Virginia Beach Railroad and Improve
ment Company. accompanied by his family,
arrived zoo Virginia Beach sunday night Tor
q two weeks stay.