The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-21

forth. Down IN the fireroOm the stOkers
"a ere keeping the fires at white heat. An
engineer Otilcer slCod by them directing
their work. while in the engine room Keogh
was constantly coaxiRg the old McLane to
do a little etber.
1t was just turning dusk when the cutter
made SombrerO ahead. Tue first cutter was
gotten in readiness, forty gallons of oil
placed in the bottom OF the boat, and crew
in charge Of Lieut.. Uberroth, with life pre-
servers on, stood ready 10 pull away the mo-
ment the vessels Roadway was stopped. Be
tween the McLane and the lighthouse a
heavy surf was running. Nothing daunted,
down went the first cutter into the water,
and Uberroth was dashing squarely st the
surf.
With a cry of horror all on board saw the
boat and her crew disappear, but only for
an instant, for there she was again outside
the surf, but full of water Her men were
overheard hanging onto the gunwales and
bailing out. In & few minutes Uberrath
was at it again, steering with great long
oar over the stern. A second time the cutter
was thrown back. but in the third attempt
she was carried over the shoal on top of q
huge white comber, amid the cheers Of the
men on the McLane.
The cutter made directly for the light
house. The wind was bowling and the seas
running so high that no one away up IN the
iron structure heard the cries of the men in
the boat Waiting his chance, Uberroth
sprang for one Of the iron girders, climbed
up to the first staging, lowered tackle. and
inside of five minutes had forty gallons of
oil out of the boat Still no one was to be
seen. and nothing heard but the awful roar
of the wind and sea. 1t was getting quite
dark, and already the McLane could hardly
be made out in the distance.
Pushing his way up the narrow iron stair
-, k,1l Al
door at the top. This he pushed aside and
crawled along the light platform to the
light tower. Opening the little door he
stepped In, to the wonder and amazement
of poor old white-haired man, the sole re-
naming occupant OF the dreary post. All
others nad long ago pulled for the beach to
call for succor. The light keeper was found
sitting on camp stool, his form bent over
the oil box, and his face the picture of
agonizing despair.
In the box were two and half gallons
Two gallons of oil are necessary for the
wicks to burn, aud the poor old man, faith
full 10 the last, was watching the last half
gallon slowly, slowly disappear. To say
that the McLane's boat was godsend puts
it mildly. 1t perhaps saved more tina one
ship from going to pieces on the night of
the 7th on Sombrero rect. Uberroth sue
ceeded in reaching the McLane boat, meet
ing less trouble in the surf on the way back.
The McLane took shelter in close to chore,
and later continued her cruise. She has Just
returned. The absence of the Laurel is Sc
verely criticised. The vessel is kept at
Pc sacola, distance of 500 miles from the
reefs. 1t is asserted that she should be sta
toned at Key West. Political influence
coused her to be sent to Pensacola. But for
the McLane and her brave men the lights
on the Florida reefs would have been out,
and these are the men that Senators John
Sherman and CockreH oppose having the
benefits of retirement, pension, and other
emoluments allowed officers of the navy.
The recent case of the McI4ane is but an in
stance of duty constantly b eing performed
by revenue marine officers.