Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-04-04


sounded, and following it, scream OF
terror on our boat, and mulled shout
out Of the fog.
Before bad time to use the speaking
tube, the quick, sharp elang Of the gong
sounded, giving the signal 10 go ahead,
followed Immediately by the full speed
bell.
sprang to the starting bar, but my
heart sank like lead as | went. In
moment my worst fears were realized
the engine would not move Frantieal
[ stroTe 10 start it, but without avail.
Again and again came the sharp, impa-
tent clang Of the gong, and ! heard
once more the scream of terror.
knew that il that engine could be
started collision would probably be
prevented, but in spite Of all my efforts,
1t remained immovable.
Just then Starr, aroused by the stop
ping Of the engine and the commotion,
rushed half-dressed into the engine
room. saw him seize large wrench,
and run forward among the works, and 1
never saw him again.
crash. The 0eeidentheeled sharply over
to the starboard. The bow of the Naviga-
/ ton Companys steamer, which had over
/ hauled us while we were running at half
/ speed, struck us on the port-quarter aft
of the padde-box, and cut through the
| guard deep into the hull of the Occi-
/ dent.
Amid the crashing timbers, and the
clouds of steam escaping from a broken
pipe, Harry Watkins came bounding into
the engine room.
''Billy," he shouted, ~ must look
after these children promised tol"
He snatched up the little girl, who had
awakened and was crying loudly.
The Occidcnt would probably sink in
few minutes, for there was hole in
her side through which the water was
rushing with frightful speed. It had al
ready reached the furnace fires.
Some life-preseryers hung in the en-
CINE room. These | seized, and throw
ing two to Watkins, buckled one upon
myself and another on the boy.
l looked around fot Starr, but could
not see him. He died at his post.
Seeing that l could be of no further
use in the engine room, followed Wat
kins, who, carrying the girl and leading
the boy, was stumbling to the starboard
gangway.
In the meantime the mates and crew
were occupied in getting out the boats,
which were few and almost useless.
Tho (tbipo,,on
after the first Shock and patiently sub
mitted to he driven back from the
boats.
The steamer with which we had col
lided had drifted away in the fog, but
her shrill whistle could be heard not far
away.
As Watkins reached the rail OF the
sinking steamer, boat in charge Of the
second mate, full of passengers, was just
pushing off.
LUMP g} III tAy Wat asg s aEisa ths sa# aae
purser.
"Can't-hardly room for one" said
the man. While he spoke, the men in
the boat, fearing she would be over
loaded, pushed off.
The Occident was sinking rapidly. 1t
was plain she could float but few mo-
ments longer.
"We must jump into the water, and
try to get as far away from the wreck as
possible, [ said. "Tho boats from the
other steamer may pick us up"
We made our way to the stern, as that
afforded the best chance Of clearing the
wreck.
'Here, Watkins, let me take care of
the boyr said I. "You can't look after
them both
IAN right, Billy, Don't lose him.
Their mother is waiting at Seattle for
them, and promised TO see them safe
there"
Igrasped the boy by the hand, and
holding him fast, jumped into the chill
ing waters of the Sound. Watkins, hold
ing the little girl in his arms, followed
Immediately after me.
We all rose near together, and drifted
rapidly away from the wreck. So dense
was the fog that, in few moments, we
lost sight of everything, although we
could plainly hear the cries and screams
Of the drowning people.
Presently Watkins exclaimed: Chilly,
one of the life preservers is gone!"
saw that the life preseryer he had
strapped on the little girl had broken
loose, and was nowhere to be seen. Tic
preservers would support fairly well the
weight of one person; but | saw that it
would be impossible for the purser to
keep afoat long, and support the child,
too.
"Billy," said he, 81 can't keep her
above the water this way. I'm going to
put my life preserver on her"
''But," said I, show will that help
YOU'D It won't support any more weight
upon her than upon you"
"No, perhaps not" he gasped, be
tween his breaths, shut she'll be saferat
any rate Billy, l don't want to die, but
! I'd rather die than let these children
drown. They'd have been safe aboard
the other boat if it hadn't been for my
meddlng. I've got to see them through"
In spite of my circumstances he took
off his life preserver, and strapped it
upon the child He could swim but
little, and it was hard work for him to
make the change When it was done,
the child foated buoyantly, but his head
was almost under water all the time.
In the meantime we shouted till we
were exhausted. The sounds about US
grew fewer, the cries fainter; we could
hear tie splash of oars, but no boats
came our way.
| felt a numbness creeping over me,
and ! saw Watkinss face deathly- white
against the gray water Of the Sound, al
most overwhelmed. He was struggling
violently to keep afloat, but with his re-
manning strength was still assisting the
child.
Then heard the splash Of oars near at
hand, and a boat suddenly darted out of
the fog. There were shouts, and I felt
a strong hand grasp my collar. Then !
knew no more.
When l recovered consciousness, few
minutes later, found myself in boat
with two men, one of whom was wrap
ping the children with his warm, thick
coat The other was chatting my hands.
The boy was crying, Father! father!n
aud the little girl was strongly clasped
in the mans arms.
| 1t was the children's father, who had
been fishing near the scene of the dis
aster Ii was not very stranpe. under