The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-02-11
STRUGGLING FOR LIFE
A sHIPwREckEp. CREWS VAIN EFF
FORTS TO REACH LAND.

Three B1en Drowned on the Rocky Rhode
leland Shore Within Ten Feet of Terra
FtrInA - A vivid Description OF an
Awful Storm.
William II. Burns, an eye witness Of
the wrecking of the three masted school,
ner A. Fl. Hurlburt, of Gloucester, tells
thrilling story OF the battle of the YES
sells crew for life. She was trying to
make Newport for harbor, but, being
unable to accomplish this. dropped an
Choir at noon about quarter OF a mile
off shore. She dragged her anchors and
struck Black Point about 4 o'clock, and
IN twenty minutes was Hndling wood.
The crew consisted of six men. Three
were drowned, including the captain.
and three were saved. Every man Of
them was on the rocks at one time, and
the captain and steward were swept
away when but Eve feet from shore. 1T
was an awful struggle for life between
these six men and the merciless waters.
Burns tells the story thus:
Black Point. where the vessel struck, Is
three miles south of the Casino. It is a
mass of rock which juts boldly from the
shore. but descends into sharp pointed
reef with jagged protruding edges at its
farther point. It Is not one solid body,
for tho action Of the waves has worn
wide and deep crevices in it. where the
water forms in pools. On the north side
it forms sort Of cove, whore the sea in
gale has full sweep.
have charge Of the cottage Of 8. s.
Rogers, Of Buffalo, where | live with
my family. and which is about quarter
OF d mile from Black Point on the bluff.
was informed about twenty minutes to
by Sam Kissouth. who lives near by,
that echooner was going on the point.
he Immediately rushed out. and was on
the bluff about fifty yards from the rocks
when the schooner, drifting broadside
on, struck. The wind was blowing
sixty miles an hour and the sleet and
hail cut into the face like needles.
WRECKED by WAVES.
! was quickly on the Shore The ves-
sci was scarcely 100 feet away. and was
right on top Of the sharp rocks, which
were exposed by each receding wave.
The men were plainly visible, huddled
together, hanging on to the house at the
stern of the schooner. At five minutes
to 4, fifteen minutes after she struck,
the mizzenmast toppled over with q
crash that was heard above the other
noises, and the mainmast and the fore
mast quickly followed. As the fore
mast went over the side the vessel split
in the middle, and the cakes of ice with
which she was loaded came pouring out.
AS the vessel parted the men jumped
for the rocks. They all landed. Young
Lawrence, q mere boy. only IS years
old, WAS the last to jump. He never
reached the shore. The mate. John
Rooney, as quickly as he could, threw
of his boots and overcoat. His fore
thought saved his life. The captain, the
mate and the steward, Frank Ham,
nond. kept together While Bernard
Wehers and another seaman named
kuna tried to work their way over to-
ward tho south end of the reef, the
others went straight ahead and more
toward the north side, where the sea had
full sweep.
| had run down to the shore while
Kssouth had gone after another man
named Rowley. When they got to the
scene the vessel was in pieces and the
men struggling for their lives. sta
toned myself toward the south side, and
beckoned and gesticulated for the men
to come that way. | yelled also, but |
could hardly hear my own voice. The
group Of three and the Young sailor,
however, kept right on. The sea was
dashing over the rocks with terrific
force, every wave completely submerg-
ing them. The holes and crevices were
filed with water. and through these the
men waded or. swan. clinging to the
rockweed or the slippery rocks as each
wave struck them.
WASHED AWAY.
Young Lawrence had scarcely covered
twenty-five feet Of the distance when q
wave struck him and he disappeared.
he was the last TO leave the vessel and
the first to drown. Kissouth and Row
ley had now arrived, and Webers and
Lund, who had crawled and swan in,
were hauled ashore, while ran over to
the other side, toward which the cap
tain. mate and steward were struggling.
The mate had caught hold of cake Of
Ice and was endeavoring to keep afioat
on it. but soon let go.
1t was only five minutes since they
had left the ship, but it seemed an age
to the men on shore who were watching
the brave struggles of the unfortunate
sailors. Inch by inch they fought their
way along the treacherous, slippery
rocks, holding on for their lives in the
crevices and by the weeds when the big
breakers dashed over them. As the
waves receded would rush down the
slippery rock on which | stood in the
vain hope that they would get near
enough for me to seize them. The min
utes seemed like hours. but still the men
held on.
Now they are within ten feet, but an
other wave breaks over them. If had
had ten foot rope would have saved
them all. Tho suspense was awful as
the men. with their drawn faces and
shut teeth. held on and looked toward
the refuge 30 near them. Now the wavo
goes back. A strong effort and they
are safe. They press forward; are al
most Sbere, only FIVE feet more, when
monster roller bigger than the others
strikes them. 1t tears their weak grasp
from the rocks and buries them out OF
sight. AL but Rooney. He, Invested
Of his coat and boots, has better chance
than the others. and as the waves go
back he lies struggling almost at my
feet. It Is but the work Of moment to
seize him and drag him safely on the
rock.
The others were washed MP on tho
single amid the driftwood Of the vessel
the next day. The stewards body was
entirely stripped Of clothing, his skull
smashed in and his scalp torn off,
Providence Journal.