The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-05
JACK TAR's HEB0IsM UyREEARDED.
George Darth Deserves Better Treatment
Thnn He Gets

Among the heroes Of the Samoan hurricane
when the entire United States naval squadron
IN tho southern Pacific was dashed upon the
shore OF Apia harbor was an ordinary sailor
whose name might never have been known Ia
the public but for tho unfair treatment he has
received at the hands of Government officials
recently. He was attached 20 the flagship
Trenton having enlisted from BROOKLYN nearly
a score q years ago. and by close attention TO
duty had become a member Of tho crew OF the
captains gig.
In the midst of the storm at Apia George
Barth was one Of half dozen men at tho
wheel of the laboring flagship. Ittook half a
dozen men 30 hold that wheel. with the waves
running as high as housetops and dashing
over the ship with fury that seemed must
inevitably tear her TO pieces All the men on
board at that trying time were doing their
duty at their respective stations, but no harder
task fell 10 any than that Of holding the shin To
the storm. Responding 10 the violent currents
tie wheelwas continually forced up and down.
and at times only the most herculean strength
could hold the rudder in the true course
After hours Of incessant labor an unusually
violent toss of the ship. which subsequently
resulted in her destruction threw the men
from the wheel, which went spinning around
Ike circular saw, and Barth fell twenty feet
away with a horrible fracture of the leg. Not
outstanding the fact that the Trenton was
already grinding on the Jagged reef willing
hands picked up the wounded sailor and put
him carefully under the lee rail whore the
hammocks are slowed. and then, knowing
that his life could only be saved by saving tho
ship. he was lost. sight Of temporarily while
every one aboard stuck to his post of duty
When the waves began TO rush over
the snip as she passed the outer reef
and careened upon the shore the officers
and crew saved themselves by taking
10 the rigging, and in the excitement Barth
was forgotten. When the men in the main
mast rigging began looking for him no was
discovered sticking fast to the mizzen top
mast and holdingup his useless limb and suffer
ing understandable tOrments. He had crawled
from his place of security when the ship
struck, and dragging his leg after him had
mounted the shrOuds 10 the mizzen top. When
the gale finally subsidized enough 10 permit the
rescue from the shore Of the men imprisoned
in the rigging Barth was sent ashore IN
sling and received such surgical aid as was
possible under the circumstances IL COM
paratively desolate region.
When the shipwrecked crews were trans
ferred home on a chartered steamer--Barth
was shipped around from San Francisco IN
the MOnongahela. Arriving in Brooklyn he
wanted 10 re-enlist. but on account of the
crude setting of his fractured leg and result
ing curvature he was not permitted TO re-
enter the service under the regulations. Sec
Rotary Tracy however, become interested in
lid N'oO anu EoNt OiACi ADI ulb ItiLuhutIl
employment in the Brooklyn yard, at least
until his application for a pension could be
passed upon by Commissioner Raum His
long service and incapacitatng injury clearly
entitled him to a pension. and no
one doubted that it would be promptly
granted. but the pension officials de-
clned to receive his application except
through a practicing attorney, and the
attorney TO whom they recommended Bsrth
has 50 far found time TO do nothing toward
his fee. To finish the sailors mis-
fortune bis lack of political pull causes him no
end Of Inconvenience in the Brooklyn yard
lie has never been ashore long enough TO join
any political faction, or even TO perfect a resi-
lence and vote, so the bosses in the yard have
40 incentive in retaining him in Job. Conse-
iuently he Is worked halftime or laid Of every
)ther day as often az economy is necessary.
he is a laborer under Civil Engineer Asserson
who will probably give the man constant en-
)loyment hereafter or be summoned 10 Wash
ngtOn to explain bis reasons TO the Secretary
or laying the man of SO frequently .-Brook-
yn Eagle.