The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-08
Nll]!l{ Eagle
SAVED FROM THE SEA.

Perseverance, Prevents Old Neptune Swal-
lowing a Shipwrecked Crew.
When the streets are full of snow and
the air is biting cold and the wind blows
and bowls spitefully around the corners of
the deserted streets in the seaport city of
Portland, but passing thought is given
to that desolate shore which projects far
out into the ocean, and whose sturdy rocks
seem to invite combat with the monster
waves when dashed into frothy fury by
the merciless winds. Yet there was scene
enacted there Monday night that should
not be passed unnoticed.
At the beginning of the night the WIND
blew hurricane without the plain wooden
building at the extrmity of the cape, and
its very doorsill was almost washed by tae
breakers that tried in vain to rend tae
rocks. The building is known as the Cape
Elizabeth Life Saving station. and Monday
night, as darkness came on and the lamps
in the twin lights sent forth rays of warn
ing which were eclipsed by the falling
snow, the beach patrol buttoned their coats
tightly beneath their chins, drew on their
heavy boots, received their instructions
and started for the bleak shore, where they
were to walk to and fro ali night long lis
teping to the grand chorus of old oceans
deep bass, the tenor of the fog bell and the
baritone of the whistling buoy, whose con-
slant refrain was, "Bewarel Bewarel
Keep off Keep off"
So these broad chested, bronze faced sea-
men patroled the beach, while the wind
cut their cheeks and they resen1bled snow
men as the feathery fakes beat against
them. For several hours they kept their
lonely vigil, until finally the outlines of a
vessel were discerned close by the rocks.
Then was the time for action. AS the fire
man jumps for his place on the engine, as
the driver hustles his horses to the pole
when the gong at the fire station strikes,
so these men became at once all activity.
One trudged across the rocks and fields to
the station and aroused the watchmen.
The men tumbled from their beds, rubbed
their eyes, took in the situation and were
Immediately wide awake.
Quickly they donned their oil skins,
strapped their life preservers about them,
and gallant Captain Trundy gave orders to
man the apparatus. A boat, cannon, life
lines, brooches buoy and rockets were
dragged mile across the fields, along the
shore in the darkness of a storm through
the snow which was breast high to the
reach the shore near the i'll fated craft.
They hear the cries for help of the sailors,
which spurs them on to increased alacrity
The endangered vessel is almost in the jaws
of the merciless rocks when the apparatus
is rugged and the gun is ready.
Voices become inaudible by the roar of
the breakers and the bowling of the wind.
Nearer and nearer drifts the vessel help
lessly to the rocks, while the men climb
the rigging praying to God to save them.
The apparatus is ready, some one applies
the heat. there is a kissing sound and a
rocket shoots through the snow laden air.
An exclamation of disappointment is
heard The doomed vessel is a hundred
yards from the shore and the rocket falls
short of its work
Nothing daunted another is thrown, and
that, too, shares the fate of it's predeces-
sors. Again the gun is charged. A hiss
ing. whizZing sound as the rocket is sent
into space. 1t rises into the night, scars
on ana on and on until the attraction of
gravity causes IS to fall, and it falls over a
vessel. The life line performs its mission,
and the sailors hail it as divine interposi-
ton of Providence.
A hawseris hauled on board, the breeches
buoy rugged. and man after man is hauled
ashore. As the last man leaves the wreck
the vessel is being crunched by the merc-
less rocks. Soon the party is blowing
across the fields up to the waists in snow,
benumbed, half frozen, almost exhausted
The lives of the crew were saved. The life
corps (heroes every one) did their duty for
forty dollars mOnth.-Portland Express.