Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-11-12
MAN THE LIFEBOATi
The Cry Heard on Gale-Swepi
Eritain's Coast.
RAVAGED BY \ TERRIBLE TORNADO


Graphic Description of the Work of the
Life-Savers - Repeated Attempts, FL
naliy Successful, to Rescue the Perish
ing-A Heroic Sailors Vain Sacrifice
The Racket and the Lifeline in Play
Crew and Five Passengers Taken or a
Wreck-Incidents of the Gale.
LONDON, Nov. IA terrible storm is
raging over this country. A fair idea of
its force can be gained from the fact that
the entire steamboat service between
Dover and Calais, Boulogne and Folke-
stone and between British ports and
Ostend has been suspended, in spite of the
fact that the boats engaged in these ser
vices are accustomed to face the most
severe weather imaginable Much loss of
life has already occurred and more is ap-
pretended. The most thrilling expert
ence so far reported comes from Sand
gate, where the British ship Bienvenue.
of Glasgow, was ashore with her men
clinging to the rigging.
Brave Struggle for Life.
No braver struggle for life has been
witnessed on this coast than that which
resulted last night in the rescue of the
remaining members of the crew of this
ship. All day, since the terrible situation
of the crew became known, the Hythe and
Sandsate lifeboats had been struggling to
reach the doomed vessel through the dan
gerous breakers, which beat with "A fury
that seemed to make the existence even of
a lifeooat impossible. While the crew
chung to the masts the people on shore
tried to make their encouraging cheers
heard above the roar of the storm. About
4:30 in the afternoon the Benvenue began
to break up. but the masts, with the un-
fortunates clinging in the rigging still
held together.
Desperate and Heroic Deed.
About this time the multitude on shore
were thrilled by the spectacle of sea
mans daring and desperate stroke for
salvation of himself and his fellow sur
vivors. The sailor, brave and sturdy
fellow, looking every inch British sea-
man, fastened line around his waist,
and leaped into the waters that beat with
fearful force about the wreck Cheer
upon cheer went up from the watching
thousands. The sailor struck out boldly
for the shore. He was evidently splen-
did swimmer, and for few moments il
seemed that the powerful sweep of his
limbs would carry him through the boil
ing waves. But, suddenly, pursuing
breaker burst upon him.
Limp and Lifeless on the Crest.
Breathless with anxiety the crowd on
shore and on the remnant of the wreck
awaited the mans reappearance. Even
the storm seemed to hush. Then came
an agonizing cry from hundreds of
throaJs as the sailor appeared again,
limp and lifeless, tossed on the crest and
in the hollow of the waves. He was dead,
and his fate seemed to foreshadow the
doom of his late companions Not long
| afterward the corpse, and that of another
bold swimmer from the wreck was car
ried ashore.
The Life Boat Launched at Last.
The storm abated somewhat as dark
ness grew, and another attempt was made
to launch the Saudgate life boat. Scores
of volunteers assisted in the launching,
and, amid shouts from thousands that
| must have sent hopeful echo across the
| stretch of foam to the weary hearts aud
numbed limbs on the wreck, the life boat
started. Ii seemed doubtful for awhile
| whether the task could be accomplished;
but at lengt b, after a tremendous struggle,
| the brave life savers brought their boat
up to the rigging of the Bienvenue and
rescued every one that remained The
| poor fellows were almost unable to help
| themselves.
Warmly Welcomed Ashore.
| 1t was 9:l5 p N. when the lifeboat
reached the wreck, and the work of tax
| ing in the poor wretches was as perilous
| a that of getting to. them The recep
| ton on shore will be remem bered fol
many a long day. Every body rushed te
cheer and shake the rescuers bv the hand
| and most generous attention was devoted
| to the victims of the storm These were
taken to Foikestone Ten minutes aftel
| the Sandgate crew had succeeded in saw
ing the Bienvenue people the Dover life
boat arrived.