, 1892-09-14

- ALAN' AAAO ~
in use the hook is hooked in a heavy eye IN
the deck, the knot is laid against the chain,
and then the smaller rope ia used to lash
the head OF the stopper to the cable and the
end expended on the lay of the chain. The
inboard end of the chain il taken through -
heavy bolt in the keelson and secured by a
strong flashing to another bolt overhead.
On this occasion there were tive of these
choppers on the chain. Before the order to
slip the cable could be carried out, the force
Of the receding waters was SO great as to part
these shoppers just as easily as a woman can
break her sewing thread.
AS soon rs the shoppers parted the cham
commenced running out with such velocity
as to cause fire and smoke around the bltt,
and every one took good care to stand we'll
clear Of it. The bolts in the keelson, and
overhead were drawn out and the ship being
now free started out to SEA, but in a few
moments grounded, where but a short time
before there had been sixty or seventy feet
of water. She hesled over to starboard
but, fortunately. there was enough water
left to prevent her going over 20 far
as to carry away all her "uns, which,
as the ship was lying in what was con-
sidered a safe place, were not secured.
The pivot gun on the forecastle did carly
away and went overheard TAXI & two men
with it.
And now was presented q curious sight, ono
that but few people have ever witnessed.
Standing ON the forecaNtle the whole bottom
Of the ocean from Just a little forward OF the
bow was as bare az the palm of ones hand,
and one could then see what no human eye
had ever before beheld. In the meantime
officers and men had been very busy securing
guns, putting in air ports, bending the gear
o1nf4 o,l IN p,,kiuu. sail Altar fhA RhIn
grounded there was a perceptible interval
of quiet, when every one stood in we'd
silence wond ring what would happen next,
and all that one could do was to watch and
wait.
In a short while, however, looking sea
ward, Il sight was seen which none Of the peo-
pie on the Monongahela at that time will ever
forget sight which, while it made the
boldest heart beat with apprehension, was
grand and sublime. Extending across the
horizon, az far rs the eye could reach, and
seeming to those who, with such anxiety
awaited It's coming, as # 1t reached nearly to
the zenith. WAS an immense wall OF water
the top If which was foaming like n breaker
a breaker heavier and grandcr than any
that Ind ever before hurled its force against
an unoffending shore. Arising from 1t was
what appeared to be a cloud, and it was APP
preaching the ship with terrible velocity.
70 the people on the Monongdhet, it looked
as if the ship was doomed to destruction, and
there is M doubt if he wave had struck her
broadside on it would have passed COM
pletely over her and there would have been
but few survivors ont Of her complement
Of two hundred people bur fortunately it
struck her under the quarter, and til" water
having gone out at n certain angle returned
ut the opposite angle and 80 b. fore the bro
ken pert of the wave reached her she WAS
afoat and going faster than any ship has ever
goi 6 before or since.
In consequence pot a drop Of water cam
on board. but the force of the blow was 40
great that The masts and smoke stack shook
as if they were about to fall. The ship now
started towards the shore, and q resident of
St. Croix, who had q good view from his
house on the hill, afterwards described it as
a grand and terrible sight, for the ship was
lifted hight on top of the wave, and looked
like an immense battering ram that was be-
ing hurled with destructive force at the town.
Her helm having been put hard at starboard
at the commencement, her bow gradually
paid to port and SO then she was headed
nearly north and in q line parallel with the
houses.
Bay St. Frederiksted had on the land side
stores and houses, but on the side next the
sea there were a number of sheds used for the