Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-28
A LIFE-SAVING FEAT.
The Crew of Spanish Steamer Res
cued by an Original Device.
A LINE GUN is LASHED TO A CART,
Taken Out Into the Surf. and Rope Shot
to the Stranded Ship.
MEN UP TO THEIR ARMPITS In WATER

KELLER, VA, Feb. N.-The Spanish
steamer San Albano, of Bilboa, Spain, from
New Orleans to Hamburg, encountered I
heavy gale with thick weather, and had NJ
observations for three days. She struck OF
the outer shoals off Hog Island at P. NJ. OIL
the 22d inst, and shortly afterward worked
of, but it was impossible to go to sea, Al
there were shoals outside and all around
her. She anchored and lay afoat for abou
four hours, when she dragged her anchor
and went ashore again, this time on thu
| beach.
The vessel lay about six miles north
northeast of Hog Island Life Saving Sta
tion. A surfman from that station saw 6
light on the morning patrol on the morning
of the 23d, but did not see the ship. He
thought the light must be in vessel too
near the beach. He fired his warning sig
nal, eturned to the station and reported to
his Cap tain.
The Captain went to the station lookout,
daylight having now dawned, and scanned
the beach with his glass.
Making Preparations for Rescue.
In few minutes the fog lifted sufficiently
for him to see the ships masts over the
hills. He at once started with his crew and
apparatus, thinking the ship was near
enough to shore to shoot line over her,
but on arrival he found the distance too
great.
He then returned to the station and got
the surf boat and an additional shot line.
On his second arrival at the scene of the
wreck the station crew fired again, this
time with more elevation, and got the line
across the ship, but the sailors pulled the
small line across wire stay and parted it.
Finding the ship could not be reached
with shot line they launched the surf boat
as a last resort; but owing to the roughness
of the sea and the strength of the current,
the boat soon filled After desperate
struggle the drenched life savers managed
to reached the shore. They bailed out the
water and made another attempt, but with
the same result. Nothing could now be
done until next morning. A watch was left
on the beach and fire made back on the
hill
Aiming the Gun Out in the Surf.
At o'clock on the morning of the oath
the station crew took dry shot line and
started for the ship At daylight they sig
nailed her to look out for line The tide
had now fallen somewhat and, in order to
get the shortest possible range, the Lyle gun
was placed in the horse cart, securely
lashed, aud run down into the surf. They
then waded to their armpits in the water so
as to get the gun as hear the ship as possi-
BILE and fired.
The shot barely reached the ship, just
falling inside the rail All being ready at
II o'clock A. NJ the lifecar was run of, and
in As minutes the crew of 26 men were safe
ly landed.
The value of the ship is about 100000;
insured for $50, 900. The value of the cargo,
which is composed of cotton, oil cake,
wheat, ETC., is about S120,000; insured.
Much of the cotton will probably be saved,
while the other parts of the cargo will be a
total loss.
The plan of placing the gun in the horse
cart and wading out in the surf is some
thing never before resorted to in the
service.