Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-11-08
WRECK OF THE BOUNDING Bill
LOW.

Hard down your helm"
Haul in to wind ard"
Bear a hand"
Nov then, let 60 that anchor"
These orders were issued in a
clear, stentorian voice, one follow
ing the other, in regular order, by
the captain of the staunch ship
Bounding Billow, as she was being
rapidly driven on to lee shore
before terrible winter gale.
As the vessels head Swung to
the wind" and the noble craft surg
ed back upon her single mooring,
the master shouted:
"Let her have forty-fve fathoms
Of chain on the first anchor, and
then let go your port anchor"
SAY, ay, sir" came the response
from the top-gallant forecastle,
where the mate Daniel Deering was
on duty at his station.
The second anchor left the bow,
and found a hold on the rocky bot
tom, and while the mate was Sc
curing the heavy chains, the sec
ond officer with a portion of the
crew hurried aloft to stow the two
lower top-sails under which the
vessel had been "hove-to" until
breakers" were deserted to lee
ward.
"Do you think she'll hold?"
asked the captain anxiously of the
mate, as the latter rejoined his SUI
perior on the quarterback.
"Unless the cable parts, sir, y
was the reply. "For the anchors
have firm hold"
II pray to heaven that they will
for we are now almost in the break.
ers. And what can save us if WE
60 adrift?"
Perhaps, sir" quickly answered
Deering, 1.-The beach patrol will
get sight of us and send off the
life-boat before daylight"
mo small craft that was ever
built can live in this sea-" said the
captain, as he cast an almost des'
pairing glance toward the mountain
Gus waves that were breaking with
terrific force against the bow of the
Bounding Billow.
"But they may be able to shoot
a line to us from their mortars,
suggested Deering.
"True, but | trust we may not
be obliged to rely upon assistance
from shore to save our lives. You
and l, Mr.. Deering, and the rest OF
the crew, could stand being pulled
to land through the surf, but how
would it be for my daughter? She
could never endure such an ordeal.
At that moment both men offered
up silent prayer that the anchors
would hold and allow the vessel tc
ride out" the furious wintry gale
Hour after hour passed, while the
crew of the Bounding Billow wait
ed and watched for daylight. Sew.
eral times during night the second
mate, by order of the captain, had
burnt flashlights and discharged
rockets to give warning to the peo-
pie on shore that vessel was in
danger.
Their fiery signals had been OBJ.
served and answered by return
flashes at intervals along the coast
Near to them, upon the land
the night signals read:
Hold on until daylight, and we
will come to your assistance"
Meanwhile the sufferings of the
hardy seamen on board the Bound
ign Billow were most intense
Their clothing drenched by the fly.
ing spray, was frozen until they
were to a man, encased in an ar
NOR of ice. An armor, which how.
ever, instead of preserving life, was
tending, ere many hours should
elapse, to destroy the vital spark.
AS morning was about to break
over the mournful scene, a cry Of
dismay broke from the mates lips!
"The starb'd chain has partedw
With the knowledge and alert
ness Of practiced seaman, the cap
tain, hearing the alarming an.
nouncement, called:
Hoist the jib." Then to the
man at the wheel:
Hard up your helm, and let hel
run before it," While to himself
he muttered:
1--WE must strike the reef head
on, otherwise not a life can b.
savedw
Oh, what a terrible moment thi,
was for captain of a vessel, and {