The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-11-05

count, because they are embraced in the |
sailors risk, but when first proof machin- |
cry or gearing gives out, when safety ca |
bles play false and life appliances happen |
to be out of reach just for once, the while /
il blows great guns, what reason has poor |
jack Tar to believe in beneiicent Provi- |
derceY All these things happened to the
crew and party of castaways on board |
the tug Protection during n fierce nor
wester on Lake Michigan in November,
1854, but Just as they We're bidding one
another adieu to take the hopeless plungea
marvellous resCGe was Mt hand.
The Protection pulled the lumber schoon-
er Arab of the beach near st. Joseph,
where she had stranded on Oct. 81, and
on Nov. 10 started to tow her across
the lake to Racine. The tug carried eight
men, the Arab 10. The latter was leaking
badly and two steam pumps had been
placed on board to keep her atloat. The
night of the 10th was calm, and the yes
sells sailed along smoothly until near morn
ing About daylight the men on the tug
heard a cry of distress from the schooner
and saw her Careen and settle head first,
leaving only small part of her quarter
deck above water. While the head was
sinking the sailors were seen to rush aft,
and they chung there by the rail and cabin
roof, shouting to the tug for help.
The engineer Of the Protection stopped
at once and began to back, but the pro-
peller got entangled in the tow line trail
ing 500 feet astern. That accident, which
was No. l for the tug, disabled her com
pletely but the schooners crew was
rescued in row boats-all but one-and
taken aboard. The missing one was an
engineer, who had been cast overheard
Al. ,.,l,
an accumulation of water, caused by
faulty pump. Soon after the rescue the
wind arose, making a heavy sea, which
became so violent that the sailors could
not free the propeller from its chains, and
the tug driftpd helplessly before II stiifen-
ing nOr'wester. About noon on the 18th
the steamer II. c. Akeley of Grand Haven
hove in sight and at a signal of distress
from the tug steamed down and gave her
a line Before night the wind blew SO
miles an hour, and the Akelcy rolled about
with her decks awash and her cargo of
green lumber shifting at every lurch. Her
gear became useless, her engines stopped,
and her sails, which were hoisted in the
emergency went by the gale. Her smoke
stack was soon swept away, and ono of
her boats as well. This was accident No.
2 for the tug, the practical wreck of her
rescuer. Still she hung on all night by the
tow line, steering to the leeward and keep
ing clear of collision. At shutdown on the
18th the gale relented somewhat, and the
twisted tow line having apparently worked
clear of her propeller the Protection cut
loose from the Akeley and started for Grand
Haven, intending to coal up and return to
help out her disabled consort.
But Il 1O minutes run showed that wheel
and engine would not work, and there was
nothing to do but drift on that surging sea,
the sport of the elements. She rode the
waves all night and in the forenoon of the
18th cast anchor off the harbor of Sauga-
tuck, on the eastern shore of the lake.
The shrill whistles of distress borne on
land from the tug aroused the townspeo-
pie, but there We're no means of rescue Mt
hand. Surfboats could not live in that
mountain of boiling breakers, and the tug
could not make pier for the same reason,
for she was only n powerless hulk, rising
and falling with the angry tide. The near
est life saving station was at Grand Ha-
ven, several miles east of the scene, and
although it seemed impossible that aid
could arrive before the tug would be de
stroyed nevertheless "a straw is something
to drowning man, and telegram was
rushed off with news of the impending dis
aster For Il wonder the crew was nint
miles beyond the station at work on {
wreck only n few hours old. This was
mishap No. 3. The next station was a
st. Joseph, GO miles away, and n dispatch
brought back the word to Saugatuck, Aye
aye, we're coming"
Meanwhile stout hearted landsmen an(
fisher lads tried to stem the breakers IL
boats and at least carry word to the un
fortunates on the tug that hope was in tn
air. They failed, and the poor fellows re