The Portland daily press., 1894-03-28
DRIVEN AMONG THE BREAKERS.
The Crew of the Andrew Peters Took to
the Rigging in the Cold and Storm

Chatham, Mass, March 27.-There is
schooner ashore in Chatham Bay, near
the breakers on the Common fats. The
schooner is the Andrew Peters, with
cargo of coal from New York for Calais.
The Peters left Vineyard Haven yester-
day morning and anchored in the bay
last night, on account of the gale,
during which she parted chains and was
driven ashore to leeward in freezing
weather and heavy sea. The crew were
taken off by Capt. futile and his son,
of the Monomoy Life Saving station, in
a surf boat. 1t is possible the vessel may
be saved ii she holds together until the
gale moderates. The crew suffered severe
~ during the night and were rescued
with great difficulty and peril.
Capt. Reed of the wrecked schooner
tells story of severe suffering in last
nights wintry blasts. They left Vine
yard Haven after the weather cleared
yesterday, with prospect, he though t.,
of getting fine run around the Cape,
but were caught in the fierce northerly
gale near Handkerchief Shoal. They
tried to work back under the lee of the
north Shore The strong currents rum
ming against the gale and sea, however,
kicked up such a sea that they could not
make any Roadway to the windward
under the short sail they were obliged to
use, and were at last completely disabled
by the breaking of the main boom ana
the consequent loss of that sail. Their
only recourse then was to anchor, but
Capt. Peters had but little hope that his
chains would hold in that place, the
currents were so strong and he was in
mortal fear they would be driven on the
wilfui breakers to leeward on Handker-
chief Shoal.
The gale increased in fury, and at mid
night it was blowing nearly fifty miles
an hour. and terribly cold, water freez-
ing all over the decks and rigging, SO
that no repairs could be attempted to
the boom and sail while they lay at
anchor. Soon fearful sea rushed down
upon the doomed craft and snapped her
chains like straws. sending the unfOrtu-
nate vessel to leeward at rapid rate.
The western current now worked in
their favor and cut the vessel in just
clear of the breakers, on the Handker-
chief; but just as they were rejoicing
over their narrow escape from destruc-
tion they heard the roar Of the breakers
on the Common Flats, toward which
they were now being driven.
1t was not long before they were in
the midst of the foaming pillows and
were pounding hard on the BOTTOM. the
chilling waters flying nearly masthead
high and obliging the men to clam her
into the rigging to escape from being
swept overheard. The suspense and
suffering of the unfortunate sailors from
this time till daylight cannot be told in
words. They survived till daylight.
however. and were then encouraged by
seeing a life boat struggling to reach
them. To their anxious hearts it came
very slowly, but at last did reach them
and proved to be the brave and strong
crew of the Monomoy station, under the
direction of experienced Capt. futile.
All hands were finally, but with great
difficulty gottensinto the boat in safety
and taken ashore.
The life savers made a gallant struggle
to reach the suffering mariners. They
worked against fearful odds, but were
determined that the record of the
Monomoy station should not be broken
by the loss of single life, if within
their power to save it. Their gratifica-
tion in having been successful in their
errand of mercy was nearly as great rs
was the JOY of the rescued sailors in be-
ing saved from watery grave.
Nothing was accomplished toward
floating the schooner today, there being
too heavy squalls. The wreckers have Il
contract to float her if possible for $4S5.
They will make another attempt at the
morning tide at daybreak. The cargo is
in charge of s.. Malogows, who will
not allow any thrown overheard if it is
possible to float her without.
The cold northwest gale continues to-
night, causing feet of thirty south
bound schooners to anchor outside. The
vessels are mostly lum Der and ice laden.