The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-02

the following account of the calamity and
the rescue Of II souls out Of a crew of 20 by
the Ramsgate lfeboat Bradford on the
morning of the Gth
Our ship was the Indian Chief, OF l.}S tons
register, Our shippers name was Fraser, and
we were bound to Yokohama. All had gone
we'll with us, however, so far, and on Wedues-
day morning at half past we made the Knock
light, where the water is just network OF
shoals. To the southwark lies the Knock, and
close over against it stretches the Long sand,
and beyond, down to the westward, is the sunk
Sand.
shortly after the Knock light hove in sight
the wind shifted TO the eastward and brought
squall of rain. The Long Sand was to the
lceward, and finding that We were drifting that
way the order was given to put tine ship about.
1t was very dark, the wind bree2ing up sharper
and sharper, and cold ms ice. The helm was
put down, but the main braces fouled, and be-
fore they could be cleared the vessel had
missed stays and in irons. We went to
work to wear ship, but the vessel keeling over
all Of Us knew that the sands were close
aboard. The ship paid Off, but at the critical
moment the spanker boom sheet fouled the
wheel still we managed to get the vessel
round, but scarcely were the braces Delayed
and the ship on the starboard tack when she
struck broadside on. She was II soft wood
ship and trembled as though she would go TO
pieces at once.
Sheets and haliards were let 60, but no man
burst venture alOtt. Every moment threat
ened to bring the spars crashing upon us, and
the beating of the wind on the canvas made
the masts buckle and jump like fishing rods.
We then kindled great flare and sent up rock
cts which were answered by the Sunk light
shipand the Knocks. We could see one anoth-
or's faces in the light of the blaze and sung out
chccrily to keep our hearts up and indeed, sir,
although we all knew that our ship was hard
and fast and likely to leave her bones on that
of H.. q EIrl HI M
sky had cleared, and it was comforting to
watch the lightship's rockets rushing up and
bursting over our heads. for we knew by that
that our case was known, and we need not lose
heart, for help would come. But all this time
the wind was sweeping up into gale, and, oh
the cold. the bitter cold of that wind!
1t seemed as long as a month before thu
morning broke, and the gale was not far from
its height when the sun rose. We piucked NJ
spirits when the sun shot out of the raging sea
but as we lay brOadside to the waves the sheet
of water soon made the decks dangerOu
place to stand and the crew kept the shelte
of the decl, cabins, although the captain an'
his brother Second mHtel and were constant
~ going out TO see if help was coming. Blu
now the flood tide was making a fresh AM
fearful danger for as the tide arose ii LITE,
the vessel humping and strainng her fright
fully The pilot advised the skipper to let e
the starhoard anchor, hoping that the set O
the tide would slue the ships stern aroun
and make her lie head on to the seas So tn
anchor was dropped, but it did not alter tn
positOn Of the ship.
To know, sir, what the cracking and strain
ing of that vessel were like she slowly wen
to pieces you mAst have been aboard OF her
When she BROKE her back, sort of pani
seized many of us, and the captain roared on
TO get the boats over and see If any use COult
be made of them. Three boats were launched
but the second boat, with two hands in her
vent adrift and was instantly engulfed, ant
the poor lads in her vanished just as yo
would blow out a light The other boats illlet
Just as they touched the water. There was N
help for US that way, and again we Withdrew
10 the cabins.
A little before . o'clock in the afternoon
huge sea swept over the vessel, clearing tn
decks fore and aft and leaving only the VI
rights of the Lighthouses standing. 1t was
dreadful sea, but we knew worse was benin
it, and that we must climb the rigging if W
wanted to save our lives. The hold was al
ready full OF water, ana portions of the deck
had been blown out so that everywhere yawn
ing CULTS met the eye, with the black waite
washing almost flush. Some OF the men mad
forthe fore rigging, but the captain shouted
ali hands to take to the mizzenmast, as tina
one was the safest.
A number of the men returned on hearln
the captain sing out, but some went on an
gained the foretop. Seventeen OF US got Owe
the mizzentop, and with our knives fell
hacking away ~ suCu gear as We N"N'A
at to serve as lashings. None of us touche
the mainmast for now the ships back WI
broken that spar was doomed, and the CAPITA
had called the men aft because he thought TIL
the mainmast in falling would drag the for,
mast with it. | was next the captain in Il
1nizzentop. and near him was his brother
stout built, handsome young fellow, - yea
old AS fine n specimen of the English sailor
ever | was shipmated with. He was callii
about him cheerly, telling us not TO be dow
hearted, but TO look sharp for lifeboats, al
he helped several of the benumbed men to la
themselves TO the rigging.
AS the sun sank and the wind grew mo
freezing, saw some of the men dashed abo
me losing strength fast. The captain sho
hands with me, and on the chance of my bel
saved gave me some messages too sacred to
written down, sir He likewise handed me /