The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-27
SNATCHEDFROMT The WAVES
Capt. Kyfiil'S Heroic Efforts TO Save
His Wife and Baby.

His Wife and Baby.
But for Them Hs Would Have Been
Lost-The Brave Mother Held Her
Little One With one Arm While She
Bailed the Fast Filling Boat With
the other-Hope and Confidence in
Her Husband Never Deserted Her.
Capt. Kyfan's Gratitude to DR.. Gra-
ham and His Faithful Servant.
Capt Thomas Kyfrn, of the wrecked
bark. Mary L. Chapman. arrived from
Tybee yesterday on the tug Jacob Paul
sen, accompanied by his wife, infant, and
brother, They are stopping at the Pu-
laski
Capt Kyfin had little TO say about the
wreck further than has already been pub
lished in the MORNING News. He still
insists that pilot should have boarded
the vessel last Friday when she arrived
OF Tybee bar. The vessel, he thinks. is
not insured, but the underwriters here
have cabled TO ascertain whether she was
or not.
In speaking Of the wreck, Capt Kyffin
said, When the vessel struck. l knew
that there was no chance Of getting
clear. in such a sea, and we did all we
could TO keep her clear until day light.
After we were compelled to cut away the
foremost and rigging and the bow was
submerged in the sea, we were driven TO
seek the only dry spot on the vessel which
was about twelve feet square on the poop
deck. 1t was the greatest trial of my
life and as l gave up all hopes for the
vessel ny only desire was to try and save
my wife and child,
BRAVE LITTLE WOMAN.
The brave little woman came from her
berth where she had been for the past
week with her infant, and sat upon the
deck, while the rough waves washed
around her and threatened, at
every moment, 70 take her and
the baby into the sea. She dis
played great courage, and apparently
was the most composed person on the yes
sci. When l saw that the bark was
ready to 90 to pieces ! concluded to get
my wife in boat. We attempted to
launch boat, but it was smashed before
we could get it OF Then we succeeded in
getting in the small boat, when we con-
Guided 10 wait until the men launched the
large one, which we expected to board
and try TO make the shore. The big boat
also was broken up in being launched,
and there we were in small boat. at the
mercy OF the waves. | stood by until the
tug arrived which took OF the crew, but
as it was then o'clock, and l thought it
would be late before the tugs boat would
arrive, concluded to try and make the
shore. | can hardly tell how we got there
but we did. We had one oar and a half:
that's all, for one oar had broken
while I was trying TO keep the boat up.
during the time we were attached to the
vessel"
BOUND TO BE SAVED.
My anxiety for my wife and baby gave
me courage, and a determination to get in
safely il possible. Wave after wave
dashed in upon US and nearly filed the
little boat, but my wife worked diligently
with the tin can bailing out the water,
and my brother put TO good use a new
London derby hat. watched the break
ers closely, and when we were far enough
ahead of the swell l sculled with all my
might to keep out of its break. When l
found that we could not get out of the
way of it / rowed back to meet it. In this
way we made the waves very we'll 1t
was hard work, though. But then there
was the wife and baby Who wouldn't
work at such timer If it
| hadn't been for them I would have
given up. Fortunately, l saw a creek,
and made for il rather than 60 through
the breakers to the shore. After con
sidera ole difficulty managed to land the
little boat, and we walked to the signal
station, where Mrs. Evans paid US every
possible attention. The tug Paulsen was
sent for US this morning and brought US
| to Savannah.
DR.. GRAHAM's HERoIsM.
/ DIR. Graham came on the tug from the
rrrHe my inc. eta
/ tive to US. / can't express my feelings
towards that brave and kind hearted
/ gentleman, for all that he has done for
US. If it had not been for him. and that
/ faithful negro, Peter Dodge. all of our
/ crew would have been drowned. | am
/ particularly grateful to Capt H M G.
/ Smith, who sent the tug boat Cynthia to
/ the rescue, and to Capt. Fredericks, who
/ commanded the tug"
/ Mrs. kyffln is a sprightly little woman,
| who shows no signs of the hardships
/ through which she had recently passed
! She was somewhat fatigued, but ex-
pected to regain her strength in a few
/ days In speaking of the experience dur
/ ing the storm. she said: ''Of course | was
/ somewhat excited, and even frightened,
/ when the vessel struck bottom and ! be-
/ gan 10 realize that we were wrecked, but
the thought of my baby and my confidence
in my husbands ability to take care of us
/ gave me courage. l calmly decided to
make the best of the terrible situation,
/ and, thanks to a kind providence, we
/ were safely landed on shore. The baby's
experience during his first ten days on
/ earth was rather rough, but if he stands
the balance Of lifes trials as well he will
be very lucky, don't you Think"
! Capt. and Mrs. Kyffin will remain here
/ for few days, before returning to their
] hnmn af ElRsrrr1 f.lr