The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-07-19
THE STURDY PILOTS.
Work OF the Men who Guido Big SteanF
ora Into Port

ora Into Port
There is au old song which tells how
"the sturdy pilots put to sea- and
which throws romance around tHc
lives of those brave and hardy toilers.
People who have crossed the Atlantic
can remember how, when they were
still far away from land, either going
cast or west. schooner with blg
stretch of sail has come near the huge
steamer, yawl has been let down from
the boat. with the pilot in it. and ne
has boarded the big vessel and guided
her into port. Probably that boat has
been tossing for some days on the
stormy waters. and running Q race
with other boats to reach steamship
first.
No matter how fierce the gale, or how
thick the fog, pilot boats are always to
be found, and many gallant ships,
which would otherwise have been lost
ON rocks or in breakers. have been
taken by the pilots to safe Ravens
On some Of the boats there are five
pilots-joint owners of the staupch and
able little craft-and each one is, OF
course. anxious to get a ship when on
The cruise, it being arranged who shall
have the first turn and in what order
The rest shall follow.
To go out from port orr pilot ooat'
and head for the Atlantic when there
is fresh breeze and bright sunshine IS
pleasant. When early morning comes,
the lookout on the masthead caus
"Smoke. hos The black hull OF a
steamer has been seen. 1t has been
sighted also by another pilot boat near
by.
The pilot flags on both boats are run
PIP. there is shouting Of orders and
the race begins. Thc two scheoHers fly
before the wind, every stitch OF canvas
spread. and their bows tossing the
water aside in clouds OF spray
The hull of the majestic staamer
looms up bigger and bigger; she heads
for one of the boats and slows down. a
yawl is put over the side Of the sue
cessful boat, and two sailors and the
pilot jump in.
The yaYl is dropped astern and towed
short distance. a4.ti then it goes toss
/; ing over the waves to the ssds ~ the
waiting ship, opposite the rope ladder
The ladder has to be caught quickly
sLap at arms length. 1t is hard to
stand UP ia tassipg, heaving yawl' but
the pilot does it, End yery se' SEQ; !gfts on
deck.
When the baat gets well out to sea-
the course of ships .videns. AID some
times no life is to be seen but the dying
seagulls. When night has fallen if the
lights OF some big vessel should be seen,
huge torch is lit on the schooner.
1t is dangerous to board ship st
night, when there is heavy sea; and
| if the yawl does take the pilot safely to
the vessel. the men who are rowing may
lose themselves on the way back. when
the lights on the schooner are hidden
by huge waves, or by binding rain or
snow.
Fhe CABIN of a plot boat is coy
room. 1t ials iR% ceiling with curved
walls The barometer hangs fr3lN rs
skylight, and underneath is the firmly
fastened stove. There is carpet on the
floor, prettily curtained bcrths on each
side, chest of drawers, cushioned
leckef and the table. on which the pilots
eat, play checkers ef aoWinocs, and
after supper. spread cat their etfRsisss
and determine their position.
Getting steamer into port is Hot
dangerous work for the pilot. 1t IL
when he is out on the Atlantic that he
| is in constant peril. His little craft
staggers along under shortened sail;
creeping mp mountainous waves ana
plunging down the et!isF side as II
shooting cataract.
In heavy fogs there is the danger OF
being run down. and then the passage
from schooner to steamer has often TO
be made in huffeting sea, that losses
the huge liner as II she were II cookie
shell.-Arthur Gray. In Golden Days,