The morning call., 1894-12-11

helplessly toward the breakers, which were
running unusually high.
The moving of lifebOats aud wrecklng
and life-saving appliances by means of a
boat-carriage and two sturdy but distract
inglv slow Government mules to the scene
OF the wreck required time-so much time
that the Beebe's crew Of nine men. who
had clambered into the main rigging, al
most gave up hope of ever reaching the
dry sands only few hundred yards dis
tant. Their vessel had drfted on the
shore. bow Oh. and with as much steadi-
ness as ferry-boat entering a slip; but
when once her stem struck the yielding
sand ii plOwed into mother earth and
there stuck fast. Then breaker after
breaker assaiied the wreck from behind.
and swuHg her stern around until it ray
closer to land than the bow.
The G0vernment mules and the life
saving men in the meanwhile were drag
giDg with all their united strength the
heavy llfeboats. the lite line, gun and
other apparatus over the three miles of
beach. The boat might just as we'll have
been left behind for all the use it was on
this occasion.
The BeeDe was swaying with every roller.
Her masts leaned to starboard, then to
port, threatening to sling poor Jack OCEAN
ward, CT cltyward, with the force of a
catapnlt. But there is one thing an able
seaman can 90 TO perfection, and that is
TO hang on to mast or a rope. The
sailors chung to that mainmast as if they
wera glued there. They made themselves
heard, though, with a vengeance. for
above the roar of water came their cries
for help. Help came at last, but in small
doses.
The crew from the south end station
the one below the old Ocean House-got
into action first. They tried several ways
of getting lue TO the wreck. but failed.
Then the Golden Gate crew arrived. All
hands tried to launch the lifeboat. but it
was too rough. Then the Howitzer and
gunline were brought out, wheeled around
and brought to bear on the derelct.
Boom! went the gun, and every man
stood clear of the whiZzug line as il un-
wound itself from the pins in the basket.
Tue shot executed a graceful curve,
struck the deckload and dropped over
board without tangiing the rope in the
vessels rigging.
The gun was loaded again and fired.
This time the shot went too high (as ii lid
in TWO successive attempts) and caught on
the forett pmast stays. The fifth and last
line crossed between the main and mizzen
rigging, and was soon made fast by the
Beebe'S sailors.
The life-saving crews worked their bas-
ket well. In very short while stronger
line had been hauled to the schooner, a
running DlOck IlBSeU anu the WOTK OF saw
ing lives commenced in earnest.
One by one the crew were dragged
ashore, but they had TO stand ducking
from the tremendous surf before they
could be seized by the willing hands that
were stretched to receive them. More
dead than alive were some of the sur
vivors and seamen. Bendick on, who was
sent ashore first. had to be carefully cared
Tor at the Ocean House, then sent 10 The
hospital. His head was cut ana he was
suffering from submersi0u.
Captain Raynor did not leave his ship
until every one of his crew was landed.
| When the basket reached him he feebly
lifted himself into il and made himself
fast with ropes. Along the lifeline Slid
the vehicle. When halfway over breaker
of extraordinary dimensions completely
eDgulfed it and its human freight
Several of the life-saving crew waded
out into the surf. grasped the basket and
by great effort dragged it up on the
beach.
The captain was not able to stand.
Restoratives were administered and his
wet clothing exchanged for dry suit A
friend OF the skipper was at hand with a
buggy and quickly drove with him 10 the
city, where he was taken care of at his
home. The captain was soon able to be
about, however.
| There appeared to be no diminishing