The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-16

was driven from her course and dashed on
the rocks of Barnegat coast, New Jersey.
The SURF was running so high at the time
that sea after sea poured over the ship,
threatening to break her up at any mo-
ment. The boats had all been washed
away, and they would have been useless
in that angry sea. The fishermen on
shore found it impossible to launch the
lifeboat. To the hundreds of people who
had gathered on the beach death seemed
inevitable for the passengers and crew of
the Ill fated ship, and all on board had
given up every hope of escape.
There was one man, an able seaman, on
board that ship who was willing to risk his
life to save theirs. He was Fred Jerome.
He volunteered to swim ashore, if pos
sible, carrying with him a leadline, by
which means, if he could reach the beach,
which was about one and half miles
away, in safety, hawser and breeches
buoy could be sent TO the ship.
1t seemed like sheer madness for any
man to attempt such a thing. The weather
was terribly cold at the time, the spray
freezing as it fell on the deck of the ship.
But it was the only hope for those 700
into the icy water, with the leadline bound
round his shoulders, the passengers gave
him an encouraging cheer and wished him
godspeed.
1t was gallant deed, and the prayers of
hundreds went up in behalf of him who
was now battling against the forces of ma
ture. The task seemed hopeless. The
beaten back and dragged beneath the sur
face by the terrible undertow. Still he
continued his efforts.
The men, women and children were
huddled together on the fore part of the
ship, expecting each moment to be their
last, and it was with beating hearts and
anxious eyes that the poor covering souls
watched the efforts of the brave sailor,
who had forgotten self in his noble aspira-
ton to save from death the passengers and
crew on board the packet-ship.
The task was hard one, but inch by
inch the coil of headlines on the ship I'M
coiled, the swimmer at one time appearing
on the crest of an enormous breaker, again
disappearing from sight as he dove
through the base of the waves to escape
their forces. Slowly but surely the shore,
where thousand outstretched arms were
waiting to receive him, Jerome was
finally caught on the crest of a huge
breaker, and borne with great rapidity over
the points of the jagged rocks. The hero
was hurled within few feet of the spec
tators on the beach, bruised, bleeding and
insensible. The hardy fisherman rushed
into the water to his rescue before he was
line had cut deep into his breast and
shoulders.
A stout rope was drawn from the wreck,
then hawser, which was firmly fastened
to the strongest part of the ship. A life
raft was hastily rugged upon the hawser,
and before long every person on the
doomed craft had been safely taken to
land.
1t had taken Jerome over two hours to
reach shore from the Henry Clay, and now,
after his efforts had been crowned with
success, the life of the heroic sailor was in
danger but with good nursing he was
brought back to health and strength.
On board of the wrecked Henry Clay
was passenger who offered 100000 to
any one who would save his life, but up to
the present time he has not made any re-
mittance to Mr.. Jerome.
Humane societies, when this great deed
became known, presented the hero with
testimonials and purses. The newspapers
of the land were filled with his praise.
The great act of this brave mans life was
that of rescuIng 21S passengers from the
burning packet-ship Ocean Monarch. This
feat brought him in contact with the
highest nobility of England and France.
The Ocean Monarch had left Liverpool
in company with another packet-ship, the
New World, on the morning of August "a
1S48. Both these vessels were American
ships and were bound, with their freight OF
emigrants, to Boston. The ships had been
out but few hours when a passenger on
board the New World drew the attention
of that ships captain to the smoke and
fire that was issuing forth from their con-
sort, the Ocean Monarch. 1t was found
that this packet was one mass Of fire from
stem to stern.
The Irish Channel packet steamer Prince
of Wales and the Brazilian Government
steam yacht Alfonso having on board a
Prince of France and contingent of Eng
fish and French nobility, bore down on
the Ocean Monarch. The New World had
lowered two of her boats, and Jerome, who
was seaman on the New World, was in
one of the boats. A stiff gale was blowing
at the time from off Great Ornes Head in
the Irish Channel. The boats could but
with difficulty ride the heavy seas. Twice
they had to make for the Alfonso. The
passengers of the Ocean Monarch become
more terrified each moment. The boats
on their third attempt found it impossible
to go near the burning vessel on account
of the great heat. So fierce was the fire at
this time that the lead of the melting