Evening journal., 1895-10-15

swept Them Ashore.
PORT JEFFERSON, y. Y. Oct Is Dur
ing the storm that lnshod Long Island
iound into turbulent sheet Of seething
white two men, clinging to the loose rig
ging of a capsized sailboat, drifted with
the wind and tide far from the land for
I hours
Howard G Smith, who is a stockbroker
ut 20 Pine street, New York, came hero
TO arrange for repairs 10 his steam yacht
Haloyon, which is in winter quarters. He
missed the last train for New York and,
being anxious to get home, hired B +.
Odell's 20 foot snilhoat to cross the sound
TO Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Smith lives in
Stamford.
He asked Captain Solah Darling, who
was in command OF tho Halcyon during
tho summer, to sail the boat. They left
the harbor nt d. m. The wind was blow
ing fun sail breeze from the southeast.
Without warning the waves began to
dance to tho tune OF gale, and soon the
sound was alive with flashing white caps.
The sea began to run high, and In few
moments the little sailboat was bobblng
up and down like a cork.
Whom they were two miles offshore,
opposite the Oldiield light, the wind
changed TO the northeast, and a squall al
most ilattered the sail on the waves.
Turning tho tiller over TO Mr.. Smith,
Captain Darling crept forward to shorten
sail Hardly had he reached the mast
when the boat, quivering under the shock
OF another squall, caroened 20 leeward.
At the same moment a wave dashed over
tho side. Itpicked up both men as though
they were feathers, washed them into tho
sen and upset the boat
Both grasped the loose rigging which
the wind had blown over the sido and
drew themselves over the rail- where they
held fast for their lives.
Chung TO tho Boat Eleven Hours.
The fury of wind and sea increased.
Rain fell In torrents and the night was
filed with the shrieking Of the storm Sew
On sound steamers passed them-palacos
Of light thoy seemed to the struggling
men-but their cries were lost in the
bowling Of the wind.
From Oldheld light to Mount Sinai they
driltcd. Then the flood tide carried thom
in spite of wind and wave, i'm the diroc-
tion of Flax Pond. Several times the
storm tore the cnpsized boat from their
grasp, only to hurl it back TO them upon
towering wave.
OF time they had no reckoning. Self
preservation, from rational, intelligent
Impulse became blind instinct, I'm which
their minds played no part. After few
hours OF misery they became too dazed
TO think, and, with ropes holding them
fast to the boat thoy driftod, waiting for
the end.
OF Flax Pond the wind veorod TO tho
north, and before they realized it they
were carried toward the shore summon
ing all their energies, they threw away
. their outer clothing, kicked Off their
shoes, and freeing themselves from the
boats rigging struck out They landed
safely, but almost dead from exhaustion.
After n brief rest they set out half
clothed. to find a farmhouse. In their
bare feet they walked four miles, until
thoy reached the summer home of the
Rev. John II. Darlington, pastor Of Christ
church, Brooklyn. The house was closed.
Hard by they saw farmers cottage, and,
walking as fast as their bleeding feet
would permit, they reached it.
Farmer George Nj. Smith gave them
food and dry clothing, and after they
had rested themselves drove them TO this
village. Howard Smith went on board his
steam yacht and got fresh apparel. The
sailhoat is a wreck on the beach near
Flax Pond
Captain Darling said Il have followed
the sen for the last 20 years, but never
have / had such an experience For / /
hours VIC clung to the boat. But for the
kindness OF Farmer Smith we must have
perished.
Howard Smith lost satchel, large
amount OF money and a valuable gold
watch, which was presented to him by his
grandfather