The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-09-24
UNITED STATES STEAMER NIAGARA.

The Ella kept in her wake, but being
Grippe ed in her forward canvas could gain
nothing percrptihle on her, whilst orr frlg-
ate had to make an offing, or run the risk of
finding bottom too close 10 our keel. We
had signals flying for pilot from the time
We sighted the coas,, but ii any pilot wanted
to board us, the small vessels used by the
pilots of that coast could hardly live in the
sra that was making, so keeping good
landfaii we drove ahead, and once more
headed her off from the north, barring all
entrance to Halifax Harbor.
Directly north from Cape Sable, some 20
or IS miles, lies the harbor of Shelbourne,
and north of it's entrance stands a fine light
house built on Il projection OF the coast
called Cape La Have. Here our chase termi
mated abruptly, as the reb" ran iuI feeling
perfectly secure in an English harbor. But
events proved it did not save her. The Ella
hove to ut the mouth of the roadstead. when
she WAS instantly signaled to follow her up
and take her regardless of consequences.
Her gallant commander drove ahead, and
two hours after, by rocket signals, IL was
learned he boarded and captured her, but
her crew escaped to shore; and the blue
jackets of the Ella stated to us after that
their commander swore he'd take her il his
crew had to take to snow-shoes to overhaul
her.
Twilight had settled down over the bold,
rocky coast as We let go an anchor off Cape
LA Have. The gale from the southwest was
raging in full Jury, and our signals for
pilot had been unheeded on shore. To run
into harbor would have been inviting GER
tain destruction with our draft of water.
The roar of the mountains of water which
| a. he Inf r1f
the headland was appalling, added to the
intense cold and pitchy darkness.
With head to sea and storm the frigate
used the full force Of her engines to relieve
the strain of her anchor cable, and though
scarcely one mile off shore, by the combined
effects of the flying, icy spray, and the
binding, whirlng snow. the beacon in the
light on the cape conld not be discerned,
and the direction of our drift had to be
learned from the compass.
"Our anchors dragging" reported the For
| ward Officer. Gear away the sarboard
cable" and in few moments another an
Choir was holaipg to bottom.
The whistle Of the Boatswain's Mate was
heard, and the question asked:
If there is any man on board who knows
this coast, let him lay aft on the port side Of
the quarter deck"
In answer to the call young sailor Of
powerful build and handsome, fair face,
walked aft and stood by the Captain.
"What do you know of this coast, and
how did you get your knOwledge?" queried
the Lieutenant.
Il was born back of that light and worked
in the fisheries from the time could pull
mackerel out Of the water, and know this
coast. aye! every mile Of it, from the straits
Of Ill Yclo h.. nh
Have you never left it?" asked the Off
Ger.
"The last three years made deep-water
voyage to the other side of land" answered
the sailor.
What kind of bottom have we here, and
| what depth of waterY"
When we first brought up We had 20
fathems and rock bottom, with powders
enough to foul the flakes of any anchor"
Is there depth enough inside for YES
sci of our drait?"
Plenty, If we could get in but the en-.
! trance to the harbsr is so narrow that a cast
on either tack would bring you up all stand
| ing on the large powders that stand up like
icebergs on each side of the gut"
What's your name. rate, and station?"
"Alick McGilvray, able seaman, foretop
starboard watch"
Bring him aft, Mr.. Watson" and the
Officer of the Deck, accompanied by the sea-
man, followed the Lieutenant.
The council lasted hardly minute, until
the order passed to clear away the starboard
sheet anchor, and when the ponderous iron
| took bottom the sbiver that shook the ship
from truck to kels0n showed the ship held
ground. and the pounding the fierce waters
gave the bows as she struck her unyielding
timbers looked as if the anger of the mighty
| deep was hurled in vengeance at the victory
| which puny man could achieve in holding
| in check the ocean in her most angry and
powerful moments
At four bells OF the mid watch the storm
commenced to abate and except for the
whistling of the wind through our rigging,
and the angry moan of the sea. the force Of
the storm was spent. The moon would look
from behind the swift-fying clouds and give
| us glance, momentarIly, of the waves COW
cred with the white foam of the storm. But
the good ships anchor held fast to the bot
tom, and our drift was seward, if any. The
danger Of wreck was past.
"All the starboard watch, ahoy!" followed
the call of the Boatswain's whistle. First
cutters, away; tumble up there, you men,"
There was an apparent unwillingness on
! the part Of the crew of that boat to leave
the ship But it had to be DONE and slowly
the Coxswaln and his IL men, and one off,
Ger, climbed into the cutter which hung on
her davits high in the air over the boiling
surf McGIivray pulled bow with me and
| remarked, as We stood ready to lower:
If the Coxswain loses his nerve, it's good
BY, sweetheart, g00d-by!"
Lower away; stand by the falls!" and a
huge wave. lifting the light boat as she
| struck the water, the clips were slipped.
Drop oars give awsy!" and with cEeer
We cleared the ship. The stout oars bent Is
We tOiled up ono mountain wave TO drop in
the valley between. "Givs way, my heart