The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-11-04
A. TALE OF THE SEA.
Gallant Rescue of the Grew of the
American Ship Patrician by tn
Fifeshire


The crew OF the American ship
Patrciap, Capt. Sterling, had set
the death watch on their dismasted
vessel and prepared to die. They
worked at the pumps all night, but
their vessel slowly sank under their
feet. When morning dawned a thin
line OF smoke was penciled across
the eastern horizon. Then spar
appeared above the undulating rim
OF the sea, then smoke-stack, and
in short while the Australian liner
Fifeshre hove in sight, rolling
guards under in the heavy swell.
She slowed up and prepared to lower
a lifeboat.
The Patrician of New York, a
splendid American clipper ship, was
on her way from Newcastle to Lyt-
Teton, and on Sept, 10 was struck
by fearful hurricane and complete
ly dismasted. The report that first
came to the United States was that
the vessel had been driven ashore at
New Zealand, but letter received
to-day from one of the vessels crew,
now at Sydney, proves that the ship
foundered in mid ocean and that her
crew was rescued by the British
steamer after terrible struggle.
Great heroism was displayed, and
after one OF the rescue steamers
boats had been dashed to splinters
by great wave, Third Officer Ford
or of the Fifeshire fastened rope
about his waist and would have at
tempted to swim to the American
vessel with a lifeline had not he been
forcibly restrained by his superiors.
The hurricane that struck the Pa.
trician carried away every sail that
was spread and damaged some of
the spars. When more canvas was
set TO steady the ship that, too, was
whipped out of the bolt ropes, and
later on every spar except the stump
OF the mizzenmast went by the board.
Rendered perfectly helpless by the
waves, the ship rolled into the
trough of the sea and was swept
constantly by great combers that
carried away everything above decks
smashed in the cabin skylight, flood
ed the cabin, crushed the forward
house and either disabled or swept
away all the boats, leaving the panic
stricken crew without means of
escape from what promised to be a
floating coffin.
The men set to work on some old
booms, and by dint. of hard work
managed to construct a crude raft,
to which was lashed some casks OF
water, some chests Of provisions and
some clothing. The thing was too
heavy to launch, and il was while
attempting to get it over the side
that big wave boarded the Patri-
clan by the bow and swept the raft
and seaman named Lanium into
the wave, The sailor sank before
his comrades eyes
Nothing was now left for the crew
to do but await death. A relay of
men was set to work at the pumps,
while lookout was stationed for
ward to watch for passing vessel.
All of one afternoon and OF one
night were spent in miserable sus-
pense, when on sudden the watch
man shouted:
"Steamer on the starboard bowl"
The American flag, with the jack
down, was placed on the stump of
the mizzen. When the steamer rose
above the horizon she sighted the
distress signal and headed toward
the Patrician.
Captain Wilson OF the Fifeshire
man@uvered for long time before
he could get his steamer close to
the disabled American. A tremen-
dous sea was running and it was an
exceedingly dangerous undertaking
to launch boat However, the
British tars showed their pluck and