The Portland daily press., 1896-03-11
WHEN THE HAWKINS SANK.

|
Home For First Time Since The Tragic
Event-His Interesting Description OF 1t
| In Nerse
Capt George W. Bunker, of the
schooner Alicia B. Crosby, arrived here
from Boston on the boat yesterday morn
ing. This is his first visit home since his
vessel took part together with the Bene-
dict and the Beebe in the rescue of the
members of the Inflated fllibustering ex-
petition to- Cuba, that ended with the
SINKING of the steamer J. W. Hawkins,
20 miles off Sandy Hook on the 9th of
January.
Inc faots of that extraordinary incident
are still fresh in the public mind. The
ALICIA b. Crosby arrived on the scene
| aItef the Beebe and Benedict. The Gu
| pans We're leaving the sinking steamer
IN the boats. There were 11s of then. A
SUN breeze Was blowing and a high sea
running. The boats were crowded, the
Ounans were frightened and unused to
6he handling of boats. The Beebe res
cueo ~ and the Benedict a.. 1t was with
much difficulty that they were got on
board. When Capt. Bunker arrived with
the crosby he sailed slowly near one of
the poats and shouted for them to row
under his lee. but they paid no attention
ana ne had to go by. When he came back
again he approached the boat as well as
he could. 1t was brought alongside It
was seine boat and was crowded with
"a men. They were pulled up over the
SIDE as rapidly as possible, but the boat
was capslzed by wave and only 10 of
them We're saved. The poor frightened
creatures drowned right there beside the
vessel although every thing possible was
done to save them.
The Alicia B. Crosby is now dischare
ing coal in Boston and Capt. Bunker
took advantage of the opportunity to run
down home for a short visit. He says
that he was storm bound in Vineyard
Haven from week ago last Friday till
last Saturday, over week. About 80
other vessels sought refuge there.
| Capt. Bunker was much impressed by
his thrilling experience and the sad death
of the poor fellows who had started to
fight for the freedom of their .lative land.
He has described the incident in verse.
which the PRESS takes pleasure in
presenting to its readers. He has entitled
| it,
| ON WINTRY SEAS.
AS 'twere dream, see those drowning
men
Those valiant men-who for their native
| country died!
Poor Souls embarked to aid their strup-
Cling natives land
From, Calling yoke: from naughty Span
ish pride.
Their laundering craft, with signal at
half mast,
Again I see one treacherous wintry wave,
1.-TWO stacked and trysail'd, riding to
the blast,
Menhaden boats to succor and to save.
Twas but tragic drama in the act of
| ''lifep '
A scene enacted far from busy haunts
of men,
Ear out at sea, when elements were rife.
down.
Yet in those hours, were snatched from
certain doom
7 hat band of heroes, for their country's
cause,
| Except ten souls the sea claimed for its
own!
Those martyr'd men, who drown'd be-
fore my gaze.
The 'tBenediot'' and "Beebe'' came
upon the scene
| To render aid, and nobly did their part.
Then, as by fate, the gallant "Crosby'
To thwart the wintly waves, their cruel
| sport!
Near morn the steamer 'Hawkins" sank,
stern first;
Her human freight were rescued, minus
ton.
One hundred seven thus saved, who had
enlist,
One hundred eighteen left the ship, ere
she went down
Oh Spain, your marshard armies on fair
Cuban soil
Drenching the land from ''Maysi" to
"Anton"
For subjugation, carnage and the spoil
TO freedoms genius, never may atone
| Better to reason with restless child
Than ply tie rod, unm erciful, unjust
Better, thy people to thee reconcile
Than o'er-powered Province with it's
spirit crushed!
Close at our country's border this san
guine scene transpires,
Here at New England's door, we silent
watch and wait
Have We forgot the struggle of our noble
sires?
Oh, slum3ering spirit; father guide
Alright
May freedom, Justice, equity prevail;
May Cuban patriots, paoify old Spain,
A lasting peace, the struggle, staunch
| entail;
New glory crown the far-famed "Island
Queen p
G. W. B.
Portland & Rochester Railroad.
The railroad commissioners have grant,
ed decision on petition Of the Portland &
Rochester Railroad Company for approx