The evening times., 1896-06-11
SAVED THE F|LIBus1tRS
Steamer Helen h. Bened.cl in
Port at Georgetown.
RESCUED WITH DIFFICULTY
Capt. Bracket Tells Bow the Men
Were Taken From the Iil-Fated
Steamship j. w. Ha W wkins-Hescne
Was Hard Work on Account of High
Seas-Number of Lives Lost.

Tied up at dock at one OF the wharNes at
Georgetown is the steamship Helen ID.
Benedict of the American Merchants Line
of New Haven, Conn. This vessel gained
reputation for the part her crew took 10
the rescue OF passengers on the Inflated
steamer j W Ha wilkins when that crartwas
bound on a filibustering expedition to the
island of Cuba last winter.
The captain OF the Benedict isl. W. Brock
ct, an unassuniing man, probably past md
die age He has spent the greater portion or
bis eventful life upon the water and in
common with all sailors likes TO spin yarns.
but the thrilling aud interesting tale he
relates of the rescue OF the Cuban-Amer-
leans from watery grave is a real one.
The facts concerning the disaster, as
noted in the log books of the Helen H..
Benedict, and related by Capt Brocket,
were told to a Times reporter when lie
visited the vessel today The story is ls
follows:
:. r''onirr oG January %, the Bene-
dict was steaming in a northeasterly Iii
rection off the coast of Long Island, en-
route from Norfolk to Boston, laden with
coal. When about eighteen miles south of
Mantauk Point, and sixty-five miles from
Fire Island, the captain sighted a rag Of
distress on a small steamer two miles away.
This was before O'Clock in the morning.
REACHED THE FoUNDERING VESSEL.
The weather was cold, and owing to the
high winds that had prevailed during the
night a very heavy sea was on. IL re-
quired some time before the course of the
Benedict could be directed toward the
laundering vessel, and it was with great
difficulty that she was brought alongside
:he distressed steamer.
High waves were dashing over her deck,
while inside a sturdy band of Cuban pas
triots were working the pumps to save
cf lives. rn,. hawkins was a small
craft and unfit for heavy sea. She had
been in dock for some time before the
fitting out of the expedition, and soon after
putting To sea sprung a leak.
on board were l25 men, nearly all of
them Cuban residents of New York, who
had enlisted in the cause OF their native
country, and were bound for the scene OF
the conflict. The Hawkins also carried
considerable quantity of arms and amniu-
milton for the Cuban army.
AS Capt. Brockets vessel got within
50, 'eina distance. ;Ee five small rowbuats
or the Hawkins were lowered, and the
sinking ship aba ndoDed Those in the
iirst boat, To the number OF twenty-five all
or whom were Cubans, a nj for the most part
--'"ie TO speak very plain English, were,
after desperate struggle, picked up by
the Benedict Three other boats, contain
ing seveDty-five men, were hauled on
boa rl Roche
Philadelphia. The remaining boat was
carried III an opposite direction, and fifteen
or her twenty-five passengers were rescued
| oy an unknown four masted vessel The re-
naming ten were swept overheard
AN EXCITING RESCUE.
ON account or tie rough sea. it was ni-
possible for the men to guide or row the
hfe-boats, and it was only possible to
| rescue any of them by getting alongside
the boat, seizing the occupants, and pulling
them on board as the waves dashed them
| up toward the deck. The last passenger to
be rescued by the Benedict was an old
army OFFICER who had served in the ten
year war in Cuba. The old man lay in the
| bottom OF the boat in a semi-conscious
condition, and was nearly drowned before
be could be reached.
Among the ten who lost their lives were
two Englishmen, and, it is thought. one
American. None OF the cargo of the Haw.
kins was saved
As the rescuers were steaming away the
Ha wilkins went down.
The Cubans Were landed next morning
at Vineyard Haven. Capt. Brocket is a
kind-hearted sailor and treated the pa.
tents in cordial manner AS an express.
sion of their gratitude their leader pre-
sented the captain with a large nickel.
plated revolver, which one of the party
had carried. This and two other similar
| pisbtols were the only arms saved from the
wreck. Capt. Brocket is Justly proud OF
this addition to his store of relics, gathered
| from all corners of the globe.
The steamer Helen H. Benedict has tbree
masts and is schooner rigged, of 1,2OC
tons. She is now being loaded with Cum
berland coal to be transported to Boston
| or Salem. She has already been visited
| by number of people who have heard
of her heroic work Of rescue. The Bene
| dict will leave here Friday.