The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-02-26
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
BY GEORGE II. HOSEA.


When IS wears old was one OF a crew
of three that manned the little 2S-ton
schooner Ornament, which lay moored
in Monhegan harbor-a deep, narrow
strait between the islands OF Monhegan
and Manana, Maine. The entrance is
from the south, and is unobstructed,
while to the north the passage is barred
by a rocky islet called Smutty Nose
This is separated from Manana by mar
raw passage on the westerly side called
Drunken Gut" The harbor is fairly
good shelter, except when the wind is
from the southeast.
At daylight on the morning after our
arrival at Monhegan there was stiff
breeze, with rain from the southeast,
and by noon it had risen to heavy
gale. All day coasters, traders and
fishing vessels ran in till about 20 sail
were in harbor when night fell.
They were anchored as near together
as they could be, and yet swing clear OF
each other. This compact gathering
would be well enough in smooth har-
DOR OUT OH llOtlC
to the increasing gale, with night COM
ing on and the probability of heavy
sea running into the strait, the prospect
looked serious. Should vessel part
her cables or drag her anchors, collision
with those to leeward of her would be
inevitable, and the result Of collision
might be disastrous.
tho ~ p & fllrV
increased. The unobstructed sea rolled
into the narrow harbor in huge pillows
that dashed against Manana or Smutty
Nose, or ragged as breakers on the reefs
about Drunken Gut. The vessels, ham,
pered by their anchors and unable to
rise freely on the surges, strained at
their cables, plunging and rolling Wild
ly, while nearly every wave toppled its
crest upon their decks or swept them
from stem to stern.
About nine o'clock, when the gale
seemed at it's height, little craft that
had been anchored all day just on our
port bow dragged her anchors. Her
crew, like some others, had sought
safety On shore long before night.
Swinging to our broadside, she began
to pound against us and to break into
pieces.
Her bowsprit snapped, her bulwarks
crushed in fore and aft, her masts went
over her taffrail. At last, plunging
from the top of big sea, we crashed
down upon her forward deck. Her
windlass-bitts gave way, and off she
went, broadside to the wind, till she was
lost in the gloom and rain.
Anxiously we crouched by the wind
lass, the captains hand almost con-
stantly upon either one cable or the
other, that he might detect the first
vibratory motion, indicating that the
anchors were being dragged over the
rocky bottom. But they seemed to hold
securely. Our danger was of another
sort.
was crouching in the lee of the fore
mast to shelter myself from the wind
and spray, when l heard the captain
suddenly shout:
up, up with you, boys, quick:
There's a coaster adrift, coming right
for us!"
Through the driving rain sure enough.
came big schooner stern first, wildly
swinging to and fro, now topping on
a crest, now wallowing down in the
hollow depths. Her gunwales almost
rolled under, and her mainboom, free
from it's lashing, swayed madly from
side to side.
Just as we were receding from roll
ing swell she crashed into us and
snapped our bowsprit. Then she hung
square across our bow.
Quick! quick! Give me the ax!"
cried the captain.
In a moment he severed both cables
,at the windlass, and we were drifting
= with the gale. No vessel lay directly
dastern of us. The captains hope was
J that we might not only go clear of the
coaster, but drive upon small, sandy
beach at the end of Smutty Nose. But
the heave of the sea and the slant of the
wind drove us to one side, and we went
upon the rocks instead.
There was shock, grinding crash
as she struck. Then we seemed to stop;
and now the sea broke over US in fury.