The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-04

NOVELIST CRANE IS SAVED
CAPTAIN DRAGGED HIM OUT WHEl
HE WAS ABOUT TO DROWN.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 3.-Seven-
teen men accounted for out of the twenty
eight on the Cuban filibuster Commodore
is the record here tonight. with slight
chance of seven more yet alive. Five men
came ashore at Dayton this noon-Captain
Murphy. Stephen Crane, the novelist, the
cook and two sailors. One of the latter,
William Higgins, of Rhode Island. died
soon after reaching land from the effects
of the high surf His family lives in Bos-
ton. One of the survivors gives a graphic
account of the disaster to the fiibuster
His story follows:
1.-The tug sank at o'clock Saturday
morning twenty miles off New Smyrna. All
the Americans on board remained till the
last moment. A traitor in Spanish pay was
the cause of the leak. He will be found
and dealt with later. The leak was dis
covered at about 3 o'clock a. m. The pumps
would not work long, though they did good
service for while. Finding that the water
gained on us, the captain called all hands
and the vessel was turned shoreward. AS
she still continued to sink, two boatloads
of Cubans, twelve men in all. were first
seat off. One boat containing six men was
capsized, and 1 am afraid that the men
were lost One OF the lifeboats containing
nine men was swamped and a hastily con-
structed raft was made up from materials
thrown to them and they then disappeared
from our sight.
Captain Murphy, Stephen Crane, the
newspaper man, Higgins. myself and one
other sailor took to the ten-foot dingy at
the last moment. We tried to save the
men in the water around us, but the heavy
seas and binding wind swept them from
us. The spray was so thick that we could
see only a few rods. Their cries were heart
rending, but we could do nothing. 1t re-
quired all our efforts to keep our small boat
right side up. For twenty-four hours we
battled with the heavy sea, constantly
baillng, and at last land was sighted. AS
we attempted to land the wind drove us
into the breakers and in an instant the
boat was overturned and We were strug-
Cling for life. For an hour battled for
life and then managed to crawl out on the
sands almost dead.
Captain Murphy saved Mr.. Crane by
helping him when cramp caught him.
Higgins was struck the head by floating
timbers and he died soon after landing.
He was a good sailor and brave man.
He worked hard to save his comrades
The men are expected here tomorrow,
there being no Sunday train. Aid was asked
from Dayton yesterday. AS the Three
Friends was the only vessel in port that
could stand the seas the Washington Off
cials were wired asking permission to send
the tug out even with revenue officers on
board. This was at p. m. yesterday Not
hearing from this, the collector wired the
department Then j. Nj. Barrs wired Sen
ator Call and he replied later saying that
he had notified Carlisle and the President.
Nothing was heard from the department
as to aid in saving the lives of American
citizens up to late this afternoon. This was
brought about by strong message from
Barrs begging the department, in the name
of humanity, TO allow vessel to leave.
This brought the required permission. and
at $50 o'clock tonight the Three Friends
steamed out on her errand of mercy.