The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-02-17
GALLANT SAILORS.
Creelman and Gherardi D sserve Medals as
Heroes.

Creelman and Gherardi D sserve Medals as
Heroes.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-Secretary
Herbert this afternoon received the
report OF Admiral Bunce on the voy-
ange of the North Atlantic squadron
from Hampton Roads to Charleston.
The admiral encloses a report from
Captain Crowninshield, Of the Maine,
making thrilling tale of danger and
high courage.
Rear Admiral Blnce states tina: on
the 5th inst. the battleship Indiana re-
ported that her turrets were begin
ming TO work and be directed her to
return to Hampton Roads. The
squadron then proceeded Southwark.
After daylight it was too thick to see
any Of the vessels except the Maine.
The wind blew strong gale with a
high and swift sea. At about 1880 a.
m., the Maine was about three miles
astern and reported that three men
had been washed overheard and lost.
The Marblehead was lying to with a
sea anchor out; she reported that she
mad been boarded by a sea, killing
one man and injuring seven. After
lying by the Marblehead until sun
down and finding that she was not in
need Of assistance, the admiral pro-
ceeded toward Charleston. Captain
Crownshield's story Of the loss OF his
three sailors and the attempt at res
cue is as follows:
''On the morning Of the sixth in
slant sea sweptsover the deck from
the port side and washed overheard
Charles Hassel, gunner's mate third
class, and Leonard G. Kogel, aopren-
tice second class. Both lie buoyS
were let go, the engines stopped the
starboard engine backed aud the life
boat was lowered, naval cadet ". R.
Gherardi taking charge Immedi.
ately after tn cry Of man overheard
and before the life boat was lowered,
VIM. J. Creelman, landsman, jumped
overheard from the poop in an attempt
to rescue Kogel. Creelman swan
well, but was unable to reach Kogel,
who sank within about one minute
after he went overheard. Creelman's
act was gallant; the more SO, perhaps,
because it was at the same time delib-
crate.
''Hassel reached the buoy soon af-
ter being washed overheard and on
seing Creellan swan toward him
making every effort to share the buoy
witn him. In the meantime the life
boat was unable to do more than to
take care Of itself and the sea was so
tremendous thati was in the greatest
danger of being swamped. TIE swiv-
el for the steering oar broke short off
and the boat was once nearl y filed
with water. To bring the ship into
position to pick up the life boat was
grave matter; the boat was dropping
to leeward and the ship had to be
turned through the trough OF the sea
to reach her. While turning, the ship
rolled heavily, water was taken on
board over the tops of the turrets and
one sea swept overheard the port
quarter, John Brown, seaman, and
Axel D. Nelson, private y. S. II. @.
With the exception of Naval Cadet
Kneppsr, who threw grating to Mel
son, and boy who thought ne saw
Brown dead in the water, no one can
be found to say that the seamen were
seen after being washed overheard.
''At about 9:15 the life boat was
brought under the lee quarter and all
of her crew were taken out, Naval
Cadet Gherardi being the last to leave
the boat. 1t was i'm possible to recoy.
er the boat.
The men on the life buoy had
been lost sight of bat their general
noted and Immediately after
saving the life boats creT the ship
was headed for them and shortly afte r
they sighted and after manoeuvering
for time they were hauled aboard at
about $3.50 a. NJ :, in an almost helpless
condition.
Il desire to recommend Wm. J.
Creelman, landsnan, for a life saving
medal Of the first class in recognition
OF his gallant action on this occasion.
Naval Cadet w. r. Gherardi
showed courage and able seamanship
in handling his boat under the most
trying circumstances. Naval Cadet
Gherardi commends Percy Herbert,
coxswain, for his courage.
The following were the crew of
the life boat: Naval Cadet ". r.
Gherardi, in charge; John Anderson,
seaman ;Gustaf \. Anderson, seaman;
Axel C.. Anderson, seaman; Percy
Herbert, coxswain; Heinrich Brink
man, seaman; George Liber, appren-
tice first class; Walter Cameron, sea-
man"