Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-08-25

N.SioOS, thC HcAt IL lOSc trluulphuut,
shaking of its foe; then, shivering in
every timber and pouring forth huge
volumes of black smoke, it would
plunge blindly as if to destruction.
The sailing vessels and smaller
craft soon sank or drifted helplessly
upon the reefs. Thus had gone down
the Eber, cut in two by her German
consort, the Olga. There was a re-
sounding crash, splitting of frames,
heavy jar and mighty tremble; the
bow and stern separated, and all
hands on board-half of the crew
were engulfed. Four, by a miracle,
dritted alive to the shore.
The Adler, another German shin,
lay on her beam-ends on the western
reef, q sad illustration of the fury of
the waves. Hard was the fate of her
crew. Some, unable to escape, as the
waters rushed back and forth from
her lower hold to the reefs along her
under side, died instantly. Rows of
men, more fortunate, lined her upper
rail and beam, clinging TO the bull
warks and trailing rigging; but many
of them, unable to endure the seas
that broke over them and hammered
them against the sides, were swept
overheard, to be pounded to death
upon the reefs.
The American Nipsic, after q short
struggle, was forced upon the sandy
part OF the beach, fortunately for her
crew, and all hands We're transported
to the shore over n lifeline, except
seven poor fellows, lost within an
arm S reach of safety by the capsizing
of boat.
Three hundred yards directly to lee
ward of the Vandalia lay the power
ful AID modern British Calliope, max
ing desperate struggle, under full
pressure OF steam, to keep up to her
anchors, but falling back inch by
inch toward the western reef. The
Olga was now here, now there, but
always to leeward, plunging madly
against the seas, but unable to escape,
and drifting slowly tow-rd the peril
Gus reefs. And we, in that deadly
dawn, were drifting toward our own
destruction.
Out of sight and to windward was
the Trenton, carrying our brave adj
miral. She, too, was fighting des.
perate fight, as the water surged
through the hawse-pipes and rushed
below. putting out her fires.
1t is one thing to face death in q
battle, with an enemy against whom
one can exert the human powers. II
Is another to stand calmly and feel
oneself steadily going the way of those
he Las already seen sink beneath the
merciless waves; but be it said to the
everlasting glory of the Vandalia's s
crew, as the ship drifted on to de.
struction, they showed no despair,
but urged her to all the power she
could muster, and bent themselves al
the pumps and relieving tackles as il
strong in hope. They would die
striving, if die thoy must. That is
the spirit of heroes.
AT critical moment the tillor
ropes parted, and we lay exposed to
the full force of the tremendous sea on
our brcadside. 10 add to the confu-
sion, the glass and crockery had been
hurled across the cabin, and rolled
back and forth in shattered pieces,
with the water covering the cabin
floor. Here, with apparently no
thought for such tribes as broken
glass in the hands and feet, with no
feeling for pain, the brave sailors
tugSed ct the relieving tackles; but
despite all efforts, the poor old ship
showed she could never survive the
fight; and other forces besides the
elements were to be reckoned with.
The British Calliope had forged
very slowly ahead, and was struggling
TO set to sea. She was now only few
yards astern of us, and she must keep
mead to sea. We were slowly drifting
back toward her.
On the port hand, and only few
yards away, wallowed the German
Olga, seemingly unmanageablc. Sud
denly she plunged forward, and her
white bow struck the Vandalia's side.
All standing at our posts. we thought,
"Has the end Gomez" She scraped
along our side, carried away Il
boat, freed herself, and held her own,
while the bruised aad battered Van.
dalia fell off to leeward.
We had scarcely time enough to
feel thankful for this fortunate escape,
when the cry OF "Clear the poop.
deck!" rang out, startling every one
within range of the voice. At the
mainmast 1 stopped and looked aft.
can find no words to describe the be.
wildering thing saw.
A large wave swept past. dropping
the Vandalia's stern deep into its hol
low, and raising the Calliope's bow
high in mid air. The mighty mass O
iron lowered above our tottering Graf
as if to fall upon her and crush her t.
atoms. No man lett his post, but witt
set teeth and bated breath awaited The
crash
A few short seconds, and then {
shout of Joy went up to Heaven, while
the overhan9inS mass. as il guided by
the invisiol band OF divine Provi
dente, rolled clear: but an instan