The Portland daily press., 1898-02-07
THE LOSS OF THE HAWKINS.
CAPTAIN Bunker's Story of His Part in the
Rescue of the Survivors.

Captain George W. Bunker, of the
schooner Alicia Crosby, who played gal
liant part in the rescue of the men on tho
sinking steamer Hawkins several years
ago, has written the following account
of his part In the performance to the
PRESS. His letter is self explanatory:
/ have been much interested in peru
sal of the article in your recent issue en-
titled "Garcia's Friend,'' in which Capt.
Howes figures conspicuously. 1t recalls
the thrilling incidents of that drama en-
acted upon the high seas in which the
writer bore part; and which l described
fully at the time. While | would not de-
tract one iota from the skill and heroism
of Capt. Howes, or the noble and success
full part he was destined to perform in his
humane efforts to rescue those poor NOR
tails from q watery grave, yet, as your
correspondents article reads, there ap-
pears slight perversion of facts, the
/" Crosby" actually being the Inst, or
third, upon the scene of action. On that
Hateful January morning observed some
miles ahead of us, two sails, and 1mme-
diately afterward a steam craft lying
head to the wind, under trysail, with
flag at half mast, union down, as sig
nal of distress, On nearer approach l
observed the two schooners, Benedict"
and "Beebe" maneuvring, the mizzen
sail Of the one lowered as described in
your article. AS | approached the
doomed craft, "Y. W. Hawkins" the
last of the five boats left her. The boats
were crowded with men-with, as it
proved, but Jour or five of the entire
number real, or pretended, seamen TO
handle the cumbersome boats.
The Crosby WAS single reefed, and
the temperature was cold. Persons skilled
in nautical affairs can have ready con
ception of the situation. A sinking
steamer far at sea, five Crowded, leaky,
old time boats with mass of humanity
totally incapacited for the sea, crowded
like scared sheep. A radius of about a
mile to maneuvre our three vessels, avoid
the sinking obstruction and one another,
and keep as near the boats as possible
1t must be borne in mind that circum.
stances required us to get our vessels to
tina boats. In instances where the cap
tains placed their vessels directly under
the lea of boat, they failed to row under
the len of the schooner and alongside. All
this consumed valuable time, as the sea
was increasing and the wind growing
colder.
/ sailed under. reduced canvas to wind
ward of the schoonersin position to bring
my vessel to, passing close to leeward of
boat, hailed and instructed them to
''roW for my lea.'' They seemed dumb.
founded, and I heard but one voice. in
foreign tongue, respond. They made ! o
effort to turn the boats head toward us,
and that opportunity was lost. | then
put my vessel on the other tack to again
approach them, scanning closely the
movements of the vessels to leewerd,
which were nearer the body of the boats.
They now seemed to have been more sue
cessful, and all were rescued Cor had dis
fbntsone boat a little under my
lee. wore my vessel around and skill
fully brought, her to the wind bringing
THE boat, which lay passive, Immediately
atsourlee main chains. / threw
them lines, which they failed to secure
until the boat had drifted under our lee
quarter, from which position we could
not extricate her, she having been partly
filled with water prior to getting along
side. This was fatal as our only re-
course was to haul her on our windward,
or exposed quarter. In this position We
rescued thirteen of the boat accompany by
drawing them over the side with lines.
The boat capsized. and ten were drowned
before my gaze. This was the last act in
the drama, as at that time the steamer
snnk in a perpendicular position, bow
first. / have never received recognition
by word or deed for the part performed,
and only possess a revolver presented as
o pemento by supposed Adjutapt
General.
We did what we could for the comfort
Of the rescued, as they lost all; and my
only object in reiteration of the adven-
true is to place. the Crosby in her true
position-the third, and last, and most
tragic actor of the trio.
GEORGE W. BUNKER,
Boston, Jan. %, 1898.