Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-17
Heroes OF the Sea.

Recently q writer for a well known
magazine endeavored to prove that the
much reverenced heroism at sea by
sailors was. in fact. more a matter of
romance than reality: that salvage. not
philanthropy, is generally the moving
spirit among them when meeting with
ships in dire distress Doubtless there
are isolated cases of selfishness or even
inhumanity among those who follow
the sea for a calling when aid is called
for. but the long list of examples of the
highest form of heroism. of forgetful-
ness of self, of philanthropy untinged
by sordd considerations. which the
history Of the marine. both merchant
and naval, furnishes. carries its own
rcfutaton of the charge and COM
pletely sustains those who regard a
sailor as among the bravest of brave
men.
The rcrils of the sea are ever present
to those who sail in ships, and none
know how soon they may be wrecked
or in distress and need aid, and this
tends To create a bond of sympathy
rare to hear one refusing succor when
ii is urgently called for. even where
there is no prospect of pccunary re
ward Cases like the rescue of the ~
people on the Inflated steamer Ncen-
dam. last week, by the officers aud
crew of the st. Louis. the pure hcroism
displayed 10y those on the torpedo boat
Gushing, in riSkiug almost certain
death in their unavailinE attempt 90
save the life Of Ensign Brcckinridce.
and the rescue in 1889 OF 73i souls from
the Denmark by those on the Missouri.
are perhaps conspicuous deeds, bu,
they only cmbcllish the bright page,
of the history of marine bravery, and
indicate the almost hahitual conduct Of
their brethren when called upon to act
in behalf of humanity in distress 1t
cannot but cause a thrill of universal
admiration. of reverence for those who
loWed through a heavy sea to the res
cue OF the men. women and children
from the fast-sinkng Neendam; 70.
the sailors on the Gushing who leal,ed
into raging waters to the rescue of
Ensign breckenridge. and for thoS .
who an Saturday w ia, h..
aid of a lad who broke through the zee
on the basin at League Island navy
yard, and for one in particular who. as
he was sinking. as he thought, for thu
last time, had yet self forget fulness
sufficient to give words of encourage
ment to the boy he sought to save
These three acts. chronicled within a
few hours of each other. will bring to
the memory the daring deeds which
have frequently been recorded of
others. and effectually efface from the
mind any uncharitable thought which
might be implanted by chance cynic
Familiarity may in a measure breed
contempt Tor danger but it does not
lessen the nobility of the man who
faces death unfiinchingly at the cry Of
distress, and who. regardless of pos
sible consequences to himself, goes
about the work of rescue with the same
apparent GOODNESS he gives to his
ordinary daily occupations, and this
the vast majority of sailors do when
occasion arises. Deeds like those per.
formed by the crews of the Gushing
and the Missouri and by the rescuers
at League Island, are more character
istic of the toilers of the sea, than the
thought of self. and they deserve all
the honors that can be bestowed upon
them at the hands of appreciative
mankind.