The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-04-05

heavy swell from the Bay OF Biscay, the
gale. which had been blowing several
days, had incrc osed to a severity that
was not to lie made light Of. The
breakers. where Sir Cloudesley Shovel
and his feet we're destroyed, in the days
OF Queen Anne, sang their song Of death
before, and the Deadman's Ledge replied
IN hoarser tones, and to attempt to go
back was sure destruction.
It was a trying hour with us; unless
We could carry sail 80 as to 90 at the rate
OF niue knots an hour, we must of neces.
sity dash upon Scilly; and who ever
touched those rocks and lived, during
storm? The sea ran very high, the rain
f. i in sheets, the sky was one black cur
tain, illuminated only by the faint light
which was to mark onr deliyerance, or
stand monument Cf our destruction.
The wind had got above whistipg, it
came in pufs that hAttened the waves,
and made our old frigate settle to her
bearings, while everything seemed crack
ing into pieces At this moment the
carpenter reported that the left bolt Of
the weather iore.shroud had drawn.
Get on the luHs, and set them all on
the weather shrouds. Keep her at small
helm, quartermaster, and ease her in tine
sea" we're the orders of the captain.
rhe lufs we're soon put upon the
weather shrouds, which of course re-
lieved the chains and channels; but
many an aDxiouS eye was turned towards
the remaining bolts, for upon them de-
pended the masls, and upon the masts
depended the safety OF the ship-for
with one I rot OF canvas less she could
not live five minuteP.
onward plunged the overladen frigate,
and at every surge she seemed bent
upon making the deep the sailors grave,
and her liye.oak sides his coffin of glory.
She bad been fitted out at Boston when
the thermometer was below zAro. Her
shrouds, Of course, therefore tlackened
with every strain, and her unwieldy
masts (for she had those designed for the
frgate Cumberland, much larger ship
seemed ready TO jump out Of her. And
now, while al was apprehension, auoth-
er bolt drew and then another until,
at last, our whole stay was placed upon
siDg'e bolt less than mans wrist in cir
conference. Still the good iron clurg to
the solid wood, and bore US alongeide
the breakers, though in most fearful
proximity to them This thr ling Incl.
dent has never, l believe, been noticed
in public, but it is literal fact, which 1
make not the slightest attempt to embel-
lish. AS we galloped on-ior can COM
pare cur vessels leapiDg to nothing else
the rocks seemed very near us. Dark
as was the night, the white foam scowled
around their black heads, while the
spray fell over us, and the thunder Of
the dashing surge sounded like the aw-
iul knell that the ocean was singing for
the victims it was eager 10 engulf
At length light bore upon our quarter,
and the broad Atlantic rolled its white
caps before us. During this time all
were silent; each officer and man was at
his post, and the bearing and cOunten-
anCe of the captain seemed to give en-
coursgement to every person on board.
With but bare possibility of saving the
ship and those on board, he placed his
reliance upon his nautical skill and cour-
age, and by carrying the main sail when
in any other situation it would have
been suicidal act, he weathered the lee
shore, and saved the Constitution.
The main sail was now hauled I'D, by
light hearts and strong hands, the lib
and spanker taken in, and from the light
OF Scilly the gallant vessel, and close
reefed topsails and main trysails, took
her departure, and danced merrily over
the deeps towards the United States.
Pipe down." said the captain to the
first lieutenant, ''and splice the main
brace" "PiDe down." echoed the first
lieutenant to the boatswain. "Plpe
down." whistled the boatswain to the
crew, and "pipe down." it was.
Chow near the rocks did we go p" said
l to one of the masters mates next
morning. He made no reply; but, TAX
ing down his chart, showed me a pencil
line between the outside shoal and the
lighthouse island which muat have heen
a small strait for fisherman to run his
smack through in good weather by day
light.
For what is the noble aud dear cd |
irigate reserved?
l went upon deck ; the sea was calm, a
gentle bre'zs was swelling our canvass
from mainsail to royal, the isles of Sicily |
had sunk in the eastern waters, and the |