Evening journal., 1899-02-13
INSPECTOR ALLVES EXpERIEGCE
HAD A THRILLING TIME ON THE
OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO THE
RHYNIlAND.

HAD A THRILLING TIME ON THE
OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO THE
RHYNIlAND
Inspector Of Customs Benjamin B.
Allen had a thrilling experience during
his recent visit to the steamer Rhyn-
land off Fenwicks on the night Of Jan
uary 81
Upon receiving notification Of tee
grounding Of steamer, just above the
life-saving station, from Captain Long,
Mr.. Allen, at once started for Lewes.
1t was his intention to take the 4.27
train over the p, W. & B. railroad,
hut he failed to reach the station in
time, and was compelled to take a
freight train out at IL O'Clock This
mode OF travel was new to the inspec-
tor ana ne experienced a great snag-
ing up between this city and Clayton,
where he boarded a special train COM
posed OF single car and engine, and
was taken direct to Lewes.
The run of sixty-fye miles was
made in seventy minutes, the only
step being Gt Harrington, where the
engine took water.
Mr. Alien, upon arriving at Lewes,
proceeded to the Burton House. in
company with Hugh Mearns, reaching
the hotel about o'c.ock. The doors
OF the Burton House were found TO be
unlocked, though no one appeared to
be up. Upon learning that, the party
for whom he was looking was stopping
at the Rodney House, Mr.. Allen pro-
ceeded 10 that place, and succeeded in
waking up the men ne was in search
OF.
The party, composed Of Emigrant
Inspector Hughes, Of Philadelphia, In
spe,tor of Customs Stauffee, Marine
Superintendent, Captain Berline, Cap
tain Wallace, dock superintendent of
Philadelphia, and Captain Shackelford,
company superintendent OF, New
York, boarded the tug Juno at 430
O'Clock in the morning, and left for the
Rynland The sea was running high
at the time. and the tug pitched and
roIed in an alarming manner. The
Pilot boat Philadelphia was spoken on
the trip, and was directed to go to the
distressed steamer and take off her
passengers. When the Juno arrived
within quarter Of a mile OF the Ryn-
land, Il was found impossible TO get
any nearer, and the surf boats had to
be lowered in order to reach the YES
sci.
II was a dangerous proceeding TO at
tempt to board the steamer with such
sea on. but / had to be done Upon
reaching the side Of the Rynland, the
ladder was found to be mach tco short
to reach the surf boat. and !t was nee
essary to stand upon the gunwales OF
the little craft and upon the upward
roll Of the boat grasp the ladder and
swing up on the rurgs. Some men,
bers of the party did not relish. this
operation, and were only induced to
attempt it by the necessity of getting
aboard the steamer.
After reaching her decks, the pas
sengers, numbering forty-one, thirty
three steerage and eight cabin, were
mustered aft, and preparations made
to remove them to the plot boat. A
swinging chair was rugged, holding one
passenger. who was strapped in and
lowered alongside Il was trying pro-
ceeding to the passengers, but all
were go5ten off in safety. The Phila-
deiphia then took the passengers and
their luggage to Philadelphia. Five
tugs. the North America, Protector,
Frank Munde, Pioneer and Juno, as
sisted by two kedge anchors. after two
days work, got the Rynland off and
t0wcl her to Philadelphia Mr. Allen
returned on ihe steamer The customs
inspector. while enjoying the novelty
Ct the experience, is not particularly
anxious to repeat it for some time to
come.