The Somerset reporter., 1900-04-12
Tales of Old Ocean.

The Portland Express of April 2, has
the following stories OF the SCI, IN which
Admiral Dewey, then CON handler of the
Colorado, figured. Horace Lambert, the
man whose death by drowning IL mar
rated WAS brother OF G. NJ. Lambert Of
this town. The circumstance is recalled
by a number of our citizens.
Captain Edwin Coffin, first assistant
keeper Of Half Way ROCK light, has seen
considerable service on the SCI, and has
had many trying experiences, In his
eleven years at the lighthouse on the
little rock, broad off the laod.
The three keepers, usually intend to
spend two weeks ut light and one week
ashore but this winters severe gales
have upset all their calculations.
They have been 10 days and sometimes
IA or Is on the land, before the weather
would permit their returning to their
post.
Mr.. Coffin says that this Ia the worst
winter TOR storms Ia his experience.
The gales have been continuous, the
grester number blowing south, south
east, with few north-e asters.
The heaviest sea was on the 9TH of
December shortly after the steamer
Portland went down.
I'VE often see these English steamers
on queer courses" said Mr.. Coffin.
| Zone year ago last winter fwas greatly
surprised early one morning to hear
several heavy blasts from a steamers
horn, apparently to the westward Of the
light.
In few moments the four tall masts
and big funnel of a passenger boat made
their appearance through the thick
weather only few lengths from the
middle of the rock for which she was
heading.
"Her engines were going astern rapid
ly, but she came very close to the rock
before she had gathered sternway.
She then went to the westward and
anchored.
"One smoky day last summer, tramp
steamer, one Of those sulphur boats
probably, was seen heading directly for
Mark island monument. We found out
later that he had mistaken it for Half
Way rock. Not until she came in range
Of Ragged island and nearly to Drunken
ledge was the error discovered"
During the winter months the families
of the keepers remain ashore and the
only amusement for men is to read,
white out boats and spin yarns.
Keeper Coffin served in Uncle Sans
navy during the war of the Rebellion. on
the ship Colorado, of which the now
famous Dewey was commanding officer.
Dewey" snvs Mr.. Coffin, "was one
of the best officers | ever sailed with
He ALWAYS spoke tn II man as if he WAS q
man, and not dog. | remember that
on one occasion | missed my boat cal
| q mr. fail ff, ha Vt al M
| WAS up before the mast with the other
indictments. When Dewey got around
to me he asked, Why were you not il
your boat?' replied that had not heard
call.
'"Welr said Dewey, 'if your musical
ear is out of training, you can have 8
few lessons. You may listen to your
boat call for three hours this morning
And | did. Several of the ships huglers
alternately played that call until wish
ed that they and their horns were at the
bottom of the sea.
civilian Grant, keeper of Matthews
Rock light, and brother to Isaac II
G ant, the lighthouse supply store
Keeper, on Central wharf, was with mt
on the Colorado, and for gallantry was
C lied aft before the crew which haC
zen mustered, and thanked by Dewey
He was also promoted. His gallant &C
ton was really deed of great daring.
1.-The ship had been going into one OF
, the southern harbors under one bell
when the call sounded for one Of tht
boats. There WAS farmer at the for
ward davit tackle, who did not under
stand the next call given and he let the
} fall go, which allowed the bow of thu
boat to drop into the water while The
stern WAS still held In the air.
"Seamen Brennan and Horace Lambert
were in the boat and of course wert
pitched into the water.
The No. cutter was at once call d
away to the rescue, and in less time than
it takes to tell it, 10 seamen were In her
among whom were Grant and myself.
"As we approached Brennan, he called
out, Don't mind me boys, I'm all right
but Lambert is drowning.
I'VE got up to Lambert just as ht
sank, and the boat rowed over to him
Quick as fash, Grant, who was pulling
bow oar, jumped aft and dove into tn,
sea. He came up with Lambert under
his arm and both were taken aboard and
to the ship and as quickly as 10 pairs OF
strong arms could swing those oars
Lambert was carried to the sick bay
where he died In few minutes.
dewey had seen Grants act and was
unstinted in his praise"