The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-03-23

/ - chanced 10 rel1 tue DrleI OF
/ fetal announcement Of Com
mander Carlin's death or
board the City OF Pekin between Ma
Mia and Yokohama, December 30
1899, remembered that he was but a
little decade ago the chief figure aud
hero OF the American nayy-the sub
iect for eulogy from people and press.
Carlin played a gallant part in the
terrible time OF the great Samoan wind
storm. On the morning OF March lG,
1899, ships Of the English, German
aud American navies were in the port
OF Apia. The storm came swiftly, and
found them unprepared to meet it in
the shallow waters Of the bay. Every
energy was bent toward getting to the
open sea. The Englishman succeed
ed, and Englishmen and Americans
will remember always with thrill
how the doomed American sailors
cheered the English vessel as she
stood out TO sea and safety while they
themselves remained 10 face and fight
death. That death came quickly to
many, and in all l46 German and
American officers and men found the ir
end that day.
Carlin was executive officer OF the
Vandalia, aud practically in command
even before the death of Captain Scoon-
maker. The latter was an old man,
and 80 heshy that he was unable to
handle himself with ease. He was
killed and washed overheard in the
early part OF the storm, but not before
his executive officer had made gal
liant attempt TO save him. The men
had been ordered into the rigging as
the only place OF safety, and Carlin
was about to follow when he saw the
Captain lying on the forward part Of
the deck, with his arms clasped about
a stanchion. Making his way TO him
between the huge waves that wer e
pounding over the deck, Carin clasped
his arm around the commanding Of
fcer's waist and told him that he in
tended to help him into the rigging.
Don't try to help me. JIM" said
Scoonmaker; "Fm as good as dead
now. You save yourself"
While he lay on the deck by the
Captains side, Carlin felt one of the
ropes that held a gun in place slip,
and to an old sailor this meant that in
a few minutes the gun would be loose
and pounding around the deck. He
resolved to secure o rope and tackle
hanging near by in the rigging, and
with it help Scoonmaker up the lad
der. Twice as he made the rush, be-
tween waves. for the rope, he was
forced TO clasp brass railing to pre-
vent being washed overheard. On
the return trip he was again compelled
to hold TO the rail for his life while
two waves of unusual height and vio-
lence rushed down upon the deck,
and when he arose and looked for the
Captain both man and gun were gone.
Then he looked out for himself. Back
to the rigging he went, but every
place on the yard arm was occupied
by the men, aud in that time there
was no rank. Death stood Mt their
face and levelled rank. Carlin was
too brave to order men to give up
place OF safety to him, but they in
sisted on pulling him up to them.
The ship seemed doomed. Men
were being washed overheard at every
wave. and to make death more certain
The Vaudalia was drifting down upon
4 coral reef. Then the Trenton, an
,hored near by. began to drag her
anchor aud bear down upon the fated
ship. 1t seemed certain that the
Trenton would cut the Vandalia in
Two before either struck the coral
.eef. Officers and men bade one an
other farewell and stood there waiting
Cor death, but when it seemed most
certain stronger gale than usual
struck the human sails IN the rigging
Of the yaudalia aud showed her 80
Ear ahead that the Trenton's prov
struck her stern. and slowly warped
around alongside. Instantly Lieu
tenant Carlin saw his opportunity and
The mems, and ordered them to run
along the yard arms and Jump upon
the deck Of the Trenton. Every man
reached the Trenton, and that ship
steamed away to safety-having by
that time got her engines into work
ing order. For his part Carlln was
recommended to Congress. st. Louis
Globe-D Democrat.