St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-05-02
The Hero of Samoa.

Few people who may have CHANGED to
read the brief official announcement OF
Commander Carlins death on board the
City of Peking between Manila and
Yokohama, December 80, 1899, remem-
bered that he was but little decade ago
the chief figure and hero of the American
navy-the subject for eulogy from people
and press.
Carlin played gallant part in the
terrible time OF the great Samoan wind
storm. On the morning of March 16,
1889, ships of the English, German, and
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 succeeded, and English
men and Americans will remember al.
ways with thrill how the doomed
American sailors cheered the English
vessel as she stood out to sea and safety
while they themselves remained to face
and fight DEATH That death came quick
ly to many, and in all LAG German and
American officers and men found their
end that day.
Carlin was executive officer of the Van
dalia, and practically in command even
before the death of Capt. Scoonmaker.
The latter was an old man, and so feshy
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 gallant attempt to save him.
The men had been ordered into the rig
ging as the only place of safety, and Car.
lin was about to follow when he saw the
Captain lying on the toward part of the
deck, with his arms clasped about a
stanchiou. Making his way to him be-
tween the huge waves that were pound
ing over the deck, Carlin clasped his arm
around the commanding officers waist
and told him that he intended to help
him into the rigging.
Don't try to helpme, Jim," said Scoon.
maker; I'm as good as dead now. You
save yourself"
While he lay on the deck by the Cap
tain's 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 min
utes the gun would be loose and pound
ing around the deck. He resolved TO Sc
cure a rope and tackle hanging near by
in the rigging, and with it help Scoon-
| maker up the ladder. Twice as he made
the rush, between waves, for the rope, he
was forced to claspa brass rsiing 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 violence
rushed down upon the deck, and when
hearose and looked for the Captain both
man and gun were gone. Then he look
ed out for himself. Back to the rigging
he went, but every place on the yard
arm was occupied by the men, and in
that time there was no rank. Death
stood at their face and levelled rank.
| Carlin was too brave to order men to
give up place OF safety to him, but they
insisted on pulling him up to them.
The ship seemed doomed. Men were
being washed overheard at every wave,
and to make deathmore certain the Van.
dalia was drifting down upon a coral
reef. Then the Trenton, anchored near
by, began to drag her anchor and bear
down upon the fated ship. 1t seemed
certain that the Trenton would cut the
Vandalia in two before either struck the
coral reef Officers and men babe one
another farewell and stood there wait
ing for death, but when it seemed most
certain stronger gale than usual struck
the human sails in the rigging of the
Vandalia and showed her so far ahead
that the Trenton's Prov struck her stern,
and slowly warped around alongside.
Instantly Lieut.. Carln saw his opportun-
ity 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 the ship steam
ed away to safety-having by that time
got her engines into working order. For
his part Carln was recommended to
Congress- st. Louis Globe. Democrat