Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-04-08
WRECKS ON THE COAST.

Gloucester, Mass, April The
southeast storm just before the East
er dawn threw up on the jagged rocks
of Eastern point the old Calais schoon-
er Hyena. and within an hour the
waves had torn her to pieces and swept
off her entire crew of four men. Two
of them, Elmer and Bennett Stanley.
managed to reach shore and dragged
their half drowned and bruised bodies
up on the rocks, but the skipper, Capt.
r. B. Dix of West fremont, Me- and
Steward Fuller, whose home is not
known. failed to gain the land and
were probably either drowned or killed
outright by being dashed on the reefs.
The two battered sailors reached this
city, this morning. and after a short
rest told the tale of the wreck.
The Hyena with 206 tons of coal
from Perth Amboy for Calais. sailed
! out of Vineyard Haven early Saturday
morning. and had good weather until
off Highland light, when the wind
freshened from the southeast, and it
came on the rain. Captain Dix, after
standing some time to the northeast,
decided to steer for Salem. and after
making out the Twin Lights of Cape
Ann. kept along shore. hoping to pick
up Eastern Point light, six miles to the
westward.
1t was some time after midnight,
Elmer Stanley thinks about 3 A. NJ,
| when he sighted surf off the starboard
bow. but Capt. Dix. believing that
there was sufficient water. kept right
on. until suddenly the waves we're
sighted breaking right ahead.
The schooner was jibed over. but it
was too late and a great wave gather
ed her up and threw her on the rocks
| just off High Peoples at East Glou
Cester. a mile to the eastward of East
ern Point The schooner Immediately
| began to pound and strain and the
crew. hearing her timbers crashing.
cleared away the only boat in the hope
Of reaching shore.
Bennett Stanley was the nearest to
the little craft and as she bObbed up
he jumped in. The next wave parted
the painter and swept the boat far out
of the reach of the other three men.
Il, nnett Stanley was in the BOAT
scarcely minute when it Capsized.
leaving him to battle with the great
surges among the Jagged rocks. Most
mira culously he was enabled to thread
his way among the rocks until he felt
the beach beneath his feet. Then came
the terrible struggle with the under
tow. Finally he managed to gain
a footing and after a little while pull
ed himself up beyond the sea.
When the vessels boat with Bennett
Stanley in her was washed away from
the Hyena. Capt Dix with the other two
Il ~, forward nv tho hpaCt
seas which were sweeping the decks,
sought refuge on the bowsprit in the vain
hope that the schooner might hold to-
gethcr until morning. when the life savers
would see her. But no ship. however
strong could have long withstood the
fearful onsla ught of the seas. and within
a short time one after another OF the
masts were carried away until finally one
gigantic wave lifted the Eyena and liter
ally smashed her to pieces
How Elmer Stanley, thrown like his
brother into the raging surf managed
like him to finally reach shore, only a
Divine Providence knows. His struggle
against the undertow was as terrible as
that of his brother Bennett soon Joinci
him and the two men went to one OF the
little houses at East Gloucester. where
they were cared for.
Before leaving the scene OF the wreck
the two men fingered for some time IN
the hope that the captain and inc Sew
ard might reach shore, but nothing was
seen of either.
Thousands of people visited the seen"
of the wreck. today. and sharp watca
was kept for the bodies Of the skipper
ana the steward. but a: dark tonight
neither had been recovered.
The Hyena was one of the oldest yes
sells engaged in the carrying trade on the
coast being built in St George. Me-. In
1861. She was .re-topped about I'VE years
ago ana has always been considered
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