Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-02-11
e gY 4 ~ 81 q
IW1UhDEDNAnEl
BY
BRlG. GEN.HASNNG. -
IS o ~ VISA. SSo eel
Copyright. 1899, by F. Tennyson Neely.]
CHAPTER XIV.


utes from the moment of the crash the
Idaho's stern was lifted high, then down
she dived for her final berth, untold
fathoms underneath, her steadfast cap
tain standing to his post till the last
soul left the doomed and deserted wreck.
1t was Gods mercy that limited the
passenger list to a mere dozen in the
first cabin and less than 20 in the sec
ond. The boat with all the women,
was pushed off from the side, the first
officer taking charge. Through the fog
they could dimly see the others lowered,
then manned and laden. Discipline had
been restored. Water and bread and
blankets had been hastily passed to the
longboat. The purser had found time
to dive into his safe and to load up with
some at least of the valuable contents.
There was even faint cheer when the
steamer took the final plunge.
Huddled together, many of the wom-
en- were weeping, all were pale with
dread, but Loring and the ships officer
babe them be of good cheer. Even if
they were not found by the Santiago
they were but few miles from shore.
. The sea, though rolling heavily, was
not dangerous. They were sure of max
ing land by morning. But there were
women who could not be comforted.
Their husbands or brothers were in the
two smaller boats, perhaps padding
about in the darkness in vain search for
the steamer that cut them down. For
awhile there were answering shouts
across the heaving waters. Then for
half an hour the boat with the second
officer, crammed with male passengers
and members CT the crew, kept close
aIongside-too close, for some of the
former scrambled into the bigger craft
and others tried to follow, SO close that
its young commander could mutter to
his mate:
''The captains boat is even fuller
than mine. Can't you take off half
dozen?"
But the first officer shook his head.
If the worst comes, they've got life
preservers and can swim,'' said he
"These women would be helpless, ex-
cept for what we can do for 'em.''
For time they shouted in hopes of
being heard aboard the Santiago, but
only those who have tried it know that
it is a matter of merest luck when a
steamer rounding to in fog succeeds in
finding or even coming anywhere near
the spot where she was in collision not
ten minutes before.
The Santiago's captain swore stoutly
that, though badly damaged and COM
PEELED to put back to San Francisco, for
three mortal hours they cruised about
the scene, setting off rockets, firing
guns, sounding the whistle, listening
intently with lowered boats, but never
heard a sound from the wreck, never
until two days after knew the fate of
the vessel they had cut down.
At last the first officer, fearful for his
precious freight, babe his four oarsmen
to pull for shore, his little pocket COM
pass pointing the way. At dawn they
heard the signals of a steamer through
the dripping mist and raised their voices
in a prolonged shout. An hour more
and they were lifted, numb and wea-
ried, but, oh, so thankful, to the deck of
a coaster creeping up from Wilmington
and Santa Barbara, and were oomforted
with chocolate and coffee, while for
long, long hours the steamer cruised
up and down, to and fro, seeking for
their companions and never desisting
until again the pail of night spread over
the leaden sea.
Late the following morning the fog
rolled back before the waking breeze, and
the Broderick steamed hopefully on for
the Golden Gate, and by nightfall was
moored at her accustomed dock, there |
to be met by the tidings that while the /
second officer managed to beach his /
boat in safety, the captains overloaded |
craft was swamped in the breakers off |
D4.v - i
bull had lost his life, dragged under by
drowning men. At Monterey the people |
thought the longboat, too, must have |
overturned, and that all the women had /
persisted. The Santiago, nearly sinking, |
had only just reached port. The beach |
above Point Pinos was thronged with |
people searching in the surf for the |
bodies of the victims, and the captain |
of the Idaho was broken hearted, if not |
well nigh crazed.
The news of the safety of the women
flew from street to street, fast as the |
papers could speed their extras. Loving
friends came pouring down to meet and
care for the survivors on the Broderick.
The owners of the Idaho fastened to
congratulate and commend their first
officer and praise his seamanship and
wisdom. The women were conveyed in
carriages to the homes of friends or
cared for by the company, and after
brief hand clasp and parting word with
Pancha, whose pathetic eyes haunted
him for days, Mr.. Loring took cab
and drove alone to headquarters Evi
IDENTIFY the story of the panic and it's
prompt suppression had not yet been
told.
And then for at least five days the pa
pers teemed with details of that marine
disaster, and public spirited citizens
started a substitution for a presentation !