The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1901-01-24
BRAVE LIFE SAVERS
AN EXTRAORDINARY RESCUE ON THE
SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR.

and over the Reefs.
Lieutenant Worth G.. Ross, United
States revenue cutter service, tells In
st. Nicholas of an extraordinary rescue
OH the shore Of Lake Superior. A
schooner and steam barge were strand
ed at Marquette. aud after making he
roic efforts all day long to succor the
survivors the would be rescuers tele-
graphed to a regular life saving crew.
Some one proposed this as last re-
sort. 1t seemed like forlorn hope, for
the nearest station was then at Ship
Canal, 40 miles distant.
However, the chance, meager as 1t
looked, was considered worth taking,
and arrangements were at once begun
to bring the lifeboat and its crew. A
telegram, which had to be carried six
miles by tug, was sent to the keeper
of the station telling Of the peril OF the
sailors. The managers Of the railroad
offered special train to bring the surf
men and their apparatus to Marquette.
AS soon as the keeper received the
message he and his men, with the life
boat, wreck gun and all necessary ap-
purtenances, were taken on the tug,
which steamed as fast as she could to
Houghton, where was waiting a train
consisting Of an engine, a passenger
coach and two fat cars. 1t took the
life savers but short time, with the
helpers who volunteered to put the ap.
paratus on board the cars and secure 1t.
after which the train sped swiftly out
into the night on her merciful errand.
followed by the resounding cheers of
the crowd of persons who had come
upon the scene.
Perhaps no life saving crew had ever
before started out on journey so ex-
ceptional They were stirred to the
noblest impulses by its Intense signiii-
canoe and had determined among
themselves to do or die in the perilous
task before them. Although the track
was heavy with snow, the powerful
locomotive +" Il on at high speed
through the {. ing tempest. at times
almost reaching the rate Of mile a
minute.
The coating of snow made the en-
gine and cars look strangely grotesque
as the train pulled into the railway
station at Marquette after run, with
It's necessary stoppages. that had never
been matched under the circumstances.
1t was nearly midnight when the
crowd Of exprrtant and cheering men
helped she lifc savers and their appli-
ances frem the cars. Wagons and
sleighs had been provided to take
them to the lake and also plentiful
supply Of food for the half starved
sailors when they should be brought
ashore.
After hard trip along the dark
beach in the wash OF the surf. which
was thick with driftwood, the sta.
tion crew finally arrived abreast of
the vessels. A throng of people were
there before them, anXiously awaiting
their ARRIVAL. The bonfires, which had
been kept burning. gave needed light
to the workers. and, in view Of the
great seas that were tumbling in, 1t
was thought lest to attempt first q
rescue by mtuns Of lines. One was
fired over tEs steam barge amidships
but it appears that the sailors were
prevented from getting it by the rush
of breakers across the decks.
The keeper now decided to use the
boat. There were two reefs to pass,
over which the waves were dashing
with frightful fury. The lifeboat cross
ed the first one, shipping three seas on
the way, but the rudder becoming dis
abled the men were obliged to return.
While repairs were being made anoth.
er shot was fired over the vessel, but
no one reached the line
AT daybreak the boat was again
launched, and by strenuous and un.
daunted exertons the oarsmen held to
their work. succeeded in crossing the
reefs, alive with foaming breakers, and
got alongside the barge. BY this time
the lifeboat was sheathed with ice, the
seas having frozen on the planking.
and, being thus weighted down. 1t was
considered prudent to take In only nine
Of the vessels crew. With these start
was made for the shore. which was re.
gained after another valiant and peril
GUS passage.
Two more trips were made to the
wrecks by the life savers. their boat at
times being flooded and partially beat
en- back and once nearly thrown end
over end on the reef The men them.
selves were drenched with icy water,
which made their work much harder to
endure.
| Their heroic and indomitabe efforts
were crowned with full success. every
| one on the two vessels. "a in all, being
saved. Many Of these were almost fro.
zen and nearly starved and were imme.
diately taken by the citizens to the
| fires on the beach, where there was
food.
! cannot do better here than to quote
from the report of the general supern-
tendent of the life saving service touch.
Ing this memorable achievement of the
ship canal crew: ITO have come rush
Ing through the night and tempest over
30 many snowy leagues to the rescue of
q group of despalring sailors and then.
with hearts greater than danger to
have gone out again and again through
the dreadful breakers and brought av.
cry man ashore was feat 30 boldly
adventurous that the current accounts
OF 1t in the public journals reused at
the time the whole lake region to in
tense enthusiasm and sent thrills of
sympathy and admiration through the
country"
Not 10 with Hers.
ln ~.