Evening star., 1901-02-23
A DARING RESCUE.
Heroic Work of Life Savers on the
Virginia Coast.

Heroic Work of Life savers on the
Virginia Coast.
A veteran member of the live-saving serv-
ice, who has passed many years on the
storm beaten coast of Virginia, gave a
Star reporter today an interesting account
of a thrilling rescue recently effected by
the crews of stations and in the vicin-
ty of Virginia Beach.
"On the night of the Goth. of December
last, more correctly speaking, of the
morning of the 2lst,' said he, occurred one
of the most tragic events that has marked
the history of the Virginia coast.
Nearly ten years ago, March 21. 1891,
the Norwegian bark Dictator was wrecked
at Virginia Beach, and almost every soul
was lost Notwithstanding the bravery OF
the life savers. On the night of De-
cember 20 last, when the storm was at It's
height, the schooner Jennie Hall met with
a similar fate about three miles below the
scene of the other tragedy. AT $3.50 o'clock
in the morning the schooner was sighted
coming ashore head on. Captain Barco OF
Station No 3 was Immediately notified by
the partroman then on duty, and at day
break his force was joined by Captain Par
fridge and his crew of life savers from Sta
ton No 2. At that time it was impossible
to launch a Hfeboat in the tremendous
surf; however, the mortar was fired, haW-
landed the deck of the distressed
and now hopelessly grounded schooner. The
breeches buoy was manned and John Moore
and Joseph Cosby (both colored) of Glouces-
ter county, Va, were safely landed. Upon
the second trip to the buoy Mate, b. T.
Bragg was brought ashore in critical con-
dition, being almost frozen. Bragg had
been wrecked on this coast once before
having been saved by Captain Partridge,
then stationed at No. 4.
The next rescued was Richard CoombS
an able-bodied seaman of Newfoundland
Coombs was in good condition, and re-
counted the horrible situation of the re-
mainder of the crew. He said that the
steward was tied to the crosstrees and alb
solutely numb from cold; his condition was
such that it was necessary for some one to
go out for him. At once John Neil of Sta
ton No. 3 volunteered to risk his life in the
effort to save the helpless man. Throwing
off every piece of unnecessary clothing.
Neil stepped in the breeches buoy and was
launched on his errand. The wind was
blowing sixty miles an hour. and several
times the brave man disappeared from
sight. At last he reached the almost
frozen man and found it impossible to do
anything without help. so he returned to
shore Then several men volunteered to
launch the lifeboat, and, though Neil had
done his duty bravely, he insisted on re-
turning to the fated vessel. Thereupon
Capt. Barker with a crew of picked life
savers from numbers . and 3, launched the
lifeboat, taking with him Neil and Horato
Drinkwater. an eX-life saver. These two
men volunteered to go to the vessel and
consented to be left there to complete the
rescue, or If necessary, die in the effort
to save the helpless men still aboard, for
a stowaway was also tied up in the rigging
apparently frozen. The lifeboat made the
trip successfully. and Drinkwater swung
himself aboard, followed by Neil. In order
to escape being dashed to pieces the life
boat Immediately returned to the shore
and on its way thither another tragedy
threatened.
"An immense sea broke over the boat
throwing Life Saver Sparrow overheard
and the boat passed over his body. Every
member of the brave crew bent his ener-
gies to the rescue of this man. and they
finally succeeded in pulling him in safe and
sound. Before the two rescuers reached
the wreck, the stowaway, Ben Maui of
Trinidad, who had been hanging by his
heels in the rigging, where he was tied
dropped into the sea, frozen to death.
Upon reaching the wreck Drinkwater, ap-
parently unmindful of the snow and sleet
barefooted and without even oilSkins or
coat, made for the rigging, where he un-
tied the stiff body of the steward a dead
weight of 80 pounds put a rope around
the helpless mans waist. but on account
of his immense bulk could not get him into
the buoy, so tied the body under the buoy
and sent 1t ashore, where 1T was received
and medical attention rendered. After in
cessant work of five hours there We're evil
derceS of life at last. Neil was next sent
ashore in the buoy, and last to leave the
ship was Drinkwater, who landed in good
shape and ready for more work if neces-
sary. The unfortunate schooner Jennie
mere, loaded with phosphate, when she
m