Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-02-21

Among those men who have per-
formed the most gallant and self.de.
voted deeds in the most simple and
natural way we should especially reck-
on Captains in the Navy. with them
1t is an understood rule. that, happen
what may, the commanding officer is
to be the last to secure his own life
the last to leave the ship in extrem.
ity. Many and many brave life
has thus been given. The Newfound-
land coast is a peculiarly dangerous
one, from the dense fogs that hang
over the water, caused by the warm
waters of the Gulf Stream, which,
rushing up from the Equator. here
come In contact with the cold cur
rents from the Pole, and send up such
heavy vapor that day can sometimes
scarcely be discerned from night, and
even at little more than arms length
objects cannot be distinguished, while
from without the mist looks like
thick sheer precipice of snow.
Schooner Drake Struck.
In such fearful fog on the morning
OF the Goth of June, 1922, the small
schooner Drake struck suddenly upon
rock, and almost Immediately fell
over on her side. the waves breaking
over her. Her commander, Captain
Baker, ordered her masts to be cut
away, in hopes of tightening her so
that she might right herself, but in
vain. One boat was washed away. an.
other upset as soon as she was
launched. and there only remained the
small boat called the Captains gig
The ship was fast breaking up, and
the only hope was that the crew might
reach a small rock, the point of which
could be seen above the waves at a
distance that the fog made II difficult
to calculate, but It was hoped might
not be too great. A man named Len.
nard seized a rope and sprang into
the sea, but the current was too strong
for him. he was carried away in an
opposite direction, and was Obliged to
be dragged on board again. Then the
boatswain, whose name was Turner,
volunteered to make the attempt in
the gig, taking a rope fastened around
his body. The crew cheered him after
the gallant fashion of British seamen,
though they were all hanging on by
the ropes to the ship, with the sea
breaking over them and threatening
every moment to dash the vessel to
pieces. AnXiously they watched Tur.
ner in his boat as he made his way to
within a few feet of the rock. There
II was lifted higher and higher by a
huge wave, then hurled down on the
rock and shattered to pieces, but the
brave boatswain was safe, and con.
trived to keep his hold Of the rope and
to scramble upon the stone.
Gallant Sailors Struggle.
Another great wave, almost imme
diately after, heaved up the remains
of the ship and dashed her down close
to this rock of safety, and Captain
Baker giving up the hope Of saving
her, commanded the crew to leave the
wreck and make their way to II. Fol
the first time he met with disobedi
ence. With one voice they refused L
leave the wreck unless they saw hin
before them In safety. Calmly he re
newed his orders, saying that his lif
was the last and least consideration
and they were obliged to obey, leaN
ing the ship in as orderly manner a
II they were going ashore in harbo
But they were so benumbed with col
that many were unable to climb tn
rock, and were swept of by tn
waves. among them the Lieutenant
Captain Baker, last Of all, Joined hi
crew, and 1t was then discovered tina
they were at no great distance fror
the land, but that the tide was rlsinl
and that the rock on which they stoo
would assuredly be covered at hig
water, and the heavy mist and lionel
coast gave scarcely a hope that hel
would come ere the slowly rising VIZ
tiers must devour them.
Still there was no murmur, an
again the gallant bOatswain, who sti
held the rope, volunteered to make a
effort to save his comrades. With
few words of earnest prayer he seCu
ed the rope around his waist strul
gled hard with the waves and reache
the shore, whence he sent back tn
news of his safety by loud cheer
his comrades.
From Rock to Shore.
There was now a line OF rope b.
tween the shore and the rock, Jul
long enough to reach from one to III
other when held by a man at eac
end. The only hope of safety lay
working desperate passage aloD
this rope to the land. The spray WI
already beating over those who wei
crouched on the rock, but not a ma
moved till called by name by CAPITA
Baker, and then 1t Is recorded that I
one so summoned stirred till he ha
used his best entreaties to the Ca
tain to take his place. but the CAPITA
had but one reply: 81 will new,
leave the rock until every soul is safe
Forty-four stout sailors had mat
their perilous way to shore. The fo
ty.fifth looked around and saw POI
woman lying helpless, almost lifeles
on the rock unable to move. He toe
hn. In N nd lI.lih Ihn al Ia.