The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-30
THE CAPTAIN OF
l THE GRANDHAVEN.
One Mistake OF a Career at Sea,
and the Consequences Of an
Ocean Liners Wreck.
oopvrisv. 1901 By Henry SETON Merr,mar.

IL was ~ lhli IhrA 'lEll' " l'il 'llf
Grandhaven ran into og-bank, and the
second officer sent a message To the cap
tain's steward. who was waiting a, that great
mans dinner table in the saloon.
The captains steward was discreet man
He gave the message in a whisper as he
swept the crumbs from the table with a
jerk Of his napkin.
The second officer could not. Of course,
reduce speed on his own responsibility
The Grandhaven had been running through
fogbanks ever since she left Plymouth in
the gray Of a November afternoon.
Every Atlantic traveller knows the Grand
haven. She was so well known that every
berth was engaged. despite the lateness of
the season. II was considered privilege
to sail with Capt. Dixon. the most popular
man on the wide sOas.
few millonaires considered themselves
honored by his friendship One or two Of
them called him Tom-on shore.
He was an Englishman, though the Grand
haven was technically an American ship.
His enemies said that he owed his success in
life to his manners, which certainly were
excellent-not too familiar with any one at
sea, but unerringly discriminating between
man and man. between real position and an
lHdklIdTN Oll'. U Ol III NIlf HItdufSJ htDuD-
lie the world has yet seen men are keenly
alive to social distinctions.
On the other hand, his friends pointed TO
his record. Capt. Dixon had never made a
mistake in seananship.
He was handsome man, with a trim
brown beard cut to a point in the naval
style. gay blue eyes and bluff way Of carry
ing his head. The women Passengers in
variably fell into habit Of describing him
as a splendid man, and the word seemed to
fit him like a glove.
Nature had certainly designed him 10 be
shown somewhere in the front of life, to be
placed upon a dais and looked up TO and
admired by the multitude. She had written
success upon his sunburnt face.
He had thollsa nds OF friends Every
seat at his table was booked two voyages
ahead-and he knew the value Of popularity.
He was never carried OF his feet, but en-
joyed 1t simply and heartily.
He had fallen in love one summer voy-
age with tall and soft hammered Canadian
girl. a Hebe with the face of a Madonna;
with thoughtful, waiting blue eyes She
was only 10, and, of course, Capt Dixon
carried everything before him.
The girl was astouished at her good
fortune. For this woocr vas a king on his
own great decks. No princess could be
good enough for him-had princcs-es been
In the habit Of crossing the Atlantic.
Capt. Dixon had now been married some
years. His marriage had made a percepti-
BILE change in the personnel of his intimatcS
bachelor captain appeals TO a different
world. He was still great favorite with
men.
Although the Grandhaven had been only
one night at sea. the captains table had 10
vacant seats These were all old travellers
and there had been lbations poured to the
gods, now made manifest 10y empty bottles
and not little empty laughter.
Dixon, however, was steady enough.
He had reluctantly accepted one glass of
champagne from the bottle of Senator.
powerful in shipping circles.
He and his officers made q point of drink
Ing water at the table The modern sailor
IL one Of the startling products Of these
odd times He dresses for dinner, and
when OF duty may be found sitting on the
saloon stairs disc ussing with a woman pas
senger the respcctiv merits Of Wagner and
Chopin as set forth by the ships hand
when he ought to be asleep in bed in
preparation for the middle watch
The captain received the message with a
curt nod. But he did not rise from the
table. He knew that hundred eyes were
fixed upon him. watching his every glance
If he had jumped up and hurried from the
table the nights rest Of half a hundred
anxious women would inevitably suffer.
He took his watch from his poke, and
rose Laughing at some sally made by a
neighbor, A. he passed down the length OF
the saloon he pulsed to greet one and en-
change a laughing word with another. He
was very gracious monarch
On deck il was wet and cold. A keen
wind from the northwest seemed 10 promise
q heavy sea and dirty night when The
Lizard should be- passed and IN" protection
Of The high Devon mporiands left behind.
The captains cab was AT the head 81
the saloon stairs. capt. Dixon lost no tin,
In changing his smart mess Jacket for q
thicker coat. Oi!sklns and a sOu'w, stei
transformed him again TO the seaman that
he was and he climbed the narrow iron
ladder into the bowling darkness Of the
upper bridge with a brisk readiness tc
meet any situation.
The fog bank was a thick one. II was
Like a sheet of thin and very wet cotton
wool laid upon the troubled breast Of the
sea. The lights at the forward end Of the
huge steamer were barely visible. Their,
was no glare aloft whore the masthead
light stared unwinking into the mist.
Dixon exchanged few words with the
second officer, who stood, rather Restless
by the engine room telegraph, They SPOKE
In monosylables
The dial showed Full speed ahead
Capt, Dixon stood chewing the end Of hi
golden mustache which he had drawn N
between his teeth. He looked forward anc
aft and up aloft in three quick movements
Of the head.
Then hc laid his two hands on the engine
room telegraph and r, d ICED the pace tt
half speed There We're a hundred peopl,
on board who would take note Of 1t with q
throb OF uneasness at their hearts, but
that could not be holpod.
Tho second officer stepped sidewav'
into the chartroom, reluctant TO turn his
ewes elsewhere than dead ahead into the
wind and mist. to make a not" in two books
that lay open on the table under the shadcC
electric lamp II was twenty minutes to Q
The Grandhavcn was quick ship. but
she was also a safe one. The captain hat
laid a course close under the Lizard lights
He intended to alter it, but not vet.
The mist might lift There was plenty OF
time; for by dead rcck oning they coulo
scarcely hope to sight the twin lights before
II O'Clock,
The captain turned and said single
word to his second officer and moment
Inter the great fog horn above them in thu
.aIHness coughed out its deafcning note u
- fzlI4 Il