Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-23


the loss of life That has resulted
through shlpwreek on its inhospitable
shores.
Low. crescent shaped, and OF sand
formation, this island In situated W
miles off the coast Of Nova Scotia, on
the Atlantic seaboard Of Canada, ana
possesses features OF interest that rem
der It unique. Frequently II turks In
visible In the track Of ocean-going
steamers, because wrapped in the fogs
which roll down from the Gulf Of ST,
Lawrence. Eyer-varying currents play
amid its submerged bars, and IN spot
In the whole Atlantic holds such ter
rors for shlpmasters as this lone strip
OF sand.
In the history OF early voyages TO
North America frequent mention IL
made Of Sable Island, and between 1860
and 1900 many noted wrecks took place
there the entire crew perlshing In
nearly every instance. In 1890 the
transport Princess Amelia left Eng
land. having ON board 200 officers and
recruits, TO reinforce the Halifax gar
rison Belonging 10 the Duke Of Kent.
grandfather OF King Edward VII; the
duke being at that time commander or
the forces in British North America,
and stationed at Halifax, This ship
was wrecked on Sable Island and all
on board were lost. lmpelled by this
circumstance he government TOOK ac.
ton, and an amount was appropriated
to organize n settlement, build light
houses, and establish Il lifc-saying sta.
ton there. The first permanent settle
ment was made In 1902. and the service
has been continuously maintained, with
Increasing efficiency. Now all modern
appliances. surf boats, signal codes, and
everything conducive to the rescue OF
passengers and crew from a ship that
may strand on the bars. are TO be found
here About so people at present IN
habit the island. They are the superin'
tendent lighthouse keepers, llteboat
and patrol men with their respective
families. The island Is under the direct
control OF the Canadian government
which furnishes all supplies, The SUI.
perntendent, or governor, Is Invested
with magisteri9l powers. There are
two lighthouses and six ife-savlng
stations, connected Us telephone; two
houses Of refuge at remote points,
which are supplied with food, ana
have fires laid, matches at hand
instructions where to find water
and beds prepared. These pre-
cautions are taken in case
shipwrecked crew should land UNI
observed. but this rarely happens, as
"a "a MI M rnllinn
the shores and on their report OF
stranded ship the life-saylng staff are
quickly on hand.
Sable Island proper was, at the time
OF the lasAofllcial survey, ~ miles long
and not oNr one mile wide at any
point. These figures vary from year
TO year, owing 20 the shifting nature OF
the sands. Within the last century, ac
cordng 20 the ofiicNL returns, storms
and currents have reduced Ne Island
In size from 40 miles In length and Ssllr
and half IN width to Its present d.
menslons; and from 200 feet to so feet
In height. 1t Is an astonishing fact
that between 1903 and 1852 II miles
OF the island disappeared under water
In 1881 80 feet Of the entire width sank,
within few hours. A year later, dur.
ing great gale, as feet by quartet
mile was torn away in single night,
necessltating q hasty removal OF the
lighthouse 10 a site farther nland.
sixty years ago small harbor existed,
into which vessels OF light draught
could run, and there ride out a gale
In snfety. but a heavy sea. closed the
marrow entrance In few hours. imprls-
onng two American schOoners which
had run in from the fishing grounds, on
the approach OF the storm. Fragments
of their whltened ribs can still be seen
half buried IN the sand. Where once
the harbor lay is now lagoon, into
which the sea breaks 0ves a narrow
strip OF beach. When the steamer
comes with supplies, only In very
smooth weather can she approach with
in three miles OF the shore. and there
are time when II Is Impossible to effect
q landing, even In the surf boats. As
the island Is low, and In color so nearly
resembles the mlsts that oyerhang II,
the booming Of the surf and white |
line OF foam showing ahead are often /
the first indications to a shlptnaster |
that the treacherous currents have /
carried him into dangerous proximity |
to the sand bars. During the last year /
an experiment was tried, which. II sue /
cessful will tend TO minimize this dan
ger. Seventy thousand small trees Of I
hardy varieties have been planted, with 1
the hope that covering the island with
verdure viii render Il visible at great
er distance. and also help TO bind to-
gether its ever-shitting sands The
greatest menace TO ships lies in the
presence Of the subaqgeous flats and
bars by which the island Is surrounded.
The northeast bar In Smooth weather
shows dry for about four miles from
the shore. This Is followed by nine
miles OF roaring breakers, and then
comes shosl water, gradually deepen
ing for two miles. The length of the
northwest bar Is ls'hiiles. beyond which
the water deepens abruptly. Then Sa- .
bic Island forms. with its submerged
bars, I'm rough weather a continuous
line, over 50 miles in icngth, OF seething
breakers, magnificent to view, but fatai
to the ship caught IN their tolls.
As one approaches the surface shows
a succession OF sand dunes, covered in l
some places with rank grass In the /
interior lies a valley, where cranber- /
ries OF superior quality grow abundant
ly. Here is also a small lake, fringed 1
with reeds and wild flowers.
When the elements are mastering for |
strife. the sight at Sable Island is |
wierdly grand. Even before the dis
turbance reached the vicinity. its COM .
ing is foretold by the action Of the /
waves, which swing slowly IN, in long, I.
dangerous masses. and break, with a .
peculiar moan, on the bea h. Darkness I
lights the phosphorescent ires-a /
cleaning Gordon around the standard |
as the storm increases so does the fury I
Of the water giants-green-h headed, !
snow-capped warriors fighting their /
mighty way up on the sands with I
force that terrifes. Wind. rain and |
sea unite In wild harmony.
The continual shifting Of the sands |
often results in the uncoyering Of what !
has been buried. Collins are sometimes /
unearthed; skulls and human bones |
cast up for reburial
The story OF animal life here is cur |
ious. First In importance are the wild |
horses for which Sable island Is famed. l
Small, shaggy and possessing wonderful !
endurance. they roam over the sandy |
wastes in hundreds. and feed on the |
coarse grass there produced. Through |
generations af qxDOgure they haye he