Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-13
IT WAS EXCITING.
Fishermen Patriot Makes Gal
liant and Heroic Rescue.
Saves Seven Men Drifting in Mid
ocean in Open Boat.
And Sends Part Of Crew to Work Dis.
abied Craft to Port.

Gloucester, Mass, Dec. 12.-The fish.
ing schooner Patriot arrived, Friday
morning, after a severe tussle with tht
gales of the past week during which
her crew saved the lives of the entire
crew saved tine lives Of the entire crew
consisting of seven men, of the schoOn-
er Belle Wooster, who We're drifting
about i'm mid ocean in an open boat, as
well as putting three of her own crew
on board the Rockland schooner Methe-
bese in order to assist the frost bitten
men of that. vessel in making port.
The escape of the crew of the Belle
Wooster, who after seeing their own
vessel sing before their eyes, drifted "a
hours in an open boat during a south
west gale, bordered on the miraculous
The little row boat with the exhausted
men was 40 miles east of Cape Ann and
was beirg blown far out to see with no
chance whatever of ever reaching land.
Suddenly out Of the great waste of
storm tossed ocean with the air thick
with flying snow and spray, they sight
ed q light and all mastering their full
strength Joined in a shout for help. The
captain Of the Patriot heard that shout
and after a half hour of skillful work
managed to get all the men on board i'm
safety although they We're more or less
frost bitten. Had the night not been
made somewhat less dark by a moon ii
Is probab that those on board the Pa
triot would never have been able to To-
cate the little boat.
The Wooster was bound to New York
nnfn Ia xx-ifh <.f
dressed granite for the New East River
bridge. After edging their way down
the Maine coast they struck across the
bay from Portland. last Tuesday. When
almost to Highland light the schooner
ran into a stiff southwest gale with a
head sea which not only drove her off
her course, but strained her so that she
sprang aleak. The crew soon discov-
cred that they could not keep the vessel
clear and the only thing remaining was
to abandon her.
There was no time to take any pro-
visions or even extra clothing. In fact
they had scarcely left the schooner
when she made one long plunge and
disappeared beneath the waves. This
was about 2 o'clock on Thursday MORN
ing. From that time the little boat
with the seven men drifted. before the
gale without sighting a sail. There
seemed to be no hope whatever for them
for they We're well off the usual course
of coastwise traffic. Still they cheered
each other and managed to keep them
selves from becoming insensible. al
though three of the men at one time
to throw themselves over
board.
Then night came on again and with
1t another gale and more snow. How the
boat managed to live in such a sea was
almost as marvellous as their sighting
the lights of the Patriot at O'Clock in
the morning through thick snow
storm. Then came their united shout
for help and feeble though it was it was
heard and answered.
Capt. Slade of the Patriot, just man.
aged to locate the boat and after work.
ing round in spite of the storm. soon
got it alongside. The men from the
Wooster were hardly able 10 climb into
the schooner and almost wept when
they at last reached the deck. Restora-
tives were applied and all the men
were put in bed.
The most seriously injured of the
crew is Philip Mallet, one of the sea-
men. He was attended by q physician
here. Friday. upon the arrival of the
Patriot, and it is possible that some of
his fingers may have to be amputated.
The names Of the others of the crew
are Silva Comeau. first mate: John
second mate; Michael CO.
meau. steward: Wallace Mallet, Lean
der Sonia and Harry Mccain. The
crew left during the forenoon for Bos-
ton and later they will probably pro-
coed to New York. at which point they
shipped.
The Belle Wooster was a schooner Of
40 tons burden. She was owned by
Capt. Somerville and others Of New
York. She was valued at $4,000 and
carried an insurance of $4,000 The car
90 Of granite was valued at $50. 900; in
surance unknown.
After modestly relating his expert
snce in rescuing the crew OF the Woos-
Ter. Capt. Slade OF the Patriot. began
another sea tale of his sturdy crew in
the Rockland schooner Meth
Continued on page g.