New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-16
CREW SAVED FROM SEA.
AWAIT DEATH FOR HOURS.
Lumber Schooner Dismasted and
Waterlogged off Diamond Shoals.

The crew OF the schooner Rebecca A. Toulane,
brought into port yesterday on the Havana. told
g story of wreck in midocean. of Intellectual
labor at the pumps, and hours spent dashed to
the deckhouse.. waiting for their craft TO fall
to pieces. They were finally rescued by the
crew Of the British steamer Peareth Only the
ship instruments and papers were saved.
The Rebecca A. Toulane sailed from Jackson
vile for New-London. December 80. loaded with
lumber. Late in the afternoon of the second
day they were caught in bowling norther
Her heavy deckload made her unwieldly and
slow TO answer to her helm. Captain William
H. Davis refused to go below before the gale
died out and, with one OF his crew of Portu-
guese, stuck 10 the wheel all day and through
the night. The wind grew worse. BY the next
day the crew were nearly exhausted, and the
weight of her cargo and the continuous pound
ing of the seas opened the seams Of the schoon-
er. From before daybreak the men worked at
the pumps, but by noon her decks were awash.
So great was the force of the wind that,
though she was practically under bare poles.
shortly after midday her mizzenmast went by
the board. Then the hammering Of the seas
loosened her deck load, and It was washed over
board. A little later the mainmast broke, and
the schooner rolled helpless IN the trough Of the
seas.
At o'clock the night of the third day the
crew climbed onto the roof OF the after deck
house. Captain Davis left the wheel for the
first time since the beginning of the storm
With the was a big Newfoundland dog.
who had made many voyages with Captain
Davis. Lashed to the deckhouse, with the seas
breaking over them every minute the men and
the dog lay until o'clock the next morning.
They were about thirty miles east-northeast OF
the Diamond Shoals lightship.
After nine hours of danger they sighted the
lights OF the British steamer Peareth bearing
down toward them Their situation was grow
Ing more perilous every moment, for the deck
beams had begun TO buckle. and It was only a
question OF moments before the schooner would
go to pieces To attract the attention OF the
steamer they made a flare by pouring kerosene
old quilt and discharged q shot gun. The
Peareth hove to and sent boat through the
to the schooner and took the off in
one load AS Captain Davis, the last to leave
his vessel, was about to get off, his dog tried
TO follow him. 1t was impossible TO take him,
the boat was loaded almost to the gunwaes.
so Captain Davis used the last load in his gun
10 kill his old friend. only the utmost skill
kept the small boat from capsizing a dozen
times on her way to the Peareth. about a quar-
ter of a mile away. AS the boat crawled in
under her counter to get TO leeward OF her
giant comber picked it up and flung II against
the steamer. smashing It into kindling wood.
when we struck the steamer" said Captain
Davis yesterday. the boat seemed to dissolve
like smoke. In two seconds there was not the
least vestige of her, and We were all in the
water"
Lines were flung to the men, and they were
finally got on board where they were taken
to Cardenas. landing there January .. They
were sent from there TO Havana by the United
States Consul, and from there to this port, on
the Havana
Captain Davis had his instruments and pa
pers in small canvas bag. his entire baggage
These are the only things now have In the
world" he SAID as he left the pier. and
think I'll keep pretty close to them"