The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-10-27
CHAPTER VIII.
A Morning Of Disaster.

"dello, Captain"
"Hello, lookout"
''The sea is high and the fishermen
are yenturing out"
"All right, / will send out the men,"
Cape disappointment lie saving
station nestled beneath the rocks OF the
cliffs that extended far out over the sea.
Many a mariner had met disappoint.
ment here. For from the sea the spot
looked like place Of refuge from the
storm. But he who dared TO trust 1t
had often been dashed TO death against
Its walls.
Shaken and added, as II were, while
crossing the river bar, the mightiest
rovers of the deep had been broken up
here like glass upon the rocks.
1t was the treaohery Of its appearance
that gave name to the place. 1t was
the great loss OF life that had caused
the government to establish life saw
ing station at the foot OF the cliffs.
But the life savers had double duty
to perform. The purpose for which
they were originally placed there was
insignificant to the duty that later de-
veloped. They we're provided by the
government to watch incoming vessels
and save the lives Of ship wrecked sea.
men and travellers on the deep, but
later II was found that hundred calls
came fro.r those whose lives we're spent
on the river to where one came from
those who lived on the sea.
Like guardians Of children the life
savers stood upon watch and as the
fishermen came and so we're they on
duty.
From the early hours Of morning un-
til nearly noon, and from early after
noon until late in the evening the fisk.
eImen dotted the river in their tiny
boats and struggled with their nets
verging on the very danger line where
ocean and river met. Once aci oss this
line and the frail craft of the fisherman
was at the mercy Of the undeitow and
many toiler was dragged to his death
ere the government protectors Of life
could reach the spot in boats prepared
for the purpose.
The lighthouse stood upon the high
est point OF the cape overlooking the
sea. Beneath its shadow stood a small
structure barely large enough inside
for one man to stand, turn about and
sit down. II was built Of glass save
that Its framework and roof was made
of iron, The glass was thick and al
most as strong as iron for 1t required
strength to Withstand the terrible
storms that beat upon 1t from the sea.
Its furnishings were small stove, a
stool, pair of strong glasses and a
telephone. 1t was occupied night and
day by one man at time. One was
on watch from noon until midnight
and the other from midnight until
noon. Not even light was allowed
for it was not needed by day and by
night it would blind the watch so that
he could not look out upon the ocean
and river.
Throughout the day he peered out
through his glasses over the sea and
river and hay. At night he followed
the great revolving light in the light.
house above his head and watched for
objects on the water while he looked
further out for the smaller lights o.
vessels.
1t was on tke morning that Sankala
} and Ringwold had put forth into the
: storm that the conversation took place
} over the telephone between the look
out and the captain of the life saving
crew recorded at the beginning of thil
chapter.
} The lookout had seen the small
, craft battling with the surf on tn,
bosom of the bay in the dim light
, shot out from overhead. He coult
feel the storm bf8wing against tn,
structure which enclosed him; be
sides the register showed high We
locity Of ind.