Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-04-11
screw went thud. thud, thud, thud.
with such determination.

screw went thud. thud, thud, thud
with such determination.
After the course was changed APT
the Sirdar bore away toward the south
west the commander consulted the ba
rometer each half hour. The telltal,
| mercury had sunk over two inches II
twelve hours. The abnormally low
pressure quickly created dense clouds
which enhanced the melancholy dark
ness of the gale
For many minutes together the bow
Of the ship were not visible. Masthei'
and side lights We're obscurcd by th'
pelting scud. The engines thrust thC
vessel forward like lance into The
vitals of the storm. Wind and way,
gusled out of the vortex with impo
tent fury.
At last soon after midnight the ba
rOmeter showed slight upward move
ment. At 80 a. m. the change became
pronounced simultaneously the wint
swung round point to the westward.
Then Captain Ross smiled wearily
His face frightened. He opened hi:
oilskin coat, glanced at the compass
and nodded approval. Then lie turne,
to consult Il chart. He was joined by
the chief officer Both men examine,
the chart in silence.
Captain Ross finally took Il pencil
To et, 70 tNninf ~ fha L.
the neighborhoOd of II degrees nortl
and 112 degrees east.
1--WE are about there, think"
The chief agreed THAT was the 10
cality ! had IN my mind" lie ben
closer over the sheet.
Nothing in the way tonight. SIR h
added.
Nothing whatever. 1t is bit OF
good luck to meet such weather here
We can keep as far south as we lik,
until daybreak, ana by that time
How did it look when you came in:'
"a trife better, think"
~ have sent for some refreshments
Let us have another look before W.
tackle them"
The two officers passed out into the
hurricane. Instantly the wind endeav
ored to tear the chart house from of
tie deck They looked aloft and ahead
The officer on duty saw them and nol
led silent comprehension. 1t was use
less to attempt to speak. The weather
was perceptibly clearer.
Then all three peered ahead again
They stood, pressing against the wind
seeking to penetrate the murkinesS In
front. Suddenly they were galvanized
into strenuous activity.
\ wild howl came from the lookout
forward. The eyes of the three mer
glared at huge dismasted Chimes,
junk wallowing helplessly in the
trough Of the sea dead under the bows
The captain sprang to the chart house
and signaled in fierce pantomime that
the wheel should be put hard over.
The officer in charge Of the bridge
pressed the telegraph lever to stop
and full speed astern," while with hi
disengaged hand lie pulled hard at the
siren cord. and raucous warning sem
stewards flying through the ship tC
close collision bulkhead doors. The
chief darted to the port rail. for tn,
Sirdars instant response to the helm
seemed to clear her nose from the
Junk us If by magic.
1t I'll happened SO quickly that while
the hoarse signal was still vibrating
through the ship the junk swept past
her quarter. The chief officer, Joined
now hy the commander. looked dOwr
into the wretched craft. They coulC
see her crew lashed in bunch around
the capstan on her elevated poop. She
was laden with timber Although Wa
terloggcd. she could not sink If she
held together.
A great wave sucked her away from
the steamer and then hurled her back
with irresistible force. The Sirdal
was Just completing her turning move
ment. and she heeled over. yielding Il
the mighty power Of the gale. For N
appreciable instant her engines stop
ped. The mass of water that swayed
the junk like cork lifted the grea'
ship high by the stern. Tie propeller
began to rcvolve in air. for the third Of
ficer had corrected his signal - "f'li
speed ahead" again. and the cumbrou'
Chinese vessel struck the Siriar ter
rible blow In the counter. smashing OF
tie screw close To the thrust block ant
wrenching the rudder from its bearings
There was an awful race by the en-
gines before the engineers could shut
of steam. The junk vanished into the
wilderness of noise and tumbling seas
beyond. and the fine steamer of Il few
seconds ago, replete with magnificent
energy. struggled like Il wounded levia-
than in the grasp of Il vengeful foe.
She swung around rs if in wrath to
pursue the puny assailant which had
dealt her this mortal stroke. No longer
DreuStlllS TIE STDTlll W III S'ubbo'h ~
sistency. she now drifted aimlessly
efore wind and wave. She was mere
" larger plaything tossed about BY
titanic gambols The junk was burst
asunder by the collision. Her planks
and cargo Uttered the waves. were
even tossed in derision on TO the decks
OF the Sirdar. or what avail was
gtrong timber or bolted iron against
the spleen of the unclaimed and form
less monster who loudly proclaimed
his triumph? The great steamship
dr.: ted on through chaos. The typhoon
had broken the lance.
But brave men, skillfully directed.
wrought hard To avert further disas'
ter. After the first moment or stupol
gallant British sailors risked life and
limb to bring the vessel under control.
By their calm courage they shamed
the paralyzed Lascars into activity. A
sail was rigged on the foremast and
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