The Washington times., 1905-12-12
l|GHTSH|P CREW
SAVED BY B! TENDER
AS VESSEL SINKS
Taken From Doomed
Craft as She Went
to Bottom.
HAD ABANDONED HOPE
Worked Hard at Pumps
While Giant Seas Threat
l. ened Every Movement.
HAD ABANDONED HOPE

NEW BEDFORD. Mass. Dec. H.
The lighthouse steamer .Azalea. one Of
the boats sent 10 the rescue of Captain
Jorgensen and his crew of twelve men
on the sinking relief lightship No. IS.
on Nantucket Shoals. returned here
shortly after 2 o'clock this morning
with the lightship crew on board. They
were rescued yesterday afternoon after
being in peril for two days and two
nights. and were in an exhausted con-
dition when taken on board the AZalea.
few minutes after they were safely
aboard the tender the lightship wens TO
the bottom of Nantucket Shoals.
When seen this morning shortly after
his arrival. Captain Jorgensen vividly
related the experience on the sinking
ship He said:
Despite all we could do. the water
began 10 gain on US and at 10 o'clock
Monday morning 1 had the moorings
ready TO slip off. Captain Gibbs. with
the Azalea, arrived Just in time TO save
us and we went on board the tender
with grateful feelings that our lives
had been spared
Had Abandoned Hope.
The seas were rolling terrible and
on Monday morning we gave up all
Azalea bearing down upon us i'm the
forenoon encouraged US 10 hold up and
In response TO Captain Gibbs han. we
told him we would hang on to the ship
mr. few hours. although we were rap
idiv hliine. Captain Gibbs told US TO
Keep up our spirits. and when the seas
moderated somewhat he would venture
alongside.
For five hours the Azalea lay within
measurable distance. With the water
continuing TO gain upon US. II became
imperative that the attempt 10 take us
on be made I-signaled to Captain
Gibbs TO come alongside. and with great
gailantry he complied
The task OF transferring she men was
an awful one The seas were running
mountain high. which, rendered the
climbing aboard very dangerous Final
ly the last man. myself got aboard the
Azaiea, and We We're only there about
IS sink
Ny feelings AT seeing my fine vessel
1ounder can hardly be described That
with the suddenness of our miraculous
escape from the Jaws OF death. / was
almost prOstrate.'
Captain Joreensen is an aged sailor
~ith white hair and piercing eyes. AS
ne narrated the story OF the rescue his
lips and body quivered He was almost
Frustrated with emotion.
The crew were landed at Merrill <
wharf and Immediately repaired TO their
homes.
Took to the Pumps.
I'VE first sprang the leak on Sunday
morning." said Chief Engineer Stepnen
DAVIS. land at once took to the pumps.
The inrush OF the waters. though, was
30 great that we were almost choI1ed.
and we shen knew we were in periIous
position. We flashed wireless messages
TO Newport, asking for help. Then came
the awful period OF waiting
Talk about anguish and suspense
We poor devils thought we were doomed
The swaEnping of our engine fires al
most dashed away our hopes. and with
the breakdown Of the wireless our posi-
tion seemed hopeless.
Captain Jorgensen exercised grand
courage and spurred the crew to hope
for the best. We did hope that we
would be picked up by a passing vessel,
but as the hours went by and no relief
came. things looked black indeed. Most
OF the men seemed reconciIed 10 their
position and the bearing and composure
were remarkable There was absolutely
no rear Of death exhibited.
mn ihe wind blew regular hurricane.
We were tossed about IN a manner that
Dafnes description. L shall never forget
the experience and hope never 10
meet another similar one The words
OF captain Jorgensen greatly encour-
aged US 10 maintain hope even 10 the
isst. and some or the men broke down
when they saw the AzaIea steamine
toward US.
The sight was one 10 be remembered
Ine seeming waves tossed the little
nEnsship tender about awruIIy. and N
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