Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-07-07

tne LaSt 70 Leave and From This
Mandate No Captain Is Exempt.
Heroisnn In Face Of Certain Death.
The captain Of the vessel shall be
the last 10 leave"
This heroic sentiment has been OK
emplifed time and again by the brave
men who go down 20 the sea in ships.
and to their everlasting honor there
IS no attempt or desire 70 shirk the
fearful duty and responsibility. SO IL
was that Captain Sealby of the III
fated Republic refused 90 leave his shin
till every man. woman. child and mem
Der of his crew had been saved.
The last TO leave" II IS the law.
universally acknowledged at sea by
officers and mon alike as the basis OF
self respect and honor. From It no
captain is exempt.
one Of the bravcst OF these heroes
was Chief officer Paterson Of the
British King one day some winters
ago he sailed from New York under
Captain O'Hagan. Great storms i'm
pcded tho passage OF the shin. and So
stupcudous was the violence OF the
waves that they stove IN the bow
plates. and before the leakage was
discovered tons Of water rushed into
the hold.
Captain O'HaCon told his men 20
shift the cargo. but barrels and cases
were hurting this way and that. and
one OF them. driving the captain back
against the wall. crushed bis leg SO
severely that dee had 20 be carried %
the lifeb0at.
For brief space there was no can
tain. Then Paterson took command.
At critical moment his strong per
sonality and calm assurance saved
the crew from panic. Three boats
filed with sailors from the British
King were launched In safety. while
the new commander stood In silence
on tie bridge. Lower and lower sank
the III starred ship. and rs she heaved
and took her Gnal plunge Paterson
blew farewell blast upon his whistle
10 the fast departing crew.
Quite different. bur no less heroic. was
the manner IL which Captain Griffith
OF the Atlantic Transport line steam
ship Mohegan faced death. Though it
was scarcely darker than twilight. he
had run his vessel on the rocks near
the Needles in October. 1895. and ir
was rapidly sinking The last glimpse
OF Captain Griffith showed him stand.
Ing on the bridge ordering the boats
e be lowered In order O. save his crew.
Heroic In death. too. was the captain
OF the OH ship Loodiano. which several
years ago was burned ac sea. Before
thinking OF his own safety he saw CIV
cry man OF his crow clear Of the doom
ed vessel. and then tx was too late
Foot 10y foot De was driven forward
by the flames ti.I at last dee hung over
the bow y tramp steamship came up
but the waters were TOO rough for The
lowering OF the boats. Finally the
flames compelled him 60 loosen his
hold. and while his ship burned fierce
y on he was dashed into the angry
seas beneath.
But still more dramatic was the dealt
Of Captain DelOncle Of the French
liner In Bourgogne. sunk in the sum.
mer Of 1895. As he stood one nigh,
upon the bridge a tall bark suddenly
doomed out OF the darkness and. deal
ing Ia BOurCOCuc q fatal blow. steam
ed hurriedly away. The men on board
went frantic. In a scramble for safety
hremen and crew lost their wits. and
people ran uN and down the deck i'm
Wild despair.
pelOncle stood calm amid the tu
multi Suddenly he abandoned himself
- the dramatic horror OF the scene
and. Seizing the whistle rope. sent into
the skies one long. wild, wauiug groan
IL was Dcloucle'S last salute
Perhaps the uob,eSt death Of an wa
that Of Captain Craven OF the monitor
TccumSeh nj the attack in AUGUST
1864. on Mobile. The ship was fast
sinking. There was not moment "a
he lost. At the foot Of the ladder lead
ing 70 the manhole above. the turret
OF safety. two men met. Captain era
ven and his pilot There would ht
time for but one 20 mount. The can-
tain knew IL; the pilot knew IL. But
there was no hesitation. With Smi,
captain Craven stepped 70 one side.
'After YOU. pilot" he said
The man Sprang up the ladder. and
his life was saved. but the brave cap
tain was swept under and carried 10
destruction by the cruel Sea.-Londou
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