Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-05-28

The steamer Tccumseh was moving
along at ten knot gait OF Norfolk.
Va, when the lookout called:
Boat ahead on the port bow"
With his glass the captain swept tho
quarter of the ocean indicated and saw
cocklcshcll skin pulled by single
beyond sight OF land.
Put her OF three points TO west
ward" said the captain TO the helms
man.
The ship was stccred in the direction
OF the man in the boat. and ms II drew
near him broad stripes revealed them
selves on the garments he wore.
Escaped jailbirdm exclaimed the
captain In disgust at having to rescue
such man.
rope was lowered. and the convict
was pulled aboard. He walked aft TO
where the captain stood waiting for
him and said:
/ am an escaped prisoner. / broke
away last night. made my way TO the
coast before morning, seized boat
and pulled out, where l hoped to be
picked up by passing ship. must
throw myself on your mercy not to
put me back where l came from. II
you intend doing so I beg you rather
to toss me overheard. for prefer TO
die rather than return TO that horrible
life"
''It wouldn't do for me-" replied the
captain. ito assist prisoner regular
~ convicted under the law to obtain
his freedom. You may work with the
crew while you are on board my ship.
but when we reach port I'll have to
turn you over TO the authorities"
There was a look OF agony in the
mans eyes as he turned away In COM
pany with the mate to take his place
among the crew. He was young-not
more than twenty-seven-vigor and
refined looking. lie had eaten nothing
since the day before. Food was given
him; but. though he needed II, he had
not the heart TO eat more than he alb
soluiely required.
Bad weather set In that night from
the northeast. blowing cold blast.
The ship was riding obllquely across
the waves which dashed up against
her bows. now raising skyward and
now pointing toward the bottom.
1t was about midnight that, while
the stern was raised high In the air.
an enormous wave struck II with ter
rife force. There was sharp report,
and the hclmsman found that the
wheel turned without assistance.
Something had happened TO free the
rudder and render 1t useless. The ship
was Mt the mercy Of the waves.
When the captain. who was on deck.
learned Of the trouble he blanched.
| He was not more than thirty miles
from the Virginia coast. and with a
northeast wind blowing his ship south
westward II would go ashore by day
light.
While this flashed into his mind the
vessel was turning and in few mo-
ments was rolling IN the trough Of the
sea. Orders were issued to get up such
sails as would be of service In steer
Ing. With the help Of these. though
the ship steadily lost ground. those
aboard OF her gained time. Morning
came. and there was the shore like
faint cloud resting on the horizon. and
with powerful glass n white line
could be seen breaking against II.
Some steering gear must be rugged
or within u few hours the ship would
be breaking up under the waves roll
ing on that coast
An investigation was made. and the
rudder itself was found to be sound,
though the stock was shattered. leav-
Ing the huge steel mass weighing three
tons. swinging from side TO side with
every wave and threatening to stave
n hole IA the vessels stern. To save
the ship and the lives Of those aboard
OF her II was necessary that the rud-
der should not only be secured, but
that II he again converted into q
means OF steering the ship. In other
words. there were two dangers or
equal Importance the breaking OF the
ships plates and being driven ashore.
The captain conceived plan. but
owing 10 the rolling OF the ship did
not consider its execution feasible. IL
was to make fast two chains, one on
each side Of the stern. TO a ring on
the outer edge OF the rudder. Had the
vessel remained on mn even keel this
ring would have been about four feet
under water As she pitched some
times II was high In the air. sometimes
| far down below the surface. At the
rudder's rise n man could be lowered
ON 10 II IN the hope that he might put
the chains through the ring. but before
he could do so he would be buried
many feet IN the brine.
The captain lined the crew up on
deck, told them Of his plan, admitting
that several men might he lost In the
attempt. and called for volunteers.
Half minute passed before a man
moved: then the convict stepped for
ward and said:
"I'd rather be drowned down there