Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-31
WIRELESS OPERATOR is HERO
Boy on Liner Rigs Up Second Station
When First is Swept Away.
CONTINUES CALL THROUGH STORM
Passengers and Fart Of Crew Of Lex
fnEton, stranded OFF south Carr
oIina. Taken OFF ny rev
enue Cutter.

CHARLESTON, s. c.. Aug. 3O-To the
courage OF wireless Operator scheetz
is-year-old lad. the liner Lexington's twelNe
passengers and crew of forty-four say they
owe their lives Storm-racked for twenty
four hours, its nose driven deep IN the
ouicksands off Hunting island. with seas
dashing over IL. the Lexington threatened
to break up and fling its human cargo 10
death in the seething waters. But scheetz
ley, the wireless operator. perslstentH
licked out his call for help and kept the
terror-stricken passengers from abandon
ing all hope Finally a terrific wave swept
the ship and wrecked the wireless station
on board.
For a moment Il seemed that hope was
dashed away, but Scheetz climbed into
the rigging and hastily fixed up new
station. In imminent danger OF his Ire
from the high wind which threatened TO
tear him from the seat and blinded by the
spray Scheetz sent out his plea for aid
Suddenly through the storm he was an
swered by the revenue cutter famacraW'
which had heard his call and came on the
way to save the lives OF the Lexingtons
crew and passengers.
The passengers and four OF the Lexing-
toms crew were brought here today by the
AamACraW, WnlCn leIl tilt Cdpbeeih anu N''N
rest of the crew on board.
Two firemen were reported to have been
burned to death and a third terribly scalded
when the vessel grounded. First Officer
Chamberlain fractured his right shoulder
Captain stays with ship.
The Lexington tossed about for hours
by the hurricane Of Sunday night and
Monday morning Captain Connaily almost
"A
the wheel and the stokers worked des-
perately while standing up to their arm
pits in water. They tried in vain to in
crease the small pressure Of twenty-five
pounds Of steam to sufficient power to
enable the Lexington to steer away from
the treacherous shore, toward which they
finally we're blown and grounded. Cap
tain Connally, a veteran in the service OF
the Merchants and Miners line, declares
that the hurricane was the worst of his
| experience at sea.
| All passengers were huddled in The social
hall equipped with life preservers and not
few fervent prayers were offered that
they might see the shore again.
When urged yesterday by the Officers Of
the Yamacraw that he abandon his boat,
Captain Connally declared he would re-
main with her until only a mast was left
to hang to.
The United States revenue cutter Ya,na-
craw finally got the passengers on board
and carried them to Charleston.
Damage over Million.
| With street cars running, except on the
| line to the navy yard. electric power avail
able for commercial purposes and telephone
service resumed, conditions in Charleston
are fast becoming normal. Thousands of
men are clearing away the debris left by
| the hurricane of Sunday night.
The damage done here will total more
than 100000. Fifteen persons are known
to have persisted and it is feared that re-
4, ports from exposed islands will swell the
death list and the property loss.
At the navy yard the damage is reported
in excess OF, $4,000, torpedo boats being
badly damaged and buildings injured.
Search for Disabled Vessels.
| WASHINGTON, Aug 30.-A flying squad
ron of five revenue cutters is today search
ing the Atlantic coast from Key West to
New York for ships which may have been
caught In the hurricane on Monday. Com
mandant Bertholf said he was convinced
there were many small sailing ships help
less at sea and unable to communicate their
distress.
The onydaga at Norfolk, the Seminole at
wilmington, N. c., the Yamacraw at
Charleston, the Forward at Key West and
the Seneca at New York comprise the
rescue fleet.
Search is being made for the schooner
Bessie Whiting OF New York, deserted by
it's crew and with only its captain, his wife
and the cook aboard, and the, schooner
Fortuna, which also was deserted by all
except the captain, his wife and cook.
Operators First Trip.
Jack" Scheetz. the 16-year-old- boy whose
herosm in sticking TO his wireless telegraph
apparatus saved the lives Of the passengers
and crew of the steamer Lexington, is a
Philadelphia lad This was his first trip
on the Lexington, though he had made
Journeys on other vessels equipped with
wireless during his short career as an
operator.