Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-31
Saves All on Board the
Steamer Lexington.
Climbs Rigging, Adjusts I1siTu-
msntS and Calls Aid.
Passengers and Grew Were Facing
Almost Certain Death.

Charleston, s. c. Aug. 30.-TweiYe
passengers, a steward and three col
ored employees of the wrecked steam
er Lexington of the Merchants and
Miners Llne were brought here To-
day by the revenue cutter Yamaera~,
which left the captain and crew of AZ
on board. During the light OF the
steamer against the storm Two fire
men are reported TO have been burned
Ia death and a third terribly scalded.
First Officer Chamberlain sustained
fracture Of his right shoulder. fhe
steamer has her nose Embedded IN
quick sand off Hunting island at the
mouth Of Tie Ediste and il IS said
she will be total loss. She vas
bound from Savannah for Philadelphia.
For q hours the ship hattled desper-
ately against the hurricane. finally be-
ing driven aground. where the ire
mendous waves smashed violently
against her and where the powerful
wind tossed her pefileusly about.
Three times the vessel vas covered
with green water. the pumps eXpeli-
ing enough TO clear The upper portions
and feat the stern.
Rut for the heroism Of Wireless OPP
orator Sheetz there there would have
been no chance OF rescue. After the
storm had wrecked he boats Wirless
station. Sheetz climbed into the rig
ginq and adjusted his instruments,
flashing the calls for help. The signals
were caught by the Yamaeraw. which
hasten to Hunting island. Sheetz.
a i6year-old boy. was in Imminent
peril of his life while operating the
wireless. the wind almost tearing nun
from his insecure position. The lad
was utterly exhausted hy his desper-
ate work.
Passengers necessarily prayed for
abatement of the storm and when tha
government steamer hove in sight a
mighty cry Of relief went I'D from the
sorclv stricken people on the Iexing-
ton When the captain realized the
danger Of the liner breaking up at any
moment he had life preservers
strapped 10 every passenger.
The steamer was held for hours in
the grip of tho hurricane with Capt
Connolly almost naked and half fro2-
on standing al the wheel. Suckers
worked desperately while standing To
their armpits in water in an effort
n increase Tie pressure of steam To
4 sufficient power 10 enable the yes
sci Il steer away from the treaeherous
shore
At about 332 O'Clock Monday after
TWO anchor cables had parted and
The Lexington went hard aground OF
Hunting Island she is lying today
in about Is feet OF water listed al
most 40 degrees 10 port With Ter how
pointing mp the coast.
Capt. Connolly veteran in he SER
vice of the Merhants' and Miners
Line. declared that Tie hurricane was
the worst Of his experience n sea.
He claims and mis- statement is at
tested by the first mate ard steward,
that the wind camo in gusts 4. times
making ABOUT lSo miles an hour. The
roll of the sea was terrific. Three
times in one hour tie entire hul of
the Lexington was completely lost
10 view. With the craft at the mercy
of the elements because it was inpos-
sible 10 make the least Roadway,
great seas were swept down Oh the
boat covering her from stem to stern.
Passengers were huddled about.
equipped with life preservers. When
urged yesterday by the officers Of the
Yamacraw that he abandon his boat,
Capt Connolly said he would remain
with her until only mast was left
To hang to.
When the United States revenue
cutter Yamacraw came 10 within two
or three miles Of the Lexington it
i L.,
Their. on two occasions bottom was
touched and it was only the skillful
Of Lieut.. Ahern, COM
officer. that prevented The
government vessel from suffering the
same fate. She finally got the pas