New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-31
BOY WIRELESS OPERATOR
SAVES LIVES OF MANY
His Calls Bring Revenue Cutter
to Rescue of Stranded
Steamship Lexington.
PASSENGERS TAKEN OFF
Jack" Scheetz, 16 Years Old,
Hero of Hurricane-Captain
and Grew Left Aboard
Steamer Floated Again.

Steamer Floated Again.
Augusta. Ga. Aug. 3o-A message re-
ceived here about midnight, from Beau
fort. 8 G., says that the stranded steamer
Lexington was foate1 at 4:3O this after
noon.
Charleston. s. C.. Aug. N-Tvelve pas
sengers steward and three negro en-
polyes Of the stranded steamer Lexington.
Of the Merchants and Miners Line, were
brought here to-day by the revenue cutter
Yamacraw. which left the captain and
crew Of forty-three on board
Except for the herolsm Of Jack
Scheetz the wireless operator on the Lex
ington, who is only sixteen years old.
there would have been no chance Of
rescue After the storm had wrecked the
ships wireless station Scheetz climbed into
the rigging adjusted his instruments, and
sent out calls for help. The Yamacraw
caught the signals and fastened to Hunt
ing Island Scheetz was in imminent peril
~ his life while operating the wireless, the
wind almost tearing him from his insecure
position. He was exhausted by his work.
In the fight Of the steamer against the
storm two frsmen are reported 10 have
been burned 10 death and third is said
10 have been terribly scalded. First Of
ficer Chamberlain's right shoulder was
fractured
The Lexington was bound from Savannah
TO Philadelphia For tVenty-four hours she
had battled desperately against the hurri-
cane. About $50 O'Clock Monday afternoon
two anchor cables parted and the Lexington
went hard aground of Hunting Island.
She was I'm about IS feet of water and
listed almost 20 degrees TO port. with her
bow pointing up the coast.
Captain Connally, a veteran in the SER
vice of the Merchants and Miners Line,
says the hurricane was the worst OF his
experience at sea. The wind came In
gusts, al times making about one hundred
and thirty miles an hour he says, and the
sea was terrific Three times in one hour
the hull Of the Lexington was lost to view.
1t was impossible TO make Roadway. Great
seas swept over the bow, covering her from
stem to stern. The passengers huddied in
the social hall. wearing life preservers. and
fervent prayers were offered that they
might see the shore again.
The steamer was held for hours In the
grip OF the hurricane, with Captain Con-
naly, almost naked and half frozen. stand
ing at the wheel The stokers, up to their
arm pits i'm water. worked desperately In
an effort TO increase the pressure OF twen-
ty-ive pounds OF steam to sufficient power
10 enable the vessel TO steer away from
the treacherous shore. The Lexington,
however. was unequal TO the battle against
the wind and waves, and was blown toward
the shore and grounded.
A PerIous Rescue.
When the Yamacraw came within two
or three miles OF the Lexington 1t was
found hazardous TO proceed further. she
touched bottom twice. and 1t was only the
skilful management of Lieutenant j. L.
Ahearn. her commander. that prevented the
cutter from meeting the fate Of the Lex
ington. She finally got the passengers on
board and brought them here. When urged
bv the officers of the Yamacraw to aban-
don his ship Captain Connally declared
that no would remain with her while
mast was left TO cling 10.
The following passengers were sent 10
PHILADELPHIA by rail: Mr.. and Mrs. w. j.
Mansfield, Or. r. S. Riede!. Donald Riedel'
Gordon n Riedel. Mrs. j. Reed. Mrs. T..
Stanton, Joseph Berliner and Miss Mary
Heffer.
philadelphia. Aug. 3O-"Jack" Scheetz
rho siyteen-vear- old wireless operator
whose heroism saved the lives Of the pas
sengers and crew OF the Lexington Is
Philadelphia boy. This was his frst trip
on the Lexington, although he had maze
voyages on other vessels equipped with
wireless in his short career as an oper-
ator.
For some time he has been an enthusi-
astic amateur, operating a plant OF MS
own at his home, in Wyncote, suburb.
He recently passed an unusually good eN-
animation at the Philadelphia Navy YARD
ard the authorities there became 80 much
interested in him that they advised him 10
take up the work Accordingly he en-
tered wireless school here and soon OBJ
tanned berth on a steamer, making trips
on the Indian and other liners before be-
ing assigned TO the Lexington on August
% His father a well-to-d do business man,
was delighted to hear that his boy was
safe. He says he will quit after this eX-
perience, however. as he was only work.
ing I'm his vacation to improve his knowl-
edge of wireless telegraphy Early in
September Scheetz will return 10 his
studies at the Cheltenham High School,
Elkins Park, near Philadelphia.
Savannah. Ga. Aug. 30-The steamship
CITY OF Memphis. OF the Ocean Steamship
Company, New York TO Savannah, went
ashore off Quarantine this morning, was
floated later and came up 10 this city.
Jacksonville. Fla, Aug 5o-Five mem
bers of the crew of the schooner Bessie
Whiting. which was caught in the gale
Sunday off the coast of Georgia and dis
masted and waterlogged arrived here to-
day. They reported being picked up at
sea by the steamer Ligoner. Captain
Lowry, of the Whiting, his wife and the
steward refused to he taken off. and reve-
nue. cutters are on the lookout for the ves-
sci.
Havana Aug. 50-The steamer Saratoga
from New York. arrived to-day four hours
late. She passed through hurricane, and
three OF her crew were hurt on Sunday.
The Saratoga took the inside passage and
thus escaped the worst OF the storm. but
she experienced rough weather all the way
merit picked up the IS. o. S" Of the clyde
liner Apache on Monday morning. but
being one hundred miles away the Sara
toga was unable 10 go TO her assistance.
LABOR d.