The Detroit times., 1912-04-17

There must be an enormous number
OF these. II Is necessary for Devil.
dered captain. unable 10 take noon
day observations, and running on
dead reckoning. 10 locate the Cape
Race fog-whlstle. There is no other
way TO determine his position, and he
Is In haste--in desperate haste, when
he thinks OF the owners-to get
along. Consequently he takes a
chance and goes close in murky
weather. Steamers have come 30
close TO the cliffs In the fog, indeed,
that the fishermen on the heads, I'M
able even TO discern an outline OF the
blind craft. have clearly heard the
panic on the bridge when the captain
reversed the engine-room signals and
in the same breath ordered the life
boats manned. After that they have
listened TO the churning OF the screw,
to the orders from the bridge. and to
the gradual departure of the vessel
from her dangerous position.
Once, at a point beyond range OF
the fog not only the orders to reverse
the engines and man the life-boats.
but loud command 10 one of the Of
ficers to guard the liquor. Vessels
often slip past In the mist. themselves
unseen, their presence. peril, and
escape from disaster told only by
voices coming muffled from the OBJ
security at sea.
The folk OF Cape Race--there are
perhaps 1000 OF them, precariously
but happily enough inhabiting a
"a ...flao ~ thto harah q
gain their living from the sea. They
are OF Irish descent, through many
generations; hale, tough, genial
crew, courageous TO the point OF an
abandoned sort OF recklessness. sea
soned for the hazardous adventure oil
wrecking by seal hunting and the
Banks fishery The cape is desofa'
ton; there are little gardens, here
and there. naturally occurring in the
hollows and helped out by hand where
nature has failed TO provide SUI
ficient thickness OF earth; and there
are some small meadows, so-called---
rather pathetic areas OF hay-growing
ground. There Is no considerable
profit from the earth the sea sup
plies.
Fishing is dependable occupation
A wreck is the gift of God-an extra
ordinary, even providential, addition
to the fruits OF toll. II Is not TO be
supposed that the folk wish evil to
the vessels which go by their coast:
but here, as elsewhere In bleak places
they joyfully take the goods the gods
provide" 1t Is related here. as else
where, too, that the children are
N1A ~ a
mamma, and send another wreck.
Whether this is a mere bit OF fun or
not, II Is at least true that a wreck IS
joyfully hailed, once the ship is fast
aground, and is Immediately taken ad-
vantage OF, conscience being easy In
that respect; and it Is true, too, that
when the cargo is ashore, safely stored
away. the disaster and its profitable
issue are celebrated at roaring
dance. All this Notwithstanding,
there Is probably no coast in the
world where wrecked seamen are res
cued with so great a disregard Of
danger to the rescuers, more hosplt'
ably received, more generously plted.
and more heartily sped on their way.
GIVE a Newfoundlander cake OF Ice
and a boat hook" said a wrecked
captain at Cape Race not long ago,
land he will travel FIVE miles to sea
and strip the hide from dead steer.
It Is a coast to beware Of The bet
ter il is known the more II is feared
The skipper OF New York-St. Johns
liner. for a moment at loss Tor q
reckoning in the fog. took no chances
but instantly turned tail and headed
for the open sea. where he lay SIX
days waiting for the fog to hit
Skeletons OF many ships lie incrust
ed with barnacles off the cape this
skipper would not trust--and the bones