The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-15

lon station. had already dispatched
his crew for his svrfbont, which ar
rived at $3.50 p. NJ. Each man in tho
TWO crews now insisted on being
given u place IN the second boat. The
Avalon crew We're fresh ana impa-
tent FOR the work ahead. but the mon
from Tathoms protested vocifcrously
against being left 10 play the role OF
Spectators, Finally It was agreed that
the privilege or facing death In the
breakers snocld pc accorded tho two
Keepers and threc men from each, sta
ton. The lisa appointment at being
left behind was keenly felt by ono
surfman thu. he wept like a child.
This man had passed through tho
narrowing events OF the earlier ven
turc, and was in no condition to
TO sea agail.
Swept HclpIcssly Past.
The surfboat. successfully launch
ed made fair Roadway toward the
wreck, but the strength of the oars
men alone--the boat being without
power-waa not sufficient to offset
the combined force of wind and cur
rent. Conseque ntly the rescuers were
swept helpl2ssly past the wreck. There
was nothing to do but beat bacie to
windward again for another attempt
This they did. going far enough to
give chem a 3oo-yard run for tho YES
sci
They found the tug apparently lin
tact. with the seas breaking over tho
plot house. who's: windows still
framed the haggard faces OF ten de-
spairing men. AS the wreck afforded
practically no leo. the danger of, run
ming alongsrlc may we'll be conceived.
, The tug was not in momeutary dan
ger, moreover. OF breaking up. so
there wes no time TO wait for iull
IN The gale or for chance to- ma
n"cuvrc for an advantageous position
! The run in alongside had to oe made
with the utmost expedition and the
lf"boat once the crew sent 1t for
ward. held true. iaa
Among the men detailed to inspect
tho magazine was Chief Gunner's
mate Monssen. Imagine their excite
inent when the powder on and Under
the upper racks of the magazine was
| found to be blazing. About one ton OF
smokeless powder contained in thin
copper tanks stood ncar-by, and an
explosion that would rcnd the whole
snip was threatened any Instant The
| door IF the magazine was closed, but
through it's sci,tle-a small hole
| about eighteen inches squa:e-sthe
! fire could he seen burning. The mon
attempted 10 throw water through the
scuttie onto the flames with their
hands, but realizing the futility, OF
| This. one OF the party wont away to
| open the flood cocks again and got
| hose. ~
Thon ii was that Monssen. risking
the danger not only from the smoke,
| flames and threatened explosion. hut
from the water which tho open flood
| COCKS would presently send In very
rapidly. crawled through the scuttle
INTO the burning magazine, and with
| MS hands threw onto the flames the
water that nad entered from the flood
COCKS He kept this up until hose
was Drought and the fire finally ex-
| tihSuished. To my mind, when for
! the sake OF his service. man braves
me danger OF being blown to pieces
| or drowned like a rat in ?. hole. he is
doing something that ranks among
the bravcst of deeds. His herotsm
was not unappreciated by any means.
ana In addition to medal presented
| to hin. he was made n chief gunner.
| with the rank OF ensign"
tCopyright, 1918, by John Elfreth
Wptkins1