New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-05
IS DIE WHEN TUG
IS SWEPT ASHORE
Luckenbach Founders OFF False
Cape-Lifesavers Rescue
Two of Grew.
rBy Telegraph to tn. Tribune.

Norfolk, Va, April 4.-The big sea-
going tug Edward Luckenbach, from
the South to Norfolk, went ashore Sat
urday afternoon during the storm at
False Cape, seventeen miles below the
Virginia Capes. Fifteen of the seven
teen members Of the crew persisted.
First Officer Harry Olsen, Of New YORK
City, and Cicero Goodwin, second OIL
fcer, of Roe, n. c., were saved.
The Luckenbach struck the shoals
late yesterday afternoon. with the
high sea running and a seventy mile
wind sweeping her toward the shore
she could last but few hours at pest.
The lifesaving crews from the raise
Cape and Little Island stations made
repeated efforts to reach the distressed
tug. but time after time their lifeboats
were dashed back on the shore and one
was wrecked.
1t WAS dark when Olsen, almost un-
conscious and held up by two cork
belts, was washed ashore. He could
not give any information about the
cause of the accident. He may, die
from exposure and the injuries sus-
tanned in the surf.
At | o'clock this morning the sea
had Gained down somewhat, and a
volunteer life crew, after many at
tempts. finally managed to reach the
tug. They found Goodwin clinging to
the five feet of mast still sticking
above the water.
Goodwin attributed the loss of the
Luckenbach to disabled rudder. The
accident occurred at midday during
Saturdays storm, and the tug, beyond
control. was swept ashore.
The lifesavers report that durl-g the
day six bodies have been washed ashore
from the sunken tug. These are yet to
be identified. All clothing was torn
from the bodies by the surf
Those who watched the rescue crew
as they braved the elements early this
morning, with only Il shlmmering moon
20 guide them, say 1t was one or the
most daring pieces Of work ever per
formed on the Virginia coast. Not
until the men were almost exhausted
from repeated efforts was he lifebost
launched on the roaring breakers.
Again and again the boat and men were
hurled 10 the beach. Several were in
jured and had to retire.
CAPTAIN Partridge, the senior keeper,
from the Little Island station, assisted
by Captain T. II. Delon, of the False
Cane station, were ready TO give up IN
DESPAIR, when a final effort succeeded.
In the boat with them was the pick Of
the two crews, a. l.. Barco. II: \.
Holmes, /. f.. Newbern, Joseph Eth
eridge. Bennett Nallon. c. II. Wharton
and p. -. Hcnly. When they had
cleared the breakers the men were
met with mountain high seas, and none
expected to reach shore alive.
Goodwin tonight had sufficiently re-
covered to give a graphic description
of the wrecking OF the tug.
IL hung to that mast for eight long
hours" he said Gradually | saw the
great waves batter down the tugs su-
perstructure. One by one my ship
mates vanished before my eyes. -Four
others. including my brother, were left
cIinging to the tugs slender mast. The
waves beat against us every minute
and how | held on so long | DO not
know
Goodwin wept as he talked. He ex-
pected the mast TO snap every time
il was struck by wave. lie saw
wave break the belt with which his
brother was dashed to the mast and
saw him swept away.
81 was ready 10 give up when the
surfmen arrived.