Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-09-21

E%@N-~N
the same purpose that | did. AS We
sat there we all noticed that the shiE
seemed to be rolling much more thar
usual and we could not account forit, a.
the wind was off blowing away from
shore) and the sea was not rough. i
seemed to gradually get worse so
went down In the sick bay and had thu
ports closed so that the water would
not splash into the sick bay. Then
went back on deck and the breeze was
fine and enjoyed ii. II was not a
strong wind. 1t was only breeze.
About $3.50 the motor boat showed on
for shore to make her regular trip and
she did not seem to have any trouble
with the sea, ana she went In safely,
II being about one mile from where
we were lying TO the beach. About
$40 p. m, the LIST steamer showed of
to take back the Captain Of the Castine
which was living between us and the
shore In going over the Captain Of
the Castine stood up on the side OF
the boat instead OF going inside. We
all commented that he must have ''coid
feet" and was afraid the boat would
swamp with him inside. As the launch
approached the Castine We noticed the
sea was getting high, as sometimes
you could hardly seq the launch when
she got in the trough Of The sea
She made the castine all right and
returned, but could not land along
side, so the officer OF the deck told the
Coxswain 10 90 out from the ship uu.
I'll tho sea became morc calm. look
ed OPP from the fofecaslle and saw that
the Captain was on The bridge, a min
ute later he had two blasts % the whis
tie as signal for the liberty and rec.
reation parties to return before /, be-
came too rough for them 10 get back
Al that time you could notice The big
swells beginning to come 10, although
there was no wind 10 account for IL
They we're far apart but they seemed
very large, II was now about A:l0 p.
M decided would take some pic.
tures Of the big swells and went down
and brought NJ ms camera When !
got back ! noticed the sea was getting
dangerous and felt that II they con.
,inucd there was going 10 be some.
thing doing: but no one seemed 70
think seriously Of the biz ssslls a.
there we're no breakers We noticed
ihal Tie Castine vas taking the sea
over her decks and everyone seemed
Interested, and she attracted every,
6ody's attention, She got up her an
chor and started out very quickly; ~
this tiine the wind had shifted and was
blowing strong gale, The high ssells
were beginning 70 break and, believe
me, il was getting bad
some one said. Herr comes thn
motor boat from ashore with The ohe
liberty party trying 70 ges back 70 the
ship" They we're then about one.
lhlrd The say from shore aud the sea
was 50 rough that they could no, turn
around they simply had TO stem ihs
sea or sink, so They slcmmed Il
The Captain had the word passed n
yet under way a. rapidly a. possible,
IS the sea vas getting hcrce. he
knes shat be misst Fet awaF aAd gsi
further out 10 sea, and keep his boz
into lf In order 10 ride IL out As il
was we wep lying Ia tho trough 81 tbs
sea sideways ~ II instead Of bow on
The tide KEEP, US that way, and thai
Is something thai made 1t bad for us
Bot unfortunately they did mol hay,
enough steam gp to get under way and
Another thing, one 81 the engines wa
being repaired and taken apart; buf
thay did not have enough steam TO rur
nne engine Now about the libcrs,
party, stood on tbe upper deck ana
watched them o. they kept coming, bu
I could see that they would be swamp
ed Further out they got worse Il
became; 3naIly one Blk breaker caugh
the boat and she took Ia wster. theI
the men stood up 10 tho boa, ans
started 70 signal 10 the ship for hell
by the sigwag BY that time another
breaker struck them and she took ol
more water. This time saw one mar
jump overheard. In a minute another
big breaker swept over her The wine
got into She breaker aud seemed I,
carry II about hundred feet ia thi
air After Il passed over the boat hat
gone down and the men WE'RE 10 ia
water with only their heads 10 sigh
and they we're struggling for life
Poor bpys, they went down one b.
one There was great excitement o.
the Memphis ~ that minute; eYeryon
wanted 20 do something TO help them
and help was Impossible. The Captain
called for volunteers for the life boat
| I'm never forget that call -'yolunloer
for the life boa Men responds
Immediately and the life boats yer
oiled, but the sea was so rough the
decided Il would be folly TO lower them
The great question at that moment b.
came, How can We save the Memphis
The Castlne was coming out but "
did not have steam enough TO get M
der way We we're helpless and the Sc
was breaking over us and fooding tn
ship rapidly. She Is a high ship, br
the waves flooded the engine and III
rooms, putting out the fires that the
we're trying 10 light up. The Castin
moved forward and then seemed /
stop. It appeared that she had broke
down. Then she started 70 back an
we all thought she would sink In
few minutes, but she backed out su,
cessfully AZ this time she was rigl