The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-12

I - - amp dS hiAhiHE Vut SlA
knots. The spume spilled itself over
her bows for she was low n the water.
so low, indeed. that one could scarce
i ~ see the crazy design of black and
white that was laid on her sides.
That design showed on her superstruc-
| ture and her smoke-stack. though,
and one orlv had to look at it and look
at the sand bags that were piled up
around the bridge to know the seas
were unsafe for tramp steamers that
| ran without flags by day or sailing
! lights by night
On the bridge of steel and sand
bags the .'old man" stood tho quarter
master at the wheel. These were days
when the 'old man. was to be found
always on the bridge for the tramp
/ was steaming slowly through that
danger zone where she was liable to
be sunk on sight.
! Suddenly a submarine came to sur
face fifty yards to starboard of the
tramp. On her coming tower showed
the foul black cross of Germany. The
"old man" saw the submarine and the
cross upon her side just as the look
lout shouted warning. And it took
him but moment to perceive and de-
Itermine and proceed to do.
Put her OVER the ''old man.
shouted. His voice was harsh and
,clear and certain.
The wheel spun through the fingers
LOT the quartermaster. The tramp
ltrembled and lurched and swung her
head. The spume slapped against her
harder than before and sloshed along
the fo'castle
! Full speed ahead" the -oid man.
signalled to the engine room
! From behind his sand bags the
"old man" saw some OF the crew Of
the U-hoat fling themselves into the
sea, Then the tramp fell upon her
victim. There was crunch OF brok-
en- steel. There was cry upon the
air There was smudge of oil upon
the waters
Lower away the "old man" or
tdered. His voice rang with grim
satisfaction.
| Aye aye. sir" Men sprang to a
boat. They freed the tackle and
Swung her clear of the davits. They
leaped 10 the dripping seats and
seized the oars. AS she touched the
lsea they pushed her clear of the ship.
Then they began to row, for thus did
men of the merchant service show
mercy 10 the mercilcss.
/ But not all men of the merchant
IserVlce escaped like that Many went
to their death without warning or a
q
In the boats they lowered. Some sue
cneded in escaping and often were
itorpedoed again and yet again.
| The war went on. The years went
iby. Ships by the score fell victim to
the enemy Yet not until 1917, when
the war had been going on for three
years did any merchant seamen who
had been torpedoed refuse again to
set to sea and during the whole course
af IN Ian. H.
a dozen men declined to sail again.
They wear no medals or rewards
these merchant seamen. They have
mo chevrons for war service no dis
Itinguishing marks for wounds re-
ceived. They pass quietly and un.
noticed but It is proposed to give them
recognition now in way that will
last for all time.
Except In New York and San Fran
cisco there is little constructive work
done among seamen In the ports OF
the United States Now as recogni.
Etion of their bravery in the war II Is
proposed to extend this work to every
Esalt and fresh water port of any size
In New York on the waterfront
there stands a. sixteen-story building
from the flag pole of which day there
fly three flags 1t Is the signal ZBH
and IL you search the pages of tho
liIternatlOnal Coue book you VIII Hnd
THAT signal means Welcome" The
building itself is the Seamen's Church
institute and there last year no less
than 1882 lodgings We're provided
for seamen and no less than 5O2,72O
meals were served
! In San Francisco similar work has
been begun and the secretary in charge
is the Rev Charles p Deems. for
merly CONNECTED with the institute
! in New York.
Now the Seamen's Church institute
Is work of the Episcopal church
and It Is through the nation wide
campaign of the Episcopal church
that It is proposed to effect recogni-
ton OF the heroism of merchant sea-
men in this war for the nation-w wide
Icompaign is compaign to enlarge the
work OF the church and to spread the
tSeamen's Institute idea to every large
tport in the country will be considered
a necessary part of the work TO come.
! Just now survey of the situation
is being made. The Rev. George w.
Davenport. executive secretary Of the
New York institute, who is associated
with the Rev A. NJ Mansfield. In
charge of the work, has returned from
visit to the chief parts OF the coun-
try. He finds there In opportunity for
work In South Chicago, In Chicago
proper, in Gary ana in all lake ports.