Evening journal., 1919-01-03
ACTS OF REROISM
MAEK RESCUE OF
SICK SOLDIERS
ContInued From FIrst Page.

night, brilliantly lighted, and looking
Ike ships in a spectacular night naval
review.
The soldiers on the Northern Pacific
kept their spirits high. Two days on
the stranded vessel. humping on the
sand bar in bleak weather, failed to
make them down hearted They cheered
their comrades going ashore in breeches
buOys and yelled with glee when one
Of them was doused by a high wave.
The rescued were warmed at bon
fires and given coffee and sandwiches
by the Red Cross. Many soldiers asked
for a drink Of water instead OF coffee
on reaching shore. It was reported the
supply Of drinking water on the North
ern Pacific was very low.
shortly after dawn the northeaster
increased, bowling about the buildings
on the island, driving the rain with
singing force and kicking up danger
Gus sea. officials at the naval station
said conditions were most unfavorable.
There was little activity in the early
morning hours. Before daylight the
Northern Pacific and ships in the
rescue fleet talked with blnker signal
lights. Searchllghts swept the stricken
transport
Coast guardsmen. veterans Of many
wrecks in this region predicted the re-
lief work would be greatly hampered
should the northeaster become strong
enough 10 drive the steamer down the
beach.
Sixteen more women Bed Cross
nurses arrived during the night, from
headquarters in New York. Their
launch was stranded for a short time in
Great South Bay. Later they were
transferred to a scow and landed safely
wet and cold.
Three tugs passed hawsers 10 the
stranded ship, ready for one more ef-
fort to haul her of the sandbar. At
high tide this attempt was made but
the rough water was a big handicap.
The fussy little tugboats were buffetted
about while the lines slackened and
iautened with jerks that threatened TO
snap them.
Volunteers aiding In getting tine more
severely wounded oversize, took big
chances. clinging precari0usly TO lad
ders on flanks Of the ship, occasionally
doused in icy spray and nearly
knocked into the water by waves that
came seething in, driven by cutting
wind. There was a threat OF snow.
As each stretcher case was taken
over the side, the sailor at the lower
end Of the ladder held the litter over his
head while the man above bent low,
holding the stretcher handle below his
knees, in an effort to keep it nearly
level.
Small boats wallowed in the breakers
transferring the wounded, while sub
marine chasers hovered nearby TO lend
aid in the event of an upset.
The port chains OF the Northern Pa
clflc snapped with terrific report as
The sea knocked the vessel TO and fro.
The wind shifted TO the north dur
ing the morning, making the debarka-
tion work slightly less hazardous.
With the navy in charge OF removing
the troops, cruisers, destrOyers. light
house tenders and the hospital ship
Solace speeded in toward the transport
in a swiftly narrowing semi-circle,
until they formed a virtual breakwater
about the stranded vessel. The crests Of
the waves were dotted with little boats.
Cheers Of the men on the rescue ships
re-echoed as the tiny craft got safely
away.
A second submarine chaser which
went alongside the Northern Pacific,
was violently bumped against its plates.
There was no let up in the rain which
has fallen steadily since the transport
struck.
ft was hoped TO get the greater part
Of the men Off by tonight, unless the
unforeseen happens