White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1920-07-25
WEST MODUS HAS
EvENTFUL YEAR
Thrilling Tale of Rescue Of 611
From " .cked Ship.
EAST INDIANS ARE GRATEFUL

bles its Congratulations to Captain
0mer Humphrey - Indian Makes
Touching Speech Of Gratitude.
Rubbing an impatient side against a
Staten Island pier is the steamship
West Modus, Oregon built. and just
! back after a year of poking an inGuir-
ing nose into the harbors of the world.
She was launched at Portland a year
ago last February, and the first year
OF her existence has been a most event
full one. After carrying -four TO Triest
for the American relief commission,
the West Modus began her second voy-
age from New York on August 16.
1910, when she sailed for Patras by
the way of Philadelphia.
The men on board printed n news
paper. the West Modus Messenger, and
In 1t they recounted some OF the ad-
ventures that befell the ship and those
who formed the crew. Robert n. Tay-
Tor. the supercargo, was the managing
editor; Third Officer Herschel r. Cur
rey, assistant managing editor. and
Fred J. Feulner. the radio operator,
was news editor.
The most notable event Of the voy-
age was the rescue OF Gil lives from
the British steamship Frazllka. which
went ashore or the rocks OF Great
Nicobar island on the night OF October
30. She took the rescued to Penang.
The arrival Of the West Modus and
the landing Of the survivors was thus
reprinted from the Penang Gazette:
r~euehIneiy Grateful
"a big crowd OF natives was kept
outside the wharf gates. The coming
in Of q boat with hundreds OF coolies
hanging over the deck rails 10 no nov
city to Penang; but II was somewhat
Of N innovation to 6nd Indians be-
ing given apparently the free run Of Z
whole ship. the only sacred spot be-
Ing the bridge.
THE sentiments OF the rescued
found expression In q touching little
function on the officers deck. after the
vessel had come alongside, where Cap
tain Humphrey and his officers were
garlanded and an educated Indian in
government employ here expressed In
moving language how grateful those
rescued. as well as their relatives and
friends, We're for the timely help given
by Captain Humphrey, his officers and
crew. But for their prompt and noble
response. he said, owe 600 precious
souls now safe In Penang would prob
ably have been drowned. Including his
own wife and child.
captain Humphrey, In q brief re-
Spouse, said he was much touched by
the spirit animating the courtesles ex-
tended to himself and his officers, and
on behalf Of themselves and the crew
he thanked them. s
Immediately the West Modus came
alongside the rescued passengers, 81
children and GA adults, went ashore,
those without homes or friends going
to the coolie depot to await transport
to India by the Tara. Nearly all
had small bundles OF personal belong.
ings, and n nan carried a tin box
containing 10000 rupees. 1t Is stated
that a large sum of gold, undeclared
and hidden among the cargo and pas
sengers, estimated at n million dollars,
was aboard the Fazllka and that only
a small portion OF the same was taken
OF by the passengers. It's recovery
now Is problematical."
Rescue Takes Six Hours.
When the West Modus picked up the
S. @. s. she was about 50 miles to the
southwark of the Nicobar archipelago,
on her way from Suez TO Singapore,
The work OF rescue took six hours.
The British tanker Mytllus. which also
picked up the call for help. assisted
In the rescue work. Those on the Faz-
ilka were taken off in the small boats.
Third Assistant Engineer Judson A.
Mayo thus described the rescue:
"The heat Of the burning sun add.
ed to the trials OF the oarsmen. Along
side the wrecked vessels the handling
Of the boats was particularly difficult
owing to the surf surging In along the
beach. Here the boats had to be held
In position by main strength while the
terror-stricken Hlndus tumbled In and
took places in the bottom of the boats.
Twenty at q time they were ferried
to the West Modus. Many of them
were so weak that the sailors had to
carry them aboard.
Babies of all ages and shades OF
brown, from a few weeks old on up
to tottering patriarchs who will never
again see the century mark in years.
oil we're passed or handed over the
side by rough-looking sailors. who found
they we're admirable nrrse-maids when
the occasion arose. Many Of the res
cued on gaining the Modus' deck knelt
in their tracks to thank the men who
had saved them. but who were too
busy saving others to take notice Of
them. In the transfer Of the 81 IN
small boats not q person was lost or
hurt and not one suffered 80 much n
. dip. The story is one Of mind. mus
Gle and dispatch.
"Oficial recognition and prnise NJ