The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-08-28

| LlOHS IOr an aLCempC TO eSCaDnSn
communications by means of the
wreck-gun. Although the moon
was nearly at its full, it was
deeply hidden by the snow
clouds and the morning was
dark; so dark that only a dim
outline of the vessel could be
seen, not plainly enough, in fact,
to distinguish the rig.
The gun for firing the shot
line being placed in what was
! judged to be the most advanta-
geous position, abreast of the
vessels bow, and just clear of
the wash of the surf, four
attempts were made while it was
yet dark to throw a line on
board. They were all unsuccess-
full. The first shot was with No.
9 line, the largest used by the
Service, the elevation being
twenty-five degrees. The line
dropped into the water short of
the object, and quickly drifted
off to the southwark with the
strong current setting in that dir
ection. This was quickly hauled
back and another shot made with
no better result, although
smaller line, No. z was substi-
tuted. The elevation of the gun
for this shot was twenty degrees.
At the third shot, the No. 8
line was again used, but being
wet and stiff with ice, it broke in
the bend close to the shot. The
same line was now re-faked not
in the box, but on a tarpau1ir
spread upon the sand, and a
fourth shot fired. This failed as
before. There being now but two
charges left in the haversack it
was agreed to suspend operations
until daylight. While thus wait
ing, fire was built and the men
busted themselves arranging
the lines for the renewal of OPP
erations.
At the break of day the vessel
was made out to be large ship.
Shortly after this as the life
savers were about to fire the
gun again they discovered dark
object in the water alongside
the ship, under the port quarter.
This was first taken TO "a piece |
of wreckage, but closer observa-
ton showed that it was a large
boat crowded with men. The
crew had abandoned their ship.
How long they had been in the
boat will never be known, but
no signals were made after the
firing of the second shot, it is be-
lieved that the boat was lowered
towards five o'clock when, with |
the rising of the tide, the sea be-
gan breaking over the deck. AS
the sequel proved. it is a pity
they had not rather taken to the
rigging. At the fifth and sixth
shots the gun was given greater
elevation. The first fire dropped
the line short, as before, but the
next time the line ranged we'll to
the windward and lodged over
the headstays. But is was only
for moment, as the line quickly
slipped off into the sea. The pow
der being now exhausted, Keeper
Belanga, who directed the opera
tons, decided to return to his
station for fresh supply and |
also for his surf-boat taking
Surfman Stone and Ayes to
assist him. The three men reach
ed the station on foot soon after
8 o'clock. Belanga gave instruc-
tons about the boat and after |
seeing to his powder he ran over |
to his home, but a stones throw
distant, and hurriedly asked for
something to eat.
Never Saw Him Again
Breakfast not being ready, his |
wife set out some cold coffee and
a piece of pie, which he hastily
swallowed and then left for the
wreck again, in his own beach
cart, with couple of dry shot
lines, a canister of powder, and
the medicine chest, leaving the
boat to follow on its carriage.
This was the last time his wife
saw him alive.
Mrs. Belanga relates a path
etc incident of this visit. With
some anxiety she had asked her
husband, as she stood at the
table, what he proposed doing
with the boat, as she well knew
the sea was so rough. He replied
that he intended boarding the
ship at low water in case the
lines failed; then, as he kissed
her and passed out the door, he
added "The worst has not yet
come. I would give fifty dollars
if the men were out of that boat"
Notwithstanding his forebodings
the brave fellow little thought
that in few short hours he
would be borne back to that
home corpse.
In the meantime, while the