The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-08-31


scene was awfully grand, and
enough to make the stoutest hearts
quail.
AS Daley neared the billowy
barrier he held his boat in check
for a brief period awaiting his
chance. The chance came ere long,
when the huge combers directly
ahead flattened out in seething,
roaring foam. Quick as flash the
word was given to the hardy
rowers, and before the angry wa
ter could again rear herself, few
powerful strokes with the oars
had carried the boat safely beyond
the bar, and the greatest danger
was past. 1t was marvel to the
people on shore how the sturdy
fellows got thru. 1t was so mag
nificently done. There were times
when the entire interior of the
boat could be seen as it mounted
the seas, and the watchers held
their breath, fully expecting to see
it topple backward, bottom up.
No such another chance was af-
forded Keeper Scarborough and
crew of the Big Kinnakeet Sta
ton, who attempted to follow in
Dailey's wake, and after vainly
watching for another slatch, such
as that taken advantage of by
Daley, they were compelled very
much against their inclination, to
turn back and beach the boat.
There was still a pull of several
miles in storm-tossed sea for
Daley and his gallant fellows ere
the bark was reached, but reach
her they did at about an hour after
noon. 1t was impossible to lay the
boat alongside for fear of swamp
ing it, so it was anchored by means
of line thrown to them by the
captain, and by watching their
opportunity, to sheer in close
enough to take the men off one
by one.
This required the most skillful
to avoid staving the
boat. The rescued people were al
most persisted with cold and
hunger, as they had been in the
in which they were found
for over ninety hours, or since the
18th when the gale set in, COM
pletely drenched to the skin and
without food or water. As soon as
they were seated and everything
was in readiness, the anchor was
weighed and a start made for the
shore.
Keeper EtheriGga relieved Daley
at the steering-oar while the lat
ter tended the drag. The boat laden
with its living freight of sixteen
souls was almost gunwale deep, but
it rode the still tremendous seas
like a duck, and after safely pass
ing the outlying line of breakers,
reached the shore in good shape,
where it was met by the Big Kin
nakeet crew and others and run
well up on the beach. A hearty
meal had been prepared at the Big
Kinnakeet Station by Keeper
Scarborough's direction and the
castaways were at once conducted
thither.
A muster was also made of all
the dry clothing obtainable, in
GLIDING the supply received from
the Women's National Relief As
sociation, but it was then insult
ficient to cloth them all and three
of the poor fellows were compelled
to remain in their wet garments
until they could be taken to
Dailey's station after the meal was
over and they were somewhat re-
vived. Thus was accomplished one
of the most daring rescues of the
Life Saving Service since its or
ganization.
The officer detailed to inquire
into the circumstance of the gal
liant affair closes his report with
the following remarks:
81 do not believe that a greater
act of heroism is recorded than
that of Daley and his crew on
this momentous occasion. These
poor, plain men, jewellers upon the
lonely sands of Hatteras, took
their lives in their hands, and, at
the most imminent risk, crossed
the most tumultuous sea that any
boat within the memory of living
men had ever attempted on that
bleak coast, and all for what?
That others might live to see
home and friends The thought of
reward or mercenary appeal never
once entered their minds. Duty,
their sense of obligation and the
credit to the Service impelled them
to do their mighty best. The names
of Benjamin B. Daley and his
comrades in this magnificent feat
should never be forgotten. AS long
as the Life-Saving Service has the
good fortune to number among it's
keepers and crews such men as
these, no fear need ever be enter
tanned for the good name or DUR