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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>STORIES OF THE LIFEBOAT</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Stories of the Lifeboat" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Frank Mundell" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1895" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="42394" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-03-23" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Stories of the Lifeboat" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Stories of the Lifeboat" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="lifeboat.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2013-03-23T18:48:59.729418+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42394" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Frank Mundell" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2013-03-23" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="stories-of-the-lifeboat"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">STORIES OF THE LIFEBOAT</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Stories of the Lifeboat -<br /> -<br />Author: Frank Mundell -<br /> -<br />Release Date: March 23, 2013 [EBook #42394] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>STORIES OF THE LIFEBOAT</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 64%" id="figure-172"> -<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 85%" id="figure-173"> -<span id="the-lifeboat-in-the-storm"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE LIFEBOAT IN THE STORM" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE LIFEBOAT IN THE STORM</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">STORIES -<br />OF -<br />THE LIFEBOAT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY -<br />FRANK MUNDELL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">AUTHOR OF "STORIES OF THE VICTORIA CROSS" -<br />"INTO THE UNKNOWN WEST" ETC</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">FOURTH EDITION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 22%" id="figure-174"> -<img class="align-center block center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="title page illustration" src="images/img-title.jpg" /> -<div class="caption center centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">title page illustration</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LONDON: -<br />THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION -<br />57 AND 59 LUDGATE HILL, E.C.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY FRANK MUNDELL,</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">AUTHOR OF "THE HEROINES' LIBRARY."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">Crown 8vo, cloth boards, 1s. 6d. each.</em></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WITH PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">STORIES OF THE FAR WEST. -<br />STORIES OF THE COAL MINE. -<br />STORIES OF THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. -<br />STORIES OF THE FIRE BRIGADE. -<br />STORIES OF NORTH POLE ADVENTURE. -<br />STORIES OF THE VICTORIA CROSS. -<br />STORIES OF THE LIFEBOAT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">Of all Booksellers.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LONDON: -<br />THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, -<br />57 AND 59 LUDGATE HILL, E.C.</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">PREFACE</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In sending forth this little work to the public, I -desire to acknowledge my obligations to the following:--The -Royal National Lifeboat Institution for the -valuable matter placed at my disposal, also for the -use of the illustrations on pages 20 and 21; to -Mr. Clement Scott and the proprietors of </span><em class="italics">Punch</em><span> for -permission to use the poem, "The Warriors of the Sea"; -to the proprietors of </span><em class="italics">The Star</em><span> for the poem, "The -Stranding of the </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span>"; and to the proprietors of -the </span><em class="italics">Kent Argus</em><span> for so freely granting access to the -files of their journal. Lastly, my thanks are due to -the publishers--at whose suggestion the work was -undertaken--for the generous manner in which they -have illustrated the book.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>F. M. -<br />LONDON, </span><em class="italics">September</em><span>, 1894.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">CHAP.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#man-the-lifeboat">MAN THE LIFEBOAT</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#lifeboat-disasters">LIFEBOAT DISASTERS</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-warriors-of-the-sea">THE WARRIORS OF THE SEA</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-goodwin-sands">THE GOODWIN SANDS</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-boatmen-of-the-downs">THE BOATMEN OF THE DOWNS</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-good-night-s-work">A GOOD NIGHT'S WORK</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-bradford-to-the-rescue">THE "BRADFORD" TO THE RESCUE</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-last-chance">THE LAST CHANCE</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#hardly-saved">HARDLY SAVED</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-wrestle-with-death">A WRESTLE WITH DEATH</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-double-rescue">A DOUBLE RESCUE</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#deal-men-to-the-rescue">DEAL MEN TO THE RESCUE</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-wreck-of-the-benvenue">THE WRECK OF THE "BENVENUE"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-stranding-of-the-eider">THE STRANDING OF THE "EIDER"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-wreck-of-the-northern-belle">THE WRECK OF THE "NORTHERN BELLE"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-gallant-rescue">A GALLANT RESCUE</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-busy-day">A BUSY DAY</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-rescue-in-mid-ocean">A RESCUE IN MID-OCEAN</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-three-bells">THE "THREE BELLS"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#on-the-cornish-coast">ON THE CORNISH COAST</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-plucky-captain">A PLUCKY CAPTAIN</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#by-sheer-strength">BY SHEER STRENGTH</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#wrecked-in-port">WRECKED IN PORT</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-lifeboat-in-the-storm">THE LIFEBOAT IN THE STORM</a><span> . . . . . . Frontispiece</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#launching-the-lifeboat">LAUNCHING THE LIFEBOAT</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-lifeboat-house">THE LIFEBOAT HOUSE</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#medal-of-the-royal-national-lifeboat-institution">MEDAL OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#news-of-a-wreck-on-the-coast">NEWS OF A WRECK ON THE COAST</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-ramsgate-boatman">A RAMSGATE BOATMAN</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-old-wreck">AN OLD WRECK</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#survivors-of-the-indian-chief">SURVIVORS OF THE "INDIAN CHIEF"</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-lifeboat-going-out">A LIFEBOAT GOING OUT</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#saving-the-captain">SAVING THE CAPTAIN</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-perilous-refuge">A PERILOUS REFUGE</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#they-bent-their-backs-to-the-oars">THEY BENT THEIR BACKS TO THE OARS</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#sighting-the-wreck">SIGHTING THE WRECK</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#lives-in-peril">LIVES IN PERIL</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#coming-ashore-all-saved">COMING ASHORE--"ALL SAVED"</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The Lifeboat! oh, the Lifeboat!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>We all have known so long,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>A refuge for the feeble,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The glory of the strong.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Twice thirty years have vanished,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Since first upon the wave</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>She housed the drowning mariner,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And snatched him from the grave,</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The voices of the rescued,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Their numbers may be read,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The tears of speechless feeling</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Our wives and children shed;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The memories of mercy</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>In man's extremest need.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>All for the dear old Lifeboat</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Uniting seem to plead.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="man-the-lifeboat"><span class="x-large">STORIES -<br />of -<br />THE LIFEBOAT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CHAPTER I.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">MAN THE LIFEBOAT!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="T" src="images/cap-t.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>o Lionel Lukin, a coachbuilder of -Long Acre, London, belongs the -honour of inventing the lifeboat. -As early as the year 1784 he -designed and fitted a boat, which -was intended "to save the lives of -mariners wrecked on the coast." It -had a projecting gunwale of cork, and air-tight -lockers or enclosures under the seats. These gave -the boat great buoyancy, but it was liable to be -disabled by having the sides stove in. Though -Lukin was encouraged in his efforts by the Prince -of Wales--afterwards George the Fourth--his -invention did not meet with the approval of those -in power at the Admiralty, and Lukin's only lifeboat -which came into use was a coble that he fitted up -for the Rev. Dr. Shairp of Bamborough. For many -years this was the only lifeboat on the coast, and it -is said to have saved many lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the churchyard of Hythe, in Kent, the following -inscription may be read on the tombstone, which -marks the last resting-place of the "Father of the -Lifeboat":--</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>"This LIONEL LUKIN -<br />was the first who built a lifeboat, and was the -<br />original inventor of that quality of safety, by -<br />which many lives and much property have been -<br />preserved from shipwreck, and he obtained for -<br />it the King's Patent in the year 1785."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The honour of having been the first inventor of -the lifeboat is also claimed by two other men. In -the parish church of St. Hilda, South Shields, there -is a stone "Sacred to the Memory of William -Wouldhave, who died September 28, 1821, aged 70 years, -Clerk of this Church, and Inventor of that invaluable -blessing to mankind, the Lifeboat." Another similar -record tells us that "Mr. Henry Greathead, a shrewd -boatbuilder at South Shields, has very generally been -credited with designing and building the first lifeboat, -about the year 1789." As we have seen, Lukin had -received the king's patent for his invention four years -before Greathead brought forward his plan. This -proves conclusively that the proud distinction belongs -by right to Lionel Lukin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In September 1789 a terrible wreck took place -at the mouth of the Tyne. The ship </span><em class="italics">Adventure</em><span> of -Newcastle went aground on the Herd Sands, within -three hundred yards of the shore. The crew took to -the rigging, where they remained till, benumbed by -cold and exhaustion, they dropped one by one into -the midst of the tremendous breakers, and were -drowned in the presence of thousands of spectators, -who were powerless to render them any assistance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Deeply impressed by this melancholy catastrophe, -the gentlemen of South Shields called a meeting, and -offered prizes for the best model of a lifeboat -"calculated to brave the dangers of the sea, particularly -of broken water." From the many plans sent in, -those of William Wouldhave and Henry Greathead -were selected, and after due consideration the prize -was awarded to "the shrewd boatbuilder at South -Shields." He was instructed to build a boat on his -own plan with several of Wouldhave's ideas -introduced. This boat had five thwarts, or seats for -rowers, double banked, to be manned by ten oars. -It was lined with cork, and had a cork fender or -pad outside, 16 inches deep. The chief point about -Greathead's invention was that the keel was curved -instead of being straight. This circumstance, simple -as it appears, caused him to be regarded as the -inventor of the first practicable lifeboat, for -experience has proved that a boat with a curved keel -is much more easily launched and beached than one -with a straight keel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lifeboats on this plan were afterwards placed on -different parts of the coast, and were the means of -saving altogether some hundreds of lives. By the -end of the year 1803 Greathead had built no fewer -than thirty-one lifeboats, eight of which were sent -to foreign countries. He applied to Parliament for -a national reward, and received the sum of £1200. -The Trinity House and Lloyd's each gave him £105. -From the Society of Arts he received a gold medal -and fifty guineas, and a diamond ring from the -Emperor of Russia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The attention thus drawn to the needs of the -shipwrecked mariner might have been expected to be -productive of good results, but, unfortunately, it was -not so. The chief reason for this apathy is probably -to be found in the fact that, though the lifeboats had -done much good work, several serious disasters had -befallen them, which caused many people to regard -the remedy as worse than the disease. Of this there -was a deplorable instance in 1810, when one of -Greathead's lifeboats, manned by fifteen men, went -out to the rescue of some fishermen who had been -caught in a gale off Tynemouth. They succeeded in -taking the men on board, but on nearing the shore a huge -wave swept the lifeboat on to a reef of rocks, where -it was smashed to atoms. Thirty-four poor fellows--the -rescued and the rescuers--were drowned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not until twelve years after this that the -subject of the preservation of life from shipwreck on -our coast was successfully taken up. Sir William -Hillary, himself a lifeboat hero, published a striking -appeal to the nation on behalf of the perishing -mariner, and as the result of his exertions the Royal -National Institution for the Preservation of Life from -Shipwreck was established in 1824. This Society -still exists under the well-known name of the Royal -National Lifeboat Institution. It commenced its -splendid career with about £10,000, and in its -first year built and stationed a dozen lifeboats on -different parts of the coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For many years the Society did good work, though -sadly crippled for want of funds. In 1850 the Duke -of Northumberland offered the sum of one hundred -guineas for the best model of a lifeboat. Not only -from all parts of Great Britain, but also from -America, France, Holland, and Germany, plans and -models were sent in to the number of two hundred -and eighty. After six months' examination, the -prize was awarded to James Beeching of Great -Yarmouth, and his was the first self-righting lifeboat -ever built. The committee were not altogether -satisfied with Beeching's boat, and Mr. Peake, of Her -Majesty's Dockyard at Woolwich, was instructed to -design a boat embodying all the best features in the -plans which had been sent in. This was accordingly -done, and his model, gradually improved as time went -on, was adopted by the Institution for their boats.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 89%" id="figure-175"> -<span id="launching-the-lifeboat"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="LAUNCHING THE LIFEBOAT" src="images/img-016.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">LAUNCHING THE LIFEBOAT</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lifeboats now in use measure from 30 to -40 feet in length, and 8 in breadth. Buoyancy is -obtained by air-chambers at the ends and on both -sides. The two large air-chambers at the stem and -stern, together with a heavy iron keel, make the boat -self-righting, so that should she be upset she cannot -remain bottom up. Between the floor and the outer -skin of the boat there is a space stuffed with cork -and light hard wood, so that even if a hole was made -in the outer covering the boat would not sink. To -insure the safety of the crew in the event of a sea -being shipped, the floor is pierced with holes, into -which are placed tubes communicating with the sea, -and valves so arranged that the water cannot come -up into the boat, but should she ship a sea the valves -open downwards and drain off the water. A new -departure in lifeboat construction was made in 1890, -when a steam lifeboat, named the Duke of Northumberland, -was launched. Since then it has saved many -lives, and has proved itself to be a thoroughly good -sea boat. While an ordinary lifeboat is obliged to -beat about and lose valuable time, the steam lifeboat -goes straight to its mark even in the roughest sea, so -that probably before long the use of steam in -combating the storm will become general.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nearly every lifeboat is provided with a transporting -carriage on which she constantly stands ready to be -launched at a moment's notice. By means of this -carriage, which is simply a framework on four wheels, -the lifeboat can be used along a greater extent of -coast than would otherwise be possible. It is quicker -and less laborious to convey the boat by land to the -point nearest the wreck, than to proceed by sea, -perhaps in the teeth of a furious gale. In addition -to this a carriage is of great use in launching a boat -from the beach, and there are instances on record -when, but for the carriage, it would have been -impossible for the lifeboat to leave the shore on -account of the high surf.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 61%" id="figure-176"> -<span id="the-lifeboat-house"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE LIFEBOAT HOUSE." src="images/img-020.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE LIFEBOAT HOUSE.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boats belonging to the National Lifeboat -Institution are kept in roomy and substantial -boathouses under lock and key. The coxswain has full -charge of the boat, both when afloat and ashore. He -receives a salary of £8 a year, and his assistant £2 a -year. The crew of the lifeboat consists of a bowman -and as many men as the boat pulls oars. On every -occasion of going afloat to save life, each man receives -ten shillings, if by day; and £1, if by night. This -money is paid to the men out of the funds of the -Institution, whether they have been successful or not. -During the winter months these payments are now -increased by one half.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 56%" id="figure-177"> -<span id="medal-of-the-royal-national-lifeboat-institution"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="MEDAL OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION." src="images/img-021.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">MEDAL OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cost of a boat with its equipment of stores--cork -lifebelts, anchors, lines, lifebuoys, lanterns, and -other articles--is upwards of £700, and the expense -of building the boathouse amounts to £300, while -the cost of maintaining it is £70 a year. The -Institution also awards medals to those who have -distinguished themselves by their bravery in saving -life from shipwreck. One side of this medal is -adorned with a bust of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, -who is the patroness of the Institution. The other -side represents three sailors in a lifeboat, one of whom -is rescuing an exhausted mariner from the waves -with the inscription, "Let not the deep swallow me -up." Additional displays of heroism are rewarded -by clasps bearing the number of the service.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When we think of the vast extent of our dangerous -coasts, and of our immense interest in shipping, -averaging arrivals and departures of some 600,000 -vessels a year; when we think of the number of -lives engaged, some 200,000 men and boys, besides -untold thousands of passengers, and goods amounting -to many millions of pounds in value, the immense -importance of the lifeboat service cannot be -over-estimated." Well may we then, "when the storm -howls loudest," pray that God will bless that noble -Society, and the band of humble heroes who man the -three hundred lifeboats stationed around the coasts -of the British Isles.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="lifeboat-disasters"><span class="large">CHAPTER II.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LIFEBOAT DISASTERS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="W" src="images/cap-w.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>e have already referred to the -numerous disasters which did so -much to retard the progress of -the lifeboat movement. Now let -us see how these disasters were -caused. The early lifeboats, -though provided with a great -amount of buoyancy, had no means -of freeing themselves of water, or of self-righting if -upset, and the absence of these qualities caused the -loss of many lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir William Hillary, who may be regarded as the -founder of the National Lifeboat Institution, -distinguished himself, while living on the Isle of Man, -by his bravery in rescuing shipwrecked crews. It -was estimated that in twenty-five years upwards of -a hundred and forty vessels were wrecked on the -island, and a hundred and seventy lives were lost; -while the destruction of property was put down at -a quarter of a million. In 1825, when the steamer -</span><em class="italics">City of Glasgow</em><span> went ashore in Douglas Bay, Sir -William Hillary went out in the lifeboat and assisted -in taking sixty-two people off the wreck. In the -same year the brig </span><em class="italics">Leopard</em><span> went ashore, and Sir -William again went to the rescue and saved eleven -lives. While he lived on the island, hardly a year -passed without him adding fresh laurels to his name, -and never did knight of old rush into the fray with -greater ardour than did this gallant knight of the -nineteenth century to the rescue of those in peril on -the sea. His greatest triumph, however, was on the -20th of November 1830, when the mail steamer -</span><em class="italics">St. George</em><span> stranded on St. Mary's Rock and became a -total wreck. The whole crew, twenty-two in number, -were rescued by the lifeboat. On this occasion he -was washed overboard among the wreck, and it was -with the greatest difficulty that he was saved, having -had six of his ribs broken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In 1843 the lifeboat stationed at Robin Hood Bay -went out to the assistance of the </span><em class="italics">Ann</em><span> of London. -Without mishap the wreck was reached, and the -work of rescue was begun. Several of the -shipwrecked men jumped into the boat just as a great -wave struck her, and she upset. Some of the crew -managed to scramble on to the bottom of the upturned -boat and clung to the keel for their lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The accident had been witnessed by the men on -the beach, and five of them immediately put out to -the rescue. They had hardly left the shore when an -enormous sea swept down upon them, causing the -boat to turn a double somersault, and drowning two -of the crew. Altogether twelve men lost their lives -on this occasion. Those who were saved floated -ashore on the bottom of the lifeboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Herd Sand, memorable as the scene of the -wreck of the </span><em class="italics">Adventure</em><span>, witnessed a lamentable -disaster in 1849, when the </span><em class="italics">Betsy</em><span> of Littlehampton -went aground. The South Shields lifeboat, manned -by twenty-four experienced pilots, went out to the -rescue. While preparing to take the crew on board, -she was struck by a heavy sea, and before she could -recover herself, a second mighty wave threw her -over. Twenty out of the twenty-four of her crew -were drowned. The remainder and the crew of the -</span><em class="italics">Betsy</em><span> were rescued by two other lifeboats, which put -off from the shore immediately upon witnessing what -had happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The advantages of the self-righting and -self-emptying boats may be best judged from the fact, -that since their introduction in 1852, as many as -seventy thousand men have gone out in these boats -on service, and of these only seventy-nine have nobly -perished in their gallant attempts to rescue others. -This is equal to a loss of one man in every eight -hundred and eighty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the terrible storm which swept down upon -our coast in 1864, the steamer </span><em class="italics">Stanley</em><span> of Aberdeen -was wrecked while trying to enter the Tyne. The -</span><em class="italics">Constance</em><span> lifeboat was launched from Tynemouth, and -proceeded to the scene of the wreck. The night was -as dark as pitch, and from the moment that the boat -started, nothing was to be seen but the white flash of -the sea, which broke over the boat and drenched the -crew. As quickly as she freed herself of water, she -was buried again and again. At length the wreck -was reached, and while the men were waiting for a -rope to be passed to them, a gigantic wave burst over -the </span><em class="italics">Stanley</em><span> and buried the lifeboat. Every oar was -snapped off at the gunwale, and the outer ends were -swept away, leaving nothing but the handles. When -the men made a grasp for the spare oars they only -got two--the remainder had been washed overboard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was almost impossible to work the </span><em class="italics">Constance</em><span> -with the rudder and two oars, and while she was in -this disabled condition a second wave burst upon her. -Four of the crew either jumped or were thrown out -of the boat, and vanished from sight. A third mighty -billow swept the lifeboat away from the wreck, and -it was with the utmost difficulty that she was brought -to land. Two of the men, who had been washed out -of the boat, reached the shore in safety, having been -kept afloat by their lifebelts. The other two were drowned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Speaking of the attempted rescue, the coxswain of -the </span><em class="italics">Constance</em><span> said: "Although this misfortune has -befallen us, it has given fresh vigour to the crew of -the lifeboat. Every man here is ready, should he be -called on again, to act a similar part."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thirty-five of those on board the </span><em class="italics">Stanley</em><span>, out of a -total number of sixty persons, were afterwards saved -by means of ropes from the shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the most heartrending disasters, which have -befallen the modern lifeboat, happened on the night -of the 9th of December 1886. The lifeboats at -Southport and St. Anne's went out in a furious gale -to rescue the crew of a German vessel named the -</span><em class="italics">Mexico</em><span>. Both were capsized, and twenty-seven out -of the twenty-nine who manned them were drowned. -It was afterwards found out that the Southport boat -succeeded in making the wreck, and was about to let -down her anchor when she was capsized by a heavy -sea. Contrary to all expectations the boat did not -right, being probably prevented from doing so by the -weight of the anchor which went overboard when the -boat upset.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What happened to the St. Anne's lifeboat can -never be known, for not one of her crew was saved -to tell the tale. It is supposed that she met with -some accident while crossing a sandbank, for, shortly -after she had been launched, signals of distress were -observed in that quarter. Next morning the boat -was found on the beach bottom up with three of her -crew hanging to the thwarts--dead.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 86%" id="figure-178"> -<span id="news-of-a-wreck-on-the-coast"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="NEWS OF A WRECK ON THE COAST." src="images/img-028.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">NEWS OF A WRECK ON THE COAST.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such is the fate that even to-day overhangs the -lifeboatman on the uncertain sea. Yet he is ever -ready on the first signal of distress to imperil his life -to rescue the stranger and the foreigner from a watery -grave. "First come, first in," is the rule, and to see -the gallant lifeboatmen rushing at the top of their -speed in the direction of the boathouse, one would -imagine that they were hurrying to some grand -entertainment instead of into the very jaws of death. -It is not for money that they thus risk their lives, -as the pay they receive is very small for the work -they have to perform. They are indeed heroes, in -the truest sense of the word, and give to the world a -glorious example of duty well and nobly done.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-warriors-of-the-sea"><span class="large">CHAPTER III.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WARRIORS OF THE SEA.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>[On the night of the 9th of December 1886, the Lytham, Southport, -and St. Anne's lifeboats put out to rescue the crew of the ship </span><em class="italics">Mexico</em><span>, -which had run aground off the coast of Lancashire. The Southport -and St. Anne's boats were lost, but the Lytham boat effected the -rescue in safety.]</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Up goes the Lytham signal!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>St. Anne's has summoned hands!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Knee deep in surf the lifeboat's launched</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Abreast of Southport sands!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Half deafened by the screaming wind,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Half blinded by the rain,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Three crews await their coxswains,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And face the hurricane!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The stakes are death or duty!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>No man has answered "No"!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Lives must be saved out yonder</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>On the doomed ship </span><em class="italics">Mexico</em><span>!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Did ever night look blacker?</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Did sea so hiss before?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Did ever women's voices wail</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>More piteous on the shore?</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Out from three ports of Lancashire</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That night went lifeboats three,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>To fight a splendid battle, manned</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>By "Warriors of the Sea."</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Along the sands of Southport</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Brave women held their breath,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>For they knew that those who loved them</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Were fighting hard with death;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>A cheer went out from Lytham!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The tempest tossed it back,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>As the gallant lads of Lancashire</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Bent to the waves' attack;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And girls who dwelt about St. Anne's,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>With faces white with fright,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Prayed God would still the tempest</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That dark December night.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Sons, husbands, lovers, brothers,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>They'd given up their all,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>These noble English women</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Heartsick at duty's call;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>But not a cheer, or tear, or prayer,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>From those who bent the knee,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Came out across the waves to nerve</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Those Warriors of the Sea.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Three boats went out from Lancashire,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>But one came back to tell</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The story of that hurricane,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The tale of ocean's hell!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>All safely reached the </span><em class="italics">Mexico</em><span>,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Their trysting-place to keep;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>For one there was the rescue,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The others in the deep</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Fell in the arms of victory</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Dropped to their lonely grave,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Their passing bell the tempest,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Their requiem the wave!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>They clung to life like sailors,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>They fell to death like men,--</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Where, in our roll of heroes,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>When in our story, when,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Have Englishmen been braver,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Or fought more loyally</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>With death that comes by duty</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>To the Warriors of the Sea?</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>One boat came back to Lytham</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Its noble duty done;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>But at St. Anne's and Southport</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The prize of death was won!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Won by those gallant fellows</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Who went men's lives to save,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And died there crowned with glory,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Enthroned upon the wave!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Within a rope's throw off the wreck</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The English sailors fell,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>A blessing on their faithful lips,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>When ocean rang their knell.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Weep not for them, dear women!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Cease wringing of your hands!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Go out to meet your heroes</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Across the Southport sands!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Grim death for them is stingless!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The grave has victory!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Cross oars and bear them nobly home,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Brave Warriors of the Sea!</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>When in dark nights of winter</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Fierce storms of wind and rain</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Howl round the cosy homestead,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And lash the window-pane--</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>When over hill and tree top</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>We hear the tempests roar,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And hurricanes go sweeping on</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>From valley to the shore--</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>When nature seems to stand at bay,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And silent terror comes,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And those we love on earth the best</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Are gathered in our homes,--</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Think of the sailors round the coast,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Who, braving sleet or snow,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Leave sweethearts, wives, and little ones</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>When duty bids them go!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Think of our sea-girt island!</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>A harbour, where alone</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>No Englishman to save a life</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Has failed to risk his own.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Then when the storm howls loudest,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Pray of your charity</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>That God will bless the lifeboat</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the Warriors of the Sea!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>CLEMENT SCOTT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">(</span><em class="italics small">By permission of the Author, and the Proprietors of "Punch."</em><span class="small">)</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-goodwin-sands"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE GOODWIN SANDS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="A" src="images/cap-a.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>bout six miles off the east coast of -Kent there is a sandbank known as -the Goodwin Sands, extending for a -distance of ten miles, between the -North Foreland and the South -Foreland. No part of our coast is so -much dreaded by the mariner, and -from early times it has been the scene of many -terrible disasters. As Shakespeare says, it is "a very -dangerous flat, and fatal, where the carcasses of many -a tall ship lie buried."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is said that the site of the Goodwin Sands was -at one time occupied by a low fertile island, called -Lomea, and here lived the famous Earl Godwin. -After the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror -took possession of these estates, and bestowed them, -as was the custom in those days, upon the Abbey -of St. Augustine at Canterbury. The abbot, however, -seems to have had little regard for the property, and -he used the funds with which it should have been -maintained in building a steeple at Tenterden, an -inland town near the south-west border of Kent. -The wall, which defended the island from the sea, -being thus allowed to fall into a state of decay, was -unable to withstand the storm that, in 1099, burst -over Northern Europe, and the waves rushed in and -overwhelmed the island. This gave rise to the saying, -"Tenterden steeple was the cause of the Goodwin Sands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At high tide the whole of this dangerous shoal is -covered by the sea to the depth of several feet; but -at low water large stretches of sand are left hard and -dry. At such a time it is perfectly safe for anyone -to walk along this island desert for miles, and cricket -is known to have been played in some places. Here -and there the surface is broken by large hollows filled -with water. Should the visitor, however, attempt to -wade to the opposite side, he is glad to beat a hasty -retreat, as he finds himself sinking with alarming -rapidity into the sand, which the action of the water -has rendered soft.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Between the Goodwins and the coast of Kent is -the wide and secure roadstead called the Downs. -Here, when easterly or south-easterly winds are -blowing, ships may ride safely at anchor; but when -a storm comes from the west, vessels are no longer -secure, and frequently break from their moorings and -become total wrecks on the sands. To warn mariners -of their danger, four lightships are anchored on -different parts of the sands. Each is provided with -powerful lanterns, the light of which can be seen, in -clear weather, ten miles off. During foggy weather, -fog sirens are sounded and gongs are beaten to tell -the sailor of his whereabouts. Notwithstanding all -these precautions, the number of vessels stranded on -the Goodwins every year is appalling; and but for -the heroic efforts of the Kentish lifeboatmen, the loss -of life would be still more terrible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The work done by the boatmen all around our -coast cannot be too highly estimated, but a special word -of praise is due to the Ramsgate men. They have, -without doubt, saved more lives than the men of any -other port in the kingdom. Being stationed so near -to the deadly Goodwins has given them greater -opportunities for service, and they have also a steam tug in -attendance on the lifeboat to tow her to the scene of -disaster. So that, no matter what is the direction of -the wind, they can always go out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Recently, I went down to this "metropolis of -the lifeboat service," for the express purpose of -interviewing one of those warriors of the sea. The place -was crowded with holiday-makers, and the harbour -presented a busy scene. Four fine large yachts were -getting their passengers on board for "a two-hours' -sail." A yellow-painted tug was puffing to and fro, -towing coasting vessels and luggers out of the harbour, -and threatening to run down several small boats -which repeatedly tried to cross her bows. At some -distance from where I was standing lay the lifeboat -</span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span>, motionless and neglected, and looking -strangely out of place in such smooth water. How -the sight of the boat recalled to my mind all that I -had ever read or heard of the perils of "those who go -down to the sea in ships"--the storm, the wreck, the -dark winter night, the midnight summons to man the -lifeboat, the struggle for a place, the sufferings from -cold, the happy return with the crew all saved,--these -and other similar incidents seemed to pass before my -eyes like a panorama--the centre object ever being -the blue-painted </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have a boat this morning, sir?" said a thick -muffled voice quite close to me. Turning round I -saw a little, old man with a bronzed, weather-beaten face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not this morning, thank you," I replied; "unless -you will let me have the lifeboat for an hour or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook his head and turned away. Then it -suddenly seemed to strike him that possibly I did -not know the uses of the lifeboat, and would be none -the worse if I received a little information on the -subject.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 54%" id="figure-179"> -<span id="a-ramsgate-boatman"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A RAMSGATE BOATMAN" src="images/img-040.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A RAMSGATE BOATMAN</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The lifeboat's not a pleasure boat, sir," he said, -"and never goes out unless in cases of distress. I -reckon if you went out in lifeboat weather once, you'd -never want to go again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose you have heavy seas here at times?" I -remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody that hasn't seen it has any idea of the -water here, and the wind is strong enough to blow a -man off his feet. Great waves come over the end of -the pier, and carry everything, that's not lashed, into -the sea. One day, a few winters ago, a perfect wall -of water thundered down on the pier and twisted -that big iron crane you see out there as if it had -been made of wire. The water often comes down the -chimneys of the watch-house at the end of the pier -and puts out the fires; and every time the sea comes -over, the whole building shakes, as if an earthquake -was going on. What's worse almost than the sea -is the terrible cold. Why, sir, I've seen this pier a -mass of ice from end to end, and the masts and -shrouds of the vessels moored alongside also covered -with ice; so that a rope, which was no thicker than -your finger, would look as big as a man's arm. As -you know, sir, it's a hard frost that freezes salt water, -and yet the lifeboat goes out in weather like that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a wonder to me," I said, "that under such -circumstances the boat is manned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No difficulty in that, sir; there are always more -men wanting to go out than there's room for. Now -suppose a gun was fired at this minute from any of -the lightships to tell us that assistance was needed -you would see men running from every quarter, all -eager for a place. I know how they would scramble -across those boats, for I've seen them, and I've done -it myself. Many a time have I jumped out of my -warm bed in the middle of a winter night when a gun -has fired, and rushed down to the harbour with my -clothes under my arm; even then I've often been too late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you consider to be the best piece of -service the </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> has done?" was my next question.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The rescue of the survivors of the </span><em class="italics">Indian Chief</em><span> -in the beginning of 1881. The men were out for -over twenty-four hours in a terrible sea and dreadful -cold. I was, unfortunately, away piloting when they -started, but returned in time to see them come in. -Though I knew all the boatmen well, I could not -recognise a single one, the cold had so altered their faces, -and the salt water had made their hair as white as wool. -I can never forget it. Fish, the coxswain, received -a gold medal from the Institution. There was a song -made about the rescue, and us Ramsgate boatmen -used to sing it. When the coxswain gave up his -post, about three years ago, he got a gold second -service clasp, the first ever given by the Institution. -In twenty-six years he was out in the lifeboat on -service nearly four hundred times, and helped to save -about nine hundred lives. That's the third </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> -we've had here. The first was presented by the town -of Bradford in Yorkshire, the sum for her equipment -being collected in the Exchange there in an hour. -That's how she got her name, and it's been kept up -ever since.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's no joke, I can tell you," he continued, "being -out in the lifeboat. In a ship you can walk about -and do something to keep yourself warm, but in the -boat you've got to sit still and hold on to the thwart if -you don't want to be washed overboard. Like enough -you get wet to the skin before you start, and each -wave that breaks over the boat seems to freeze the -very blood in your veins. Then, when you reach the -wreck, it is low tide, and there you've got to wait till -the water rises, for in some places the sands stand -as high as seven feet out of the sea when the tide is -down. Then, when the lifeboat gets alongside the -wreck, every man requires to have his wits about -him, watching for big waves, keeping clear of the -wreckage, and getting the men on board. Many a -time have I gone home, after being out for six or -eight hours, and taken off my waterproof, and it has -stood upright on the floor as if it had been made of -tin. Perfectly true, sir, it was frozen. In a day -or two we forget all about the hardships we have -suffered, and are as ready as ever to go out when -the summons comes. We never stop to ask whether -the shipwrecked men are Germans, Frenchmen, or -Italians. They must be saved, and we are the men -to do it. We get used to the danger in time, and -think very little about it."</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 62%" id="figure-180"> -<span id="an-old-wreck"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="AN OLD WRECK." src="images/img-044.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">AN OLD WRECK.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>We talked for some time longer about the -treacherous nature of the Goodwin Sands, and he -told me that vessels are sometimes swallowed up in -a few days after they are wrecked, but occasionally -they remain visible for a longer period. One large -iron vessel, laden with grain, which went ashore -nearly four years ago is still standing, and in calm -weather the tops of her iron masts may be seen -sticking out of the water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My informant was now wanted to take charge -of a party of ladies who were going out for a row, so -I said "Good-bye," and came away deeply impressed -with the simple heroism of the lifeboatmen, of whom -this man is but a type.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-boatmen-of-the-downs"><span class="large">CHAPTER V.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE BOATMEN OF THE DOWNS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>There's fury in the tempest,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And there's madness in the waves;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The lightning snake coils round the foam,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The headlong thunder raves;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Yet a boat is on the waters,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Filled with Britain's daring sons,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Who pull like lions out to sea,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And count the minute guns.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>'Tis Mercy calls them to the work--</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>A ship is in distress!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Away they speed with timely help</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That many a heart shall bless:</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And braver deeds than ever turned</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The fate of kings and crowns</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Are done for England's glory,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>By her Boatmen of the Downs.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>We thank the friend who gives us aid</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Upon the quiet land;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>We love him for his kindly word,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And prize his helping hand;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>But louder praise shall dwell around</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The gallant ones who go,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>In face of death, to seek and save</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The stranger or the foe.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>A boat is on the waters--</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>When the very sea-birds hide:</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>'Tis noble blood must fill the pulse</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That's calm in such a tide!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And England, rich in records</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Of her princes, kings, and crowns,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>May tell still prouder stories</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Of her Boatmen of the Downs.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>ELIZA COOK.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 46%" id="figure-181"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Chapter V tailpiece" src="images/img-047.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Chapter V tailpiece</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-good-night-s-work"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A GOOD NIGHT'S WORK.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="A" src="images/cap-a.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>bout a quarter past eight one wintry -night, a telegram was received at -Ramsgate to say that the lightships -west of Margate were sending up -rockets and firing guns. Owing to -the rough sea and strong wind, the -Margate lifeboat had been unable to -leave the beach, so the coxswain decided to send news -of the disaster to Ramsgate, for he knew that the -lifeboat there was able, by the help of the tug, to go -out in any weather.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The appeal was not made in vain, and in an -astonishingly short space of time the tug and lifeboat -were on their way to the Goodwins. For a long time -they were unable to find out the position of the wreck, -and had begun to fear that they had arrived too late, -when suddenly the flare of a tar-barrel lighted up the -gloom and showed them a large ship hard and fast -upon the sands. The water lashed round her in -tremendous surges, and every wave seemed to make -her tremble from stem to stern. The boatmen at -once prepared for action. The tow rope was cast off, -the sail hoisted, and the lifeboat plunged quickly -through the broken water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shipwrecked people saw her coming, and raised -a joyful shout. For hours they had been expecting -to meet their awful fate, as each wave rolled towards -the ship, and they had prepared for death; but when -they saw help so near, the love of life was once more -roused within them, and they watched the boat with -frantic eagerness. The sail was lowered, the anchor -thrown overboard, and the cable was slacked down -towards the vessel. Unfortunately, the men had -miscalculated the distance, and when all the rope -was run out, the boat was not within 60 feet of the -wreck. Slowly and laboriously the cable had to be -hauled in before another attempt could be made to -get alongside. The anchor had taken such a firm -hold that it required the utmost exertions of the -men to raise it, but at last they succeeded. -They then sailed closer to the ship, and heaved -the anchor overboard again. This time they -had judged the distance correctly, and after they -had secured a rope from the bow and another -from the stern of the ship they were ready to begin -work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wrecked vessel was the </span><em class="italics">Fusilier</em><span>, bound from -London to Australia with emigrants. She had on -board more than a hundred passengers, sixty of whom -were women and children. As soon as the lifeboat -got near enough, the captain called out to the men in -the boat, "How many can you carry?" They replied -that they had a steam tug waiting not far off, and -said that they would take the passengers and crew off -in parties to her. As the boat rose on the crest of a -wave, two of the brave fellows caught the ship's ropes -and climbed on board. "Who are you?" shouted the -captain as they jumped down on to the deck among -the excited passengers. "Two men from the -life-boat," and at these words the men and women -crowded round them, all eager to seize them by the -hand, some even clinging to them in the madness -of their terror. For a few moments there was a -scene of wild excitement on deck, and it took all -the authority of the captain to restore order and -quietness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was then arranged that the women and children -should be saved first. It was indeed a task of no -little difficulty, for the lifeboat was pitching and -tossing in a most terrible manner. At one time she -was driven right away from the ship, then back again -she came threatening to dash herself to pieces against -the side of the vessel, then almost at the same instant -she rose on the top of a wave nearly to the level of -the ship's deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first woman was brought to the side, but the -moment she saw the frightful swirl of waters she -shrank back and declared she would rather perish -than make the attempt. There was no time to waste -on words. She was taken up and handed bodily to -two men suspended by ropes over the vessel's side. -The boat rose on a wave, and the men stood ready to -catch her. At a shout from them, those who were -holding the woman let go, but in her fear she clung -to the arm of one of the men. In another moment -she would have dropped into the sea had not a -boatman caught hold of her heel and pulled her into the -boat. So one after another were taken off the wreck, -and soon the boat was filled. Just as the ropes -were being cast off, a man rushed up to the -gangway and handed a bundle to one of the sailors. -Thinking that it was only a blanket which the -man intended for his wife in the boat, he shouted -out, "Here, catch this!" and tossed it to one of the -men. Fortunately, he succeeded in catching it, -and was astonished to hear a baby cry. The next -instant it was snatched from his hand by the mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the anchor was weighed, the sail hoisted, -and the lifeboat headed for the tug. A faint cheer -was raised by the remaining passengers, who watched -her anxiously as she made her way, half buried in -spray, through the sea. As is often the case with -those rescued from shipwreck, the emigrants thought -they were safer on the wreck than in the lifeboat, and -as the huge seas swept over them, they feared that -they had only been saved from death in one form to -meet it in another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon, however, their hearts were gladdened by the -sight of the tug's lights shining over the water, and -in a few minutes the boat was alongside. Hastily, -yet tenderly, the women were dragged on board the -tug. Every moment was precious for the sake of those -left behind. One woman wanted to get back to the -boat to look for her child, but her voice was drowned -in the roar of the storm, and she was taken below. -Then, again, the bundle is tossed through the air and -caught, and just as it was about to be thrown into a -corner, some one shouted, "That's a baby!" It was -carried down into the cabin and given to the mother. -She received her child with a great outburst of joy, -and then fell fainting on the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lifeboat, having discharged her load, set forth -again for the wreck. All the former dangers had to -be faced and all the former difficulties overcome -before the work of rescue could be resumed, but the -gallant fellows persevered and were successful. The -boat was rapidly filled, and again made for the -steamer, to which the rescued people were transferred -without mishap. The third and last journey was -attended with equal good fortune. All were -saved--families were reunited, and friends clasped the hands -of friends. Then the lifeboat went back to remain -by the wreck, for the captain thought that the ship -might be got off with the next high tide.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The tug with her burden of rescued people started -for Ramsgate just as day was dawning. As she -steamed slowly along, the look-out man noticed a -portion of a wreck to which several men were clinging. -At once the tug put about to bring the lifeboat to the -scene. In a short time she returned with the lifeboat -in tow. Having been put in a proper position for the -wreck the tow rope was cast off, and the boat advanced -to the battle alone. From the position of the wreck -the lifeboatmen saw that the only way of rescuing -the crew was by running straight into her. This was -a course attended with considerable danger, but it was -the only one, so the risk had to be taken. Straight -in among the floating wreckage dashed the lifeboat, -a rope was made fast to the fore-rigging, and the -crew, sixteen in number, dropped one by one from the -mast into the boat. Then the sail was hoisted, and -the lifeboat made for the steamer, the deck of which -was crowded with the lately-rescued emigrants, who -cheered till they were hoarse, and welcomed the -rescued men with outstretched arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The poor fellows had a touching story to tell. For -hours they had clung to the mast, hearing the timbers -cracking and smashing as the heavy sea beat against -the wreck, and fearing that they would be swept -away every minute. They had seen the steamer's -lights as she passed them on her errand of mercy the -night before, and had shouted to attract the notice of -those on board, but the roar of the wind drowned -their voices. When they saw the steamer in the -morning they were filled with new hope, and made -signals to attract her attention, but to their horror she -turned and went back. At first they thought that -they were to be abandoned to their fate, and then it -dawned upon them that she had gone for the lifeboat. -This was, as we know, the case. Their vessel was -named the </span><em class="italics">Demerara</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a scene of great enthusiasm on Ramsgate -pier, when the tug, with the lifeboat in tow, entered -the harbour with flags flying to tell the glad news -that all were saved; and as the one hundred and -twenty rescued men, women, and children were -landed, cheer after cheer rent the air. It is interesting -to know that the </span><em class="italics">Fusilier</em><span> was afterwards got off -the sands.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-bradford-to-the-rescue"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE "BRADFORD" TO THE RESCUE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="O" src="images/cap-o.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>f the many heartrending scenes -which have taken place on our -coasts, there is perhaps none -more calculated to move our -sympathies for the imperilled -crews, and our admiration for -the devotion and unconquerable -courage of our noble lifeboatmen, than the wreck of -the </span><em class="italics">Indian Chief</em><span>, which took place on the 5th of -January 1881. The vessel stranded at three o'clock -in the morning, and the crew almost immediately -took to the rigging, where they remained for thirty -hours exposed to the raging elements, and in -momentary expectation of death. During the night one of -the masts fell overboard, and sixteen unfortunate men, -who had lashed themselves to it, were drowned in -sight of their comrades, who were powerless to afford -them any aid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile, word had reached Ramsgate that a -large ship had stranded on the Goodwins. The tug -</span><em class="italics">Vulcan</em><span>, with the lifeboat </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> in tow, was accordingly -sent out to render assistance. There was a -strong south-easterly gale blowing, and the sea was -running very high. As the boats left the harbour -on their noble mission, volumes of water burst over -them, and the lifeboat was frequently hidden from -the gaze of the hundreds who thronged the pier to -witness her departure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wind was piercing, and, as one of the crew -afterwards declared, it was more like a flaying -machine than a natural gale of wind; but it was -not until they had got clear of the North Foreland -that they experienced the full force of the tempest. -The tug was only occasionally visible, and it seemed -a perfect miracle that she did not founder. The -lifeboat fared no better, for the heavy waves dashed -into her as if they would have knocked her bottom out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The short January day was now drawing rapidly -to a close, and still the wreck was not in sight. -What was to be done? The question was a serious -one, and so the men began to talk the matter over. -It was bitterly cold, and if they remained where they -were their sufferings would be great; but then they -would be on the spot to help their fellow-creatures -as soon as another day gave them sufficient light to -see where they were.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better stop here and wait for daylight," -said one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm for stopping," said another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're here to fetch the wreck, and fetch it we -will, if we wait a week," shouted a third.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a murmur of dissent or a moment's hesitation, -the brave fellows prepared to pass the night -in the open boat. But first they had to communicate -with the tug. They hailed her, and when she came -alongside they informed the captain of their intention. -"All right," he shouted back, and then the steamer -took up her position in front, keeping her paddles -slowly revolving, so that she should not drift.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Throughout the night these gallant lifeboatmen -lay huddled together for warmth in the bottom of -the boat. In such weather it required vigorous -exercise to keep the blood circulating, and before -morning dawned several of the men were groaning -with the cold, and pressing themselves against the -thwarts to relieve the pain. But even these -hardships were borne without complaint, as they thought -of the sufferings of the shipwrecked crew, and jokes -were not wanting to help to pass the time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Charlie Fish," said one of the boatmen, speaking -to the coxswain, "what would some of them young -gen'l'men as comes to Ramsgate in the summer, and -says they'd like to go out in the lifeboat, think of -this?" A general roar of laughter was the answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the cold grey light of early dawn -proclaimed the advent of a new day. Keen eyes gazed -anxiously towards the sands for a sight of the wreck. -At first nothing was visible but tall columns of -whirling spray, then after a time a mast was seen -sticking up out of the water about three miles off. -The scene was enough to make the stoutest heart -quail, and the lifeboatmen held their breath as they -looked at the water rushing in tall columns of foam -more than half-way up the mast. The roar of the -sea could be heard even above the whistling of the wind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The feeling of fear, however, seems to have no -place in the heart of the lifeboatman, and in a few -minutes the </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> was cast loose from the tug, -her foresail was hoisted, and away she sped into the -surf on her errand of mercy, every man holding on -to the thwarts for dear life. As they approached -nearer the vessel they could see a number of men -dressed in yellow oilskins lashed to the foretop. -The sea was fearful, and the poor fellows, who had -long since abandoned all hope, were afraid that the -lifeboat would be unable to rescue them. Little did -they know the heroic natures of the crew of the -</span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span>. Sooner would every man have gone down -to a watery grave than abandon the wreck till all -were saved!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boat came to close quarters, and the anchor -was thrown out. The sailors unlashed themselves -and scrambled down the rigging to the shattered -deck of their once noble ship. The boatmen shouted -to them to throw a line. This was done, a rope -was passed from the lifeboat to the wreck, and the -work of rescue began.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Where the mast had fallen overboard there was a -horrible muddle of wreckage and dead bodies. "Take -in that poor fellow there," shouted the coxswain, -pointing to the body of the captain, which, still lashed -to the mizzenmast, with head stiff and fixed eyeballs, -appeared to be struggling in the water. The coxswain -thought he was alive, and when one of the sailors -told him that the captain had been dead four hours, -the shock was almost too great to be borne. Little -wonder is it that these gallant fellows were haunted -by that ghastly spectacle for many a day, and it was -no uncommon thing for them to start up from sleep, -thinking that these wide-open, sightless eyes were -gazing upon them, and the dumb lips were calling for help.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The survivors were taken off the wreck with all -speed, and the boat's course was shaped for Ramsgate -harbour. Outside the sands the tug was in waiting, -a rope was quickly passed on board, and away they -steamed. Meanwhile, news had come to Ramsgate -that three lifeboats along the coast had gone out and -returned without being able to reach the wreck. This -naturally caused great anxiety in the town, and it was -feared that some accident had befallen the </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span>. -From early morning on Thursday, anxious wives and -sisters were on the lookout on the pierhead. About -two o'clock the </span><em class="italics">Vulcan</em><span> came in sight with the -lifeboat astern. Almost immediately the pier was -thronged with a crowd numbering about two thousand -persons. At half-past two the tug steamed into the -harbour, having been absent upwards of twenty-six hours.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One by one," writes Clark Russell, "the survivors -came along the pier, the most dismal procession it -was ever my lot to behold, eleven live but scarcely -living men, most of them clad in oilskins, and -walking with bowed backs, drooping heads, and nerveless -arms. There was blood on the faces of some, circled -with a white encrustation of salt, and this same salt -filled the hollows of their eyes and streaked their hair -with lines which looked like snow. They were all -saturated with brine; they were soaked with sea-water -to the very marrow of their bones. Shivering, -and with a stupefied rolling of the eyes, their teeth -clenched, their chilled fingers pressed into the palms -of their hands, they passed out of sight. I had often -met men newly rescued from shipwreck, but never -remember having beheld more mental anguish and -physical suffering than was expressed in the -countenances and movements of these eleven sailors."</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 83%" id="figure-182"> -<span id="survivors-of-the-indian-chief"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="SURVIVORS OF THE "INDIAN CHIEF."" src="images/img-063.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">SURVIVORS OF THE "INDIAN CHIEF."</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were taken to the Sailors' Home, and well -cared for; the lifeboatmen were escorted home to -their families amid the cheers of the spectators. -Thus ended a splendid piece of service. "Nothing -grander in its way was ever done before, even by -Englishmen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Five days later a most fitting and interesting -ceremony took place on the lawn in front of the -coastguard station at Ramsgate, when the medals and -certificates of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution -were awarded to those who had taken part in the -rescue. The coxswain of the </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> received the -gold medal, each of the crew of the lifeboat and the -captain of the tug received silver medals, the engineer -was presented with the second service clasp, and a -certificate of thanks was handed to each of the -</span><em class="italics">Vulcan's</em><span> crew. The Duke of Edinburgh, himself a -sailor, in distributing the honours, told the men that -their heroic conduct had awakened the greatest -possible interest and pride throughout England; and -he declared his conviction that though they would -prize the rewards greatly, they would most value the -recollection of having by their pluck and determination -saved so many lives.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-last-chance"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE LAST CHANCE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="E" src="images/cap-e.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>xactly ten years after the events -narrated in the previous chapter had -taken place, the Ramsgate lifeboatmen -were again conspicuous for their -gallantry in saving life under the -most trying circumstances. About -one o'clock on the morning of the -6th of January 1891, the schooner </span><em class="italics">Crocodile</em><span>, bound -for London with a cargo of stone, ran ashore on the -Goodwins. Blinding snow squalls prevailed at the -time, and the wind blew with the force of a hurricane. -Immediately the vessel struck, she turned completely -round and went broadside on to the sands. On -realising their position, the crew burnt flares, made -by tearing up their clothes and soaking the rags in -oil, and attracted the attention of those on board the -Gull lightship, who immediately fired signal-guns to -summon the lifeboat. Scarcely, however, had the -flare been burned than the sailors were compelled by -the high seas to take to the rigging. Great waves -swept the decks, carrying everything before them; -even the ship's boats were wrenched from the davits -and whirled away as if they had been toys.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In answer to the guns the Ramsgate tug and -lifeboat were manned and steered in the direction of -the flare. Huge seas broke over the lifeboat and -froze as they fell on the almost motionless figures of -the boatmen. The snow came down in pitiless -showers, enveloping them in its white mantle. In a -short time the tug had towed the </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> to -windward of the vessel. Then the rope was thrown off, -the sail was hoisted, and the boat made for the wreck. -She had not gone far before a terrific snow squall -overtook her. Fearing that they would be driven -past the vessel without seeing her, the coxswain -ordered the anchor to be thrown out. This was done, -and the boat lay-to till the sudden fury of the gale -had spent itself. Then the anchor was hoisted in -and all sail made for the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again the anchor was let go, just to windward of -her, and the lifeboat was veered cautiously down. -As they drew nearer, the men could see the crouching -figures of the sailors lashed to the rigging. They -seemed more dead than alive, and gazed upon the -men who were risking their own lives, to save them -with the fixed stare of indifference or death. The -lifeboat ran in under the stern and was brought up -alongside. The grapnel was got out, and one of the -men stood up, ready to throw it into the rigging on -the first favourable opportunity. Suddenly a mighty -billow swooped down upon them. The anchor -cable--5 inches thick--was snapped like a thread, and -the boat was borne on the crest of the wave far out -of reach of the wreck.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 59%" id="figure-183"> -<span id="a-lifeboat-going-out"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A LIFEBOAT GOING OUT." src="images/img-069.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A LIFEBOAT GOING OUT.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>As quickly as possible the sail was again set, and -the trusty </span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> made for the tug, which was -burning blue lights to show where she was. After -many attempts a rope was secured on board, and the -</span><em class="italics">Aid</em><span> steamed to windward the second time with the -lifeboat in tow. Once more she was in a favourable -position for the wreck, the rope was cast off, and the -sail hoisted. The second and last anchor was let go, -and the cable was slowly slackened. If they failed -this time the men must perish. It was a terribly -anxious moment, but fortune favoured them, and the -lifeboat was successfully brought into her former -position alongside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The hull of the </span><em class="italics">Crocodile</em><span> was now entirely under -water, and her deck was washed by every wave. -High up in the rigging, on the side opposite to that -on which the lifeboat lay, the crew were huddled. -The only way for them to reach the lifeboat was by -climbing to the masthead and coming down on the -other side. This is a feat which requires no little -steadiness of hand and eye, and when we remember -that these poor sailors had been exposed for nearly -five hours on this January night to the full fury of a -wintry storm, we shall be better able to appreciate -the terrors through which they passed before they -found themselves safe in the lifeboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In obedience to the coxswain's order, they -unlashed themselves and began to crawl aloft. Every -sea shook the vessel, and, as she settled again on the -sands, the masts bent almost double. Their progress -was slow, but before long they were in a position to -be rescued. This was done with great difficulty, for -the heavy seas caused the lifeboat to strike against -the vessel several times with considerable violence, -but her cork fender protected her from injury. At -length the whole crew of six men were hauled safely -on board. The captain alone remained to be rescued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>High up at the masthead he could be seen -preparing to cross from the opposite side. Benumbed -by the cold and bewildered by the swaying of the -masts, he paused for a moment. The lifeboatmen -shouted words of encouragement to him, and he -prepared to come on, but he missed his hold and -fell into the seething waves eddying round the wreck. -As he fell his lifebelt caught on something, and was -torn off, and before the boatmen could lay hold of -him he was swept out of their sight for ever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lifeboat was quickly got clear of the wreck, -and proceeded under sail to the tug, which was in -waiting some distance off. Ramsgate was reached -about eight o'clock in the morning, where the rescued -men were supplied with dry clothing and food, of -which they stood greatly in need.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There is a circumstance of peculiar interest -connected with the wreck of the </span><em class="italics">Crocodile</em><span>. Two days -before she struck on the sands, her sister ship, the -</span><em class="italics">Kate</em><span>, also laden with stone, was stranded on the -Goodwins. On that occasion the lifeboat </span><em class="italics">Mary -Somerville</em><span> of Deal went out to assist. The lifeboatmen -were employed to throw the cargo overboard and -try to get the vessel afloat. This was successfully -accomplished, and on the morning of the day on -which the </span><em class="italics">Crocodile</em><span> was wrecked, her sister ship was -towed into Ramsgate harbour with her crew of nine -men on board.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="hardly-saved"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">HARDLY SAVED.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="T" src="images/cap-t.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>he first duty of the crew of the -lifeboat is to save life, but it -frequently happens that a stranded -vessel is not so seriously damaged -as to hinder her being got afloat -again. Under these circumstances -the men are at liberty to assist in -saving the vessel if the captain is willing to employ -them. This is a very dangerous business, and often -after long hours of peril and labour the ship is -dashed to pieces by the waves, and the men are with -difficulty rescued. A splendid example of the risk -attending this salvage service occurred several years -ago on the Goodwin Sands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In response to signals of distress the tug and -lifeboat put out from Ramsgate pier, and found a -Portuguese ship on the sands. Her masts and -rigging were still standing, and there was every -chance of her being saved. The vessel had gone -head on to the Goodwins, and the boatmen got an -anchor out from the stern as quickly as possible, -with the intention of working her off into deep water -by the help of the tug; but this attempt had soon -to be abandoned. Shortly after midnight the gale -increased, and heavy seas began to roll over the -sands. The ship, which had all along lain comparatively -still, was now dashed about by the waves with -terrific violence. The lifeboat remained alongside, -and her crew, knowing well that a storm on the -Goodwins is not to be trifled with, urged the sailors -to come on board. The captain, however, refused to -leave his ship, so there was nothing for it but to wait -until an extra heavy sea should convince the captain -that it was no longer possible to save the vessel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This happened sooner than could have been -expected, for almost the very next instant a wave -struck her and smashed several of her timbers. The -sailors now begged to be taken on board, and they -were told to "Come on, and hurry up." But first of -all they had to get their belongings. Though every -moment was of consequence, the coxswain had not -the heart to forbid them bringing any articles on -board, and eight chests were lowered into the lifeboat. -Then one by one the crew abandoned the vessel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All danger was not yet over. The seas dashed -over the ship into the lifeboat, blinding and drenching -the men, and rendering still more difficult their task -of keeping the boat from being crushed under the -side of the vessel. Haul at the cable as they would, -they were unable to get her out of the basin which -the brig had made for herself in the sand. To add -to the horror of their position, the wreck threatened -to fall over on the top of them every moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was only one way of escape--to wait until -the tide rose sufficiently to float them off, but the -chances were that when the tide rose it would be -too late to save them. They would then have ceased -to struggle or to suffer, and the battered remains of -their trusty boat would tell those at home what had -become of them. Crouching down as low as possible -to avoid being struck by the swaying yards and -fluttering canvas, the men waited for deliverance--or -would it be death?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the tide reached her, and the boatmen -redoubled their efforts to haul their little vessel away -from the ship. Slowly, very slowly, she drew away -from that terrible black hull and those swaying yards. -But now a new and unforeseen difficulty presented -itself. In the face of the wind and tide it was -impossible for them to get away from the sands, so -in spite of their exhaustion and the black darkness -of the night, they determined to beat right across the -sands. They hauled hard on the cable again, but -the anchor began to drag, and they were drifting back -again to the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Up foresail!" shouted the coxswain, at the same -time giving orders to cut away the anchor. The boat -bounded forward for a few yards and then struck on -the sands again fearfully near to the wreck. Wave -after wave dashed into the boat and nearly washed -the wearied men overboard, but they held on like -bulldogs. Three times she was driven back to the wreck, -and again and again she grounded on the sands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the crew, an old man upwards of fifty years -of age, thus described his feelings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps my friends were right when they said -I hadn't ought to have gone out, but, you see, when -there is life to be saved, it makes a man feel young -again; and I've always felt I had a call to save life -when I could, and I wasn't going to hang back then. -I stood it better than some of them, after all; but -when we got to beating and grubbing over the sands, -swinging round and round, and grounding every few -yards with a jerk, that almost tore our arms out from -the sockets; no sooner washed off one ridge, and -beginning to hope that the boat was clear, than she -thumped upon another harder than ever, and all the -time the wash of the surf nearly carrying us out of -the boat--it was truly almost too much for any man -to stand. I cannot describe it, nor can anyone else; -but when you say that you've beat and thumped over -these sands, almost yard by yard, in a fearful storm -on a winter's night, and live to tell the tale, why it -seems to me about the next thing to saying that -you've been dead and brought to life again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length deep water was reached, and their -dangers were over. Quickly more sail was hoisted, -and the boat headed for the welcome shelter of -Ramsgate pier. All were in good spirits now, even -the Portuguese sailors who had lost nearly everything -they possessed. On the way home the lifeboatmen -noticed that they seemed to be discussing something -among themselves. Presently one of them presented -the coxswain with all the money they could scrape -together, amounting to about £17, to be divided -among the crew. "We don't want your money," -shouted the hardy fellows, and with many shakings -of the head they returned the generous gift. The -harbour was soon afterwards reached, where they -were landed overjoyed at their miraculous escape, -and by every means in their power endeavouring to -show the gratitude they felt but could not speak.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-wrestle-with-death"><span class="large">CHAPTER X.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A WRESTLE WITH DEATH.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="O" src="images/cap-o.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>ne bleak December night, a few -years ago, word was brought to -Ramsgate that a large vessel had -gone ashore on the Goodwin -Sands. Immediately on receiving -the message, the harbour-master -ordered the steam tug -</span><em class="italics">Aid</em><span> to tow the lifeboat to the scene of the disaster. -The alarm bell was rung, the crew scrambled into -their places, a stout hawser was passed on board the -tug, and away they went into the pitchy darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The storm was at its height, and "the billows -frothed like yeast" under the lash of the furious -wind. Hardly had the lifeboat left the shelter of -the breakwater than a huge wave burst over her, -drenching the men to the skin, in spite of their -waterproofs and cork jackets, and almost sweeping -some of them overboard. At one moment they were -tossed upwards, as it seemed to the sky; at another -they dropped down into a valley of water with huge -green walls on either side. Again and again the -spray dashed over them in blinding showers, but no -one thought of turning back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bravely the stout little tug battled with the waves, -and slowly but surely made headway against the -storm, dragging the lifeboat after her. As they -neared the probable position of the wreck, the men -eagerly strained their eyes to gain a sight of the object -of their search, but nothing met their gaze save the -white waters foaming on the fatal sands. Suddenly, -through the flying spray, loomed the hull of a large -ship, with the breakers dashing over the bows. Not -a single figure was visible in the rigging, and on that -desolate, wave-swept deck no mortal man could keep -his footing for five seconds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All must have perished!" Such was the painful -conclusion arrived at by the lifeboatmen as they -approached the stranded vessel, but it would never do -for them to return and say that they </span><em class="italics">thought</em><span> all the -crew had been swept away; they must go and find -out for certain. The tow rope was accordingly thrown -off, the sail was hoisted, and the lifeboat darted among -the breakers. Suddenly one of the lifeboatmen -uttered a cry, and on looking in the direction of his -outstretched arm, his companions saw four figures -crouching under the lee of one of the deck-houses. -The anchor was immediately let go, and the lifeboat -was brought up under the stern of the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To the astonishment of the boatmen the sailors -had as yet hardly noticed their presence. They -seemed to be deeply absorbed in making something, -but what it was could not be seen. Presently one -of the men rose up, and coming to the stern of the -vessel threw a lifebuoy attached to a long line into -the sea. It was afterwards learnt that, from the -time their vessel struck, these poor fellows had busied -themselves in preparing this buoy to throw to their -rescuers when they should arrive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Borne by the wind and tide the lifebuoy reached -the boat, and was at once seized and hauled on board. -An endeavour was then made to pull the lifeboat -nearer the wreck, but the strength of the men was -of no avail against that of the tempest. Great seas -came thundering over the wreck and nearly swamped -the boat. Several men were shaken from their places, -but fortunately none of them were washed overboard. -They redoubled their efforts after each repulse, but -with no better fortune.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeing that the lifeboat could not come to him, the -captain of the doomed vessel determined to go to her. -Choosing a favourable moment, he abandoned the -shelter of the deck-house, threw off his coat, seized -hold of the line, and jumped into the sea. The waves -tossed him hither and thither as they would a cork, -but he held on like grim death. At one moment he -hung suspended in mid air; at another he was engulfed -by the raging waters. The lifeboatmen, powerless to -render any assistance, watched the unequal contest -with bated breath. Bravely the captain struggled on, -and gradually reduced the distance between himself -and the hands stretched out ready to save him. -Suddenly a tremendous wave broke over the wreck, -and when it passed the men saw that he had been -swept from the rope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With all the might of his strong arm the -coxwain hurled a lifebuoy towards the drowning man. -Fortunately it reached him, and with feelings of -inexpressible relief the men saw him slip his shoulders -through the buoy as he rose on the crest of a breaker. -"All right," he shouted, as he waved his hand and -vanished in the darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly a terrific crash reminded the lifeboatmen -that there were still two men and a boy on the wreck. -Turning round they saw that the mainmast had given -way and gone crashing overboard. Startled by the -suddenness of the shock the survivors supposed that -the end had come, and with a blood-curdling scream -of despair they rushed to the side of the vessel -imploring aid. The chief mate sprang into the water -and endeavoured to swim to the lifeboat. The men -again laid hold of the rope and tugged with might -and main to get nearer the wreck, but the storm -mocked their efforts. Then they tried to throw him -a line, but it fell short. Again and again they tried, -but in vain. The mate battled bravely for life, and -as he was a powerful man, all thought that he would -succeed, but he was weakened by exposure and want -of food, and his strength was rapidly failing. The -lifeboatmen exerted themselves to the utmost to -reach him, pulling at the rope till every vein in their -bodies stood out like whipcord. Not an inch could -they move the boat. The man's agonising cries for -help nearly drove them mad, but they could do no -more. His fate was only a matter of time, and in a -few moments he sank into his watery grave, with one -long shriek for help.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were still a man and a boy on the wreck. -With heavy hearts, and a dimness about the eyes -that was not caused by the flying spray, the lifeboatmen -once more vainly attempted to get nearer the -wreck. Following the captain's example, the man -seized the rope and jumped into the water. Fortune -favoured him, and though he was tossed about in a -frightful manner he succeeded in pulling himself right -under the bows of the lifeboat. Then his strength -failed, and he would have been instantly swept away -and drowned, had not one of the lifeboatmen flung -himself half-way over the bow of the boat and caught -the perishing sailor by the collar. Stretched on the -sloping foredeck of the boat he could not get -sufficient purchase to drag the man on board, and -indeed he felt himself slowly slipping into the sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold me! hold me!" he cried, and several of -his companions at once seized him by the legs. The -weight of the man had drawn him over till his face -almost touched the sea, and each successive wave -threatened to suffocate him. To add to the horror -of the situation, a large quantity of wreckage was seen -drifting right down upon the bow of the boat towards -the spot where the men were struggling. If it -touched them it meant death. For a moment it -seemed endued with life, and paused as if to consider -its course, then just at the last minute it spun round -and was borne harmlessly past.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crew now made a desperate attempt to haul -the two men on board. Finding that the height of -the bow prevented their success, they dragged them -along the side of the boat to the waist, and pulled -them in wet and exhausted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy alone remained on the wreck, which was -now fast breaking up. How to help him was a -question not easily answered, for with all their -pulling they could not approach nearer the vessel. -Suddenly the difficulty was solved for them in a -most unexpected manner. A tremendous sea struck -the vessel and swept along the deck. When the -spray cleared away the boy was nowhere to be seen. -Anxiously every eye watched the water, and presently -a black object was seen drifting towards the boat. -"There's the boy!" shouted the men in chorus. -Slowly, very slowly, as it seemed to them, he drifted -nearer and nearer. At length he came within reach -of a boat-hook, and was lifted gently on -board--unconscious, but still alive. After the usual -restoratives had been applied, he revived.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-184"> -<span id="saving-the-captain"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="SAVING THE CAPTAIN." src="images/img-085.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">SAVING THE CAPTAIN.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nothing more could be done at the wreck now, so -the sail was hoisted and the boat's head turned -towards the harbour. But their work of saving life -was not yet done. As they sped along before the -blast a dark object was seen tossing up and down upon -the waves. They steered the boat towards it, and -to their astonishment found the captain with the -lifebuoy round him, still battling for life. He was -hauled on board in an utterly exhausted condition. -Before reaching the shore he revived, and told the -men that his vessel was the </span><em class="italics">Providentia</em><span>, a Finland -ship, and that he himself was a Russian Finn. The -men were landed at Ramsgate in safety. A few -days later, news came from Boulogne that the -remainder of the crew, who had left the wreck in a -boat, had been blown across the Channel and landed -on the French coast.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-double-rescue"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A DOUBLE RESCUE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="C" src="images/cap-c.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>lang! clash! roar! rings out the bell -at the lifeboat-house, its iron voice -heard even above the thunder of the -surf and the whistling wind, warning -the sleeping inhabitants of Deal that -a vessel has gone ashore on the -Goodwins. A ray of light gleams -across the dark street as a door opens -and a tall figure rushes out--it is that of a lifeboatman. -Presently he is joined by others, and all hurry -on as fast as possible, in the face of the furious wind, -to reach the boathouse. Each man buckles on his -lifebelt, and takes his place in the lifeboat. Those -who have failed to get a place help to run it down -to the white line of surf, over the well-greased -boards laid down on the shingle. The coxswain -stands up in the stern with the rudder lines -in his hands, watching for a favourable moment to -launch. The time has come, the order is given, and -away dashes the lifeboat on her glorious errand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Onward she plunged under close-reefed sail in the -direction of the flares, which the shipwrecked men -were burning to tell the rescuers of their -whereabouts. Suddenly the light went out and was seen -no more. A shriek echoed over the waves, but none -could say whether it was that of "some strong -swimmer in his agony," or only the voice of the wind. -The lifeboatmen looked around them on every side, -but they could see nothing; they listened, and heard -nothing; they shouted, but no answer came back. -"A minute more and we would have had them," says -the coxswain. "Hard lines for all to perish when -help was so near."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly, through the darkness, the light of -another flare was seen. The boat was at once -brought round and headed for the newly-discovered -wreck. It was now midnight, and the sea was like -a boiling cauldron, but the fine seamanship of the -crew was a match for the storm. Many an anxious -glance was cast in the direction of the flare, and a -fervent hope was in every heart that this time they -would not be too late.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo! what's that?" exclaimed the lifeboatmen -together, as a dark object rose in the sea between -them and the flare. Another wreck! And sure -enough there lay the dismasted hull of a large ship -tossing helplessly about from side to side, with the -waves dashing over her in spiteful fury. "Let us -save the poor fellows," said the lifeboatmen. The -anchor was let go, and the boat veered down to the -stern of the wreck. Then began the tug of war. -"What pen can describe the turmoil, the danger, and -the appalling grandeur of the scene, how black as -Erebus, and again illumined by a blaze of lightning? -And what pen can do justice to the stubborn courage -that persevered in the work of rescue, in spite of the -difficulties which at each step sprang up?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shipwrecked crew were Frenchmen, and all -efforts to make them understand what was wanted of -them were in vain. As they crawled along the deck -to the stern of the vessel they presented a most -pitiable sight, and when the lifeboatmen shouted to -them to "come on and take our line," they paid no -attention. Suffering and exposure seemed to have -deprived them of their mental faculties. Time after -time a line was thrown to them, but they allowed it -to slip back into the sea, without attempting to lay -hold of it. Then the boatmen saw that if these men -were to be rescued, it would be by their own unaided -exertions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>How the rescue was to be effected was quite -another matter, but there is never a difficulty which -cannot be overcome by persistence and courage. So -thought the lifeboatmen, as their boat was tossed -about in that swirl of angry waters. At one minute -she was swept right away from the wreck, while at -another she was driven onwards and lifted upwards -by a wave, till her keel touched the deck of the -half-sunk vessel, from which she withdrew with a horrible -grating sound. How she came through the terrible -ordeal of being thrown up on the wreck time after -time was a marvel, and is a splendid proof of the -strength of the lifeboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this time the Frenchmen stood at the stern of -the ship eager for deliverance, but unable through -fear to take any measures to accomplish it. Time -was precious. Delay might mean death to those on -the other vessel, so one of the lifeboatmen, named -Roberts, hit upon a desperate plan for getting the -crew off. Cautiously he crawled forward and took -up his position on the fore air-box of the lifeboat. -Now this air-box has a rounded roof, and therefore -the task that Roberts set himself was one of no little -difficulty, and to carry it out successfully required no -ordinary amount of nerve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Held by the strong arms of his companions he -waited till the boat was carried towards the vessel, -then he shouted to the sailors' to "come on!" At -last they understood, and one after another they -sprang into the arms stretched out to save them. -Five men were taken off in this way, and as that -seemed to be all that were on board, the anchor was -hoisted in, the sail was set, and the lifeboat made for -the other wreck, which was still showing signals of -distress. So convulsive had been the grip of these -five men, that Roberts' arm and chest were black and -blue, and those marks of their desperation and his -bravery the gallant boatman carried about with him -for many a day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now four o'clock in the morning, the men -were ready to drop from fatigue, and the boat was -seen to be much lower in the water than usual, even -though she had five extra men on board. But -"courage mounteth with occasion," and they forgot -their weariness and the danger in the prospect of -saving fellow-creatures from the watery grave which -yawned around them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the wreck was reached, and proved to be -that of a Swedish vessel. The anchor was let go, and -the lifeboat veered down as close as was prudent. -Fortunately there was an English pilot on board, who -knew exactly what the lifeboatmen wanted. Under -his directions lines were passed from the wreck, and -the crew were speedily taken on board the boat. The -captain had his wife with him, and it was with the -utmost difficulty that she could be persuaded to enter -into the lifeboat, which, owing to the battering it had -received at the French wreck, was almost full of -water. The entreaties of her husband and the -boatmen at last prevailed, and she was taken on board. -Then the captain followed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No time was now lost in weighing the anchor and -setting sail for home. Slowly the lifeboat made -headway against the storm, as if she was wearied and fain -would rest. Just as the wintry sun glinted across the -sea, the keel grated on the beach at Deal. Out sprang -the lifeboatmen and dragged her into shallow water, -with her burden of five Frenchmen and twelve Swedes, -who were heartily welcomed, and taken where warmth -and comfort awaited them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On examination it was found that there was a hole -in the bow of the boat into which a man could creep, -and both her fore and aft air-boxes were full of -water. Had it not been that she had still a good -supply of buoyancy from the air-chambers ranged -along the sides, our story would have had a far from -pleasant ending. Though the boatmen had succeeded -in saving seventeen lives, they were sadly disappointed -that the ship to whose assistance they were summoned, -had gone down so suddenly. It was not, however, -any fault of theirs, for no time had been wasted in -going to the rescue.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="deal-men-to-the-rescue"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">DEAL MEN TO THE RESCUE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="A" src="images/cap-a.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>bout ten o'clock on the night of the -11th of February 1894, signals of -distress were observed from the Gull -lighthouse by the look-out on -Ramsgate pier. In response the lifeboat -</span><em class="italics">Bradford</em><span> was manned; but on this -occasion she was found to be hard -and fast on a sandbank in the harbour. The boatmen -and those on the pier exerted themselves to the -utmost to get her off, but it was not till eleven o'clock -that she was able to proceed to sea, in tow of the tug -</span><em class="italics">Aid</em><span>. She was then too late to render any assistance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime the signals from the lightship had -been seen at Deal, a few miles farther south. The -boathouse bell was rung, there was a fierce rush of -men for the cork lifebelts hanging round the walls, -and ten minutes later the lifeboat </span><em class="italics">Mary Somerville</em><span> -was manned and launched. Away she flew before -the heavy south-westerly gale, with Roberts, the -coxswain, at the helm, and was soon lost to sight in -the darkness. The vessel in peril was the </span><em class="italics">Franz von -Matheis</em><span>, a German schooner, bound from Sunderland -to Portsmouth with a cargo of coal. She kept burning -flares till the lifeboat got alongside. Then the men -found that she was dragging her anchors and heading -rapidly towards the Goodwins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With great difficulty the </span><em class="italics">Mary Somerville</em><span> shot -under the lea of the vessel, and several of her crew -jumped on board the ship, which had become -unmanageable, owing to the stress of weather. The -presence of the lifeboatmen put fresh strength into -the exhausted muscles of the crew, and all worked -together with a will in the hope of saving the vessel; -but it was found impossible for lifeboatmen or crew -to move about on the schooner without sustaining -injury. One of the men was thrown to the deck by a -terrific lurch, and had his head cut open, and every -moment increased the peril. The captain therefore -decided to abandon the vessel, and he, with the crew -of six, were taken into the lifeboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Even then the danger was not over. The terrific -sea and wind caused the vessel to roll tremendously. -One of her yards caught the mizzenmast of the boat, -and broke the fastening which kept it in its place. -Down fell the mast, striking the second coxswain on -the head, and knocking him insensible to the bottom -of the boat. For close upon an hour the gallant -fellows battled with the tempest, straining every nerve -to get clear. It indeed seemed as if they and the -men they had with them would never again return to -shore. Each wave drove the boat against the side of -the vessel with a horrible, grinding crash. The -steering-yoke was broken, and the boat-hook was snapped -in two, "as you would the stem of a clay-pipe between -your fingers." In trying to ward off the vessel four -oars were smashed, and then the men found that -their boat was being held down under the ship's -broadside. While in this position, the tiller, which -had taken the place of the steering-yoke, was sprung, -a dozen or more of her stout mahogany planks were -started, and her cork fender was torn to pieces.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last they cleared the vessel, and as it was -impossible, owing to the fury of the gale, to return to -Deal, they made all sail for Ramsgate harbour. Here -they landed the rescued men at a quarter-past one in -the morning. During the day the </span><em class="italics">Mary Somerville</em><span> was -taken back to Deal. No more vivid picture of the -perils through which the lifeboatmen passed could be -desired than that of the bruised and battered lifeboat, -as she lay high and dry in the boathouse that afternoon. -The </span><em class="italics">Franz von Matheis</em><span> seems afterwards to have -got a firm hold, for she remained riding at anchor -very close to the sands. At daybreak next morning -a tug was seen endeavouring to take the abandoned -ship in tow, and about four o'clock in the afternoon -she was brought into Ramsgate harbour.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-wreck-of-the-benvenue"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WRECK OF THE "BENVENUE."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="T" src="images/cap-t.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>he ship </span><em class="italics">Benvenue</em><span> of Glasgow was -being towed through the Straits of -Dover on Nov. 11th, 1891, when a -terrible gale sprang up. Arriving off -Sandgate, the vessel became quite -unmanageable, and it was decided -to lie-to and wait until the fury of -the storm had passed. Two anchors were accordingly -let go, but these, even with the assistance of the tug, -were not powerful enough to hold her. Nearer and -nearer to the shore she drifted. Then with a -tremendous lurch she struck and began to settle -down. Fifteen minutes later she foundered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crew were ordered to go aloft as quickly as -they could, for in the rigging lay their only chance of -safety. The men promptly obeyed, and secured -themselves with lashings; some of them got into the -topsail yards, and fastened themselves in the sails. -A rocket was sent up before the ship went down, to -tell those on shore that help was needed, and soon an -answering streak of flame shot across the sky. Though -they were in such a perilous position, the men were -not at all excited, but watched with eager eyes the -movements of the people on the beach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The day wore on, and still no help arrived. Several -of the crew unlashed themselves and came down from -the rigging, with the intention of swimming ashore. -Such an attempt was useless in the terrific sea that -was running, but they all had lifebelts on, and were -determined to overcome the danger. Bravely they -battled for life amid the seething waters, but it was -in vain. One poor fellow was seen swimming about -with blood trickling down his face. He must have -been dashed against the ship's rail. A mighty wave -came thundering down, for a moment he was visible -upon its foamy crest, and then he disappeared for -ever. Another man succeeded in getting half-way -to the shore, when he was seen to throw up his arms, -and the waters closed over him. All who made the -attempt shared a similar fate.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-185"> -<span id="a-perilous-refuge"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A PERILOUS REFUGE." src="images/img-101.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A PERILOUS REFUGE.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sea was now close up to the mizzentop where -the survivors were standing, and every moment they -expected that the mast would go by the board. With -the setting of the sun the hope of being rescued, -which had buoyed them up throughout the weary -hours of that long day, died out, and their spirits -sank to the depths of despair. They were almost -perished with cold and faint with hunger, and as no -help came they gave themselves up for lost.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What were the lifeboatmen doing all this time? -Surely they were not going to let fellow-creatures -perish without an effort to save them? No! Early -that morning the lifeboat had put off from Sandgate -to the assistance of the </span><em class="italics">Benvenue</em><span>, but such terrific -seas were encountered that she was driven back to -the shore. As it was considered impossible to launch -again at Sandgate, the boat was put on the carriage -and conveyed to Hythe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At half-past nine she was launched, manned by a -crew of twenty men. The sea was, however, heavier -than that experienced at Sandgate, and before the -boat could get clear of the surf, she was struck by a -heavy wave and capsized. The whole of her crew -with the exception of three men, were thrown into -the water. Nineteen of them managed to reach the -land, but the other poor fellow lost his life in the -raging breakers. The boat was then brought ashore -and replaced on the carriage. Though repulsed, the -lifeboatmen were not beaten, and they remained by -their boat all day, ready to launch on the first -favourable opportunity. It was not, however, until -half-past nine at night, exactly twelve hours since the -second attempt had been made, that their patience -was rewarded. Then, as the sea had considerably -moderated, it was decided to make another attempt to -rescue the shipwrecked crew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the utmost difficulty the boat was got off, -and for a time failure seemed certain. The gallant -lifeboatmen persevered, and, bending to the oars with -all the strength of their muscular arms, won the -victory. The ship was reached, and the twenty-seven -survivors, out of the crew of thirty-two men, were -taken into the lifeboat. They had watched with -eager eyes the almost superhuman efforts that were -being made on their behalf, and when they found -themselves safe on board, the pent-up feelings of -many found vent in tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The scene on the landing of the lifeboat at -Folkestone baffles description. Thousands of people -had assembled at the harbour, and as soon as the -boat appeared, cheer after cheer was raised, and -rescuers and rescued were quickly brought ashore. -The former received the hearty congratulations of -everyone. The latter appeared too exhausted to bear -the excitement of the moment, so they were at once -conducted to a place where they received the care -they needed after their exposure to the wind and -waves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next morning the crew wrote a letter of thanks to -all who had taken part in their rescue, in the -following terms, touching in their simplicity,--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We desire to tender our heartfelt gratitude for the -way in which we have been rescued and cared for by -the crew of the lifeboat, and the others who assisted -in our rescue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At noon a special service of thanksgiving was held -in the parish church, Folkestone, and as the men bad -lost all their belongings, a collection was made on -their behalf.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-stranding-of-the-eider"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE STRANDING OF THE "EIDER."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="O" src="images/cap-o.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>n the night of Sunday the 31st of -January 1892, the North-German -Lloyd liner </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span>, bound from -New York to Southampton, -stranded on a reef of rocks off -the Isle of Wight. A dense fog -prevailed at the time, and a very -rough sea was running. Signal rockets were -immediately sent up, and about eleven o'clock the -Atherfield lifeboat proceeded to her assistance. There -was no immediate danger to the passengers and -crew, so the captain decided to telegraph for steam -tugs. The telegrams were accordingly handed into -the lifeboat, and she returned to the shore to send -them off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At daylight next morning signals were made by -the </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span>, and the lifeboat again went out, and found -that the captain wished to land some of the mails, -and they were therefore brought ashore. Meanwhile -news of the stranding of the steamer had been sent to -the lifeboat stations at Brighstone Grange and Brooke, -and these lifeboats at once put off and made for the -scene of the disaster with all speed. The captain of -the </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span> then decided that it would be best to -land the passengers, and during the day the lifeboats -made altogether eighteen trips to the ship, and safely -landed two hundred and thirty-three passengers, -besides specie and mails. Darkness, however, came -on and put an end to the work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next day eleven journeys were performed by the -lifeboats, and one hundred and forty-six people were -brought to land without accident. During Wednesday -and Thursday the boats were engaged in bringing -ashore bars of silver, specie, the ship's plate, and -passengers' luggage. Forty-one journeys in all were -made by the gallant lifeboatmen, who worked hard -and nobly, and rescued three hundred and seventy-nine -persons. The captain and several of the crew -remained on board, and the vessel was eventually -towed off the rocks and safely berthed in Southampton -docks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In recognition of the devotion to duty and -self-sacrifice shown by the lifeboatmen in the work of -rescue, the Emperor of Germany presented each of -the coxswains of the three lifeboats with a gold watch -bearing His Majesty's portrait and initials. The -institution also awarded the second-service clasp to -the coxswain of the Atherfield lifeboat, the silver -medal to the coxswain of the Brighstone Grange -lifeboat, and the third-service clasp to the coxswain -of the Brooke lifeboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We reproduce the following poem on the stranding -of the </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span>, by special permission, from </span><em class="italics">The -Star</em><span>:--</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span> rode on the open sea</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>With her safety in God's own hand</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>For a thousand miles--ay, two, and three,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>With never a sight of land.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A shell of steel on the world of waves</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That severs the hemispheres,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>That covers the depths of a thousand graves</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the wrecks of a hundred years.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>She bore, unhurt, through the storm-god's din,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Through shower, and shade, and sheen,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>With the death without and her lives within,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And her inch of steel between.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>From the port behind, to the port beyond,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>With never a help or guide,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Save the needle's point and the chart he conned,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The master has fought the tide.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>On the bridge, in the Sunday twilight dim,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>He has taken his watchful stand;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And he hears the sound of a German hymn,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the boom of a brazen band.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>He looks for the lights of the royal isle,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Ahead, to left, and to right;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Below there is music and mirthful smile,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>For land must be soon in sight.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>In sight? Not yet! for a fog creeps round</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the night is doubly dark.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>"Slow speed! Hush! is it the fog-bell's sound,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Or the shriek of the siren? Hark!"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The fog-bell clangs from its seaward tower,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the siren shrills in fear;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>But the vapours thicken from hour to hour,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the master cannot hear!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>On the seaward headland, the beacon's blaze</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Like a midday sun would seem,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>But its warning rays are lost in the haze,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And the master sees no gleam!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"How goes the line? There is time to save!"</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>"It is ten fathom deep by the log."</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>"We have not tarried for wind or wave,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>We cannot wait for the fog."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>On, on! through the dark of a double night;</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>On, on--to the lurking rock!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>No sound, no gleam of a saving light</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Till the </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span> leaps to the shock.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>All night she bides where the sea death hides,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And her passengers crowd her deck;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>While the leaping tides laugh over her sides</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And sink from the stranded wreck.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span> has gold, she has human lives;</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>But these can assist no more.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Pray, pray, ye German children and wives,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>For help from the English shore!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A signal is sent, and a signal is seen,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And a lifeboat--ay, two, and three,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>From the shore to the vessel their crews row between,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And fight with the stormy sea.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>They fight day and night, as true Englishmen can,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>'Mid the roar of the storm-lash'd waves;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And the </span><em class="italics">Eider's</em><span> four hundred are saved to a man</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>From the terror of sea-bed graves.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Eider</em><span> bides, all broken and bent;</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>With the tide she shivers and starts,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And stands--for a time--as a monument</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Of the courage of English hearts.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>But longer lasting, the memoried grace</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Of a noble deed and grand</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Will knit the hearts of the English race</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>To the hearts of the Fatherland!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-wreck-of-the-northern-belle"><span class="large">CHAPTER XV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WRECK OF THE "NORTHERN BELLE."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="D" src="images/cap-d.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>uring a dreadful storm which swept -over the British Isles several years -ago, the American ship </span><em class="italics">Northern -Belle</em><span>, from New York to London, -came to anchor off Kingsgate, near -Broadstairs, about a mile from the -shore. The sea made great breaches over her, and, -in order to lighten the vessel and help her to ride out -the storm, the crew cut away two of the masts. With -the flood-tide, however, the gale increased, and it was -feared that the vessel would drag her anchors and -come ashore. A swift-footed messenger was accordingly -despatched to summon the Broadstairs lifeboat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without delay the crew were mustered, and the -boat, on her carriage, was dragged overland to -Kingsgate, a distance of two miles. It was nine -o'clock when the </span><em class="italics">Mary White</em><span> arrived, and by that -time the cliffs were lined with crowds of people. -Shortly afterwards two luggers were seen bearing -down upon the unfortunate vessel. One of these -crafts, when trying to take out one of the ship's -anchors, was overwhelmed by a heavy sea, and sank. -Not one of her crew of nine men were ever seen -again. The other was more successful, and five of -her crew managed to get on board the </span><em class="italics">Northern Belle</em><span>. -Every moment the multitude of spectators expected -to see the vessel run ashore and be dashed to pieces -on the rocks at the foot of the cliff; but as the day -wore on and the anchors still held, it was thought -that she would yet be safe. Heedless of the heavy -snow and bitter cold, the people watched her till -darkness came on and shut out the vessel from their gaze.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 64%" id="figure-186"> -<span id="they-bent-their-backs-to-the-oars"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THEY BENT THEIR BACKS TO THE OARS." src="images/img-112.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THEY BENT THEIR BACKS TO THE OARS.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>About midnight, the long-expected catastrophe -took place, the cable broke and the vessel was driven -on the rocks. In the storm and darkness it would -have been worse than useless to launch the lifeboat, -so the men were reluctantly compelled to put off the -rescue till a new day should give them sufficient light -to see what they were doing. Next morning, about -seven o'clock, the remains of the ill-fated ship could -be seen, and lashed to the only remaining mast were -the figures of twenty-three perishing sailors. What -they must have suffered in the cold and darkness of -that terrible night may be imagined, but it cannot be -described.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lifeboat was dragged down to the water's edge, -and the crew got into their places. The coxswain -stood up in the stern, grasping the yoke lines, and -watching for a favourable moment to put off. The -faces of the men were grave, for they knew the -terrific struggle that was before them, and, with such -a high sea running, who knew if they would come -back again? The coxswain gave the word, and the -boat was pushed off into the raging surf. The -boatmen bent their backs and made headway in spite of -the storm. Over and over again they were lost to -sight, and those on shore were filled with fear for -their safety, but the good boat breasted each wave -gallantly, and quickly drew near to the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Great difficulty was experienced in getting alongside, -and in the struggle the bow of the lifeboat was -badly damaged, but at last the boat was made fast. -The poor sailors were so benumbed by their long -exposure to cold that they were almost helpless, and -this made the task of the boatmen still more difficult. -At length, after tremendous exertions, they succeeded -in taking off seven of the crew. On account of the -broken condition of the boat and the high sea, it was -not judged prudent to take more, so she was cut -adrift from the wreck and returned to the shore with -her precious burden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fearing that an accident might happen to the -</span><em class="italics">Mary White</em><span> and disable her for further service, a -second lifeboat had been brought over from -Broadstairs. She was now launched, and made for the -wreck, from which she shortly afterwards returned -with fourteen men. Only two sailors now remained -on board, the aged captain and the pilot. The former -stubbornly refused to leave his ship, declaring that he -would rather be drowned; and the latter said that he -was not going to leave the old man to perish by himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The coxswain allowed two hours to pass, expecting -that the captain would change his mind and signal -for them to come and take him off; but when he -showed no signs of yielding, he called the men -together and launched the lifeboat. After a stiff pull -they reached the wreck, and tried to persuade the -captain to save himself, but he remained obstinate. -Then the men declared that they would remain by -the wreck as long as she held together, even if they -waited a week. The coxswain pointed out to the -captain that he was not only throwing his own life -away for no good reason, but that he was also -endangering the lives of those in the boat, and he told -him that it was his duty to save himself. At length -he was persuaded of the folly of his action, and came -down from the rigging. The pilot, whose chivalrous -feelings alone had kept him in this perilous position, -also gladly entered the saving boat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Great were the rejoicings on the beach when it -became known that the whole crew had now been -rescued. The shipwrecked men were taken to a -house near at hand, but they were so exhausted that -they were unable to eat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shortly afterwards three horses were harnessed to -the transporting carriage of the </span><em class="italics">Mary White</em><span>, and she -was taken back to Broadstairs. As she approached -the town, the people came out to meet her, and with -cheers loud and long welcomed the heroes home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An eye-witness of the rescue says: "The lifeboatmen -were not labouring under any species of excitement -when they engaged in the perilous duty, which -they performed so nobly and so well. Under the -impression that these men would never return,--the -impression of all who witnessed their departure from -the shore,--I watched their countenances closely. -There was nothing approaching bravado in their looks, -nothing to give a spectator any idea that they were -about to engage in a matter of life or death, to -themselves and the crew of the ship clinging to the -fore-rigging of the </span><em class="italics">Northern Belle</em><span>. They had no hope of a -decoration or of a pecuniary reward when, with a -coolness of manner and a calmness of mind which -contrasted strongly with the energy of their -movements, they bounded into the lifeboat to storm -batteries of billows far more appalling to the human -mind than batteries surmounted by cannon and -bristling with bayonets. There could be no question -about the heroism of these men."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-gallant-rescue"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A GALLANT RESCUE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="S" src="images/cap-s.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>hortly after daybreak, on the 4th -January 1894, the lookout on the -pier at Clacton-on-Sea saw a vessel -strike on the Buxey Sand, about -six miles from the shore. Without -a moment's delay the warning was -given, the lifeboat, </span><em class="italics">Albert Edward</em><span>, -was manned and launched. There was need of the -utmost speed. A strong easterly gale was raging -at the time, accompanied by a nipping frost and -blinding snowstorm. Owing to the extreme cold, -it was feared that the shipwrecked crew would be -unable to hold on till help arrived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the lifeboat reached the distressed vessel, it -was found to be impossible to get alongside, so the -coxswain ordered the anchor to be let go to windward. -This was done, and the boat veered down to the full -length of her cable. The waves continually broke -over the vessel, and caused her to bump upon the -sand in a frightful manner, thus preventing the -lifeboat from approaching her. Under these -circumstances, the boatmen decided to haul in the -cable, and to drop the anchor nearer the vessel. -This was a work of no little difficulty, and was -rendered on this occasion highly dangerous by the -anchor having fouled something on the sand. They -tugged and strained for some time, but all to no -purpose, and they were at last compelled to cut the -rope. The sail was then set, and the lifeboat -proceeded to the leeside of the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There everything was in a terrible muddle, for the -masts and rigging, which hung over the bulwarks, -swayed about, threatening death to anyone who -ventured within their reach. The sea was running -too high to permit the men to board the ship, but by -ebb-tide the coxswain thought that the sea would -become smoother, and thus enable him to rescue the -men at less risk. The crew of the vessel were nearly -frozen to death, and it seemed as if they could not -hold out much longer. The coxswain made signs to -the poor fellows to fasten a buoy to a line, and slack -it away from the ship towards the lifeboat. His -signs were understood and promptly obeyed, but -unfortunately the line caught in the rigging alongside -and stuck fast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The resources of the lifeboatmen were not yet -exhausted. Sailing as close as possible to the vessel, -they threw out a grappling line, which luckily caught -on, and the boat was held. The coxswain shouted to -the sailors to make another rope fast, but they paid -no heed to his order. No sooner did they perceive -that the boat was fixed than they began to crawl -along the mast. Only one man had been taken on -board, when a heavy sea swept down upon the -lifeboat. The rope which fastened her to the wreck -was not strong enough to bear the strain, and -once more the </span><em class="italics">Albert Edward</em><span> was driven from the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Canvas was again set to windward for about half -an hour, and then the boat was headed for the -wreck. The tide was now on the ebb, and less -difficulty was experienced in getting a hold on the -ship. One by one the poor fellows were taken on -board the lifeboat, till only the captain remained. -He was an old man, and so exhausted by suffering -that he was unable to jump for the boat. A line -was therefore thrown to him which he fastened round -his waist, and the coxswain went to assist him over -the rail of the ship. Just as he was in the act of -performing this humane service he was knocked -overboard by a sudden lurch. As he struggled in the -water, he received a severe blow on the head and a -wound across the eye from pieces of floating wreckage. -His case was desperate, but he did not lose his -presence of mind for a moment. Seizing hold of the -rope which was made fast round the captain, he -managed to keep himself afloat till his companions -rescued him from his perilous position. Nothing -daunted, he then made further efforts to save the -captain, who was at length hauled through the surf -and lifted on board in safety.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just as this was accomplished, a heavy sea -snapped the rope, and the lifeboat left the wreck, -having on board the whole crew of seven men. In -getting off the sands, on her homeward journey, the -boat was frequently smothered by the heavy seas, -and several of the men were badly hurt by being -dashed against the side. At length, after a long, -toilsome struggle, the harbour was reached, the -lifeboat and her crew being covered with ice. In spite -of the severity of the weather, a number of people -were on the pier to give the heroes a hearty -reception. The shipwrecked men, who were completely -exhausted, were supplied with food and put to bed -to recover from the effects of their exposure and -fatigue. Their vessel was the St. Alexine of -Copenhagen, bound for Stranraer with deals.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-busy-day"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A BUSY DAY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="I" src="images/cap-i.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>n the early morning of the 7th of -November 1890, while one of the -severest storms known for years on the -coast of Lancashire was at its height, -signal flares were observed about three -miles out at sea. A gun was fired to -arouse the lifeboatmen, and in a few minutes the -Fleetwood boat was launched and hurrying on her -errand of mercy in the wake of a steam-tug. It was -almost dark at the time, and the two vessels were -quickly lost to view. The news rapidly spread that -the lifeboat had been summoned, and soon a number -of people were making their way to the beach in the -hope of catching a sight of the distressed vessel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not until seven o'clock that the hull of a -large barque loomed in sight to those on shore, and -it was then evident that but for the gallant services -of the lifeboatmen all on board would be lost. -Having got well to windward, the tow-rope was let -go, and the boat drifted gradually down to the wreck. -Here lay the real danger, and it required all the -seamanship of the coxswain to prevent the boat from -being dashed against the side of the ill-fated vessel, -or swept past the mark by the force of the sea. -When within a short distance, the boat was brought -to an anchor, and veered down on her cable close to -the wreck, which was found to be the </span><em class="italics">Labora</em><span>, a -Norwegian ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The work of rescue was promptly begun, and as -it was found to be utterly impossible for the lifeboat -to approach near enough to take the men off, the -coxswain shouted to the sailors to throw him a line. -A lifebuoy was accordingly thrown overboard with a -rope attached, and floated to the boat. Communication -having been thus established, the crew were dragged -through the surf in safety. The work of rescue -lasted above two hours, and the boat was repeatedly -filled with water, so that the fact that not a single -life was lost reflects great credit on the seamanship -of the coxswain and his men. The whole crew of -the </span><em class="italics">Labora</em><span>, thirteen in number, were taken on board, -the captain being the last man to leave the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sail was then hoisted on the lifeboat, and she made -for the shore with all speed. Notwithstanding the -gale and the driving rain, hundreds of spectators had -assembled along the beach to await the return of the -boat. When at length she appeared, she was greeted -with shouts of joy, and landed the rescued crew amid -a perfect salvo of cheering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few hours later, news of another wreck was -brought to Fleetwood. Utterly regardless of their -rough experience in the early morning, the crew -again donned their lifebelts and manned the lifeboat. -As they were towed out by the steamer, a magnificent -sight was witnessed, the waves dashing furiously over -the boat as she ploughed her way through the water, -and both vessels were often completely hidden from -sight by the seas breaking over them.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 61%" id="figure-187"> -<span id="sighting-the-wreck"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="SIGHTING THE WRECK." src="images/img-127.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">SIGHTING THE WRECK.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Regardless of the drenching they received, they -held resolutely on their way, and soon the distance of -five miles which intervened between them and the -wreck was covered. The crew hailed the approach -of the saving boat with loud cheers, but great difficulty -was experienced in effecting the rescue, as all the -masts and rigging were dashing about alongside the -ship. To avoid the wreckage striking the lifeboat, -and at the same time to get sufficiently near for the -sailors to jump aboard, required great skill and -judgment, as well as a cool head and a steady nerve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Owing to the position in which the stranded vessel -was lying, every sea broke over her, and threatened -to swamp the lifeboat. Eventually the whole crew -of eleven men were rescued, and the lifeboat was -headed for the shore, where the crew were landed in -a most exhausted condition. But for the brave efforts -and untiring exertions of the lifeboatmen, the crews -of both of those vessels would have been lost, and -well might the noble fellows congratulate themselves -on having within a few short hours saved twenty-four -of their fellow-men from death.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-rescue-in-mid-ocean"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A RESCUE IN MID-OCEAN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="I" src="images/cap-i.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>t is a common belief at the present day -that our sailors are no longer the same -bold, kind-hearted fellows that they -were before the introduction of steam -and other modern improvements. -From time to time, however, a brief -account of some splendid act of heroic daring, -performed on the high seas, finds its way into the -newspapers, and proves that, after all, Jack is of the same -race as the men who, in bygone days, won for -England the proud title of "Mistress of the Seas."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Recently, while the Cunard steamer </span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> was -crossing the Atlantic from America to England, her -passengers had an opportunity of witnessing a genuine -feat of derring-do of the old heroic kind. It was -a Sunday afternoon, and for some hours the barometer -had been steadily falling, a sure sign of a coming -gale. Overhead the blue sky was dotted with white -clouds, but away to the south and west the heavens -were of a dull leaden colour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About four o'clock, true to the indications it had -given, the storm burst. The fury of the wind raised -a tremendous sea, and after running for a time, it was -judged prudent to bring the </span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> head on to the -waves. All the passengers were ordered below lest -they should be washed overboard, and the hatches -were securely battened down to prevent the cabins -being flooded. Every now and again the crew on -deck were waist deep in water, as the steamer dipped -her bows into the sea and took great surging waves -on board.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For six hours the vessel lay-to, and during all that -time the tempest raged with undiminished fury. The -wind screamed and whistled mournfully through the -rigging, and the mountainous waves dashed themselves -with tremendous force against the sides of the -ship, throwing the spray as high as the masthead -At ten o'clock the gale moderated, and the steamer -once more resumed her voyage. The night passed -without further incident, and when the sun rose next -morning out of the heaving waters it gave promise of -a fair day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile a far different scene was being enacted -on the angry ocean some miles away. A sailing -ship was being tossed about like a plaything. One -by one her sails were blown to ribbons, her planks -sprung a-leak under the continued pounding of the -waves, and as the vessel slowly settled down the -crew gave themselves up for lost. As the -water-logged hull tumbled about in the trough of the sea, -they expected that she would go down every moment, -but day broke and found them still afloat, looking for -help in every direction and finding none. Assistance -was, however, at hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this time the </span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> had been steadily -steaming on her homeward voyage. About nine o'clock in -the morning the look-out man reported that a vessel -was in sight. As the steamer approached, it became -apparent to all on board that the ship was in distress. -She lay low in the water, her rigging was all in a -tangle, and upon the deck twenty-two wretched, -pale-faced men could be counted, watching the steamer -with wistful gaze. All these had to be saved, and -every man on board the </span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> knew that this could -only be done at the risk of the lives of those who -went to their assistance, for a heavy sea was still -running.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Few things are more perilous and difficult than -lowering a boat during a storm in mid-ocean. The -most seamen-like smartness may fail to save the frail -fabric from being dashed to pieces against the iron -side of the vessel, and even if the boat succeeds in -getting away, the utmost skill is necessary to prevent -her from being upset. Everyone of the </span><em class="italics">Parthia's</em><span> -crew knew the danger, but not one of them shrank -from the duty which faced them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Volunteers for the wreck!" shouted the captain, -and in response to his summons eight men sprang -forward and scrambled into the lifeboat. The third -officer stepped into the stern, and took the rudder -lines in his hands. Every man sat silent and ready -while the boat swung from the davits. Calmly the -order was given to lower, and the boat sank swiftly -down to the water. As she rose on the crest of the -next wave, the blocks were unhooked, and in another -moment she was making for the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The passengers who thronged the deck of the -</span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> watched the lifeboat in an agony of excitement. -Now she disappeared as completely as if she -had gone to the bottom; then she rose on the crest of -a mighty billow, where she poised for an instant -before taking the headlong plunge into the watery -abyss beyond. A short struggle brought the boat -within reach of the doomed vessel, and the mate -shouted to the crew to heave him a line. It was -caught, a lifebuoy was attached to it, and it was hauled -on board the wreck. To the lifebuoy was tied a second -line, one end of which was held by the lifeboat crew. -The meaning of these arrangements soon became -apparent. One of the shipwrecked sailors slipped -his shoulders through the lifebuoy, plunged into the -sea, and was dragged into the lifeboat. One by one -the sailors were hauled on board, till eleven had -been rescued. Then, with a cheering shout to -those who were left behind, the boat returned to the -steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the captain of the </span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> had been -busy making all the necessary preparations for taking -the shipwrecked men on board. A rope with a loop -at the end was suspended from the foreyard arm, -and under this the lifeboat was stationed. The rope -was then passed down, and the loop slipped under the -arms of one of the men, who was then hoisted on -board by the sailors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the first boatload had been safely deposited -on the deck of the steamer, the lifeboat returned to -the wreck. By means of the lifebuoys and lines the -remainder of the crew were taken off, and afterwards -hoisted on board the steamer in the same way as their -companions. Her work having been accomplished, -the lifeboat was hauled in, and the </span><em class="italics">Parthia</em><span> went -"full speed ahead," to make up for lost time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An eye-witness of this perilous and gallant rescue -says:--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To appreciate the pathos and pluck of an -adventure of this kind, one must have served as a -spectator or actor in some such scene. The expression -on the faces of those shipwrecked men, as they -were hoisted one by one over the </span><em class="italics">Parthia's</em><span> side; the -bewildered rolling of their eyes, their expression of -suffering, slowly yielding to the perception of the new -lease of life mercifully accorded them, graciously and -nobly earned for them; their streaming garments, -their hair clotted like seaweed on their foreheads; -the passionate pressing forward of the crew and -passengers to rejoice with the poor fellows on their -salvation from one of the most lamentable dooms to -which the sea can sentence, will ever be vividly -imprinted on the minds of those who witnessed the -occurrence."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-three-bells"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE "THREE BELLS."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="C" src="images/cap-c.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>aptain Leighton, of the British -ship </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span>, some years ago -rescued the crew of an American -vessel sinking in mid-ocean. Unable -to take them off in the storm and -darkness, he kept by them until -morning, running down often during -the night, as near to them as he dared, and shouting -to them through his trumpet, "Never fear! hold on! -I'll stand by you!"</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Beneath the low-hung night-cloud</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That raked her splintering mast,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>The good ship settled slowly,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The cruel leak gained fast.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Over the awful ocean</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Her signal guns pealed out.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Dear God! was that Thy answer</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>From the horror round about?</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A voice came down the wild wind,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>"Ho! ship ahoy!" its cry:</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>"Our stout </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span> of Glasgow</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Shall stand till daylight by!"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Hour after hour crept slowly,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Yet on the heaving swells</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Tossed up and down the ship-lights,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The lights of the </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span>.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And ship to ship made signals,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Man answered back to man,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>While oft to cheer and hearten</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span> nearer ran.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And the captain from her taffrail</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Sent down his hopeful cry,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>"Take heart! hold on!" he shouted,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>"The </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span> shall stand by!"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>All night across the water</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The tossing lights shone clear;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>All night from reeling taffrail</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span> sent her cheer.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>And when the dreary watches</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Of storm and darkness passed,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Just as the wreck lurched under,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>All souls were saved at last.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>Sail on, </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span>, for ever,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>In grateful memory sail!</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Ring on, </span><em class="italics">Three Bells</em><span> of rescue,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Above the wave and gale!</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>J. G. WHITTIER.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="on-the-cornish-coast"><span class="large">CHAPTER XX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ON THE CORNISH COAST.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="O" src="images/cap-o.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>ne stormy December day, a few -years ago, a horse reeking with -foam galloped into Penzance, -bearing a messenger with news -that a ship which had got into -the bay was unable to make her -way out, and would in all probability -be wrecked. The news spread through the -quaint old town like wildfire, and in a few minutes -hundreds of people were on the shore anxiously -watching for the ship. From time to time she could -be seen through the mist, and it was evident that her -captain and crew were making every effort to head -her out to the open sea; but there was little chance -of success with such a furious gale blowing directly -inshore. Anchors were thrown out in the hope of -averting the threatened disaster, but they were of no -use, and soon the vessel was drifting helplessly to the -shore. "Man the lifeboat! man the lifeboat!" was -then the cry, and coastguards and fishermen rushed -off to the boathouse at full speed.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 82%" id="figure-188"> -<span id="lives-in-peril"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="LIVES IN PERIL." src="images/img-139.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">LIVES IN PERIL.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not a moment to spare. Horses were -brought out and harnessed to the carriage, the men -took their places, and away went the horses at full -speed. The boat was launched into the breakers with -a hearty cheer, and headed straight for the wreck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile a terrible tragedy was being enacted -between the wreck and the shore, some distance to -the east. The captain had seen two shore boats put -off to his assistance, and after battling bravely with -the sea for some time give up the attempt. He did -not see the lifeboat, and, thinking that the safety of -himself and his crew depended on their own efforts, -he ordered one of the ship's boats to be lowered. No -sooner had it touched the water than it was dashed -to pieces against the side of the ship. A second boat -was got out of the davits, and the captain and nine -men got into her in safety, and made for the shore. -She had not gone far when a huge wave pounced -down upon her, whirled her round, and in another -moment the men were struggling in the water, about -three hundred yards from the shore. A few sailors -seized the keel of the upturned boat, but again and -again they were dashed from their hold by the heavy -breakers, others seized the oars, and the captain -struck out for the shore, followed by a few of his -men. On the beach the people were helpless; but, -seeing the captain swimming towards them, some of -the strongest men joined hands, and waded out into -the sea to meet him. One brave man, famous for -miles round on account of his great strength, threw -off his coat, and, followed by several others, dashed -into the surf, determined to rescue at least one of the -perishing sailors. When he got hold of one man he -handed him over to his companions to be taken ashore, -and, in defiance of the enormous breakers, he stayed -out until he had rescued three men from certain -death. Nine men reached the shore, but only four of -those, who, full of health and strength, had put off -from the wreck half an hour before, survived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now let us return to the lifeboat. "After a pull -of more than an hour she reached the vessel. As she -was pulling under her stern, a great sea struck the -boat, and immediately capsized her. All on board -were at once thrown out; the noble boat, however, at -once self-righted. The coxswain was jammed under -the boat by some wreckage, and very nearly lost his -life, having to dive three or four times before he could -extricate himself. When dragged on board, he was -apparently dead, and in this state was brought ashore. -Another man, pulling the stroke oar, was lost -altogether from the boat, and the men were all so -exhausted that they could not pull up to rescue him; -but his cork jacket floated him ashore, when a brave -man, named Desreaux, swam his horse out through -the surf and rescued him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The inspecting-commander of the coastguard, who -expressed an earnest wish to go off on this occasion, -was also on board, and with others suffered severely. -It is due to him to say that his great coolness and -judgment, as well as his exertions, greatly aided in -bringing the boat and her exhausted crew to shore. -The second coxswain also behaved like a hero, and, -though scarcely able to stand, managed the boat -with the greatest skill when the coxswain was disabled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Judge of the dismay of those on shore when they -saw the boat returning without having effected a -rescue. It was at once clear that some disaster had -happened, and they rushed to meet her. There was -the coxswain, apparently dead, a stream of blood -trickling from a wound in his temple, one man missing, -and all the crew more or less disabled. Volunteers -were at once called for. The second coxswain pluckily -offered to go again, but this was not allowed, and his -place was taken by the chief officer of the coastguard. -In a short time another crew was formed, and the -boat put off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No words can describe the struggle which followed. -The boat had to be pulled to windward in the teeth -of a tremendous gale. Sometimes she would rise -almost perpendicular to the waves, and the people -on shore looked on with bated breath, fearing she must -go over. The way was disputed inch by inch, and at -last the victory was won. Long and loud rang the -cheers as the boat neared the shore, and quickly the -shipwrecked mariners and their brave rescuers were safe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was afterwards found that one of the second -crew had three ribs broken, and several of the others -had wounds and bruises more or less severe. Happily, -none of the injuries proved fatal, and before long all -the men, even the coxswain, went about their work -as usual. The wrecked vessel was the </span><em class="italics">North Britain</em><span>, -with a cargo of timber on board from Quebec."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-plucky-captain"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A PLUCKY CAPTAIN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="L" src="images/cap-l.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>izard Point in Cornwall, the most -southerly headland in England, is -a piece of rocky land, which "has -caused more vivid and varied -emotions than any other on our -coasts. The emigrant leaving, as -he often thinks, his native land -for ever; the soldier bound for distant battlefields, -and the sailor for far-distant foreign ports, have -each and all strained their eyes for a last parting -glimpse of an isle they loved so much, and yet might -never see again. And when the lighthouses' flash -could no longer be discerned, how sadly did one and -all turn into their berths to think--ay, 'perchance to -dream'--of the happy past and the doubtful future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How different are the emotions of the homeward -bound--the emigrant with his gathered gold, the -bronzed veteran who has come out of the fiercest -conflict unscathed, and the sailor who has safely -passed the ordeal of fearful climes. The first glimpse -of that strangely named rocky point is the signal for -heartiest huzzas and congratulation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There is, unfortunately, another side to this pleasant -picture. Not unfrequently vessels become enveloped -in the fogs, which prevail off this dangerous coast, -and go crashing on to the rocks, there to become total -wrecks. On the 4th of March 1893 an incident of -this kind occurred. While the steamship </span><em class="italics">Gustav -Bitter</em><span> of Newcastle-on-Tyne was proceeding from -London to the Manchester Ship Canal with a general -cargo, she stranded during a dense fog on the Callidges -Rocks, off the Lizard Point. The engines were -immediately reversed in the hope of getting her off, -but she stuck fast. The captain gave the order for -the long-boat to be lowered, and he got into her with -seven men. As he was about to secure the boat's -painter the rope was suddenly cut, and the strain -being thus taken off, caused the captain to tumble -into the sea, and he was compelled to swim to the -boat to save his life. The second mate jumped from -the deck of the doomed vessel, and tried to reach the -boat, but unhappily he failed in the attempt, and was -drowned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>News had already reached the shore that a ship -was in danger, and the Polpear lifeboat was promptly -manned and launched. When she reached the vessel -the fog had lifted, and it was found that her bow was -under water, and four men were clinging to the rigging. -Great difficulty was experienced in getting near the -vessel, as the seas were breaking completely over her -and over the lifeboat. The lifeboatmen, however, -succeeded in getting their grapnel on board, and the -boat was brought up alongside. Three of the crew, -watching their opportunity, left the rigging and went -hand over hand along the grappling line from the -steamer to the lifeboat. The fourth man, who is said -to have been disabled by rheumatism, was unable to -move from the rigging. His case was indeed desperate, -for it was impossible to take the boat to the side of -the ship on which he was lashed, on account of the -shallowness of the water. To add to the difficulty -of the situation, one of the men who had been rescued -was in a very exhausted condition, and it was feared -that he would not live much longer. After a little -delay the boatmen decided, as there was no immediate -danger of the vessel breaking up, that they would make -for the shore, land the three men, and then return for -the sufferer. The grapnel was accordingly freed from -the rigging, and they pulled for the shore with all -speed where the poor fellows were landed and well -cared for. The lifeboat then proceeded on her return -journey to the steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile another lifeboat had put off from the -shore. On her way to the scene of action she fell in -with the long-boat in which the captain and seven -men had left the wreck. The little vessel was nearly -half full of water and in great danger of being -swamped, so her occupants were taken on board the -lifeboat. They then told their rescuers that they had -left four of their companions on board the steamer. -Though the men were greatly exhausted with the -hard pull of three miles which they had already -performed, they gave a hearty shout and again bent -their backs to the oars, and the remaining distance -of a mile to the wreck was soon covered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They of course were surprised to see only one man -in the rigging instead of the four they had expected -to find. The reason of his being where he was having -been explained by the captain, several lifeboatmen -volunteered for the dangerous task of rescuing the -unfortunate man. The coxswain, however, thought it -best to accept the offer of the captain, who was well -acquainted with the ship, and had already proved -himself a good swimmer. Two grapnels were thrown -into the rigging of the steamer, and the captain swung -himself on board by means of one of the lines. He -reached the rigging, took the man out, and fastened -a running line to his waist. Then he made a -signal, and the poor fellow was hauled on board the -lifeboat.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 52%" id="figure-189"> -<span id="coming-ashore-all-saved"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="COMING ASHORE--"ALL SAVED!"" src="images/img-149.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">COMING ASHORE--"ALL SAVED!"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain was now compelled to take to the -rigging again to avoid being washed overboard by the -heavy seas, which were breaking over the ship. Twice -he attempted to get off, but he was driven back each -time. Watching his opportunity he tried again, and -without either lifebelt or line plunged into the sea -and swam to the boat. The work of rescue being -then accomplished, the boat returned to the shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The silver medal of the Institution, accompanied by -a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, was awarded -to Captain David Graham Ball, the master of the -vessel, in recognition of his gallant conduct.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="by-sheer-strength"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">BY SHEER STRENGTH.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="D" src="images/cap-d.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>uring the terrific storm which spread -such destruction over a large area of -the United Kingdom in October -1889, a vessel was seen to be -labouring heavily, and showing signals of -distress, some two or three miles -off the coast of Merionethshire. As she was rapidly -drifting towards a very dangerous reef of rocks, the -Aberystwyth lifeboatmen were speedily summoned. -The tide was low at the time, and great difficulty was -experienced in getting the boat to the water's edge. -Several times she stuck in the soft sand, and the -united exertions of the lifeboatmen could not move -her forward a single inch. Plenty of willing helpers, -however, were at hand, and after much labour and -loss of valuable time, the boat was at length pushed -into the sea on her carriage, and the crew took their -places.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To avoid being blown on the rocks the men found -it was necessary to row out for a considerable distance. -The oars were manned, and the helpers eagerly waited -for the word of command from the coxswain to let her -go. The order was given; but here a fresh obstacle -presented itself. The waves were rolling inshore with -such fury that the greatest exertions of the boatmen -failed to get her off, and notwithstanding the fact -that scores of men went into the water till the waves -broke over their heads, a considerable time passed -before the boat could be got clear of her carriage and -set afloat. Then the crew began a struggle against -wind and waves, the like of which had not been seen -for nine years, when one of the boatmen lost his life -through exposure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men tugged at the oars with all their might, -and seemed to be gaining slowly; but after they had -been rowing for an hour they found themselves just -where they started. Great white seas broke over the -boat, drenching the men to the skin, and carrying -her back towards the shore. Again and again the -struggle was renewed, and again and again the boat -was carried back on the crests of the waves. -Sometimes the boat would be thrown on end, in an almost -perpendicular position, and then fall into the trough -of the sea and disappear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For two hours the struggle against the angry sea -and the fierce wind was kept up. During that time -six oars were broken, and several times the boat -narrowly escaped being upset. Then three huge -rollers came in quick succession and carried the boat -into the comparatively smooth water near the pier. -She was brought alongside the landing-stage, and -more oars and five additional men were taken on board.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As soon as the extra men were put in their places, -another attempt was made to get the boat out to sea. -The wind still blew with unabated force, and sea after -sea broke over the little vessel. Slowly but steadily -she made headway, and though she was often lost to -sight in the trough of the sea, or buried in spray, she -at length gained a point where the coxswain thought -it was safe to hoist the sail. This was done, and -away sped the lifeboat after the retreating vessel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On getting alongside it was found that she was an -American ship, and though terribly battered she was -still holding on to her anchors. Two of the lifeboatmen -were put on board to assist in navigating her, -and, at the request of the captain, the boat remained -alongside for some time, in order to be in readiness -to save the crew in the event of the cables parting. -While she was in this position an immense wave -dashed right into the lifeboat, and three of the crew -were swept overboard. They were afterwards picked -up in a very exhausted condition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeing that their services were not now required, -the lifeboatmen cast off from the wreck and made -for home, which was reached shortly before midnight. -Their undaunted spirit won for them the admiration -of the thousands of spectators who had watched their -battle with the storm, and the owners of the vessel, -wishing to show their appreciation of the crew's -services, sent the sum of £30 "to be divided among -the men as some slight recognition of their gallant -conduct."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="wrecked-in-port"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WRECKED IN PORT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><img class="dropcap inline" style="height: 7.20em" alt="T" src="images/cap-t.jpg" /><span class="dropspan"></span><span>he spacious harbour of Milford -Haven, on the south-west of -Pembrokeshire, the finest in the -kingdom, and large enough to -shelter the whole British fleet, -was, a few months ago, the scene -of a most gallant rescue by a -crew of South Wales lifeboatmen. On the 30th of -January 1894, the full rigged iron ship </span><em class="italics">Loch Shiel</em><span> -of Glasgow was stranded on Thorn Island, at the -entrance to the Haven. She was bound for Australia -with a general cargo, and had on board thirty-three -persons, seven of whom were passengers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As soon as the vessel struck, the captain tried -the pump, and found that there was a quantity of -water in the hold, and that the ship was rapidly -sinking by the stern. He at once ordered the boats -to be lowered. Then a mattress was brought on -deck, soaked with paraffin oil, and lighted as a signal -of distress. The flare was seen by the coastguard at -St. Anne's Head, several miles away, and they -telegraphed the news of the disaster to the lifeboat -station at Angle. Obedient to the summons, the -lifeboat put off to the rescue. Meanwhile several -of the shipwrecked men had been forced to take -refuge in the mizzen rigging, and others had climbed -over the jibboom and landed on the rocks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently the lifeboat came dashing along in -splendid style. On nearing the vessel the anchor -was dropped, and the boat's bow brought close to -the mizzen rigging, to which six men could be seen -clinging. One of these was an invalid passenger, -and great difficulty was experienced in getting him -on board. More than once the men expected to see -him lose his hold and fall into the sea, but he, -fortunately, had sufficient strength to hold on till -he reached the arms stretched out to save him. The -remaining sufferers were then quickly taken out of -the top, the anchor was hauled in, and the boat -pulled round to the leeside of the island, to take -off the remainder of the crew and passengers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Mirehouse, the Honorary Secretary of the -Angle Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat -Institution, who had accompanied the boat, and Edward -Ball and Thomas Rees, two of the crew, now landed. -Taking with them a rope and a lantern, they crawled -along the edge of the cliff until they arrived above -the spot where the people had taken refuge. They -then lowered the rope over the cliff, and, in spite of -the darkness of the night and the fury of the storm, -they hauled up the remainder of the crew and -passengers of the </span><em class="italics">Loch Shiel</em><span>, one of whom, a lady, was -in a very weak and exhausted condition. But the -rescue was not yet completed. The return journey -had yet to be made along the narrow and dangerous -pathway, in some parts barely a foot wide. The -difficulties of the passage were further increased by -having to guide the rescued and exhausted persons. -To the credit of Mr. Mirehouse and his two men, be -it told, that after great exertions and several narrow -escapes they succeeded in bringing all in safety to -the place where the lifeboat was in waiting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As a very heavy surf was running, it was decided -that the boat should make two trips. Twenty -persons were accordingly put on board and landed -at Angle. Then she returned immediately to the -island for the remainder. At half-past six on the -following morning she completed her second journey, -and the whole thirty-three men and women were -again in safety on the mainland. Some of the -rescued people were taken to the residence of -Mr. Mirehouse, and were most kindly cared for by him -and his family; others were taken charge of by -other residents.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some time afterwards the following letter was -received by Mr. Mirehouse from the captain of the -vessel:--</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>GLASGOW, 21*st February* 1894.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>DEAR SIR,--You and your dear lady, and your -household, and all the inhabitants of Angle, please -accept my humble thanks for the great kindness you -all did to me and to my crew and passengers on the -30th and 31st January 1894; firstly, in taking us -from the wreck of the ship </span><em class="italics">Loch Shiel</em><span>, on Thorn -Island, and then having us at your house and other -houses in Angle for some considerable time, -thirty-three people in all.--I am, dear sir,</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THOMAS DA VIES, -<br />Master of the ill-fated ship </span><em class="italics">Loch Shiel</em><span> of Glasgow.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A highly gratifying letter was also received by the -Honorary Secretary from the owners of the vessel, -conveying their thanks for the services rendered to -the crew and passengers. The crew of the ship also -wrote expressing their thanks to the lifeboatmen -for saving their lives, and to those who afterwards -supplied them with food and clothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The silver medal of the Royal National Lifeboat -Institution was awarded to Mr. Mirehouse, Thomas -Rees, and Edward Ball in recognition of the bravery -displayed by them, in going to the edge of the cliffs -and rescuing the remainder of the passengers and -crew, and in afterwards conducting them to a place -of safety.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>[The Royal Lifeboat Institution, the story of whose -noble work we have followed, is supported solely -by voluntary contributions, and to our credit as a -nation be it said, that this admirable Society has never -appealed in vain for funds to carry on its work. To -the usual sources of revenue--annual subscriptions, -donations, and legacies--another has been recently -added, known as "Lifeboat Saturday." Originated in -Manchester in 1891 by Mr. C. W. Macara, it rapidly -spread from place to place, till now nearly every -important town, both maritime and inland, sets apart one -Saturday in each year to collect funds for this purpose. -A procession is organised and one or two fully manned -lifeboats are hauled through the streets, and where -there is water launched at a convenient place. The -presence of the boats and their crews never fails to -arouse the greatest enthusiasm. The object of this -movement is to further increase the funds of the -Institution, that they may be able not only to reward -the crews, but also in the event of loss of life, or -permanent injury to health, to compensate those and all -dependent on them for support. I have just been -informed by the Secretary of the Royal National -Lifeboat Institution that already this year (August 1894) -they have granted rewards for saving nearly 500 -lives. The lifeboatmen are all volunteers, and, as -we have seen, each time they go out on service they -literally take their lives in their hands. As the -President of the Board of Trade recently said: "I trust -the time will never come when the English public -will abdicate their duty and their highest privilege of -supporting such a noble Institution."]</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 21%" id="figure-190"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE END" src="images/img-160.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE END</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">PRINTED BY MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED, EDINBURGH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>STORIES OF THE LIFEBOAT</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42394"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42394</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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