Lifeboat service -- Great Britain; Rescues -- Great Britain; Shipwrecks -- Great Britain
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.
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.
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account