University of Virginia Library

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86

THE FISHERMEN.

[To record a sympathy in the well-earned gratitude owned by all to Lieutenant Dooley and his brave crew, is the best apology at hand for taking this long hold of the “Herald.” I don't know Lieutenant Dooley, nor any other lieutenant, but I know there is more good in saving one fisherman than in sinking seven ships—barring the glory thereof.

We had the gratification, on Thursday afternoon, of witnessing one of the most affecting scenes that a person could have much chance of encountering in the course of a long life. It was no less than the meeting of fifty-three fishermen, whose lives had for a time been despaired of by their rejoicing relatives. It was a scene that no philanthropist should have lost, and one that none who witnessed it will be ready to forget.

About four o'clock on the morning of New-year's day, the boats belonging to this port put out to sea, trusting to the appearance of the weather. A part remained inshore, while nine of them made for the deep-water fishing. About six o'clock the moon set in a thick lowering bank in the north-west. The portentous omen was read aright by the fishermen, who, putting “up helm,” rowed with might and main for the shore. The boats near the coast succeeded in reaching it; but the others were taken by the hurricane eight miles from land, and although they struggled on with stout hearts and willing hands, the wind, waves, and blinding snow were all against them, and, instead of making any headway, they drifted before the tempest.

The wives and children, fathers and mothers of the missing fishermen, looked upon themselves as bereaved of their only earthly support, and the objects of their fondest affection. Of some families there were three, of others four, amissing; and the greater part were more or less connected with one another. To almost every house the touching language of the prophet might have been applied—“There was a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they were not.” Through Monday night and Tuesday, this dreadful suspense continued; and eagerly was the post of Wednesday morning waited for, as the ultimatum that should extinguish the little remnant of hope that was clung to by the unhappy community, or bring the anxiously prayed for news of the safety of their friends. The preservation of all was scarcely to be looked for, but their fondest hopes were more than realized. Intelligence came that all were safe; and when the glad tidings were carried to Footdee, the sudden revulsion from the extremity of sorrow to that of joy was evinced by the warmest transports, after a thousand fashions. Some poured forth warm, heartfelt thanks, some weeped, some danced, some sang; but one feeling animated all—the deepest, purest, and most intense joy that can fall upon the heart of man.

The fishermen, after struggling for hours against the tempest, lost all hope of outliving it. Their boats were fast filling with water, and becoming entirely unmanageable; and, even had there been any possibility of working them, the poor men, with a few exceptions, were unable to stir themselves; they had become completely exhausted, and so benumbed with the piercing cold, as to be incapable of handling their oars. Death, in two forms, was staring them in the face, certain in the one or other. There was help at hand, however, when least expected. The Greyhound cutter on this station, commanded by Lieutenant Dooley, while running before the wind, came in sight of the boats about eleven o'clock, off Findonness, and bore up to them. The greatest difficulty existed in taking the men from their frail crafts. Some of them were old and feeble, and in such a state, from wet and exposure, that made it necesary, as seamen say, to “parbuncle” them; while the storm had risen to such a height that the mainsail of the cutter was carried away, and her work of mercy in some measure retarded. A try-sail was, however, soon hoisted in its place, and after an hour or two, the whole of the poor men were stowed away in warm berths or dry clothing, and all their wants most kindly attended to by the warm-hearted commander and his gallant crew. Nor did their endeavours cease with the preservation of the lives of the fishermen; every attempt was made to save their property likewise. The boats were all made fast astern by a five-inch hawser, but the increasing storm dashed them one by one against another, stove them in, and soon rendered it necessary to set them adrift. The cutter then made for the Firth of Forth, and the whole of the fishermen were landed at Leither.

At four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, the whole of the fishermen reached their homes, when the scene was the most touching that could be imagined. About six or seven hundred in all were present—young and old—men, women, and children.— Aberdeen Herald. ]

LINES SUGGESTED BY THE ABOVE DISASTER.