Friday, January 6, 2012

Schooner Sue Williams ~ 22 March 1890

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890:

March 22-26. Shortly after 8 o’clock in the evening of the first of these dates, and just as the north patrol from the Chicamicomico Station, (Sixth District) coast of North Carolina, and the south patrol from the New Inlet Station met at the outer limit of their respective beats, a large schooner was observed by them to emerge from the haze overhanging the ocean and strand a short distance down the beach. Both patrolmen hurried to a point abreast of the vessel, which was some four hundred yards off the shore and two miles from the first-mentioned station, burned several Coston signals, and then hastened away to procure the assistance of their respective crews. The keeper of the Chicamicomico Station telephoned the Gull Shoal Station of the disaster, after which he lost no time in proceeding to the scene with his men, taking the beach apparatus. The surfmen of the New Inlet Station started out with their surfboat, but, the wind being strong from the south-southwest and directly in their faces, progress was exceedingly slow, therefore the boat was soon abandoned and the men hastened down the beach with all speed, passed the schooner, and continued on to meet and assist the other crew. Their help proved effective, and all arrived abreast of the stranded vessel at half-past 9 o’clock. At the second shot, line communication was established with her. The first shot failed owing to the distance of the craft from the shore and the size of the line (No. 9) attached to the projectile. In hauling off the double whip it was fouled so badly by the strong current running up the beach that it could not be cleared from either end. A little delay was here occasioned in waiting for the surfboat, for which men had been dispatched when they were no longer needed for the apparatus cart, but when it arrived it was at once launched and pulled out far enough to disentangle the whip and to direct the people on the schooner how to proceed. The sea was too rough to permit a close approach to the vessel. The gear was soon in working order, and six sailors were landed, one at a time, by means of the breeches buoy. It was not half-past 3 o’clock in the morning of the 23d, and the rescued men were sent to the station. The captain and his two mates—there were nine, all told, in the crew—remained on board until about 7 o’clock, when, the sea having quieted sufficiently, the life-savers brought them ashore in the surfboat and conducted them to the station. The crew from the Gull Shoal Station reached the scene in time to render considerable assistance. No more trips could be made to the vessel that day, and the following morning the crews of the Chicamicomico and New Inlet Stations made two fruitless attempts to reach her. She was lying amongst the bar breakers off Loggerhead Inlet. Both life-saving crews were again on the scene early on the 25th, and three successful trips were made to the wreck. The clothing of the crew, some small articles of the vessel’s outfit, and two boats were landed. As nothing more could be done, the surfboat and such of the gear as was yet on the beach were taken to the station. On the 26th wreckers arrived, assumed charge of the craft, and, as it was seen that she could not be saved, began to strip her. The unfortunate vessel was the three-masted schooner Sue Williams, of and for Richmond, Virginia, with a cargo of phosphate rock from Charleston, South Carolina. In running up the coast the captain undoubtedly misjudged his distance off the shore in the squally, hazy weather; hence the disaster Vessel and cargo proved a total loss. The shipwrecked sailors were cared for at the Chicamicomico Station until the 28th, but the captain remained with the life-savers ten days. He gratefully acknowledged the services of the rescuers of himself and crew in the following letter to the assistant inspector of life-saving stations, Sixth District:

CHICAMICOMICO, NORTH CAROLINA, March 27, 1890

“DEAR SIR: I wish to convey to you my appreciation of the worth of the Life-Saving Service, as exemplified in the case of the schooner Sue Williams, stranded near the Chicamicomico Station on the evening of the 22d instant. It was less than an hour and a half from the time the patrol first signaled us until the life-savers arrived abreast of the schooner with their beach gear. At the second shot the projectile passed through the foresail, landing the line right across the deck. The gear was rigged, and six of my crew were landed before morning in the breeches buoy. In the meantime, however, the surfboat was launched and came within speaking distance of us, when she put back, it being too rough for her to come alongside. At daylight the boat, handled by L.B. Midgett, jr., keeper of the New Inlet Life-Saving Station, was pulled to the schooner and the three remaining members of her crew, together with such clothing as was handy at the time, were taken ashore. For these services I tender sincere thanks, both for myself and my crew. And for the kindness and attention we have received while at this station I cannot speak too highly, having had all, and more, done for us than was asked. In conclusion I must say that these men are a credit to the Life-Saving Service and should receive the thanks of the followers of the sea, as well as the commendation of you and others having in charge this branch of the Government service. Allow me to thank you, as well as them, for their efficient service. I am, sir, very truly yours, E.L. Pearce, Late Master of Schooner Sue Williams.”

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