THE WRECK OF THE "BENVENUE."
The ship _Benvenue_ 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.
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.
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.
[Illustration: A PERILOUS REFUGE.]
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.
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 _Benvenue_, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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,--
"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."
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.