Notes by the Way in A Sailors Life | Page 8

the same way, - the cutter, containing Captain
Knights and the crew from the "Northfleet" being then hooked on and
run up without accident.
It may be mentioned that the "Northfleet" was the ill-fated vessel which
some years afterwards was run down, while at anchor under Dungeness,
by the Spanish steamer "Murillo," when over three hundred lives were
lost.

Presentation of a Telescope by the British Government.

In the early part of the year 1859 I received a letter from the Board of
Trade, notifying me that the British Government had been pleased to
award me a telescope in acknowledgment of my service in rescuing the
master and crew of the brig "Hebe," and requesting me to write a
statement, of what took place before and after the rescue, and hand it to

the President of the Local Marine Board, on a day named, and to be
then presented with a telescope.
I appeared at the place and time appointed, and the President rose from
his seat and read my statement to the gentlemen of the Board. He then
asked me if I had rendered any previous service to British or foreign
subjects in distress; if so, had I received any reward or remuneration for
the same. If not, then the Board would make application and obtain
whatever might be due for such service. Or, did I wish for any further
reward for the present service from any Society in Great Britain,
application should be made.
I replied that I had not rendered any previous service to any others in
distress, and that what I had done on this occasion was voluntary and
spontaneous, without thought of reward. I considered it only as a duty
to my fellow-man; and since the Government had been pleased to
acknowledge the service, I was truly grateful. I was then complimented
by the gentlemen of the Board, and was presented with the telescope.
The inscription on it is my greatest pride to this day, as is also the
honorary testimonial, stamped on my Government certificate of
competency by the recommendation of the Local Marine Board.
To the President and Gentleman of the Local Marine Board, London.
In latitude 48° 30' N., longitude 12° 20' E., on the morning of the 13th
of November, 1858, at 7 A. M., it being then just break of day, I saw
the brig "Hebe" about three miles on our lee-bow, having the signal of
distress flying. I immediately reported it to Captain Freeman, who
came on deck and gave orders to bear down upon her and see what was
wanted. When near enough we hove to and hailed the brig, asking what
they were in want of, and they answered, saying "For God's sake, send
us a boat, as we are sinking." Captain Freeman then asked if they
wanted to abandon their vessel, and they repeated their supplications,
every one on board appearing to be in the greatest mental distress,
making signs that their vessel was going down. The men were working
vigorously at the pumps at imminent risk of being washed overboard,
as the sea was breaking completely over them.
It was now 8 o'clock, and Captain Freeman gave orders for all hands to
remain on deck and to clear away the cutter. I then got into the boat and
asked who would go with me, when I got several volunteers, out of
whom I took five, - viz., Burland, Hill, Hendrickson, Hansen, and

Cummins. The boat was lowered very successfully, when we got clear
of the ship. The brig was about a quarter of a mile astern. Heading for
the ship, I pulled alongside and told them to give me a good line over
their quarter, long enough to veer and haul upon. I told the captain of
the brig to get his log-book and chronometer, with a few of his own
personal effects, but I would not take either bed or bag belonging to
any one. I then told them to stand by and to jump in their turns, one by
one, as I should direct. We then hauled the boat up with her bow
alongside the brig's quarter, taking care lest the stem of the boat should
get knocked out, getting one of them off at a time, dropping clear while
the heavy seas passed, then hauling up again. In this manner we
succeeded in getting them off, nine in all, in about forty minutes,
making them lie in the bottom of the boat as ballast till it was covered.
We then pulled to the ship. When we reached her, they had a block at
the spanker-boom-end, with a single line rove and bowline, into which
the men got and were hoisted one by one on deck. After they were all
up, I sent