fishermen's memorial and record book. 89 



The fact that out of a crew of twelve men belonging to the schooner 

 Helen Eliza, of Rockport, but one man was saved, awakened a 

 feeling of intense interest in this vicinity to learn the full particulars. 

 In an interview with Mr. Jordan, the survivor, we obtained the fol- 

 lowing thrilling incidents : — 



During the latter part of the forenoon of the 8th inst., the weather 

 looked threatening, and Capt. Millett concluded to run into Portland 

 harbor. The firet land made was Ram Island, about a mile outside 

 of "White Head. During the latter part of the afternoon a thick fog 

 set in, which was followed by a perfect deluge of rain, and the wind 

 increased until it blew a regular hurricane. Both anchors were let 

 go, but the cables parted, and the vessel was put under short sail. 

 The gale increased fearfully, and the jib was blown clean out of the 

 bolt-ropes. Saw Tortland Light, which they undertook to run for, 

 but were too far to the eastward to strike the channel. There was no 

 earthly help for them now ; with both anchors gone, the wind blowino- 

 a hurricane, and a tremendous sea running, there was but little doubt 

 that the vessel would go ashore at Peak's Island, and, in that event, 

 the chances of being saved, in such a dangerous locality, were slim 

 indeed. The prospect was a gloomy one, but the crew were undaunted, 

 and resolved to do their best. Capt. Millett stood at his post of 

 duty at the helm, to the very last moment, and in all probability 

 received his death-blow from the main boom. 



After running some twenty minutes, the thumping of the vessel's 

 bottom gave evidence that the critical time was near at hand. She 

 did not stop in her course, but kept moving. Jordan went into the 

 forecastle and stripped himself of everything but his shirt and pants 

 for the coming trial. He had hardly done so when the vessel struck 

 heavily, smashing in the bow, instantly killing five persons who were 

 with him. He immediately ran into the hold, when a tremendous 

 sea knocked off the deck and he was swept into the ragin"- waters. 

 With a coolness and presence of mind hardly creditable, he seemed, 

 as if by intuition, to at once realize his position, and, being an expert 

 swimmer, made for the wreck, which he reached, and clinging to it 

 regained his breath and got rested. Seeing an empty barrel floating 

 near, he let go his hold of the wreck, and was fortunate enough to 

 secure it. Placing his breast upon the head, be forced the empty 

 portion under water. This served as a great support, and with it he 

 attempted to effect a landing. 



The waves ran fearfully high, and as he was borne along he passed 

 Geo. W. Clark and Benjamin Lurvey, two of his shipmates, who were 



