FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



27 



by, Lee would not return to the vessel until he had finished hauling the 

 trawl, thus accomplishing the task he started out to do. 



The above is one of the many instances that might be mentioned to show 

 that some men seem endowed with a luck all their own in escaping from 

 perilous positions when their companions, apparently in no worse a scrape, 

 have lost their lives. This is largely due, to be sure, to their indomitable ' 

 pluck and perseverance in efforts to save their lives so long as a breath 

 remains, and a presence of mind that enables them to make the most of any 

 fortunate circumstance. 



LOSS OF THE FOREST BELLE. 



The schooner Forest Belle was lost on her first trip to the Grand Bank in 

 the latter part of 1868, and was supposed to have foundered in a furious 

 tornado that swept the western Atlantic in December of that year. She was 

 commanded by Capt. Moses M. Welch, a young man of great promise, who 

 was so much esteemed by those of his own profession that several of his 

 crew were skippers, who, having hauled up their own vessels, chose to make 

 this trip to the Bank with him. In every sense the crew was an excellent 

 one, and the vessel was considered one of the finest that ever sailed from 

 Gloucester. The following comprised the crew : Robert M. Collins, Daniel 

 Luf kin, Randall McLellan, Arthur Ulmer, Sylvanus Gott, Geo. Bartlett, Geo. 

 Kane, John A. Kelly, James McDonald, Wm. Hickman and Wm. B. Rowe. 



Come, all you hardy fishermen. 



Who winter fishing go ; 

 "Who face those northern wintry blasts — 



Fierce storms of hail and snow — 

 Pause here awhile and listen. 



While a dreadful tale I tell 

 Of a winter gale and the sad, sad loss 



Of the schooner Forest Belle. 



A finer vessel ne'er was launched, 



Or o'er the wild waves flew ; 

 And braver hearts were never known 



Than those of her hardy crew. 

 Twelve sturdy men in prime of life, 



Daring winter gale and storm. 

 Left tender wives and mothers dear 



To watch for their return. 



'Twas in the Fall of sixty-eight, 



J^^ovember, the nineteenth day, 

 These fearless men, with a nor'west gale, 



From Cape Ann bore away : 

 Bound away unto the Grand Bank, 



O'er the white-capped waves they fly ; 

 Ah ! little dreamed those seaman bold 



That so soon they all must die. 



With tender words and fond caress 



They parted from those dear. 

 " Cheer up," said they, " we'll soon be back, 



If God our lives doth spare." 

 With aching hearts wives, mothers, weep — 



For none can tell the tale 

 Of the Belle's sad fate, but all suppose 



She foundered in a gale. 



What those daring men did suffer 



No one will ever know. 

 Upon that wild and wintry sea. 



When howling winds did blow. 

 The raging waves engulfed their bark — 



;N"o hand was there to save 

 That little band of gallant men 



From a cold and watery grave. 



God bless the mourning friends they've left. 



And comfort those who weep 

 For husbands, sons and brothers dear, 



JsTow buried in the deep. 

 Though parted from their loved ones here, 



There is a brighter shore, 

 Where they may meet them once again* 



There partings are no more 



