348 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



fervent thanks for their deliverance. It was a touching 

 sight, and it was surely a remarkable escape from 

 death. Each of the eight men who assisted in rescuing 

 this crew was awarded a medal. 



In the month of April, 1880, there was a terrible 

 gale of wind, and thirty-eight vessels were in sight 

 from the Tower. Some of these vessels went ashore 

 within the " chord of the bay," some sunk, others went 

 to pieces at the south of the island, still others passed 

 the island to founder on some of its shoals. Thomas 

 F. Sandsbury, of Tuckernuck, was in town at the time, 

 and succeeded after great effort in having his boat 

 transported to the west end of the island, where he 

 with others embarked, and succeeded in reaching 

 Tuckernuck in safety. This boat's crew were influential 

 in saving many lives on that awful day, and as will 

 be seen farther on, were rewarded for their efforts. 

 Many other anecdotes might be related, but lack of 

 space forbids. 



As a general thing, when vessels are wrecked, the 

 captains stand by them and are the last to leave. 

 There are, however, exceptional cases, as the follow- 

 ing anecdote will show : — 



In February, 1881, the bark " Hazard" struck off to 

 the south of Nantucket. The captain with three of his 

 crew took one of the boats, and reached Nantucket 

 safely; he was kindly cared for, and every assistance 

 rendered him. This captain then went to Boston, and 

 sent from there an article to the effect that our people 

 did not heed his signals, or do their duty by him and 

 his crew. Be it remembered that this fault-finding 

 captain left, on a raft, three of his men to perish, and 



