第 34 节
作者:闪啊闪      更新:2024-08-29 08:48      字数:9322
  quarter to eleven her stern took the reef; her hand swung to
  starboard; and she began to fill and settle。  Many lives of brave
  men were sacrificed in the attempt to get a line ashore; the
  captain; exhausted by his exertions; was swept from deck by a sea;
  and the rail being soon awash; the survivors took refuge in the
  tops。
  Out of thirteen that had lain there the day before; there were now
  but two ships afloat in Apia harbour; and one of these was doomed
  to be the bane of the other。  About 3 P。M。 the TRENTON parted one
  cable; and shortly after a second。  It was sought to keep her head
  to wind with storm…sails and by the ingenious expedient of filling
  the rigging with seamen; but in the fury of the gale; and in that
  sea; perturbed alike by the gigantic billows and the volleying
  discharges of the rivers; the rudderless ship drove down stern
  foremost into the inner basin; ranging; plunging; and striking like
  a frightened horse; drifting on destruction for herself and
  bringing it to others。  Twice the OLGA (still well under command)
  avoided her impact by the skilful use of helm and engines。  But
  about four the vigilance of the Germans was deceived; and the ships
  collided; the OLGA cutting into the TRENTON'S quarters; first from
  one side; then from the other; and losing at the same time two of
  her own cables。  Captain von Ehrhardt instantly slipped the
  remainder of his moorings; and setting fore and aft canvas; and
  going full steam ahead; succeeded in beaching his ship in Matautu;
  whither Knappe; recalled by this new disaster; had returned。  The
  berth was perhaps the best in the harbour; and von Ehrhardt
  signalled that ship and crew were in security。
  The TRENTON; guided apparently by an under…tow or eddy from the
  discharge of the Vaisingano; followed in the course of the NIPSIC
  and VANDALIA; and skirted south…eastward along the front of the
  shore reef; which her keel was at times almost touching。  Hitherto
  she had brought disaster to her foes; now she was bringing it to
  friends。  She had already proved the ruin of the OLGA; the one ship
  that had rid out the hurricane in safety; now she beheld across her
  course the submerged VANDALIA; the tops filled with exhausted
  seamen。  Happily the approach of the TRENTON was gradual; and the
  time employed to advantage。  Rockets and lines were thrown into the
  tops of the friendly wreck; the approach of danger was transformed
  into a means of safety; and before the ships struck; the men from
  the VANDALIA'S main and mizzen masts; which went immediately by the
  board in the collision; were already mustered on the TRENTON'S
  decks。  Those from the foremast were next rescued; and the flagship
  settled gradually into a position alongside her neighbour; against
  which she beat all night with violence。  Out of the crew of the
  VANDALIA forty…three had perished; of the four hundred and fifty on
  board the TRENTON; only one。
  The night of the 16th was still notable for a howling tempest and
  extraordinary floods of rain。  It was feared the wreck could scarce
  continue to endure the breaching of the seas; among the Germans;
  the fate of those on board the ADLER awoke keen anxiety; and
  Knappe; on the beach of Matautu; and the other officers of his
  consulate on that of Matafele; watched all night。  The morning of
  the 17th displayed a scene of devastation rarely equalled:  the
  ADLER high and dry; the OLGA and NIPSIC beached; the TRENTON partly
  piled on the VANDALIA and herself sunk to the gun…deck; no sail
  afloat; and the beach heaped high with the DEBRIS of ships and the
  wreck of mountain forests。  Already; before the day; Seumanu; the
  chief of Apia; had gallantly ventured forth by boat through the
  subsiding fury of the seas; and had succeeded in communicating with
  the admiral; already; or as soon after as the dawn permitted;
  rescue lines were rigged; and the survivors were with difficulty
  and danger begun to be brought to shore。  And soon the cheerful
  spirit of the admiral added a new feature to the scene。  Surrounded
  as he was by the crews of two wrecked ships; he paraded the band of
  the TRENTON; and the bay was suddenly enlivened with the strains of
  〃Hail Columbia。〃
  During a great part of the day the work of rescue was continued;
  with many instances of courage and devotion; and for a long time
  succeeding; the almost inexhaustible harvest of the beach was to be
  reaped。  In the first employment; the Samoans earned the gratitude
  of friend and foe; in the second; they surprised all by an
  unexpected virtue; that of honesty。  The greatness of the disaster;
  and the magnitude of the treasure now rolling at their feet; may
  perhaps have roused in their bosoms an emotion too serious for the
  rule of greed; or perhaps that greed was for the moment satiated。
  Sails that twelve strong Samoans could scarce drag from the water;
  great guns (one of which was rolled by the sea on the body of a
  man; the only native slain in all the hurricane); an infinite
  wealth of rope and wood; of tools and weapons; tossed upon the
  beach。  Yet I have never heard that much was stolen; and beyond
  question; much was very honestly returned。  On both accounts; for
  the saving of life and the restoration of property; the government
  of the United States showed themselves generous in reward。  A fine
  boat was fitly presented to Seumanu; and rings; watches; and money
  were lavished on all who had assisted。  The Germans also gave money
  at the rate (as I receive the tale) of three dollars a head for
  every German saved。  The obligation was in this instance
  incommensurably deep; those with whom they were at war had saved
  the German blue…jackets at the venture of their lives; Knappe was;
  besides; far from ungenerous; and I can only explain the niggard
  figure by supposing it was paid from his own pocket。  In one case;
  at least; it was refused。  〃I have saved three Germans;〃 said the
  rescuer; 〃I will make you a present of the three。〃
  The crews of the American and German squadrons were now cast; still
  in a bellicose temper; together on the beach。  The discipline of
  the Americans was notoriously loose; the crew of the NIPSIC had
  earned a character for lawlessness in other ports; and recourse was
  had to stringent and indeed extraordinary measures。  The town was
  divided in two camps; to which the different nationalities were
  confined。  Kimberley had his quarter sentinelled and patrolled。
  Any seaman disregarding a challenge was to be shot dead; any
  tavern…keeper who sold spirits to an American sailor was to have
  his tavern broken and his stock destroyed。  Many of the publicans
  were German; and Knappe; having narrated these rigorous but
  necessary dispositions; wonders (grinning to himself over his
  despatch) how far these Americans will go in their assumption of
  jurisdiction over Germans。  Such as they were; the measures were
  successful。  The incongruous mass of castaways was kept in peace;
  and at last shipped in peace out of the islands。
  Kane returned to Apia on the 19th; to find the CALLIOPE the sole
  survivor of thirteen sail。  He thanked his men; and in particular
  the engineers; in a speech of unusual feeling and beauty; of which
  one who was present remarked to another; as they left the ship;
  〃This has been a means of grace。〃  Nor did he forget to thank and
  compliment the admiral; and I cannot deny myself the pleasure of
  transcribing from Kimberley's reply some generous and engaging
  words。  〃My dear captain;〃 he wrote; 〃your kind note received。  You
  went out splendidly; and we all felt from our hearts for you; and
  our cheers came with sincerity and admiration for the able manner
  in which you handled your ship。  We could not have been gladder if
  it had been one of our ships; for in a time like that I can truly
  say with old Admiral Josiah Latnall; 'that blood is thicker than
  water。'〃  One more trait will serve to build up the image of this
  typical sea…officer。  A tiny schooner; the EQUATOR; Captain Edwin
  Reid; dear to myself from the memories of a six months' cruise;
  lived out upon the high seas the fury of that tempest which had
  piled with wrecks the harbour of Apia; found a refuge in Pango…
  Pango; and arrived at last in the desolated port with a welcome and
  lucrative cargo of pigs。  The admiral was glad to have the pigs;
  but what most delighted the man's noble and childish soul; was to
  see once more afloat the colours of his country。
  Thus; in what seemed the very article of war; and within the
  duration of a single day; the sword…arm of each of the two angry
  Powers was broken; their formidable ships reduced to junk; their
  disciplined hundreds to a horde of castaways; fed with difficulty;
  and the fear of whose misconduct marred the sleep of their
  commanders。  Both paused aghast; both had time to recognise that
  not the whole Samo