Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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McCORMICK MESSENGER, McCORMICK, S. C.. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1937 ADVENTURERS’ CLUB HEADLINES FROM THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF! « Claws of the Coast’ 9 * By FLOYD GIBBONS Famous Headline Hunter H ello everybody: Wireless Operator Barney Murphy of Richmond Hill, N. Y., brings us today the first yarn I’ve seen about the wreck of the Ill-fated Red Cross liner Florizel off Cape Race, Newfoundland, in 1918. And. the tale of that wreck is a grim and tragic story. It was on the night of February 23 that the Florizel poked her nose out of the harbor at St. Johns, Newfoundland, into a screeching gale. At one-thirty a. m., when Barney took his watch in the wire less room, she was all but looping the loop in the mountainous seas. She pitched and tossed, and hit floating ice cakes with loud, resound ing thumps. But at 4:50 a. m. there came a heavier thump thafi usual and a seaman burst into the wireless shack shouting, “Captain says send S O S.“ Barney had hardly thrown the switch when Carter, Ids senior operator, burst into the room with two life belts. He threw one to Barney, crying, “Here, take this, Murph. Go get our position from the captain.” Barney turned the radio key over to Carter and started out, feeling his way along the deck. The ship had run on the rocks ten miles off Cape Race and the jagged points had gone clear through her hull. Her bow stuck clear of the raging sea, but her stern was under water clear up to the stack. Barney got the ship’s position from the captain and took it back to Carter. Carter barely had time to tap out his message a couple of times when the seas carried away the topmast—and the wireless an tennae along with it. They abandoned the useless instruments, wen* outside and hung on the rail on the lee side. Took Refuge in Wireless Shack. “About eight of us were hanging there,” says Barney, “while ths heavy seas came tumbling over the top of the wireless room, drenching us with icy water. One man, trying to cross the hatchway to shelter on the bridge was washed overboard almost immediately. We had left the wireless shack because we feared it might be carried away by the heavy seas, but the frequent icy drenchings convinced us it would be better to take a chance and go back in. Soon the room was filled to rapacity with straggling survivors. Everything movable was thrown out to make room for them. The vessel quivered violently at ev*»ry wave, and water poured in through a ventilator in the roof. “We had a few blankets in the room and we spread them over everyone they would cover. One unfortunate man was wedged in directly under the gaping ventilator hole, and he finally lost eonseiousness under the icy deluge from above—and died there. Reluctantly we moved his body outside to make room for some one else.” Twelve Hours of Agonized Waiting. Over the howling of the gale they could hear cries, but couldn’t get through the pounding seas on the deck to go to the rescue. The second mate arrived in the wireless room, his face lacerated and his teeth knocked out, crying that the bridge and smoking room had been washed away carrying sixty-five people to their deaths. Everything on the sleeks had gone by that time but the wireless shack and the smokestack, and no one knew when they would go too. They didn’t even know if their SOS signals had been heard. They waited in that cramped little room for TWELVE HOURS, drenched to the skin, without food or water. It was late afternoon before they saw ships approaching from far off, and darkness had fallen before they arrived on the scene. The first ship to reach them was the S. S. Pros- pero, and they signaled to her with a flashlight while the Prospero an swered with long and short blasts on its whistle. All through the night one ship after another tried to launch life boats. They were battered to pieces by the seas the minute they hit the water. At last the Prospero’s whistle signaled that nothing could be done till daylight. But with the first streak of dawn / the volunteer Newfoundland seaman who manned the rescue ships lowered their dories in the still violent sea. Gallant Work of Newfoundlanders. Says Barney: .“The first dory reached us after a battle which only a Newfoundlander knows how to fight in an open boat. They threw a line aboard and scooted off hanging onto the end of it. ' That line helped the other dories to hold a . steady course to us, and as each one arrived, bobbing up and down alongside, the survivors had to slide down the icy deck, now bereft of rails, and make a hit-or-miss leap into the boat below. “In twos and threes we all finally landed aboard. Some of us got eold baths when we leaped for dories and missed, but we were fished out. I was taken aboard a whaling ship that was standing by, and I had to be undressed by the sailors for my hands were so numb with the cold that I couldn’t use them. I went right to sleep and landed in St. Johns in about six hours, none the worse for the experience except that all my clothes, and everything else I owned were lost.” Only Forty-Six Survived the Tragedy. But even so, Barney was running in luck. The final roll call showed that NINETY-TWO PEOPLE WERE LOST in the wreck. Only forty- six out of the original hundred and thir^-eight were saved. The gen eral manager of the steamship line and his daughter were among the missing. The chief steward, when last seen, had been carrying a child in his arms, trying to get it to safety. Both of them were washed over board. Two Spanish firemen sought refuge on a grating in the fiddley, a room where the ashes are hauled up from the fireroom. Those two poor fellows, scantily clothed and coming up from the hot boiler room, gradually froze to death and tumbled back down into the ash pit. And s woman passenger, dragging a sea-sick friend out of her stateroom, got her on deck only to see her torn from her arms and washed overboard. And those are just a few tragic incidents out of the ninety-two that occurred that dreadful night of February 24, out, on the Newfoundland coast. “When it was all over,” says Barney, “the water was full of the dead and a good sturdy ship was being beaten to pieces on the rocks. The Graveyard of the Atlantic had once more lived up to its name. And Newfoundland had once more proved what stuff her sons are made of.” ©—WNU Service. World’s Oldest Pier Pleasure piers were an invention nf the Nineteenth century. The old est in the world is probably that at Ryde, Isle of Wight, which was built by a private company in 1812, ac cording to Pearson’s London Week ly. Southend’s remarkable pier bolds the record for length. Black pool was also a pioneer in the mat ter of piers, and the famous North Pier was opened on Whit Monday, 1863. The venture met with such success that two others were built st the same resort. The North Pier iras the first to be illuminated by electricity, and it is one of the grandest and most spectacular in Europe. Piers are costly to build as well as to maintain. Brighton’s West Pier, opened in 1866, cost 35,- D00 pounds, but its pavilion was not added until 30 years later. The pier at Southport, built more than forty fears ago, cost over 100,000 pounds. This was the first pleasure pier in the world to be constructed entirely »f iron, and it stretches nearly a mile out to sea—second in length anly to the pier at Southend. Among Famous Hymns “Lead, Kindly Light” was written by Newman nearly 100 years ago, when he was on his way home from Rome. The boat on which he was traveling was becalmed for a whole week and it was during that time he penned his famous lines. Few hymns are more popular than Top- lady’s “Rock of Ages.” One day the young curate was overtaken by a heavy thunderstorm in Barrington Coombe, and seeking shelter under the massive rock was inspired to write these beautiful words. “Abide With Me” was written in Devon by Henry Lyte, the beloved pastor of the fisher folk of Lower Brixham. A dying man, he wrote the words as the summer sun was setting one September evening. Tradition says that Wesley was inspired to write “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.” by a dove, which was driven to the shel ter of his bosom in a pitiless storm. Cecil Alexander’s hymn, “There Is a Green Hill,” was written amid the green hills of Ireland.—Pear son’s London Weekly. 'Way Back When By JEANNE GARBO LATHERED FACES IN A BARBER SHOP TF YOU had walked into a certain A Stockholm barber shop 'way back in 1920, you would have seen wistfu little Greta Garbo working up a lather and preparing hot towels for stubbly faces as she assisted the local barber. Later, in Bergstrom’s department store, you might have taken a second look at the pretty little clerk who sold you a hat. But if someone had told you she would one day be world famous in pictures for her portrayals of romance, pas sion and ecstasy, it would have seemed too fantastic to believe. Greta Garbo was born in 1905 in the mill district of Stockholm. Her father was a poor machinist, and her mother an uneducated farm woman. The mysterious airs and aloofness of the great Garbo of to day are natural, for they were traits of the sensitive little daughter of this poor family. Her father died when she was fourteen and she went to work in the department store to help support her penniless mother, her small brother and sister. The manager of the millinery depart ment chose her to model hats and, through publication of photographs made then, she was given a chance in motion pictures. Her rise to fame was rapid, and the little lather girl of Stockholm became the greatest example of modern motion picture publicity. One of her very first pictures was awarded the Nobel prize, and she received the medal of the New York Film Critics for her performance in “Anna Karenina.” Men fought duels over her, and famous direc tors, writers and actors have sought her favor. So, think twice before you laugh at that neighbor’s child with the theatrical ambitions. The great Garbo was once a lather girl! • • • MOTOR BOAT KING WAS A CATTLE HERDER S ometimes i think we place too much emphasis on the stigma of failure. A man may fail at one thing after another that he at tempts, but he is never a failure himself until he quits. Many a for tune has been built upon past mis takes. Gar Wood’s father had a viewpoint something like that, and he instilled into his children the be lief that even though they failed in an endeavor, they had fun in try ing it. Gar Wood was bom in Mapleton, Iowa, in 1872, one of 13 children. All of the children had to earn mon ey early to help make expenses, and Gar had little formal school ing. When only a boy. Gar worked as a cattle herder for one dollar a day. He loved boats and enjoyed constructing mechanically run mod els from clock parts. At the age of thirteen, his unusual knowledge of boats run by motors got him a job in Duluth on one of the first gasoline craft to dock there. As automobiles became popular, Gar Wood was hired to sell them. He obtained one odd job after an other. He was a teacher of elec tricity and gasoline motors in a night class. He ran a garage for awhile in St. Paul. One thing after another he tried, and failed to ad vance. A less philosophical man, a less courageous man might have become stagnant. But not Gar Wood. His mind was ever alert to new opportunities in mechanics. Then he perfected a hydraulic hoist for trucks, risked the family’s sav ings in constructing a model, and became wealthy almost overnight. Suppose this man had been fs utterly stricken with shame as some of us think we might be, when he failed in his first attempts to make a successful living. He prob ably never would have had the cour age to risk all the money he had saved for the model of an invention sthers told him was impractical. —WNU Service. •m ""'improved a UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL UNDAYI chool Lesson O' By REV. HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST. Dean of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. © Western Newspaper Union. Lesson for September 12 A NATION NEEDS RELIGIOUS HOMES. LESSON TEXT — Deuteronomy 6:4, 8; 11:18-25. GOLDEN TEXT—Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old. he will not depart from it. Prov. 22:6. PRIMARY TOPIC—At Our House. JUNIOR TOPIC—At Our House. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC —What Makes a Home Christian? YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC— The Influence of ChrisUan Homes in a Na tion’s Life. Home! The very word stirs our hearts and quickens the most pre cious of memories. Toward its com forting threshold turns the one who has borne the heat and the labor of the day. Within its portals are those who gladly give themselves in sac rificial service that it may indeed be a haven of rest and comfort. The inroads of modern life and of our so-called civilization are do ing much to break down home life. All too frequently home has be come the place to which one goes when there is nowhere else to go; a place to sleep, and sometimes to eat; an address for mail; a tele phone number. Shall we then abandon the effort really to maintain a true home—one that is in touch with God, and there fore ready to serve man? No; for now as never before we need the influence of a home life empowered by the worship of the true God and guided by his Word. None of us, who are engaged in the determined effort to maintain such a home in the midst of the driving intensity of present day living, speaks too easily on this subject. We know the diffi culties; we have heavy-heartedly tasted failure; but we also know the sweetness of victory. By God’s grace we press on. In his dealings with Israel God presents to us an example of what a godly home may be, and what it will accomplish for the commu nity and for the nation. Such a home— I. Worships the True God (w. 4,5). This is “the first and great com mandment” of the law, according to our Lord Jesus. (Matt. 22:36,37.) It is an important part of the Scrip ture repeated twice daily by all or thodox Jews. In its context, in Deu teronomy 6, it is clearly associated with the home. It is there that he who is the “one Lord” is to be loved, which means far more than that he is vaguely recognized or distantly respected. II. Honors God’s Word (w. 18,19). Loving God and his Word is not a matter for theological speculation or for sanctimonious discussion in some dark cloister. Thank God the Christian faith is at its best in the ordinary affairs of life. It finds its proper place in the tender rela tionship of parent and child. Its teachings are pure, delightful, sim ple, and entirely appropriate to any occasion, whether one sits or rises, walks, or lies down. God’s words are the words to be laid up in the heart and in the soul, to be taught to our children, to be the constant and normal subject of conversation. III. Testifies to the Community (w. 20, 21). We may not, as did the pious Jew, fasten a little container bear ing God’s word on our doorpost, but we may make the home itself and the life of its inhabitants an effective testimony ^r God before our neigh bors. It is obvious that the home either speaks for or against God. A profession of faith in him, an outward reputation for adherence to religious principles which does not vitally touch our dealings with one another and with the community in which we live—these clearly testify not for God but against him. IV. Serves the Nation (w. 22-25). God promised that if Israel dili gently kept his commandments, loved him and walked in his ways, they would be a nation that would overcome and dispossess their ene mies, and prosper in every good purpose. Statesmen clearly see that the home is the unit of society. It was established upon the earth before the nation, in fact, before the church. No nation can ever really prosper without homes of the high est type. But a house without God is not really a home, even though it stand in the midst of a garden. Neither the school teacher, nor the pastor of a church can take the place of a God-fearing father, and of a mother who not only knows God but who can tenderly lead the steps of trust ing childhood in the paths of right eousness. Our lesson title is right: A Nation Needs Religious Homes,” or, better, “America Needs Chris tian Homes.” Faith that Overcometh There is no more enviable condi tion than that of him who has made the pressure of adverse things tha means of a deep faith. A Divine Mission Know that life is a divine mission, for which you have received and shall receive divine power. Three Maids A-Sewing Go T ITTLE lady, it’s time to say adieu, so long, good-by to that flimsy but faithful friend—your summer wardrobe. But don’t fret, Milady, Sew-Your-Own is right on the job with sparkling new fash ions for you; fashions that will make you forget the past and be remembered in the future. So let’s not tarry: let’s choose the style that’s got the most sock for our particular figure and join this group that’s going a-sewing! Stadium Model. Picture yourself in the trim- waisted little model at the left, if you would have an optimistic viewpoint and a head start on style this season. There’s nothing younger than this topper with its dainty collar and cuffs, its snappy row of buttons and fetching pep- lum. The way it takes to the weightier fall fabrics is news, and equally intriguing is this fact: it’s easy to sew! Young ’n ’Pretty. Long slender lines of the prin cess variety make this the lucky number for your first autumn days. Of course you see it’s a style to cut in at least two fab rics because it boasts utility plus beauty. If you’re going to school you’ll want it in acetate jersey or light-weight wool. Neat con trast is here, too, if you wish, in D REPARE a huge crock of apple sauce and your efforts will be well rewarded for this delicious concoction never fails to appeal to jaded appetites. Apple sauce is also the basis for any number of easily prepared desserts that have definite palate appeal during the summer months. Apple Sauce. 1 dozen apples IV2 cups apple cider Granulated sugar to taste 1 teaspoonful lemon juice 1 tablespoonful butter Pinch salt Wash, core and cut up apples. Put them in a saucepan with the cider and cook until tender enough to rub through a sieve. Mixture should be thick. Stir in the re maining ingredients. Pour into a bowl. Garnish with a light driz zling of cinnamon. Serve hot or cold as desired. the collar, pocket flaps and but tons. (This is a simple eight-piece pattern.) A Lift for You. There’s much ado about bodices this fall and unless you have a frock that carries a stylish one you won’t feel right. Sew-Your- Own caters to this vogue in its new creation at the right. It is pencil slim and carefully styled to give you that chic young sil houette that distinguishes the lady of fashion. Make this handsome model of silk crepe, sheer wool or jersey and be fit for business or pleasure in town or country. The Patterns. Pattern 1376 is designed fot sizes 12 to 20 (30 to 40 bust). Size 14 requires 4^ yards of 35-inch material. Pattern 1347 is designed for sizes 14 to 20 (32 to 42 bust). Size 16 requires 4% yards of 35 or 39- inch material. With long sleeves 5% yards plus % yard contrasting. Pattern 1258 is designed for sizes 12 to 20 (30 to 38 bust). Size 14 requires 4 yards of 39-inch ma terial, with long sleeves, plus 4*4 yards of braid to finish as pic tured. Send your order to The Sewing Circle Pattern Dept., Room 1020, 211 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, 111. Price of patterns, 15 cents (in coins) each. © Bell Syndicate.—WNU Service. • 1 Do something about Periodic Pains Take Cardul for functional pains of menstruation. Thousands of wom en testify it has helped them. If Cardul doesn’t relieve your monthly discomfort, consult a physician.’ Don;t just go on suffering and put off treatment to prevent the trouble. Besides easing certain pains. Car- dui aids in building up the whole system by helping women to get more strength from their food. Cardul Is a purely vegetable medicine which you can buy at the drug store and take at home. Pronotmced “Card-u-L** Ask For BLUE STEEL OVERALLS “Big and Strong* CHEW LONG BILL NAVY TOBACCO LIFE’S LIKE THAT By Fred Neher. A Mother’s Love No language can express thm power and beauty and heroism and majesty of a mother’s love, it, ... “Hey, Doe, I’m sendin’ ya a customer ... I just dropped my wrench!”