Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard.
Preparing to Blow Up a Derelict.
The Northwestern was pitching terribly. She was heavily loaded with a cargo of crude oil, and as she swung to the squalls, the sea breached her completely and continuously. Only her high bow, poop, and pilot-house were out of the water for any length of time. The big steamer was tearing viciously at her anchors and it was amazing that they held. The long scope of chain, however, was probably her salvation.
As darkness came on, the captain of the Miami called the first lieutenant.
"Mr. Keelson," he said, "I think we'd better get a line to the steamer."
"Very well, sir," the other answered.
"If we're going to take her in tow," said Eric to Homer, overhearing the order, "we're apt to get our stern works pulled out of us. She's pitching like all billy-o!"
"We'll make it if the skipper says so," his friend said cheerfully.
It was then nearly half past four o'clock, and fortunately there was just a slight lull in the storm. Swinging across the Northwestern's bow the gunner shot a line into her rigging. The steamer's crew were on the alert—they had good men aboard that craft—and tailed on to the line. The Miami forged ahead and dropped anchor with sixty fathom of chain on the disabled steamer's starboard bow.