The Times relates how, when the Arctic sank off the coast of Jutland, the Danish lifeboat crew refused to brave the storm. Fortunately there was a selfless Englishman, Mr Earle, on shore. . .
In the afternoon of the 3d of October last, the English steamer Arctic, on her way from Hull to St Petersbourg, was, when off the coast of Jutland, overtaken by a most terrific gale.
She ultimately struck on a reef, filled aft, and settled down in deep water about three quarters of a mile from shore. Some of the passengers and crew were drowned, but 17 took refuge in the fore and five in the main top, where they remained the evening and night of the 4th, in sight of the people on shore who, from the violence of the sea, could render no assistance until about 4 o’clock the next day, when the lifeboat was got off, and 20 people were saved, who would have all perished but for the daring of Mr Earle, whose own life, however, which was not risked for the first time, fell a sacrifice in consequence.
The master of the vessel, in his published report, says: “It was mainly by Mr Earle’s exertions that the boat was got off at all.” In a letter, signed by all the passengers and crew who were saved, they say that but for the lifeboat all would have perished; that the regular crew of it, with the exception of one (Anton Andersen) refused, notwithstanding large rewards that were offered . . .
By the noble example of Mr Earle a volunteer crew was formed, who after repeated attempts succeeded in getting through the surf, who brought away 14 human beings and landed them in safety. Again this gallant crew, with Mr Earle maimed and bleeding, returned to the wreck and brought off the remainder; but in beaching the boat she was upset, and this simple, kind, though lion-hearted man was struck on the temple, and never spoke more.