Fairhaven High School - Huttlestonian Yearbook (Fairhaven, MA)

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THE HUTTLESTONIAN 9 He was over the spot known as the Great Hole”. From now on it was dead reckoning. With a hasty glance at the wake, the captain fumbled for his watch. Doing six knots, course nearly north, thought he. In just ten minutes he would have to tack abruptly and beat out of a treacherous channel. Nine minutes passed. Five by the mark, Sir”, came the voice that was like Gabriel blow¬ ing his horn for the judgment day; and the captain, muttering that they must be doing a little better than six ordered the helm put down, and slowly the Venture” swung up into the pelting wind. She came to, heading in the West nor’- westerly direction. Again came the judicial cry, Three and a half by the mark”, and the captain glancing apprehensively at the dancing waves spoke a few words to the helmsman, who crammed the straining ship a point nearer the wind. Two fathoms, Sir, and rocks ahead!” rang a startled cry, and as the Venture” turned slowly around she lowered in a trough grating against a coral reef, with a sickening sound. With the next swell, however, she slid free into the open water and headed for a hidden harbor used so often in a case like this when man and the elements seem to hinder the pro¬ gress of traders”. A shock, even though slight, may have disasterous effects upon the garboards of old ships, and this one was no exception. Much to the concern of the captain and crew, the water rose steadily in the hole. The men sweat at the pumps, but still the water rose. There was no alternative but to beach her in some hidden cove, such as abounded in this part of the sea. And so she lay, high and dry on the sands; the sea and the storm had accomplished what man could not. The sailors of this unfortunate ship called it luck, but the London Board of Trade called it the will of The Almighty. David Swett, ’36

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8 THE HUTTLESTONI AN Both ships sped onward into the gathering night and the oncoming storm. The smaller vessel having a fore an’aft rig, had a decided advantage over the picturesque, but ponderous square sails of the Storm Bird”, at least, in beating to wind¬ ward. Forward rushed the ships, the night, and the storm. The wind was rising, the sky was darkening, and even the stolid British seamen eyed their taut canvas with apprehen¬ sion. Finally, the order came. Aloft and furl the royals”, roared the mate, and before the last words were fully uttered, nimble sailors were swinging in the rigging. A look at the schooner showed that her fear of elements was not much less than her fear of the frigate. Even her small topsails were evidently more than her creaking hull could stand, for a few hauls on the clews and they were firmly brailed to the trunk from whence no ordinary wind could dislodge them. The tiny Venture” was soon out of reach of even the great long Tom mounted on the fore hatch of the King’s ship. The storm and the night were to her advantage, for who could trail a black smudge through all these little islands? The fury of the elements was not long in striking. Soon with a shine and a roar, the rain and blackness were upon them, blotting out even the faintest trace of the frigate, now far astern and a good two miles to lee’ward. Captain Sampson, being by nature a cautious man, felt the force of the wind and took warning. Down tumbled the jib and the slatting main’sl as he reduced his vessel to storm canvas, tacked her about on another course, and set out, safe from the reach of the long arm of the law. The storms and the law, however, are not the only enemies of a ship sailing the reef infested waters of the windward islands. Soon at the captain’s order, was heard the periodical call of the heavers of the lead. “Six fathoms by the mark, Sir,” came the cry, and then a pause broken only by the howling wind and the beating rain. Four by the mark, Sir,” rang the voice, she’s shallowing.” The next report was com¬ forting to the master. No bottom, Sir,” sang the voice. The captain heaved a sigh of relief; at least, he knew his position. ■

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10 THE HUTTLESTONIAN The Advantages of High School Athletics “1 he title should be more appropriately termed the ad¬ vantages vs. the disadvantages of High School athletics,” due to the fact that both sides present strong arguments. In dealing with a subject like this, there are several aspects of college life which must be taken into consid¬ eration. One should ask himself the question, What do I want to get out of college?” And in asking himself this question one runs into difficulties. Some people go to college merely to benefit from the education which the univer¬ sity offers. Others, to take advantage of the associations, con¬ tacts and the general prestige which they receive upon grad¬ uating from such an institution. In my opinion, the happy medium is attained when the person benefits equally from the educational standpoint, as well as from the advantages which the associations and mingling with other people and types offer. The relation with fellow students cannot be attained in any better fashion, I believe, than it can upon, let us say, the basketball court, the rootball field, in the gymnasium or even on the debating team. There you are put through a test, your companions are put through a test, and that test is as difficult and worthy of consideration as a mid-year examina¬ tion which tests your knowledge of the studies you have pursued. Upon the athletic field, the individual is embodied with the spirit of cooperation, the task of facing problems and meeting them in the right manner, of carrying out what has been assigned, without flaw, with the joy at trying his strength, physical and mental, against that of his opponents and with the ecstacy he feels upon finding that he is superior. Are not these factors important in molding life for the future, when one is to encounter the same problems out in the busi¬ ness world? Of course, we must take into consideration again, the per¬ son’s future. If a boy or girl is interested solely in the art of