Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1896 — He Proved the Omen. [ARTICLE]

He Proved the Omen.

“Speaking of sailors’ superstitions,” remarked the veteran lighthouse keeper, Josh Reeves of Sea Isle City, “reminds me of an incident that happened half a century ago off the Five Fathom Bank lightship, in wjileh a sailor's prediction, based on an omen, resulted fatally to the prophet himself. “A bright winter morning had caused the crew of the lightship to row a short distance away in a small boat in search of codfish, which are very abundant off the capes in winter time. A few hours’ fishing resulted in a goodly catch and a return was made to ths lightship. The tish were cleaned ami the refuse thrown overboard, but a calm sea, with not a breath of air to disturb it, caused the refuse to drift in a circle around the ship. Toward noon a large flock of geese came in sight and settled under the lightship's very bows and commenced to feed. The water fowl became very tame and swam chattering and hissing close to the ship’s sides. “Josh Crowell, a grizzled old member of the crew, shook his head and predicted death to some one on board within twenty-four hours. He said that whenever geese became so tame as to feed around a vessel's bow or stern, it

was an unfailing omen of impending death on board. Cromwell's companions laughed at his fears, but he told them to bide their time. "Toward noon a strong gale came out of the nor’east and kicked up a heavy sea. Crowell was on the forward or bow watch. "Many of the crew were in the main cabin below enjoying a social game of euchre, checkers, or dominoes, when suddenly they heard the sound of a chain running rapidly through the starboard bow scuppers. We rushed up in dismay, thinking the windlass gearing had given way. The sight witnessed will never be forgotten. Crowell had been caught in the relief chain and ground around the rapidly revolving windlass. His death was instant. His omen came true.’’—New York Herald.