The Lifeline. Holding On, Part 4
"Hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." (Josh
22:5 NIV)
"Serve him and hold fast to him." (Deut 13:4 NIV)
The HCMS Skeena, a Canadian destroyer commissioned on June 10, 1931, was a
reliable warship that did its job well. It fought in the Battle of the Atlantic,
escorted 88 convoys, defended the Allied landings in France, and hunted numerous
German U-boats. It was renowned for its bravery.
But like anyone else, it also had to face heavy storms, and the one of October
24, 1944 was the most memorable of all. The destroyer had sought shelter in the
sound between the Icelandic islands of Engey and Videy, where it laid anchor.
Unbeknownst to them, the destroyer was dragging its anchor and it was too late
to do anything when it ran aground in an inlet close to the island of Videy.
The order was immediately given to put out the lifeboats and abandon ship, and
fifteen soldiers were already in the water when the intensity of the storm
caused the order to be revoked. A few of these fifteen managed to reach land at Videy, but most of them were dragged across the fjord to Mogilsa, where they
were found drenched in oil the next day. Many of them were dead, and the few
survivors were in very poor condition.
The remaining crew of 198 stayed aboard the destroyer. They were unsure of their
fate, as the storm was creating 50 foot waves (15 meters).
Icelandic Captain Einar Sigardsson was put in charge of rescue operations.
Amidst the chaos of the storm, he managed to land on Videy. He then struggled
across the island on foot to the spot nearest where the Skeena had ran aground.
A lifeline was fired across to the vessel, and Einar stood waist-deep in the icy
water as all 198 of the sailors were brought safely ashore. Had the other
fifteen sailors remained on board, they would have been saved as well.
In this life we will face many chaotic storms, but as long as we hold on unto
our lifeline, we will remain "firm and secure". It's when we wander away and try
to save ourselves through our own efforts that we tend to drown amidst our
adversities.
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the
inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered
on our behalf." (Heb 6:19-20 NIV)
Will you hold on unto this lifeline as well?
Rob Chaffart