Early one morning, the launch carrying the surviving members of The Black Crow to the passenger ship, began its trip across the harbor. As they passed ships at anchor, their crews stopped their work and stood at the rails in silent tribute as they passed by.
The HMS IRIS was anchored near the passenger ship, and as the launch began to pass by, a boson"s pipe sounded. The crew of the man-of-war lined the decks and saluted the men of The Black Crow. Earl looked up to see the captain on the bridge. Their eyes met, the captain saluted, and then he looked away.
Earl had been one of the few not seriously wounded, and after their rescue, was invited to the captain"s quarters. The captain of the HMS IRIS asked Earl to tell him how it had all come about, and Earl told it from beginning to end. Wh
