Derelicts

A ship abandoned by its captain and crew is commonly known as a derelict. Vessels such as this are left to float as wind and tide may carry them. These derelicts form a serious menace to navigation, since their position cannot be located and put down on a chart, like a rock. They are constantly moving, almost entirely submerged in the water, and should a ship strike one while going at full speed, it would be in imminent danger of sinking. Probably some of the ships which have never been heard from since they sailed, have met their end in that way. Governments keep vessels looking out for these derelicts; and when found they are often blown to pieces with dynamite.

Some of these derelicts keep afloat a long time. In the spring of 1891 a schooner, the “William T. Sargent,” was abandoned at sea, her crew being rescued by another vessel. She was loaded with lumber, which doubtless increased her floating capacity. For six long years she battled with the Atlantic, and finally came to her rest, being cast, shattered, and covered with barnacles, upon one of the Bahama islands.

In the career of maritime derelicts, is there not something very suggestive of human life? Every person may be compared to a ship starting out for a voyage. We are launched upon the ocean of life, and if we make a successful voyage, we shall reach the port of our Father’s city. The shoals and rocks may be dangerous as we near the port; but we know that we have a Helper, and can say, with the poet:

“For though beyond the bourne of time and place,

The floods may bear me far,

I hope to meet my Pilot face to face,

When I have crossed the bar.”

But O, how many derelict lives there are! They have no definite object before them; they are looking for no port; they have lost chart and compass; they have no power to propel, no sails to catch a favorable breeze, no rudder to guide. Aimless derelicts, of no use to themselves and a positive danger to others, they wait for the last storm that shall bring them to an end. Do you not know such persons? If you do, help them if you can. A ruined ship is a loss, but how small a loss compared with a ruined and lost human soul!

It takes very little to start one in the way of a human derelict. A little carelessness about duty today; a little disregard of parents; a little disposition to have one’s own way and to do as one pleases; a little determination to cast off the restraints of home, and to have a “good time” generally; and a hopeful life becomes a floating derelict, of no use to itself and a danger to others.

Young friends, be content with nothing less than a definite purpose in life. Let that purpose be a high degree of usefulness here, and an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

—Author unknown.