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On the sixth day of December, the Rudolph left the town,
With a general load of cargo, for Port Nelson she was bound;
At three o'clock that evening, through the Tickle she did pass,
With a threatening of a violent breeze showing through the glass.
It was not far out in the bay when the schooner she did reef,
The skipper he did change his course from the north unto nor'east;
The schooner scarce had struck a rock, she was covered by a wave,
And all her crew except one man had met a watery grave.
The vessel scarcely struck the rocks before covered with the waves,
All her crew except one man did meet a watery grave;
This poor young lad jumped overboard 'thro blinding snow and drift,
And by the hands of providence got hove into the cliff.
He made his way all up the cliff through blinding drift and snow,
Just like some poor young orphan boy not knowing where to go,
In search of hospitality and comfort for the night,
And to surprise before his eyes saw Little Catalina light.
It was early the next morning, about the hour of four,
After eight long hours of traveling, he reached Levi Dalton's door;
He kindly answered to his knock, what a dismal sight to see,
A man standing there with oil skins on - a miracle from the sea.
"Come in my lad, come in my lad," the man did kindly say,
"And tell me what is happening and what brings you this way."
The man was so excited all that he could say,
"There's a schooner lost and all her crew not very far away."
Now with this kindly woman the poor lad did reside,
And with hot drinks and clothing warm they soon made him revive;
Which after rest and medical aid, the tale he told anew,
Of the loss of the Ella M. Rudolph and the faith of all her crew.
