Shipwreck

But it must be terrifying as you realise the forces of nature against you are so overwhelming and there is little you can do to save yourself. The coast around the South African Cape have seen an estimated 1000 such wrecks in the last 500 years. Among all of these one stands out.

It was sometime in the eighteenth century and the ‘Cape of Storms’ was living up to its name. A ship, I forget the details, was at anchor but with the force of the gale it dragged its anchor and found itself on the rocks some distance from the shore. The company that owned the ship were more interested in saving their cargo than saving the sailors who were left to their own devices. A few managed to swim to safety but others drowned in the attempt. The remainder clung to the wreck and hoped for the best.

It happened that a man rode down on his horse to bring his son, who was working by the sea, his lunch. Seeing the desperation of the wrecked sailors he goaded his horse into the stormy watersand swam out telling two of the sailors to cling to the horse’s tail and he towed them to land. He did this seven times and so rescued fourteen sailors but then both he and his horse were exhausted. His son pleaded with him not to go again but the cries of the remaining sailors were unbearable and once more man and horse plunged into the sea. The stranded sailors realised that this would be their last chance so they all jumped into the sea and clung to the horse. In doing so they pulled the animal under the waves and all including the horse were drowned.

It is a sad story but an inspiring one of someone who did not count the cost to himself in trying to save others. It strikes me this tale is a mirror in which we can look at ourselves. We will see different things but what clearly stands out is the age old concern for wealth rather over people, for capital rather than for labour; concern for profits rather than concern for the vulnerable. The company that owned the ship actually set up a gallows to hang instantly anyone who approached the salvaged cargo.

But then also there is that lamentable human gut response, seen in that last act where everyone just thinks of him or herself and pulls the whole state, as it were, under the waves, destroying good men in the process. In a desperate bid to get what I want I destroy the lives of others.