On a dark winter night, many years ago, a steamship went on the rocks right near the village where Mac and Meg were later born.
The ship was called The King’s County and had sailed all the way from Norway, carrying wheat and coal and heading for a nearby port. Somehow on that dark and stormy night, they missed their way completely and turned in, not to a safe harbor, but to an unforgiving cliff. The rocks made a big hole in the ship, and it was battered by the waves and started to sink. The captain came on deck and stared in dismay at the jagged rocks and the foaming sea. He feared they could sink at any moment! He decided that they must abandon ship! Through the darkness he could just make out the cliff a few yards away, but how could they reach it?
A young sailor, Harold Hanson, said he would try. A rope was tied around his waist and he jumped into the roiling, freezing sea. His shipmates watched anxiously as he was dashed into the rocks and huge waves washed over him, but after 15 minutes he was finally able to reach the cliff and secure the rope to a large rock. The sailors were able to attach a bosun’s chair (this would look something like a young child’s swing seat that they can put their legs through) to the rope and all 36 sailors were able to make their way to the cliff in safety.
There was snow on the ground and not a light in sight, so they waited until daybreak before they climbed the cliff and found themselves in a patch of wood. After only a short walk through the wood (about a quarter of a mile), they came out to the village nearby and the home of Fred and Mina. Fred was doing early morning chores when, to his amazement, he looked up and saw a line of men emerging from the woods. The captain was able to speak English well enough to make Fred understand that their ship had run aground. Many of the men were poorly dressed, some without coats, and others in bare feet.
Fred and Mina had a large family and she had just baked 8 large loaves of bread. They welcomed the men into their home and gave them breakfast and a hot drink. Neighbors brought food too and offered shelter to the men. They were cared for until a bus could be sent from the city. They were eventually returned to their homes in Norway. Harold Hanson was hailed as a hero, and he was praised in the newspapers in Canada and in Norway.
Gave, Not Risked, His Life
Harold Hanson risked his life for his fellow sailors, but I want to tell you about One who gave, not merely risked, His life for you. This One is the Lord Jesus Christ who came to this earth knowing that men would hate Him and nail Him to a terrible cross. He died on that cross for you and me, and now all who come to Him and confess their sins can be forgiven. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)), and, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)).
Mac was born a month after this event. A few years later Mac and Meg would follow a path through the woods and sit on the cliff. Their father had shown Mac the rock to which the young sailor had tied the rope. Mac pointed this out to Meg and at low tide they could see the top of the mast pole sticking out of the water. There were photos at home showing the ship partially submerged, and Mac and Meg were very curious about the sinking.
In spite of the captain’s fears, the ship did not sink right away, but stayed above the waves for several days. Many came from far and near and trekked through the woods to see the wreck. Some local fishermen even climbed aboard and took home some treasures as mementos.
Remembrance
Years passed, and even the mast pole disappeared beneath the waves. The brave young sailor and the men of The King’s County were all but forgotten. Then one day 50 years later, the newspaper in the city received a letter from far away Norway. It was from one of Harold Hanson’s sons saying that their father had died, but that he and his two brothers would like to come to Canada and see the place where their father’s ship had been wrecked. He said they grew up reading about what a hero their father was in their school books. Would there be anyone who remembered The King’s County and where it went aground?
The newspaper contacted the village and the answer was: “Yes!” Mac knew exactly where the ship went down and would be happy to take the brothers out in his fishing boat and show them the spot. So arrangements were made and the brothers and their wives arrived a short time later. The whole village welcomed them and had a special day in their honor at the community center. Many told stories of what they remembered about that fateful day. Gifts were given to each of Harold’s sons: Leif was given the ship’s bell. Helge was given some of the captain’s china and Thor was given a fancy glass, all taken from the ship those many years ago. Best of all, one of the daughters of Fred and Mina, Audrey, gave each of them a lovely scripture text. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)). Yes, their father was a hero, and they read about him in their school books. But there is a far greater hero than Harold Hanson. God has given us a whole book about Him. Do you know that it says three times in the Bible, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:3535Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35); Mark 13:3131Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Mark 13:31); Luke 21:3333Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33))? The Lord Jesus spoke these words and His wonderful book, the Bible, tells us all about Him. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)).
The brothers stayed for several days and Mac and his brothers, Cecil and John, took them to the place where the ship had sunk. They pointed out the rock where their father had tied the rope. They welcomed them into their homes and entertained them and even visited them in Norway sometime later. We do not know whether Harold Hanson’s sons accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior or not, but they heard about Him and the wonderful salvation He offers. He wants to save us, not from a watery grave, but from eternal hell. His love for us was so great that He died to redeem us. Won’t you come to Him and be saved today? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
Another shipwreck has lessons for us today, as The Titanic makes clear.