Imagine four Army chaplains during an icy storm at sea; four men in uniform holding hands
as they gaze over the rail of their sinking vessel. They are watching lifeboats pulling
away from their reeling ship, the U.S. transport Dorchester. The story of these chaplains
is a remarkable account of love and sacrifice.
The scene takes place February 3, 1943, off the southern tip of
Greenland. The winter night covers the ship like a blanket. Most of the 909 aboard ship
are asleep below the decks.
Suddenly the Dorchester jerks and shudders. A German torpedo has
smashed through her starboard side! In a raging torrent, the sea spurts through the
gaping wound. The Dorchester has been dealt a mortal blow. She is sinking.
An order is given to abandon ship. Aboard the dying vessel, men -- many
of them injured -- search frantically for life jackets. Some stand in shock, not knowing
how to react to the catastrophe.
Amidst the chaos stand four pillars of strength, four Army chaplains:
George L. Fox, Methodist; Alexander Goode, Jewish; Clark V. Poling, Reformed; and John P.
Washington, Roman Catholic. They calm the panic-stricken, help the confused search for
life jackets and aid the soldiers into the lifeboats swinging out from the tilting deck.
When no more jackets can be found, each chaplain takes off his own and
straps it onto a soldier who has none. The lifeboats pull slowly away from the doomed
vessel. Only 299 will finally survive this night.
As the Dorchester slides beneath the icy water, some can see the
four chaplains, hand in hand, praying to the God of them all. The chaplains' different
theological opinions did not seem to matter much on a sinking ship. All that mattered was
that, at a time of crisis, they lived their love. Yet even for us, every day in lesser
ways, I suspect that's all that ever matters.
About the author: Steve Goodier is a professional speaker,
consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign
up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at LifeSupportSystem.com.
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