The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-01-04

! cradle way 10 row; and the success O
this first experiment seeming 10 be the
measure of our future hopes, the move
ments OF this precious boat-incalcula
bly, precious, without doubt, TO the ago
nized husbands and fathers imme diately
connected with it--were watched with
intense anxiety by all on board. In the
course of twenty minutes, ii was seen
alongside the " ark of refuge !" and the
first human being that happened TO be
admitted, out of the vast assemblage
that ultimately found shelter there, wa:
the infant son Of Major Macgregor, a
child of only few weeks old, who was
caught from his mothers arms, and lift.
ed into the brig by Mr.. Thomson, the
fourth mate of the Kent.
have been told by one abundantly
capable of judging, that the feelings Of
oppressive delight, gratitude, and praise,
experienced by the married officers and
soldiers, on being assured of the safety
of their wives and children, so entirely
distracted their minds from their own
situation, as 10 render them for little
while afterwards totally insensible Ell
ther 10 the storm that beat upon them,
or 10 the active and gathering volcano
that threatened every instant to explode
under their feet.
The perils of the remainder were far
greater, as the boats could not come
alongside the Kent, and the women and
children were obliged TO be lowered by
ropes from the stern, and were often
plunged under water before they could
be dropped into the boat-None of the
women ultimately persisted under this
dangerous operation; but great Numbers
of the Younger children were drowned
Many affecting proofs occurred of paren-
tai and filial affection, which shed a mo-
mentary brightness round the gloomy
scene.
Two or three soldiers, TO relive
their wives ola part of their families,
sprang into the water with their chill
dren. and persisted 10 their endeavours
TO save them. Ode young lady, who
had resoluteiy refused TO quit her ia
Their, whose sense of duty kept him at
his post, was near falling sacrifice TO
her flial devotion, not having been
picked up by those in the boats until
she had sunk five or six times. Another
individual, who was reduced TO the
frightful alternative-of losing his wife or
his children, hastily decided in favor Of
bis duty TO the former His wife was
accordingly saved but his four children,
alas I! we're left TO perish. A fine fell
low, a soldier, who had neither wife nor
child of his own. but who evinced the
greatest solicitude for the safety of those
of others, insisted on having three chill
dren lashed to him, with whom he
plunged into the water; not being able
10 reach the boat, he was again drawn
into the ship, with. his charge, but not
before two of the children expired.
The interval of nearly three quarters
of an hour, which elapsed between each
trip of The boat, and during which, moth
ing could be done but TO remain tranquil,
and see the salvation of God" was
truly fearful pause, especially to those
who still remained on board when the
shades of evening began 10 advance.
On one of these occasions, an officer
was entreated by his companions in dam
ger to pray with them, and his prayer
was frequently interrupted by exclama-
tions OF assent TO some Of lis confessions
on the part of the afflicted auditors.
Similar acts of devotion seem 10 have
been solemnly conducted during the
whole of these intervals; the effect was
very striking in the order and composure
which they secured in the most perilous
moments.
Captain Cobb was the last person to
quit the vessel, with the exception of
few individuals either intoxicated or
struck poweFless with apprehension and
dismay, and who could not by the most
earnest entreaties be persuaded to risk
the perilous plunge into the boat OF
these however fourteen were picked
up by another vessel, the Caroline, Cap
tain Bibbey, three having persisted.
The officers had only just preceded
Captain Cobb, beginning with the jun
Tors, the superiors remaining to the last
The vessel was seen to blow up at half
past one in the morning.
We pass over the scene of hope and
fear, of JOY and sorrow, which in the
mean time was occurring on board the
Cambria, as the successive parties ar
rived; the meeting of husbands and
wives, parents and children, friends and
companions, or the fatal intelligence of
the separation of these and her.human
ties by the stroke Of death. We shall
only state, that after great fatigue and
| Suffering. and no SLIGHT neril from the