Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-03

mendous violence on the rock. An immense
quantity Of bricks had been shipped In lieu OF
ballast; between these and the rock, the ships
bottom might represent the metal works between
the anvil and the hammer, and strange 1t would
have been had it not severely suffered. Every
wave was fearful mountain, while the hurri.
cane momentariiy threatened to shiver us into
atoms. Such storm has not been telt on these
shores, during the last fifty years. As the
ungovefned state Of the rudder was now breaking
up within its range, the bnnacles were removed
below Tor security, and the rudder dashed to the
boom; but these cords we're soon rent asaauer,
like threads.
After lying here 10 "darkness visible Tor
nearly txo hours, sometimes hoping We sa"
boats approaching to our assistance. sometimes
fancying we saw lights as signals, the dawn al
length assured US that we were deserted from the
shore. where we saw general activity cores
pondns to the peril Of our unhappy condition.
Not a boat could, however, venture to put out
through the frightfuI surf and own saw lit.
,le hone of relief while the elements continued
their friehtful ravages. The shore was no" lined
with spectators, but their probable sympathy could
avail US nothing. While this was our condi-
tion without, within the ship was all devastation.
At each new concession something strained ami
gave way. Bedsteads, lamps, tables and trunks
were falling or hurled from side to side with
frightful noise, which made the females believe,
in spite Of our assurances. the ship WAS break.
ing up. But now beamed suddenly forth, IN
our extremity, the dawn Of our deliverance. -
We had watched team isboring along the shin
Gle conveying away to wind ard a boat. II was
launched, and in the same moment manned. Ii
was the God like life-boat, equipped with the
most intrepid crew that ever deserved their coun-
try's gratitude. In half an hour Of peril they
were along side, and boarded US; and now,
indeed, | saw countenances where the glad
CLEAN Of Joy endeavored to penetrate through
mass Of suffering and despair; hut we had scarce.
~ interchanged congratulations when was told
the boat had left the ship. could not believe H.
ran aloft and foundi 1t true. | felt had now
a duty to perform to my family. and asked the
Captain if the boat were dismissed. ~hat could
be his plaus represented that our rudder was use
less he could have no command OF the ship II
she hoated with the coming food, and if her bot
tom Mas pierced, Of which there cnu!d be no
doubt,w must expect that il she dipped into deep
water she would fill and go down. and all would
inevitably perish-that it would be impossible
in her present crippled state to work her into
any port, and suo,nntsd, therefore, that our
safety should be Consulted above all things. Our
Capt. firmly answered, our .alrty was his prin-
cipal duty and first care; that / might rely on
him he would not hazard our safety; and that II
the ship vas not in CONDITION 10 leave the shore,
he would not attempt it. | own | returned to
my family with heavy heart 10 announce the
fearful experiment.
The flood tide was rolling in, and the trum-
pet OF OUT visant Captain was again 10 full &C
tivity. After mighty workings, an awful blast
drove Us over the reef, aud hurried u. to sea -
Hope 0eaned again, hut it was found that the
ship had made feet Of water in 10 minutes -.
The signal Of distress was hoi,ted, and every
possible effort made u put the ships head to the
shore, but without the assistance OF her rudder
she was wholly manageable, anu very soon
became water logged. l nov caught the Captains
eye: he IN o!ioned me, aud on reaching him gave
the dreadful Intelligence that the ship was sink
ing, and must prepare Mrs Land my chi.
dren tor any event! asked how long il might
be before she went down. He said, - sometime
yet" Without making any communication,
conveyed my family on deck, and watched the
progress the ship ,isibly made in sinking, -
Efforts we yet made to put the ship about, but
they we're made in vain.
Happily for our safety, the life boat, better &C.
quainted with the distressing features Of disaster
bad kept lowering around. had grleved at ITS
dismissal, but now suddenly heard it taiiing the
captain to let 60 the remaining anchor. After
dragging little, it held on, and threw round her
stern; but we were water logged and made little
progress. We were so low now. that every
wave rolled in one side and discharged itself on
the other 1t now became question on our re-
turning proximity to the shoal, whether should
carry up my wife and children and lash them to
the shrouds, or should lash them separately to
some material of huoyauce, and throw them over
to the charge Of the life boat, which dared not
approach US. We had thrown out line to the
boat. but it had quickly snapped. and we threw
others, in the hope Of Keeping them at short dis
lance. We we're now in extremes; aud as it ap.
peared we must IN few seconds go down. was
preparing cords for the safety OF my family, when
squall hundred times more frigh,fu than
any that had yet assa,led US, gave hopes, and,
the crew cried out, Now--now the masts must
60" But still they stood to our great danger
and annoyance. The ship had, however. felt the
impulse received from the last blast. and been
impelled forward; and saw some men claspins
their hands, and looking to Heaven with great
emotion. Simultaneously with this movement