Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-09-01
[From the N. Y. Observer.
SHIP BYRON-TIIE ICEBER RIGS.
A PERiLOUa ENCOUNTER WrrU AN ICEBERG
MEAD ~ ,Ngs nL NEtyEnJr

! A pFR,LOUl ENCOUNTER WITH AN ICEBERG
! NEAR THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND.
On the Both of June last the ship Byron
left Liverpool for N. York, heavily laden with
iron, SALT &c. and having on board, in passen-
gers and crew, I19 or 100 souls. On the,
morning Of the Sd of August, 81 days out, in
lat. al 81, long. 40 80, a scene occurred which
can never be eilaced from memory. 1t was
the watch of the first mate, man of great
fidelity, but being indsposcd his place was
taken by another. An unusual degree oflcvi-
ty and thoughtess security among the pas
sengcrs, had just given place to sleep. And
now all was still, save the tread Of the watch
on deck, or the occasional toll Of the bell to-
warn fishing craft, if near, of our approach;
but we had more need to be warned ourselves
than to give warning to others of apprdhch-
ing danger. About o'clock A. M. hurried
step awoke the writer of this sketch; and the
rapid whispering Of some created the suspic-
ion that all was not right. Springing from
his berth, he asked one of the men near the
cabin door, what was the matter. "We are
in the midst of ice," said he; "Will you in
form the captain and matc?" The captain
was instantly on deck; he ran forward to
look out. In a moment the vessel, going at
the rate of five knots, struck as if against a
solid rock. 1t was an island Of ice! 1t lifted
its head above the water more than one hun
dred feet, and leaned over, as if ready to fall
down upon us. The word was given to put
up helm and back the sails. AS the sailors
were Fastening to obey the latter order-as
the terrified passengers were rushing on deck
and looking up ut the immense, overhanging,
freezing mass, the ship struck again with in
creased force. y what a shock. Crash! Crash
! 1t seemed as If the masts were falling one af-
ter another on the deck. The second mate
entered the cabin and clappipg violently his
hands together exclaimed, "My God! our
bows are stove in-we're all gone" An aw-
!, ful death appeared now inevitable. In this
moment of general panic, the commanding
officer gave orders to .!clear away the boat"
Then, while the knife was being applied to
the cordage fastening her alongside of the
ship, u rush was made to her by men and wo-
men. That small boat was in moment fill
led with thirty or forty persons. 1t seems
utterly marvellous that she did not break
down prccipitating every soul into the deep.
Had this taken place, our commanding officer
must have shared the same fate; for, from n
desire to gain possession OF her for himself
and crow, or to save the miserable crowd
that had got into her from dcstruction-it
may be from both motives--he entered the
boat and stood in her until he drove out eve
ry one at the point Of the sword. Thon was
II scene of terror In front of the cabin the
passengers were collected, halfnaked-soine
on their knees calling for mercy,-some clap
pug their hands, and altering the most ap-
palling shrieks. Nothing distinctly could be
heard. All was confusion and horror. 1t was
enough TO penetrate heart Of stone. Some,
more collected, were dressing the mselves
preparing to resist the cold, ifperchance they
should survive the wreck. Others were look
ing ior something to which they could lash
themselves for time in the water. Here.
you might see one with safety belt slung
over his shirt, endeavorIng to I'LL it with
air: there, another pale and sgiistcd inquir-
ing "ls there any hope;' Aud there, ono