Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-01-06
NO. Is.

BY WASHINGTON hRvINo.

We one day deserted some shapeless oh.
ject drifting at distance. At sea, every
thing that breaks the monotony of the sur
rounding expanse, attracts attention. II pro-
we'd to be the mast Of a ship that must have
been completely wrecked, for there were the
remains of handkerchief, by which some of
the crew had fastened themselves to the spar,
to prevent their being washed of by the
waves There was no trace by which the
name Of the ship could be ascertained. The
wreck had evidently drited abou, for months,
clusters Of shell fish had fastened about it,
and long sea weeds fanked at its Sides
Their struggles have long been over; their
bones lie whitening among the caverns of
the deep Silence. oblivion like the waves
have crossed over them, and no one can tell
the story Of their end What signs have
been waited after that shipi what prayers Of
fered up at the deserted freside a, home -
How often has the mistress. the wife, the
mother, pored over the daily news TO catch
some casual intelligence of this rover of the
deepl How has expectation darkened into
anxiety-anxiety into dread--and dread into
despair Alas not one moment shall ever
return for love to cherish. All that shall ev-
er be known is, that she sailed from the port
and was never heard Of more
The sight OF this wreck, as usual, gave
rise to many dismal anecdotes. This was
particularly the case in the evening, when
the weather. which hitherto had been fair.
began to look wild and threatening, and gave
indications Of those sudden storms that will
sometimes break upon the serenity of sum-
mer voyages. AS we sat around the dim
light in the cabin, that made the gloom more
ghastly, every one had his tale OF shipwreck
and disaster. | was struck with short one
related by the captain.
AS was sailing said he. in fine store
ship across the banks Of Newfoundland, one
Of those heavy fogs which prevail in those
parts. rendered it impossible to see far ahead
even in the day time but at night the wealth
er was so thick that we could not distinguish
any object a; twice the length of the ship
| kept lights at the mast head and constant
watch forward too look out for fishing
smacks which are accustomed TO lie at an
chor on the banks, The wind was blowing
a smacking breeze. and we were going at a
great rate through the water. Suddenly the
watch gave the thrilling alarm of "a sail
ahead Pit was scarcely uttered before we
kar Il
at anchor with her broadside towards U.S.
The crew were all asleep and had neg lected
to hoist light We struck her Just amid.
ship. The force. the size. and the weight
of our vessel bore her down below the waves,
we passed over her. and were hurried on in
our course. AS the crashing wreck was
sinking beneath US, had glimpse of two
OF three half naked wretches. rushing from
her cabin, they just started from their beds to
be swallowed by the waves. heard then
drowning cries mingled with the wind, the
blast that bore it to our ears swept US ont of
all further hearing. | shall never forget
that cry
1t was some time before we could put the
ship about, she was under such headway-
We returned as nearly as we could guess
to the place where the smack had anchored.
We cruised about for several honrs in he
dense fog We fired signal guns, and listen
ed if we might hear the halloo Of any survi-
vors, but all was silent We never saw or
heard anything Of them more.