Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-07-13
From the Baltimore American.


who reached this city on Thursday evening
from the South, and proceeded eastward
yesterday morning. Mr.. NJ. embarked on
board the Pulaski with his wife and child,
and by this most melancholy event, which
has brought bereavement and grief to many
heart, he was deprived OF both. When
the explosion took place, Mr. NJ. INDUCED
the hope that the boat would continue to
float, and after hastening TO his wife and
child in the ladies' cabin, returned towards
the middle of the boat, TO ascertain more
distinctly the extent Of the damage. and
take such measures us nigh, be within the
power ofthe passengers TO adopt, in order
to prevent the water from coming on the
side where the boiler had exploded A few
moments, however, served TO convince him
that the boat must sink He found the
water entering on both sides, and also
appa renlly through the bottom. and all
hope of checking its ingress was abandoned
He then fastened back TO the ladies' cabin
and on requesting them to dress themselves
aud be in readiness 10 meet the impending
peril, scene OF terror and anguish ensued
which was well calculated 10 melt the stout
est heart Women chung round him with
entreaiies that he would save them. while
mothers as UNFORTUNATELY begged no, for
themselves but for the preservation Of their
children. In short time the inmates Of
the ladies cabin. together with number Of
gentlemen, were assembled on the promen
ade deck, whittier they had taken refuge, in
consequence OF the continued settling Of the
hull in the water. The further sinking of
the hull and the parting Of the promenade
deck. as have been heretofore related, threw
those who were on il into the sea, and a
mong them MIR. Merritt, his wife and child
Being an excellent swimmer he was enabled
to sustain both, although the difficulty Of SO
doing was greatly increased by the close
clinging ofthe mother TO the child.
While thus engaged. n boy Of twelve or
fourteen years caught hold of him for help
and he too was sustained, until MIR NJ. pro-
posed TO him 10 mount fragment Of the
wreck floating near. The boy accordingly
mounted on il, and seemed TO be so well a.
bic 10 maintain himself that Mr. NJ asked
him to take his child on the fragment, which
the lad readily acceded 10. MIR. NJ was
now able 10 beslow his whole strength in
susta ming his wile-when, 10 his horror.
he felt himself clasped from behind, around
the lower pau Of his body. by the iron grasp
Of a stout athletic man, evidently struggling
for life An instant was sufficient 10 satisfy
Mr. NJ. that the grasp OF the man would
drown them all and telling his wife that
this would be the case without he could
extricn,e himself he asked her TO rally her
strength for an effort to reach piece Of
the wreck close by. to which she consented
Giving her push towards il with rs much
power as bis peculiar situation would oil.
lnx 10 h. kar - L., IL.
mean time, his own case called for mme-
diaie relief but he found himself. on making
the effort, utterly unable to gain a release
from the powerful hold which was fastened
around his body with an iron 6rmness
There was bat one hope left. and there was
not moment allowed him TO deliberale on
it, Mr.. NJ. had been an expert swimmer
and diver when boy, and to sink under
the waves with a man clineing to him was
the last, the only resort remaining. They |
went down logelher,and the man relaxed his |
hold before Mr.. Ms breath beanie exhans- /
ted. On rising again towards the surface. be /
struck against piecies Of the wreck which
were now floating over him. and after some
difficulty cleared them so as to breathe A.
gain but on looking around he could dis |
cover neither his wife nor child, nor the bowl /
What had occurred DUNG the brief spac e !
that he was beneath the waves, he knew
nol-bui he neither heard nor saw them
any more.
Soon after, he reached what he supposed
was haichway and this sustained him pref !
~ well. While thus floating he discovered |
near him man on smaller fragment evil |
IDENTIFY much exhausted He called TO him |
to come to the hatch place Of greater
safety. and after no little effort his sfelow
sufferer was placed upon it The weight |
OF the two however, was found 10 be rather
100 much for the hatch to sustain and sub
sequenlly. when they fell in with larger
fragment they drew the hatch upon it. and
thus were enabled TO float without being |
immersed. On this the two remained |
from Friday night until Sunday, having on
Saturday experienced heavy gale which
for hours threatened TO destroy their frail
ioat and engulph them in the ocean On |
Sunday they nrared land. and were finally
cas-, ashore Oh the beach. on the North Caro-
lima const
MIR. Nj. left his companion on the beach
perfectly exhausted. and, although himself
nearly worn ont. went forward TO discover a |
house. He had not proceeded very far
when, TO his inexprcssible joy. he deserted
small hut. the sight of which renewed his |
strength and hopes, Bracing himself for a
final effort, he pushed forward, although |
with totlering steps, and arriving at the door,
found IL TO be 6sherman's hut-.but