Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-11-15
THE WRECK OF THE ALMA.

Among the vessels lost on the Florida reef
during the memorable gale of the 7lh and 9Th
OF September last, our readers may remember
the brig Alma, Capt Thomas. This vessel,
which had left 81. Jago de Cuba few days
previous, with a cargo composed of million
Of cigars, quantity Of tobacco and large
number Of cedar logs, was wrecked on Friday
the 9TH September, about 20 miles to the
north Of Cape Florida. She had attempted
TO anchor, but the gale was so violent that
both her anchors snapped like pack thread,
aud she was driven high and dry on the
Florida shore. The persons on board, com.
prsing the crew Of seven men. and one pas.
senger, renamed in the brig in the continual
expectation that the wrcckers in the neigh
borhood would come to their relief. Two
days after the Alma had gone ashore, while
the captain and crew were at breakfast, the
report Of rifles was heard. Every one re.
joiced in the belief that assistance was at
hand. On ascending the deck, what was the
surprise aud horror of these poor fellows, at
bcholding the brig in possession Of some
twenty ferocious and well armed Indians,
who had collected on the starboard quarter,
and who menaced them with instant death in
case of the slightest resistance. The crew
were totally unarmed, and implicit obedience
To the merciless savagcs constituted their
sole chance for safety. They were ordered
by signs to remove the cigars from the hold,
and throw them on the beach. About one
hundred half boxes had been removed, when
Capt. Thomas, n bold and irritable man, re-
fused uncondtionally TO throw away any
more Of his cargo. One Of the sayages, en-
ragged at his disobedience, knocked him down
with the butt end Of his rife. This was the
signal Of attack. A volley Of bullets was
Immediately discharged at the unfortunate
commander, and having been pierced by two
rifle balls, he was hurled yet breathing on the
beach. One of the wretches, perceiving that
he yet lived, seized the hatch bar and plunged
II into his breast, cxtnguishing every rem.
nant of life. The crew were then comman-
dcd to go ashore. Scarcely had they touched
land, when second discharge of rifles was
made, by which FIVE we're killed. OF the re-
naming two. one, who had escaped unwoun.
ded, fed so fast that the Indians were unable
TO overtake him. The other, Johnson by
name, spraDg towards some low bushes
which grew at a short distance, and having
heard that green branches were considered
by the savogcs as token Of peace, fortuna
tely be,hought himself of making an effort to
have his lite spared. He plucked one of the
bushes from the ground, fell on his knees,
and held il up with signs Of supplicaton--
The savages understood the appeal, and he
was for moment safe. They gave him an
axe, and pointing to a smack which was ly.
ing at some distance on the shore, bottom
upwards, he was commanded to cut hole
into it. Ho obcyed, and the Indians took a
quantity Of beef out Of it, which they made
him carry 10 their encaInpment. which was
some miles from the spot. Having arrived
there, II appeared that the savages had only
ha ,f ~ III. e
several OF them leveIed their rifles at him g.
were about tn fire, when a squaw rushed out
ofa wigwam, placed herself before him, and
in,erceded So powerfully for his life, that the
Indians left him uDharnied aud entered their
tents.
As soon ne Johnson found himself unob.
served, he started with all the speed which
tho love Of life could infuse in his frame, and
soon reoched The brig. lie assembled her
sides. aud slowed himself among a number
OF cedar blocks which were on the deck. Hc
lay there for twenty-fonr hours, trembling
with apprehension, and expecting momen-
tarly the return Of the Indians, when, most
happily, two wreckcrs came in sight the
crew jumped on board the Alma, aud were
iehcili'ing themselves on the excellent prize
they had obtained. wh'n the Indians were
once more seen approaching. Johnson i'm.
n"d'stciy appeared frnnI his hiding plsce,
snu called TO them To save themselves. They
h'i Jumped on shore from the hows of the brig,
which lay about two feet RON the water
Johnson followed. and such was the desper.
ate reso'ution produced by the dread oe
death, that though he knew nothing uf swi i'm.
ming, he boldly struck out into dccp water
reached the wrcckcrs' boats, wn. taken M.
conveyed on board the Amer,cs, from thence
was carried io Key West, afterwards To
Hsvsna. in the United Sistcs schooner Wave
and vac eventually conveyed TO Now Or.