Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-06-28

"A
would bear with safety forty inches
Major Heath had just retired to the af;
ter cabin. A number Of passengers
were lying on the settces, and when the
! boiler burst, the steam rushed into the
cabin, and, il is thought, instantly killed
them, as they turned over, fell OH the
tioor, and never were seen by the Ma
Iior to move afterward. He had, OH
hearing the noise of the explosion, got
out Of his berth and run to the steps,
as did Mr.. Lovejoy of Georgia, and they
were thus shielded from its effects.
Il In few moments he went on deck
and found all dark. He called for the
captain, and. receiving no answer, made
Tor the mast as he felt that the boat was
sinking. Before he could secure him
self the sea burst over him, and carried
him away. Fortunately, however, n
rope had caught round his leg and with
| this he pulled himself back. The mast,
as soon as he had been washed from it
| fell and crushed one of the passengers
| MIR. Auze, French gentlemen, of
Augusta. The boat now broke in two,
and the deck, forward of the mast, was
carried away from the rest Of the yes
sci, seemingly very swiftly. Nothing
more was seen after this by Major
Heath, of the yawl or the after part of
the boat ; but in about half an hour, he
heard wild shrill scream, and then all
was quiet. This must have been when
the promenade deck turned over, with
at least one hundred human beings up
on it.
\ When daylight broke, he found that
there were twenty-five on the wreck
with him-amOng them Capt. Pearson,
who had been blown out into the sea,
but who had caught plank, and sue
ceedcd in reaching them during the
night.
/ The danger Of their situation was at
once fully realized. The heavy mast
lay across the deck on which they rest
ed, and kept it about twelve inches un-
der water, and the planks were evident
ly fast parting Captain Pearson, with
the rest, set himself at work to lash the
wreck together by the aid of the ropes
on the mast-letting the ropes sink on
one side of the raft, which, passing un-
der, came up Oh the other side, and by
repeating this operation they formed a
kind Of network over it. They also
succeeded in lashing two large boxes
to their raft, which formed seats.
/ Friday passed without any vessel com
ing in sight. Their thirst now became
intense. The heat of the sun was very
Oppressive, its rays pouring down on
their bare heads, and blisicring their
faces and backs, some not having even
shirt on, and none more than a shirt
and pantaloons.
Il The suffering of the younger portion
of their company, at this time, became
very great. Major Twiggs of the u.
:. A. had saved his child, a boy about
twelve years Of age. Hc kept him in
his arms nearly all the time and when
he would call on his mother, who was safe
at home, and beg for water, his father
would seek in vain to comfort him by
words Of kindness, and clasping him
closer to his heart.
\ On Saturday they fell in with another
II portion of the wreck, on which were
/ Chicken and three others, whom they
took on their raft. Toward the close
of evening they had approached within
half mile Of shore, as they thought,
h and many were very anxious to make
an effort to land This was objected to
by Major Heath, as the breakers ran
very high, and would have dashed the
raft to pieces on the shore. Mr. Green
wood, from Georgia, told the major
II thot ho xyoo ono NJ tho koct cwimmcrS
in the country, and that he would tie n
rope around him and swim to the shore.
"No! MOI" replied the major, "you
shall not risk your life for me; under
these circumstances, and in such an
attempt you would lose your life. No!
am the Oldest man in danger, and will
not increase the risks of others" All
hope of landing then was shortly after
ward given up, as slight breeze from
| the shore was now carrying them out
into the sea. Despair now seemed to
seize on some Of them, and one sug-
gestcd that if relief did not soon reach
them it would be necessary to cast
lots.
Il The frmness and decision Of Major
Heath soon put this horrid idea 10 flight
eve are Christians" he told them,
"and We cannot innocently imbrue oui
| hands in the blood of a fellow creature.
A horrible catastrophe has deprived
, hundreds of their lives, brought sorrow
to many hearth, and thrown us upor
the mercy of the winds and waves
, We have still life left ; let us not give
: up all manlincss and sink to the brute
We have all our thoughts about us, ant
: should face death, which must soone
fl or later overtake us, with the spirit tha
3 becomes us as Christian men. Whel
: that hour arrives | will lay down IN,
: life without murmur, and will risl
: it now for the safety of any one of you
but will never stand by and see ano
I'll theirs sacrificed that we may drink hi
blood and eat his fcsh!" With sucl
: words as these did he quiet them, am
I'll reconcile them to await the ISSUE
Il The day wore away again without th'
@ / sight of u vessel to cheer their droopin;
y spirits.
I'll On Sunday morning it commence
II l,,;,;no with stiff breeze from tn