The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-04

an,ain,, rig. a swh-pulling boat with seven
r,.n' who bent 10 their oars with all the might
of h,avs and generous spirits. As we drew
n.., the destructive element ragged with in
crs,sine fury and the shrieks Of the wretched
creatures came mngling with the cracking OF
ibe flames and the crash Of falling masts.-
The frigafe had fired guns and hoisted lights
70 show that succou, was m hand; aud the
boats crew occasionally cheered, 10 announce
that they were approaching TO the rescue
The shouts were returned from the burning
shin, but SO wild, so fearful, they sounded like
the expiring yell Of agony that still clung TO
hone and life. / would have dashed instantly
alongside, but the old coxswain respectfully
warned me of the danger OF such measure,
cas- the boat" he said, ~ would instantly be
swamped by the crowds that would rush into
her." We are now within short distance OF
the vessel. and oh what sight Of horror was
presented The ports were al open, and the
flames pouring from them as from so many
mouths, seemed eager for their piey, Num-
bers Of poor creatures were swiming towards us.
while others held pieces Of shattered spars, with
strong convusive grasp. The fore part Of the
ship was nearly consumed. and the upper part
abaft was rapidly falling in. Those who could
swim, We left fer other boats TO take up; and
pulling under the stern. we lay unobserved
while the fiery fragments came tumbling thick
about us. Trusting TO my skill 10 swiming
should il be deemed requisite 10 Jump over
board, and instantly entered port hole; A;
and the ship having turned before the wind,
what little air there was drove the greatest part
of the smoke forward; yet there was an almost
insupportabe heat and the suffoca,ing vapors
bid defiance 10 efforts TO penetrate further.
feeling | cannot account ior-an ndescribable
feeling-urged me on, and ] reached the gun
room ladder, at the bottom Of which lay hu
man being, whose suilerings apparently were
over. passed my h1nd quickly TO her heart
and discovered that the individual was female !:
she was yet living, and in a few moments she
was safely in the boat.
Again ] returned with three Of my crew, and
soon had the satisfaction Of rescuing eight poor
wietches. who lay in state OF nsenslbilIty, and
must soon have perished. Stimulated by sue.
cess we penetrated 10 the burning deck above; (;
and never shall forget the horror of the spec
tacle. Here all was briancy. Several half
burned and mangled bodies could be distin-
guished in the flames.
Near the ransom sat mother with an infant in
her arms. She needed me not, but cIasped it
closer 10 her bosom-save one wild shrek, and
mortal agony WAS over. Tho infant was secured.
Numbers that remained sought refuge in the
sea. The female had saved was still insens-
bic. The worthy coxwain had wrapped the in
hnt in his Jacket, and il was now sweetly sleep
ing in the box by his side,
In the bow ofthe boat a gray headed old man
exclaimed, My son, my daughtcr-where are
they J" Another voice feebly uttered, My
father" |, was Sir Edwards son. The fe-
male was raised in my arms, and recognized
my Agnes!
My boat the second time was filled, and we
made for the irigate. Suddenly an awful ex-
rlosion shook the whole atmosphere, the glare
of light was for a moment increased--thc next
a shower of blazing iimbers fell in every dnec-
,ton Aronnd and the pale moon alone shed her
svery eiufgcnce on the transparent wave. No
shouts no shrieks were to be heard the bitter
ness Of death had passed, aud all was tranquil
as the grave. Happily the burning ruins had
s,rnck none of the boats. The boats then again
repaired to the place, but except the shattered
fragments of the wreck, no trace was left the
swelling bilow moved smoothly on-and that
gallant ship, with many a stout heart was bnr
ed beneath its deeeful surface. Still we pass
ed across and across, ia every direction. and
Tong after the sun had kndlcd up the day, our
search was coninued-but nothing met our
view. except mutilated fragments of human bod
les, and pieces Of backened timber. All hands |
repaired on board, the boats were hoistedin, and
the figae pursued her way to England