The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-31
From The Ne,p Orleans Bulletir

THRILLING INcIDENT.-Eight young men rescued
from 1oatery grape.-An incident of thrilling ma
ture occurred at Vaudeville, on last Sunday aNei-
noon, of which we were eye witnesses. Already had
large crowd collected upon the wharf as the two ri
val steamers, the Walker and the Mazeppa Juggling
hard for the mastery, booming up the landing.
The Walker obtained the inside BERTH when both boats
moored and the passengers commenced hurrying on
their favorite boats. Just at this moment gallant
little schooner, called the Lilac, with all sail SET and
colors streaming gaily to the wind, pushed off from
the wharf, amid the admirng congratulations of the
crowd and turned her bow homeward Port Pontchar-
train 1t will Suffice for all ineligible purposes
state that there were eight young men from New Or
leans board, and that they had just finished am
pie dinner prepared with true epcurian delicacy and
comnendable profuson at Davis well known estab.
lishment. The Lilac had scarcely sailed one hundred
and fifty yards from the pier, when sudden gust of
wind struck her, she leaned over nearly her beam
ends then luffed closely, and afterwards instantly
swung round full before the wind. Again another
gust struck her, and the same scene ensued. The
eyes of numerous spectators on shore, the wharf
and on the two steamboats, fixed upon the adven
turous little craft in fearful apprehension. She
weathered third blast of wind, but the fourth
too strong for hershe leaned until her matches
filled with water--her pennant dipped gracefully in
the briny wave and over she went upon her beam
ends scene Of momentary but thrilling interest
occurred. Those on board who retained their pre-
sence of mind instantly seized upon the larboard taft
rail- threw their legs over the side gave three cheers
with 9 triumphant waving Of their hands, and es-
capped with nothing but their shoe-toes being wet
while others, less Fortunate oundered and splattered
among the rigging, until they perched themselves up
whatever portion of the vessel they found most con-
venient. The Mazeppa, being the outside boat, put
off and came up alongside Of the laundering vessel
and her saturated crew. s@@ 'aa
All hands were forthwith pulled on board amid the
jeers and laughter of their friends and thus rescued
from the untold horrors Of watery grave, in COM
parson with which the loss of the President sinks
into utter nsignifcance Then there arose an unani-
nous cry among all the survivors, for dry Clothes and
something to warm their chilled stomachs- both
which particulars they were speedily grat6ed. Among
the missing becomes solemn and responsible duty
to record-and our pen Iembles, and hand shakes
convslsively while we do sothe following articles
Panama hats Russian beaver, 3 summer coats,
cravats, ! box of superior Regalia segars half a
demjohn of most excellent old Cognac and last but
not least, one Of Hewet's latest and best cooked
turkies.
A line was then made fast to the Lilac she was
lowed near the shore, and safely moored near the
wharf This thrilling but pleasant shipwreck detain-
cd the Mazeppa about hour, and after having &C.
compished all in her power, she blew off steam, start
ed her machinery, and dashed away for New Orleans.