Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-07-06
From the Philadslphia American, June 81.
LOSS OF THE SHIP VIM. BROWN

CAPTAIN Harris, OF THIS III tated snip,
called upon US on Sunday. His details Of
the loss Of the Wm. Brown, and conse-
qusnt suferings we're thrilingly interest
ing. He is a stout built, warm hearted
sailor, and during the recital of his hair
breadth escape, the tears coursed down
his hardy cheeks. The first suspicion,he
says, he had Of his cOntiguity 10 the ice
was the terrible collision. 1t was about
II o'clock, and the night dark ahd fOggy
He found as soon as the examination
could be made, that bis bows were stove
in. His ship was going at the rate ofnins
knots, and soon began TO fill The pas
sengers rushed from their births in con-
sternstion. The boats were got out as
soon as possible, and be freely told0all on
board what must be their fate.--
He was calm and assured them that por-
ton would be saved il they did not over
load the boats.
When the long boat was let down, the
frantic people jumped into it promiscuous-
ly! He expresses surprise that it did not
Immediately fill. The jolly boat was let
down with more caution astern by the
sailors and pushed from the ship. While
they were calling to Capt. Harris TO save
himself, the terrified women and children
clung around him and plead that he would
not desert them. Their screams were
heart rending. He did not leave the ship
until the decks were nearly under water.
When lie leaped on board the jolly boat
he found il overloaded, but both boats
kept near the wreck, attached to it by
lines, until it sunk, which took place in a
few minutes after he left. Capt. Harris
told the mate not to cut loose from the
wreck until he should give the signal.
Each stood ready with hatchet. About
IL O'Clock, the ship had settled to her
scuppers. Suddenly her bows went down
and the crash of the falling masts told
him that she was about to be engulphed
forever. He had just time 10 sever his
own rope, and give word to the mate, when
the yawning deep swallowed up ship and
passengers, accompanied bya terrible
shrek. Not a fragment remained to tell
where she was after the sea closed over
her, except a large water cask. Both
boats remained near the spot until next
morning, when the horrors Of their situa.
ton were fully disclosed.
Capt. Harris boat was IL feet long and
contained 0 persons, while the long boat
had crowded into it 40 persons! He says
they were SO thick they could nor move,
They literally stood and lay upon each
other. Most of the females were in their
night clothes, and many of them were
chilled to insensibilily the next morning
from the severity Of the weather. The
oars could not be reached, the water re-
mained unbailed, and the boat lay utterly
helpless upon the surface of the water.
After taking list ofthose on board and
advising them to be Of good cheer, Capt.
HartIs determined to try and reaSh New
foundland. He had in his boat forty
pounds of bread and canister with FIVE
gallons of water. He Immediately put all
on a short allowance Of half gill Of water
three times day and at morning and eve
ming one third Of sea biscuit. The case
for his sail needles, which he exhibited
TO uS, was the little vessel out Of which
they drank this precious allowance Of
water.
During the six days and nights they were
in the boat, it raned and hailed, and the
sailors suffered bitterly with cold in their
feet. They could not change their posi-
ton, and OF course had no exercise, and
the bottom Of the boat was continually
covered with water. The feet Of all the
men had frozen badly, but the woman did
not suffer much, as the sailors each con-
trIbuted Of their clothing 10 preserve her
from the cold. During the period OF time
Captain Harris says he is not conscious
Of having slept moment. He was at the
helm constantly. itrequired the utmost
care, 10 prevent this little boat frSm ship
ping seas, which would at once have
swamped her. He had blanket hoisted
as sail. On the end Of the boat a red
handkerchief, as a Sigual of distress, was
displayed. The oars were kept in motion
during the day, but as the nights
were foggy aud dark, they remained me-
IiOnless.
Two days before they we're rescued,
Captain Harris says schoOer was seen
approaching them Their joy was intense
,ut when within half mile, she changed
Ter course. A fog came up, and thsy
Ost sight Of each other. Almost frantic
10 made every possible cry Of distress,
nd horn was heard in tbs fog. Two
lays elapsed after this before they we're
AIKEN up by the French craft which res
usd them. lie said his resolu-
ion and courage were strong 10 the
aEi, although the famishd condition of
lie fellow sufferers told him they could
lot hold out much longer. Yet when he
cached the deck Of the ship and felt
hat he was safe, his strength failed and
10 fell sensless. At this time, he sup.
- -.