Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-16
wAsHrseroS, December 7, 1871.
LOSS OF THE STEAM SHIP SAVANNAH

WAsHIseToS, December 7. 1871.
LOSS OF TIE STEAM SHIP SAVANNAH.
STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN CRANE.
On Sunday, ssth November, commenc.
ed blowing a gale from the N. E.. at 10
A. NJ. began raining at IL made the
land about the Nag's Head, the wind
hauling easterly and blowing a gale, the
ship behaving nobly, and the engine work.
ing well, the sea increasing, and heaving
US in shore. At a. lighted up a little (;
saw the Cape, land bearing west still
steering S. E. by S. and not gaining off
shore, took in the foresail, and hauled of
E. by S. every thing working well. AT
6 p. NJ. the engineer reported he could
not keep her free with the pumps. ask
ed him if they worked well. He said
yes, but that she had sprung a leak.
told HIM that was impossible, as the boat
was too strong; but | soon found to my
sorrow that II was but Toe true. lmme-
diately all hands went to bailing, bu, TO
little purpose, the water gaining on us so
fast that it soon put the furnace fires out,
and then our pumps were useless, and the
sea made a breach over US. The boats
were then ordered to be got ready, which
was Immediately done but in lowering
the starboard quarter boat they nearly
stove her, and then let her go with only
two persons in her, Mr.. Johnson, OF Cedar
street, and Mr.. Fitzpatrick, the engineer.
| then had the other quarter boa: cleared
away, and got the females in her, with
the intention Of getting her to the lecward
to get some necessary articles in, but the
falls getting foul, | jumped into her and
cut them away, and finally succeeded in
getting the boat clear, but could not get
alongside of the steamer again. Thus
we were left adrilt in an open boat, 10
eighteen fathoms Of water, off Cape Hat
terus, blowing a gale at north, with thir-
teen persons on board, and four of them
females, without a drop of water or an
ounce Of provisions of any kind. After
being in the boat half an hour, the wind
hauled to the northwest, and blew harder
than ever with a tremendous ugly cross
sea. Ii broke into the boat twice, and
nearly filed her. Thus, for iorty-eight
hours We were scudding before the sea,
not knowing what course we were max.
ing, and not one with a dry thread on, or
hardly moving our position, the females
sitting in the bottom Of the boat the whole
time. On Wednesday moderate weather;
at 8 discovered a sail to the eastward of
US got our oars to work Immediately
and pulled for her with what remaining
strength we had. AS soon as they dis
covered us they hove TO, and took us on
board, where we were treated with all the
kindness possible. She proved to be the
brig Rowena, Captain Dill, of and bound
to Philadelphia. And thirteen human be-
ings were thus preserved from a most W
full death. On Saturday came 10 anchor
to the northward of Cape May.
On Monday morning saw a steamboat
coming from the sou,hwa ard made n sig
nal to her and she came alongside and
took us all on board she was the steam.
err Norwich, Captain Levy, from Norfolk
for New York. The Captain kindly
treated US with every thing in his power,
for which we return him our most heart
felt thanks and may the Almighty re-
ward him, and also the Captain of the Ro.
wena for kindly preserving the lives of
thirteen human beings, who could not
have lived twenty four hours longer in an
open boat.
NAMES OF THOSE IN THE BOAT AVED.
Captain John r. Crane, lady, and son
Nh. Phillips, mate Mrs. Kent, wife of
the steward; Mrs. Moore, wife Of one OF
the walters John Kent, steward Will
liam Dram, waiter two firemen, names
not known; William Harih, jr. of Charles
ton, Theodore Murray, Of Brooklyn, pas.
sepgers Lydia, stewardess.
NAMES OF THOSE RIFTE OFF IN THE
OTHER BoAT BEFORE THE CAPTAIN If
MIR. Fitzpatrick, engineer Mr.. Johnson,
passenger.
Persons LEFT ON BoARD.-Mr. Duns.
comb, I'd officer, and four seamen Dan.
iel Hill, Cd engineer, and four iremen
John Ashfeld, LIST cook ID cook I'M
known and Mr.. Schneeds, an engineer
of South Carolina, passenger for whom
two whale boats were left On the prone
made deck.