The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-07

\ Goodness in the Hour Of Danger.-The n
American In an article relating TO the particulars Of
the loss OF the Peacock, as published in late mum
ber says that il recalls by the cor irasts in the
suits the loss OF the French iTgate Medusa wrecked
several years ago. off the OF Africa The editor
OF the New York paper says: in the American ship
We find calmness, energy sefpossession, and entire
subordnaiin preserved, under most trying and dan
gerous circumstances No confusion no intoxica-
ton, and, by consequence, the safety of all board
the gallant commander the last to leave his wrecked
ship. In the Of the French fIigate, there
great loss Of life and scenes on the raft To which the
survivors obliged TO resort that exceeded in hor
ror all previous accounts OF shipwrecks lnsubofdi-
nation and intoxication caused the whole"
Many thrilling incidents might be cited to illus
uate the nrepidy, GOODNESS and presence Of mind of
American tars, in cases of extreme perl-one OF
which, that occurred almost under our immediate OBJ
servaon, we will relate IL will be recoliected that
near twenty years ago, piracies and cold booded muir
ders We're frequent on the coast Of Cuba. Commo-
dore Porter was sent out there with the steamship Sea
Gull and heet of small vessels poorly calculated FOL
sea service TO suppress the piracies and aid in con
voying the American vessels IL was in 1923 or
1924, that while the Sea Gull was lying at anchor IN
the harbor OF Maanzas some American vessels sailed
Tor the United States and Europe and were conveyed
out OF the harbor by Of the vessels which com.
posed this musquio feet The name OF this vessel or
| OF It's gallant commander, we do not recollect.
/ Inc schooner, after having conveyed the vessels
beyond the usual cruising ground Of the pirates left
w,
course to return to port By this time the trade
wind had commenced, blowing very fresh with occa-
| sonal squalls-and as the schooner was approaching
| the bay OF Matanzas, when about miles from
the shore squall struck and capsiZed her instantly
Their condition was critical one the schooner
| could not be righed, and it evident would soon
| fill with water and sink There was only one boat
which could live in that rough sea- and that a small
one not capable OF carrying third part Of the
| In this emergency, the commander whose name de.
| IN ha
and energy furnishing audable example Tor all on
| OH board
| Without exhibiting any alarm he ordered the men
| to get out the boat nh Oh was manned with Its usual
| crew OF six men, and officer He instructed the
off1cer 10 pull Tor the shore With all possible de patch
and procure immediate assistance, ii il could be OBJ
taned-lf not, to 20 with all haste 10 Matanzas -
meanwhile they would cl ng to the sinking wreck
as long as possible, and perhaps would be able sus-
! tain themselves until assistance should come
The officer proceeded shore but could there oh.
tam no assistance. Spanish planter provided him
| with fleet horse, and guide mounted another
and OIL he started full galop for Maanzas, dis.
lance of six or eight miles He proceeded without de
| lay on board the Sea Gull and communicated intei-
gence Of the unfortunate accident
All was hustle Immediately on board the steamship
In incredible short time this vessel was got under
way, and urged by the power Of steam proceeded al
| rapid rate out OF the bay against strong trade
wlnd--the iicer who had conveyed the intelligence
acting pot. Their hopes of rescuing their brave
couptrymea were but feeble, and their Joy can hardly
be conceived, when the wreck length discover
ed almost submerged. In few minutes they were
along side; and after all after being in this danger
Gus situation three hours, saved with the ex-
| ception of one man. who was drowned when the
schooner capsZed Before the Sea Gull had pro-
ceeded far her return to port the schooner had al
together disappeared
The presence of the Sea Gull in Matanzas was
providentia circumstance, as no other than steam
vessel could have left the harbor in the teeth of that
strong trade wind-BoSton Journal.