Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-03-17
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH IL, 1912.


From tke Boston Journal.
| GOODNESS IN THE HOUR OF DANGER.
The N. 7. American, in an article rela
ting TO the particulars Of the loss OF the
Peacock, as published in a late number
says that il recalls, by the contrasts ia
the results, the loss ofthe French irigsle
Medusa, wrecked several years ago, of
the coast of Africa. The editor OF the
New ork paper says: "In the American
ship we find calmness, energy, self poses
SION, and entire subordinatiun, preserved,
under most trying and dangerous circuin-
stances. No confusion, no intoxica,ion.
and, by consequence, the safety Of all on
board--the gallant commander the last
TO leave his wrecked ship. la the case
of the French frigate, there was great
loss Of life, and scenes on the raft, TO
which the survivors were obliged to re-
sort, that exceeded in horor all previous
accounts of shipwrecks. INSTRUMENTATION
and intoxicstlon caused the WHOLE"
Many thrilling accidents might be ci-
ted, to illustrate the in:repidity, GOODNESS,
and presence Of mind Of American tars. 10
that occurred almost under our immediate
observation, we will relate. 1t will be
recolected that near twenty years ago,
piracies and cold-blooded murders were
frequent on the coast Of Cuba. Commo-
dore Porter was sent out there with the
steamship Sea Gull, and feet Of small
vessels poorly calculated for sea service,
to suppress the piiacies, and aid in con.
voying the American vessels. II was IN
1923 or 1924, that while the Sea Gull
was lying at anchor in the harbor OF Ma
tanzas, some American vessels sailed for
the U. States and Europe, and were con.
voyed out Of the hurbor by one OF the
vessels which composed this musquito
feet. The name OF this vessel, or Of its
gallant commander we do not recoIlect.
The schooner after having conveyed
the vessels beyond the usual cruising
ground Of the pirates, loft them to make
the best Of their way. and altered her
course 10 return TO port. BY this time
the trade wind had commenced blowing
very fresh, with occasional squalls--and
as the schooner was approaching the bay
Of Matanzas, when about seven miles from
the shore, squall struck and capsized
her Instantly.
Their condition was a critical one
the schooner could not be righted, and
il was evident would soon fill with water
and sink. There was only one boat,
which could live in that rough sen, and
that small one, not capable of carrying
one third part Of the crew. In this emer-
gency, the commander, whose name de-
serves TO be- remembered. acted with cool.
ness, decision and energy-furnishing
laudable example for all on board.
Without exhibiting any alarm, he or
dered the men to get out the boat, which
was manned with its usual crew OF six
men, and an officer. He instructed the
officer to pull for the shore with all pos
sible despnch, and procure immediate
assistance, lift could be obtained-!f not,
to 90 with all haste to Mutanzas-mean.
while they would cling to the sinking
wreck as long as possible, and perhaps
would be able to sustain themselves until
assistance should come.
The officer proceeded on shore, but
could there obtain no assistance. A Span
ish planter provided him with feet horse,
and guide mounted on another, and off
he started in full gallop for Matanzas,
distance Of six or eight miles. He pro-
ceeded without delay on board the Sea
Gull, and communicated Intelligence of
the unfortunate accident.
All was hustle Immediately on board
the steamship. Ia an incredible short
time this vessel was got under way, and
urged by the power Of steam, proceeded
at rapid rate out Of the bay, against
strong trade wind-the officer who had
conveyed the intelligence, acting as pi-
lot. Their hopes of rescuing their brave
countrymen were but feeble, and their
Joy can hardly be conceived, when the
wreck was at length discovered, almost
submerged. Ia few minutes they were
along side /; and oil, after being in this
dangerous situation three hours, were
saved, with the exception OF one man,
who was drowned when the schooner cap
sized. Before the Sea Gull had proceed.
ed far on her return to port, the schooner
had altogether disappeared!
The presence Of the Sea Gull in Ma
tanzas was a proyideniial circumstance,
as no other than a steam vessel could have
left the harbor in the teeth olthat strong
a..