The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-08

Goodness in the Hour Of Danger.-Ihe N I.
American in article relating to the particulars OF
the loss of the Peacock, as published in late num-
Der, says that it recalls, by the contrasts IN the re-
suits, the loss of the French rgate Mcdusa wreck ed
several years ago. off the coast o. Africa The editor
| OF the New York paper says Sin the American snip
we lind camness, energy self-possesslon and entire
subordinaon, preserved under most trying and dan
gerous circumstances No confusion, no Intoxlca,
ton, and, by consequence, the safety of all board
the gallant commander the last leave his wrecked
| ship. In the of the French frigate, there
great loss of life and the raft TO which the
survivors obliged to resort, that exceeded In hor
all previous accounts of shipwrecks Insubordi
nation and ntoxication caused the whole"
Many thrilling incidents night be cited to illus
trate the nrepidy GOODNESS and presence of mind of
American tars, in cases of extreme peril-one OF
which, that occurred almost under immediate OBJ
servation, will relate. 1t will be recollected that
twenty years ago. piracies and cold blooded muir
ders were frequent on the coast OF Cuba. Commo-
dore Porter out there with the steamship Sea
Gull, and fleet of small vessels poorly calculated fo
service to suppress the piraces, and aid in con
v0ying the American vessels, II was III 1873 or
1924, that while the Sea Gull lying at anchor in
the harbor of Matanzas American vessels sailed
for the United States and Europe. and were conveyed
out of the harbor by one of the vessels which com
posed this musquilo fleet The name ofhs vessel, or
Of its gallant commander, we do not recollect.
The schooner, after having conveyed the vessels
beyond the usual cruising ground of the pirates left
them to make the best of their way, and altered her
course to return to port. BY this time the trade
wind had commenced blowing very fresh with occa-
siona squalls-and the schooner was approaching
the bay Of Matanzas, when about seven miles from
the Shore squal struck and capszed her instantly.
Their condition was critical one the schooner
could not be righled and it evident would soon
fill with water and sink. There only one bOai
which could live in that rough sea, and that small
one, capable of carrying third part of the crew
In this emergency, the commander, whose name de-
to be remembered acted with GOODNESS, decision
and energy-fur nshng laudabe example for all on
on board.
Without exhibiting any alarm, he ordered the men
to get the boat which manned with its usual
crew OF six men, and officer. He instructed the
officer to pull for the shore with all possible despatch,
tained-if not, to 60 with all haste to Matanzas-
meanwhile they would cling to the sinking wreck
long poss BILE, and perhaps would be able to
| tain themselves until assistance should come.
The officer proceeded shore, but could there OBJ
| tain assistance. A Spanish planter provided hin,
with fleet horse, and guide mounted another
and Off he started on full gaop for Matanzas dis
lance of six or eight miles He proceeded without de-
lay board the Sea Gull and communicated intelli-
| 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 at
rapid rate out of the bay, against strong trade
wind-the officer who had conveyed the intelligence
acting as plot Iher hopes OF rescuing thelr brave
countrymen were but feeble and their JOY hardly
be conceived when the wreck at 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
cepton 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
providential circumstance, as other than steam
vessel could have left the harbor in the teeth of that
| strong trade wind-Boston Journal.