Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-05-04

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marred BY The loss Of man oyesboard.-
| When within few hundred miles of the
Azores, we were overtaken BY success
sion OF severe squalls. Forming almost
instantaneously on The horizon, they moved
down like phantoms on the ship. For q
few moments afer one struck us, we
would be buried in foam and spray, and
then heavily rolling on heavy sea. We
however prepared ourselves, and soon
got everything snug. The light sails were
all in-ihe ,jlbs, top-gallams and spanker
turied close-the main sail clewed up, and
we were crashing along under close reefed
top-sails alone, when man who was COM
| ing down from the last reef, slipped as
| he stepped on the bulwarks and wen,
over backwards into the waves. In Q
moment that most terrific OF all cries a,
sea, "a man overheard! man over.
board!'' flew like lightning over the ship
sprung upon the quarter deck just al
the poor fellow, with his ssfelrful human
|face,' riding the top Of billow, fed past
In an instant all was lcomnotion: plank at.
ter plank was cast over for him to seize
""a sustain himself a., till the lip could
be put about and the boat lowered. The
first mate, bold, fiery fellow, leaped in.
to the boat that hung at the side Of the
quarter deck, and in voice so sharp and
stern | seem to hear it yet, shouted, 'sir
men---in men!' But the poor s.ilors
hung back-the sea was too wild. The
second mate sprung to the side Of the
first, and the mel ashamed to leave both
their officers alone followed. '.Cut away
the lashings," excl~imed the ofiicer-the
X lie glanced around the ropcs-the boat
fell to the water-ross on huge wave fl
over the deck, and dried .raIi.ly astern
! thought it could not live moment In
such sea, but the officer who keld the
helm was sxilful seaman. Twice in
his life he lid been wrecked, and for a
menent ! forgot the danger in q miration
Of his cool elf-possession. He stood e.
rect-thc helm in his hand--his flashing
eye embracing the whole peril in singls
glance, aad his hand bringing the head
Of the gallant little boat on each high sea
that otherwise would have swampel her.
I watched them till nearly two miles
astern, when they hy-to TO look for the
lost sailor. Just then turned my eve to
the Southern horizon and saw d squat
blackcr and heavier than any we had be-
fore encountered rushing down upon MS.
The Captain also saw l., and was terribly
excited. He afterwards told me that il,
all his sea lie he never was more so. lie
oallol for q. flag, and, springing into the
shrouas, waved it for their return. Tie
gallant fellows obeyed the signal and pull
ed for the ship. But it was slow work,
for the head OF the boat had to be laid on
to almost every wave. 1t was now grow
ing dark, and il the sauaA should strike
the boat before 1t reached che vessel, there
was no hope for VI II would ether 60
down at once, or drift away into the sur
rounding darkness, to struggle cut the
night asst could. I shall never for 81 that
scene. AL alcng the southern horizon
between the black water and the blackel
heavens was white streak OF tossing
foam. Nearer and clearer every momen
it boiled and roareA il its track. Bctwee'
il and us appeared at intervals that it'll
boat like black spcok on the Gre Il q
the pillows, and then sunk away A Lparent
" engulphed for ever. One m.ement In
squall would seem to gain on it, beyon
the power Of escape, and then delay il
progress. As / stood ard watched then
both, and yet could not tell which woul
I reach lis first, the excitement amounted 1
perfect agony. Seconds seemed lengthen
ed into hours. Icould not look steadily o.
that gallant little crew now settling tn
question Of life. and death to themselsc
and perhaps TO us, who would be left al
most unnamed in the middle Of the AT
lantic, and encompassed BY storm. Tn
sea was making fast, and vet that frai
thing rode it ike duck. Every tim
she sunk away she carried my heart dow
with her, and when she remained long
Ter time than usual, ! would think It wa
Il al ever, and cover my eyes in horror--sh
l next moment She would appear betwee
is and the black rolling cloud litsrall
covered with foam and spray. The Cap
| tain knew, as he said afterwards, that
lfew minutes more would decide the ii,
Il 81 his officers and crew. He called "a
his, trumpet, and sprinSfng up the ratings
Z 49, .xAsl@