The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-26
THE WIDOWS SON..
A Thrilling and Instructive tale Of The
Revolutioa.
BY MRS. sIGouRNEY.

1t was the day before Christmas, in
the year 1878, that during our war of
revolution, an armed vessel sailed out
of the port Of Boston, was strong
| Iy built, and carried 90 guns with IL
well appointed crew of more than a
Hundred, and provisions Tor a cruise of
six months. AS she spread her broad
white sails, and steered from the harbor
with fair, fresh breeze, she made no.
bic appearance. Many throbbing
hearts breathed blessing on her voy-
age, for she bore a company ofas bold
and skilful seamen as ever dared the
perils of the deep. But soon the north
wind blew, and brought heavy sea
into the bay. The night proved dark,
and they came to anchor with Difficult
ty near the harbor Of Plymouth. The
strong gale that buheted them became
storm, and the storm q hurricane.
Snow fell, and the cold was terribly
severe. The vessel was driven from
her mooring and struck on a reef OF
rocks. She began to fill with water,
and they were obliged to cut away
her masts. The sea rose above the
main deck, sweeping over it at every
surge. They made every exertlon
that courage could prompt or hardi-
hood endure. But SO fearful were the
wind and cold, that the stoutest man
was not able to strike more than two
blows in cutting away the masts, with
out being relieved by another. The
wretched people thronged together up
on the quarter deck, which was crowd
ed almost to sullocatiou. They were
exhausted with toll and suffering, but
could obtain neither provisions or fresh
water. They were all covered by the
deep sea, when the vessel became a
wreck. But unfortunately the crew
got access to ardent spirits, and many
of them drank to intoXicatlon. lnsub-
ordination, mutiny and madness ensu-
ed, the officers remained clear minded,
but lost all authority over the crew,
who raved round the II. A more irigt-
ful scene can scarcely be imaglned:-
The dark sky, the raging storm, the
waves breaking wildly over the rocks
and threatening every moment to swal-
low up the broken vessel, and the half
frozen beings who maintained their icy
hold on life, lost to reason and to duty,
fighting fercely with each other.-
Some lay in disgusting stupidity, others,
with fiery faces, blasphemed God.--
Some in temporary delerium, fancied
themselves in palaces, surrounded by
luxury, and brutaly abused the servants
who they supposed refused to do their
bidding. Others there were, who,
amid the beating of that pittiless tenn
pest, believed themselves in the home
that they never more must see, and
with hollow, reproachful voices, be-
sought bread, and wondered why wa
ter was withheld from them by the
hands that were most dear. A few
whose worst passions were quickened
bv alcohol to fcnd-like fury, assaulted
or wounded those who came in their
way, making their shrickS of defiance
and their curses heard above the roar
of the stormi Intemperance never dis
played itself in more distressing atti-
| tudes. At length, death began to do
his work. The miserable creatures
fell dead every hour upon the deck, be-
ING frozen stid and hard. Each corpse,
as it became breathIess, was laid upon
the heap ofdead, that more space might
be left Tor the survivors. Those who
drank most freely, were the first to per-
ish. On the third day Of these horrors
the inhabitants of Plymouth, after ma
king many Intellectual attempts, reach
ed the wreck, not without danger
What a melancholy spectacle! Life.
less bodies stiflened in every form that
suffering could devise. Many lay in a
vast pile. Others sat with their heads
reclining on the knees; others grasp
ing the ice covered ropes; some in a
posture Of defence like the dying gladi-
ator; others, with their hands held up
to heaven, as if deprecating their fate
Orders were given to search earnestly
for every mark or sign Of life. One
boy was distinguished amidst the mass
of dead, only by the trembling of one
of his eye-Ilds.-The poor survivors
were kindly received into the houses of
the people of Plymouth, and every eff
ford used for their restoration. The
Captain and Lieutenant, and a few
others, who abstained from the use of
ardent spirits, survived. The remain
der were buried, some in seperate
graves, and others in a large pit, whose
hollow is still to be seen on the south
west side Of the burial ground in Ply
mouth. The funeral obsequies were
most solemn. When the clergyman
who was to perform the last services,
Grct antared and sa w more than cnven.