The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-09-07
The Old Jerscy Prison ship.

During three months confinement IN the summer
OF i7Si, and one OF the "eigh hundred and fifty
souls that hulk contained, halfsarved for bread
and iamlshed for water, cons equenty drove TO des
peration, frequent daring attempts to escape
made. witnessed several Of them, and they gen.
orally end ed traglcally. They were always under
taken In the night alter wrcnchng filing the bars
OF the port-holes (she old sxty-iouD Ilav-
ing been on board several weeks and goaded to
death IN various ways, four OF concluded TO run
the hazard We set to work and got the bars OIL
and waited mpatienty tor dark night we lay IN
front OF MIR. Ramsons door, inside of the pier
head, and not more than twenty yards distant
There were two guard sloops, one on our bow and
the other OIL our quarter, short distance from MS
''The dark night" came--the first two were lowered
quietly into the watcr--the third made some rum
bling. ! was the fourth that descended but had not
struck oil from the vessel before the guards were
alarmed, and fired upon US The alarm became
general, and was Immediately hauled on board
They manned their boats, and with their lights and
implements OF deah Were quick in pursuit of the
untOrtunates, curslng and swearing, and believing
and firing. II was awful 10 witness this scene Of
blood II lasted about one hour--a on board trem.
bling for our shlpmates These desperadoes return
ed TO their different vessels rejoicing that they kill
ed three of the Did rebels
About three years after this, saw a gentleman in
John street, near Nassau, who accosed me thus -
"Manley, how do you do y ! could not recolIect
him "ls II possible you do not know me; recollect
vest and barred his breast | Immediately said to
ann, You are James MCLEAN" Il am the per-
son." ne replied. We both stepped into Mariners
public house, at the corner, and he related his mar
vellous escape to me.
They pursued mel frequently dived to evade
them, ana when came up, they fired on me.
caught my breath and Immediately dove again.
and held my breath TIL crawled along on the mud
They no doubt thought that they had Killed me /,
however, with much exertion, though weak and
wounded, made ont to reach shore and with much
langour got INTO barn. not far from the ship little
norm from MIR Ramson's house The farmer the
next morning, came into his barn--saw ne LAYING
on me hoor and ran out In fright | begged him
come to ME and he did, gave an account of nv
seit-where was from--how was pursued. with
several others He saw my wounds took pity on
me, ana acted the part OF the good Samaritan gent
Tor nus wife, and bound up my wounds, and kept me
IN the barn I'll nightiall-took me into his house
nursed me secretly, and then furnished me with
clothing, Nc; and when | was restored. he took
with him, IN his market boat, to this civ. md
went with me to the west part of the city-procured
me a passage over to Bergen, and / landed some
where IN Communipaw. Some friends helped me
across Newark Bay, and then / worked nv wav
until reached Baltimore to the great oy OF ali nv
friends"
II James MCLEAN Is still living. shoud be much
gratlfied to be informed OF the fact When Iris et,ar
occurred he was sixteen or eighteen years Of ace
INo NANNY
SswsYork, September Let, 1915