The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-17
From the Boston Advertiser
DISASTER AT SEA AND LOSS OF LIVES


DISASTER AT SEA AND LOSS OF LIVES.
We stated briefly in our last, under the shipping
head, that the schooner Oraloo of and for Damaris-
Gotta, from this port, had been capsized with
several dead bodies in the cabin, into which access
had been obtained by cutting through the quarter.
The Portland papers of Monday morning state that
the wreck was seen from the observatory at that
place on Sunday forenoon, and the propeller Gen
Warren proceeded to her and lowed her into Port
land at m, on Monday.
We learn from the Argus, that the Oraloo, Captain
Farnham, sailed hence on Friday afternoon, and in
thunderstorm next afternoon was capsizcd, about
halfway between Segun island and Cape Elizabeth
She was nearly light and had seven female passen-
gers and two children, all Of whom in the
cabin at the time of the disas,er--Mrs. Ford and
child, (wife Of DR.. Ford, Of Damariscolta) Mrs
Bates and child, of Boston, Mrs. Dunbar Of Noble
boro Patience and Abigail Montgomery, and Abb
gail Coombs all of Damariscotta, and another lady
whose name and place residence recolIected
The Oraloo was in company with the schooner AL
bon, of Damariscotta and the Deborah, of New
Bedford, which vessels Immediately went TO the as
sistance of the Oraoo. II being evident, by the
noises in the cabin that the passengers were alive
holes were cut in the deck, and all the passengers
drawn from Their perilous position but Mrs. Dun
bar and Mrs. Ford and child. Mrs. Bates's child
a babe of three months-was Withdrawn at the same
time, but was dead. The mother says she was on
one side of the cabin dressing her hair, and her child
lying in the berth in the other, at the moment; and
she could not get to it to save it.
These five passengers were taken on board the
Albion, which proceeded on her way to Damaris-
Gotta. The boats OF the Oraoo having been swamp
ed, the crew of the Deborah still remained about
her. to render what assistance they could and to get
the dead bodies. Having remained three hours they
were Just leaving, when one of them thought he
heard noise in the cabin, and another effort was
induced; when, having cut through two bulwarks,
the wife of DIR. Ford and her boy, eight years old
were found TO be alive, and rescued. The body of
Mrs. Dunbar was also found, which composed all
the passengers
The salvation of Mrs. Ford was truly wonderful.
She and her were three hours in that cabin, al
most buried in water In talking with some friends
before she sailed, they narrated how woman was
saved in similar circumstances a year or two since,
in bingham packet; and it gave her courage, du-
ring all those TO her) nerminabc three hours, to
struggle for life Her head having risen between
the heavy beams of the cabin-roof, she was left
breathing place. free from the water that filed the
cabin.
Having fortunately, also, secured frkm cover,
she got it under her feet, which Just raised her
mouth above the water! With one hand she held
the boy, and with the other kept up knocking
with mustard box against the roof of the cabin,
decorating her hand badly the mean time.
IL by the merest accident that she left behind
her her little girl at Cambridgeport, and much
against her will at the time. But her change of pur
pose saved It's life. She is noble woman, and, by
her presence of mind and endurance, has been saved
from watery grave. She was to leave at eight the
same morning for her home, to contradict, by her
presence, the fearful news that has gone before, of
her death. Her appearance will be like the resur-
reciion Of one from the grave!
Mrs. Dunbar was an old lady; and, as she and
the child of three months lay on the deck, so natu-
raj did they look it seemed as though age and child
hood had only lain down for little while together,
to repose. The cheeks OF the babe were ruddy
with the glow of health.