The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-26

at the time pulling my clothes off preparing for
the worst. had 10 struggle for my life in order
to get on deck, and after being bruised a little
succeeded in doing so; oh what scene pre-
sented itself to my eyes; the vessel was slowly
regaining her equilibrium, the water was covered
with the wreck Of spars and rigging, and our
poor shipmstes were struggling for their lives
With the exception of our beloved Commander
and ten seamen ali succeeded in regaininu the
wreck. and the pumps were manned in order to
see if the vessel was tight. l shall never forpet
that hour l was CALM and resigned to what an.
peared my Inevitable fate. But must pause a
moment to pay tribute to the memory of the
departed ones. Better seamen never ,rod ships
deck Our poor friend, Mr. Bache, and love to
call him my friend. is monrned by us all. saw
him moment ere he left us he was calm, but
the finger Of death wac on him, | saw the mark
IN his CHASTITY countenance. The last words
heard him say were, Well. gentlemen. hope
you think have done all can do" We said
!" yes" and he went on deck, and this was the
last ever saw Of him.
For us, who remained alive, il was time Of
intense anxiety; every moment we expected TO
strike and 90 to pieces. The ballast and shot
were now thrown overheard but she continued
dragging slowly towards the shore until half past
sne, when the gale abated. and the brig rode se-
curely to her anchors
At the close of this hurricane we found our
selves about fourteen miles north of Cape Halter
az. and two or three miles from the land. having
been blown in nine hours distance of near a hun
bred miles. such was the violence of the wind.
The wind now shifted around to the northwe
and blew very fresh, but we were we'll satisfied,
as there was not much danger Of being blown
ashore, even If our anchors and chains had parted
On "Wednesday morning, the 9th. (the day af
ter the gale. the weather had moderated and the
officers and crew were employed in rigging jury
masts, fitting sails, rigging, &c. That night it
blew another gale from the north west, and an
other anchor was let 90 to hold her fast ali day
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the gale contn-
ued; on the last mentioned day, at shutdown, we
lost both anchors and stood out to sea of course,
and we passed an anxious night; on Sunday
morning, the 18th, the weather was very thick
and hazy. but we were in the Gulf stream. which
was drifting us rapidly TO the northward at ele-
ven O'Clock the crew called on deck to mus
ter and the dead were noted eleven, in number,
out Of fifty two souls the original crew Of the ves-
sell read divine service, and we all. for once at
least in our lives, returned sincere and heartfelt
thanks TO Almighty God for our safe deliverance
from present dangers. All were deeply affected
some shed tears; it an affecting sight TO see
weather beaten faces cry
NO sooner was this duty finished than il became
beautifully clear, and vessel close by
and coming towards us. She proved To be the
York; her Captain Virglnian. and gene
rous fellow he was; how could it be otherwise;
he said he would stick by us until we were in a
place of safety. We logged along together until
Tuesday, the 18th, when we were second time
within few miles of Cape Henry, when the
wind again came out from the north east. and we
were obliged 10 haul off from the land. Again we
had an anxious night, no could sleep, for right
under our lee was Cape Hatteras, with its shoals
and rocks, and to heave TO, out of the ques-
ton. So we were obliged to carry as much sail
as possible. On Wednesday morning. the 10th.
we were clear of that danger, bnt it still continued
blowing quite fresh Wednesday night we were
again in the Gulf stream, but quite comfortably
lying 10.
On Thursday morning, the 18th, we spoke the
Bremen ship Albert" but The sea prevented
their sending us boat little while afterward,
and what should but the United States
frigate Constitution, Capt. Percival, from Rio de
Janeiro. bound to Boston. They took US in tow,
and kindly supplied our urgent wants. 1t was
very pleasant to meet that good old ship in our
hour of need, God bless her; she is always doing
good, will always love her. They gave "a
ter and all we required. We remained in her
company until the evening of the 2ls,, when fall
ling in with Pilot boat, off the Capes Of the
Delaware, she left to pursue her way home
We gave them three hearty cheers, which were
returned, their band playing Home Sweet
Home''