The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-10

captain had taken the s'northern channel
or North about ireland. | knew this
channel was the most critical, and both
from the rapidity of our movements, u
miles an hour, and the popularity of the
night, that some risk was being run.-
There was no moon, and the sky had be-
come overcast and heavy, some rain had
began to fall and the wind had risen to
stead y wholesale breeze right over our
stern. 1t was gloomy, tut up to the
hour of our disaster, not what should
call tempestuous night, and for the Equi-
noxlal storm, was not by any means un-
common, except for its mildness. We
had passed the Isle of Man, as ii was
pointed out BY the stearsman.
| retired to rest at . o'clock and had
fallen into sweet sleep, when | was
suddenly awakened by an unusual grating
astern followed by tremendous crash,
which | knew had destroyed the action
Of the propeller. This blow was re-
ceived in passing between two rocks,
called the "Cow and Calf" not far from
the shore. 1t unshipped our rudder and
the propeller was so hurt by it and broken,
that il could no louger revolve. In mo-
nent more we felt ourselves on The bot
tom again, grinding and cracking, until
the immense vessel of 3,50O tons burthen
was suddenly struck with shock which
it seemed would crush any human fabric.
As she struck. the sea broke over her,
tearing off our boats, and driving the wa
ter through every accessible place. At
the first touch of the rock rose and at
tempted in profound darkness TO dress,
and IN short time succeeded sufficiently
, to 90 out Of my state room in the cabin,
where | found a mass collected, with hor-
ror in every countenance. A succession
Of shock after shock reused all, and
screams began to issue from the Ladies
rooms. The wind now rose to a tempest.
1t was deep darkness without. The rain
began 10 pour down in torrents. There
was one bright long continued gleam OF
| lightning which showed before and around
US the white breakers, and on each side
large and appalling rocks. The lightning
was followed by loud thunder, which
! heard at such time was most fearful
The Captain sent up rockets from the
deck, and fired heavy signal guns, all OF
which tended 10 deepen the common a.
Iarm. Sometimes we had few moments
of comparative quiet, and then came shock
after shock, as the waves dashed against
and lifted US to fall heavily on the ground.
Al each OF these shocks which occur
red at frequent intervals, il seemed as if
our last hour had come, and the only par
tition between US and the waves about to
be annihilaied. Our ignorance and the
ignorance Of the captain, as to where we
were and what we were to meet next. and
our entire inability to stay on deck, to
make anv provisions for safety, deepened
the horror of our situation. For hours
we remained in this condition and you
may well imagine they were long, fearful
hours, that will be remembered while life
lasts. We waited, o how impatiently
for the day, and yet feared that day would
dawn only to show that escape was an
impossibility.
The Captain at an early period came
into the cabin, and told the collected pas
! sengers that he was certain that the ship
was on sand bank and not on the rocks,
and that he thought all would be saved by
boats in the morning. But as he had run
his vessel ashore so mysteriously, and
confessed he did not know where we
were, and was moreover endeavoring to
/ inspire quiet by giving assurance of safe
ty-the passengers had but little conf
dence in his words, while the howling
wind was sweeping over the deck, and
the waves thrashing the vessel with a
power that made the whole mass quiver,
as if every part was breaking asunder.
On the whole the passengers behaved
well. When it was thought that death
was certain and one and all about to be
hurried to Eternity, | deemed it my duty.
while felt Of course, the awful solemni-
ty OF my own situation, 10 say few
words publicly to attempt to benefit any
that might be unprepared to die. The
Rev. DIR. Cox followed with an exhorta-
ton and prayer. One Clergyman read a
Psalm, and another still gave a word Of
encouragement. | believe there never
was more sincerely praying circle, or a
time and place, when and where man
more earnestly sought strength from God
The scene was sublime. 1t was the
hour OF human passivitv and weakness
for till morning nothing could be done as
the Captain confessed. What could live
in the mad waves of such tempest, amiC
such breakers as Numbered against the
vessel. "We cried unto the Lord and ht
heard us and delivered US out OF Distress
Towards the morning the wind shifted
: and after blowing for time violently
4 from the Northwest, lulled. There wa
r gradual subsistence of the crowd into
e silent but anxious awaiting their destiny