The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-01-12
the island in about twenty minutes.

CIarke, Uisregaruing the most strenuous
entreaties, resolutely showed off again
with a volunteer crew at the imminent
hazard Of their lives. Less than three
minutes alter the boat left the brig. Capt.
Semmes, finding the vessel settling under
them, gave an order for every man 10 save
himself. All simultaneously plunged in
to the water, and grasped the posts, gra-
tlngs, spars. coops and other floating OBJ
jects at hand. Many must have gone
down from the want Of any support what
ever; others struggled on frail floats to be
finally drilied on the reefs and dashed to
pieces.
Some were driven TO sea TO be heard of
no more, and others encountered the
worst fate which could be apprehended in
being drowned, by sharks. OF near six
" who plunged from the wreck only Sc
venteen escaped.
Through all this appalling scene the
greatest composure was observed by men
and officers. There was no appearance
Of panic, no exhibition Of selfshness.-
Those who could not swim were particu-
larry enioined 10 go in the boat. A large
man by the name of Seymour. the ships
cook, had got into the boat. Lieut.. Par
ker commanded him TO come out in order
TO make room for two smaller men, and
he obeyed the order, but was afterwards
directed to go into The boat when it was
found he could not swim.
Capt. Semmes and Lieut.. Parker were
! picked up by Mr.. Clarke from a grating.
and Jacob Hazard, woman, was rescued
swimming near them. Those who sur
Wved have told OF many instances of he
roic self-devotion. The acting-master,
Henry A. Clemson, was struggling OF a
small steering sail boom with five others,
two of whom could not be supported and
he left and struck out alone and unsuppor-
ted. He was seen for the last time upon
a sky-light and probably persisted in the
surf. The FIVE men he left were saved,
the two who could not swim being sup
ported by their comrades, Amos Colson
and John Williamson.
The Mexicans Saw the accident from
the mole, and checred and exulted for a
long time. The brig had been for a long
time engaged in the blockade, and had
done more to interrupt the m of
the port than almost all the other vessels.
Within the last fortnight both town and
castle had been kept in a constant alarm
by the burning of the Creole, and other
demonstrations which | presume you will
hear of in due time. | have no doubt
the Mexicans were relieved when they
saw her sink in the ocean. | append a
list of the lost and saved-37 men saved
81 lost. One officer, Mr.. Rodgers.
Passed Midshipman, and one man, John
G. Fox, were captured by the Mexicans,
two days before, while accommodating an
important point, in company with DR..
Wright, the latter escaped to witness the
catastrophe Of the brig. J. II. W.
The writer gives an interesting account
of the heroic devotion of the foreign yes
sells at SACRIFICES, two miles distant, to
save the crew of the Somers. Two hun
dred of the crew of the British ship En-
dymion volunteered for the service, and
among the French and Spanish vessels
equal heroism was exhibited. The gale,
however, was so Violent that their boats
had to be recalled. When it abated they
again put out, and succeeded in saving
fourteen lives. We regret that we have
not space for these interesting details this
morning.
The strange vessel which tempted the
Somers from shelter was the Abrasia,
bound for the squadron.
Sixteen Of those on board the Somers.
reached the shore on hen-coops, and are
now prisoners In Vera Cruz.