Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-11-28

OF uitecu SeA 6S3l SAS -N'N~~N Il
bv those who were saved from de-
strncti0n. Amongst others, the iol-
lowing is told Of Mr.. Ridge. from
New Orleans, and a Miss Onslow,
from some of the southern States,
two Of the unfortunates who were
picked up the fifth day, about fifty
miles from land. II is stated OF the
gentleman, that he had been sitting
on the deck alone for half an hour
previous to the accident. announcer
gentleman, who was walking near
him at the time of ;he explosion, was
thrown overheard, and himself was
urecipitated nearly over the side OF
ths hoat and stunned. He recover
ed Immediately, as he supposed,
when he heard some one remark
acct out the small boat--she is sink
ing" He was not acquainted with
a solitary individual in the boat.
Under such circumstances, il was
natural to suppose he would feel
quite as much concern for himself
as anyone else. He was consequent
Iy among the foremost oi those who
sought the small boat for safety, and
was about to step into if, when he
discovered a young lady, whom he
recognized as one whose appearance
had sundry times, during the passage,
arrested his attention. Her protec-
Tor was the gentleman who was
walking on deck and blown over
board. He sprang towards her TO
take her into the small boat; but in
the crowd and confusion he lost
sight OF her, and he supposed she was
with some of her friends. During
the fuitless search, the small boat
showed of. The night rang with the
prayers and shrieks of the helpless
and drowning. He turned away in
despair, and tumbled over coil OF
small rope. Hope, like the expiring
spark, frightened again. He caught
up the rope-lashed together coup
le OF settees-threw them upon a
piece OF an old sail, and a small emp
ty cask, and thus equipped, launch
ed upon the element.
1t was all the work Of a moment.
He believed death inevitable, & that
effort was his last grasp for life.
His vessel bore him up much better
than he expected, and he was conso-
ling himself with his escape, such as
it was, while others were perishing
all around him, when he discovered
a female struggling for life almost
within his grasp. He left his ark
swan but twice his length-seized
his object, and returned safely to his
craft again, which proved sufficient
to sustain them both, but with their
heads and shoulders only above the
water.
The female was the young lady
for whom he had lost passage in
the small boat. She fancied' their
boat would be unable to support
them both, and said--"You will have
10 let me go to save yourself" He
repIied-"We live, or we die togeth-
er."
Soon alter they drifted upon a
piece Of the wreck, probably a part
of the same floor or partition, torn
asunder by the explosion. This.
with the aid of the setfees fastened
beneath il, proved sufficient 10 keep
them out of the water. About this
time, one OF the small boats came
towards them, but already heavily
loaded. He implored them To take
in the young lady. But she said no;
she could not leave him. They were
fairly at sea, without the least NOR
sci to eat or drink, in scorching
sun.
Of the boat which bore them all
in quiet and safety but half an hour
before, nothing was TO be seen but
scattered pieces of the wreck. The
small boats were on their way to-
wards the shore--their own craft
being light and lightly loaded drifted
far awaY from a scene indiscribably |
heart-rending. and which he still
shudders to think of.
At daylight nothing was visible to
them but the heavens and waste Of
waters. In the course Of the day
they came in sight Of land, and for a
time were confident of reaching it;
but during the succeeding night the
wind changed, and soon after dav-
light next morning it vanished again,
and with it all their lively hopes Of
escaping their dreadful dilemma.
On the third day sail hove in sight,
but she was entirely beyond hailing
distance. When found. they were
sadly burned by the sun-starved
and exhausted, though in possession
or their faculties, and able TO move
and talk. But their pain and suf-
fering was not without a pleasure
and enjoyment. The romantic part
Of the story Of their expedition is
yet to come, and there is no telling
how much longer thew would have ,