The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-14
The Loss Of the Isaac Mead. q

iaOric-JeTScy (Hy lei.
The Loss Of the Isaac Mead.
We copy the following communication from
the New York Tribune IL speaks for itself
Il was lying awake in my state-room when
heard the wa oh on deck giving order to the
helmsman to steer to the wind-ward of a vessel
which order seemed to be obeyed. In moment
after, the order was countermanded, rs the ves-
sci appeared to be crossing our track. Spring.
ing up, commenced dressing, but just as
took my coat and vest up to put them on. the
watch cried out that the vessel would be into
us. At the same time he Jailed her to steer
away but before the sound of his voice had
ceased, the vessel, which proved to be the steamer
Southerner, struck US on our bow-sprit, which.
acting lever, pred the bow of the bark wide
OPEN called out to learn whether there was
any danger, and the first answer came Tint there
was none; but some one immediately cried that
! abe was sinking. BY this time was dressed,
and running upon deck, where the passengers
were fast assembling, several of MS engaged for
moment in trying to launch Il life-boat, which
hung on the starboard side, but before she was
unlashed the bow of the bark was deep under
water and none of us were able to stand The
ladies' were all terrified, screaming for help and
mercy; vet only one man seemed to lose com
mand ofhmself. Those who could, immediate
ly jumped overheard, and commenced swimming
to get away from the vessel before she went
down; but no one had time to seize plank or
anything with which to sustain himself. The
vessel was nearly perpendicular that slid
down to the mainmast, where, catching hold of
| II settee, l drew myself with all my might to-
ward the stern in order to Jump overheard
| But had scarcely time to catch hold OF the
rigging Of the mizzenmast before she went down
AMI the cries for help were drowned in the rush
Of waters made by III. bark's sinking. As we
went down, commenced drawing myself up by
! the rigging. and when had cleared myself from
| that continued to descend being drawn down
by the sinking vessel. Exert. g myself to rise
| to the surface, ill after what seemed to me an
age, f 1t that was no longer descending, since
the rush of waters had ceased. Although Las
cended rapidly, was so long under water that
| was in IL nearly exhausted condition when J
| gained the surface As soon as had cleared
my stomach and lungs of water, looked around
| 10 see where the steamer was, which had ti0ated
far to the southeast About hundred yards
to the southwest, observed several things
aioat, towards which started, and for the first
fifteen minutes had nothing TO support myself
with. | then found board, about three feet
long and two wide, on which rested for mo-
u ent, and took the frs long breath. During
1
| to sustain themselves were most heart rending,
and loud above all tie others was clearly distin-
| gushed that of female ] tried to throw off
my coat and boots, but finding it impossible,
turned out of my course to try to render aid to
the lady. When near enough to see her, called
| out to her to take courage, telling her that
| would soon be with her !; also not to spend her
| strength by calling for help, but to hold firmly
to her plank, since she would soon be saved
She replied that her strength was aln ~ gone
/ and that unless she was soon saved il Would be
too late AT the same time, a man, few yards
from her, rolled off his plank, but whether HI
was previously dead OF not could not be ascer
tanned; he neither struggled nor gave sound
but Immediately disappeared.
! The sea rolled so heavily, / could scarcel,
swim against il, and it was at this time that on
| Of the floating planks or timbers struck agains
my side and arm and threw me under water
Recovering myself, however, / turned to look a
the lady, who was then being carried on the tor
of II high wave, ard holding firmly to her plank
it rolled with her and she went under. But b,
an almost superhuman effort she recovered he
position on the plank ag lin and commenced call
| ing for aid She soon lost her hold again ant
went down, but rising asked me TO help her, Il,
| she should soon 90 down, and whena most neal
enough to reach her plank, she gradually relaxed
her hold, and with one long gurgng cry diSap-
peared forever. For the first time | felt desc
late and dsheartened, fearing lest the steamer
was going to leave us, and looked towards the
land, but none could be seen. Another man
sooh after went down near me, crying for help
and mercy, and ! began to think my last hour
was ut hand. Suffice it to say, that after being
III the water for more than three quarters OF an
hour, he was rescued by the steamers boats, yet,
.,.I 70 lnt, n,I,- ,,t, l.ft 70 fail
mournfu tale twcnty-four havn. gone to their
final account. OF these one was the child of the
above named lady, which the steward with praise
worthy humanity, carried through the waves
swimming will, one hand. till no signs Of life APP
pearing, he left it, The steward WAS picked up
in an exhausted state. esf
The Captain WIS drawn under water by some
one who seized him by the hand, and wine came
| near drowning him. Almost Immediately after
this he was seized again by the breast, an in
disengaging himself had to tear off his clothes
After recovering himself however, he swan
away for lbe steamer, and finding plank
managed to save himself The rest OF the crew,
and the remaining passengers met with no pr
ticular incidents. All being reused from their
sleep, no one had time to save anything, and
many passengers never got out of the cabin
We were kindly treated on board the steamer,
which brought us to New York, and take this
opportunity to express the thanks of all who
were saved, to those who so nobIy contributed
to our wants, and whose kindness sinks deep
into our hearts s
In the midst of all this gratitude. only one
cause of uneasincss acts as drawback, and that
is the long delay Of the steamers boats in COM
ing to our rescue. Why we were forty minutes
in the water is a question which would not
like to press for an answer Three went down
who struggled more til n half an hour. Yet let
n veil be thrown over the whole all was so or
dered by the will of Him who alike ruleth the
armies Of heaven and the children OF men.
w. II. STANTON
Flushing Oct. g..
CHURCH CASE pEcmED-Wesley Chapel, on