Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-11-07
Romance in ShipWreck.

dents connected with the explosion and
wreck of the Pulaski steamer, (which
occurred some ten or fifteen years ago)
are related by these who were saved from
destruction. Amongst others the follow
ing is told of Mr.. Ridge, from New
Orleans, and Miss Onslow from one of
the Southern States. two Of the unfortu-
mates who were picked up on the fifth
day, about fifty miles from land. 1t is
stated Of the gentleman that he had been
sitting ON the deck alone, for half an hour
previous to the accident. Another gem
tleman who was walking near him at the
time of the explosion, was thrown over>
board, and himself was precipitated
nearly over the side of the vessel and
stunned. He recovered Immediately, as
he supposed, when he heard some one
remark" Get out the boat, she is sink
ing" He was not acquainted with SOL
itary individual in the boat. Under such
circumstances, it was natural to suppose
he would feel quite as much concern for
himself as for any one else. He was
consequently among the foremost of
those who sought the small boat for
safety, and was about to step into it, when
he discovered young lady, whom he
recognized as one whose appearance had
sundry times during the passage arrested
his attention. Her protector was the
gentleman who was walking on deck and
blown overheard. 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 other friend. During his fruitless
search the small boat pushed off. 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 aspiring
spark, frightened again. He caught up
the rope, lashed together couple Of set
tees, threw them upon the piece Of an old
sail, and small empty cask, and thus
equipped he launched upon the element.
1t was all the work of a moment. He
believed death inevitable, and that effort
was his last grasp for life. His vessel
bore him up much better than he expect
ed. and he was consoling 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-seizeG 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 to let me 60 to cave your
self"
eve live, or we die together" he re-
piled.
Soon after. they drifted upon piece
of the wreck, probably a part Of the
same floor or partition. torn asunder by
the explosion.
This, with the aid of the settees fast
ened beneath it, proved sufficient to keep
them out of the water. About this time,
one of the small boats came towards them
but already heavily loaded. He i'm
plored them to take in the young lady.
But she said no. she could not leave him.
They were fairly at sea. without the least
morsel to eat or drink in a scorching cli-
mate.
Of the boat which bore them all in qui-
ct and safety but half an hour before,
nothing was to be seen but scattered pie
ces of the wreck. The small boats were
on their way towards the shore-their
own craft being light and lightly loaded.
drifted far away from a scene indescriba-
by heart rending. and which he still
shoulders to think of.
At daylight nothing was visible to
them but the heavens and waste of wat
ers. In the course of the day they came
in sight of land, and for time were con.
l 6dank of r.,anhinor IA huk drlrinar the suc.