Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-14
NEWS BY MAIL.
Affecting Narrative.

We copy from the Erie Commercial sa Ao'ef''sel
the following interesting and affecting narrative of
me escape from death; of Mr.. Carley and his sis
Ter n delicate girl, by the sinking of the Atlantic.
Mr.. Carley is young man in delicate lhealth.-
The Advertiser says ~ narrative was given with
great emotion, and brought tears to the eyes, of
many in the large assembly who listened to what
Mr.. Carley said in conclusion;
"If any one has cause for thankfulness on this
occasion it is myself. | am from Vermont; and
with my sister, a poor consumptiye,z was on board
the Atlantic. was travelling with her for her
health 1t was not without great fears its perlls
that we undertook the journey. We went on
board the Atlantic at Buffalo on Thursday even
ing, and found her already crowded with passen-
gers. went TO the steward TO get stateroom ior
my sister, He told me they were all taken IN the
upper cabin, but that he could find her one below.
We went down and found that all the rooms IN the
lower cabin were also taken. He however prepa-
red as comfortable a bed as possible on SOFA,
She tried to sleep, but found the ar so close anu
suffocating that j. was with difficulty she could
b1eathe.. We again went to the upper cabin; anu
the steward then told me that he could furnish my
sister berth in the after part OF the CABIN LOOK
her to it, and afterwards found myself perrin IN
the forward part. 1t was the lower one Vi INC
three and the two above it were already occupied.
Being much fatigued, and now satshed that my
sister was in comfortable quarters, was soon
asleep. was suddenly startled from my steep by
a Tremendous crash, and awoke to md the outer
side ofmy stateroom broken III, and the TWO upper
berths with their occupants ON top OF me. y.
As soon as l could extricate myself my hrst
thought was for my sister. l went lmmedlately 70
her room and found here awake told her that
something had happened 70 me poa. pu! oo9a t.a
be prepared for any danger. went back to my
berth and put OH the rest of my clothes. was III
no haste as there had been no alarm given.
went back to my sister room. She had already
6. lt,,,fft u1n hnYh
tila met at the door with her carpet-bag on her
arm. Just then a came to the cabin door,
and looking in told us that the boat wonld SINK III
ten minutes; and he exhored us to pray for the ior
giveneSs of our sins, and look TO Goa ioI
This was the first serious intimation we had OF the
extent of our danger. We went out on the deck,
and had been there only a few minutes wheii the
water began to rise around us 1t was soon up 10
our knees. was calm and COLLECTED. was NOT
afraid TO die; all my care for my poor slender
sister. l could not swim. We therefore looked
around for some means Of sustaining ourselves IN
the water, should we be compelled to leave the
boat. 2 - g.. :. e q. w. ~ ..
We found a couple of chairs and took each of us
one in our hands, The stern was the only part OF
the boat out of the water. We went to the railing
and my sister asked me to lift her up on it. i tried
to do SO but was too weak, and called some men
who were near to my assistance. We raised her
up and then there was another woman who wan
ted us to raise herup. We did SO, and afterwards
got up myself. My sister and still kept hold OF
our chairs Every moment we expected the boat
would go down with a slough, and that the waters
would swallow us all up. We still chung to the
railing locked in each others embrace. Soon we
saw the propeller coming to our assistance, and
cry of Joy burst from every lip. Shortly she was
alongside of us. We all rushed to get aboard OF
her. l made an effort to raise my sister over the
side but was too weak. | made as powerful an
effort as was capable of, but my feet slppngl
fell between the two vessels, aud sunk beneath
the surface of the water Grasping about, caught
hold of rope by which raised myself to the sur
face. But was too weak to raise myself any far
theI and was every moment becoming still more
exhausted. / saw nothing of my sister after fell,
and supposed of course was lost. | was SO
weak that ! could not for long time make my
cries be heard. l had been in the water about
half an hour, and was about giving up all hope oil
being rescued, when was discovered. Another
rope W as thrown me, and l was drawn up on the
boat. What was my joy-the first female met
was my sister" - ~ /