Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-08
A Thrilling Incident.

4 n Inc1Oeuts
The Rev. Mr.. Prime, one of the editors of til,
New York Observer, who recently went to Eng
land in the prcket ship Devonshire, has writer
home two very interesting descriptive letters o
his trip across the Atlantic. In less than ifteeI
days they were in sight of the English coast, ,hav
ing never changed the course of the ship from tn,
time the pilot left them, off Sandy Hook Wher
within few hours sail of Portsmouth man fel
overheard and was drowned. The scene Mr.. Prime
thus describes:
MAN OVERHEARD.
APRIL 23, EvENlNe.-The full moon rose OF
the sea and hung out from the sky like silve
globe, with clearness and beauty that have
never seen. The ship was sailing well under {
fair breeze, and we walked the deck in the enjoy
ment of one of the most delightful evenings. One
after another of the passengers went below, and
only few of the younger and more romantic re-
mained to look on the waves rejecting the beams
of the moon now riding far up in the heavens
1t was nearly midnight when the cry shot through
the ship, piercing every ear and heart. SEA man
overheard" Except the cry of fire, no sound on
ship is more terrible.
For days you have been thinking every time
you looked over into the deep through which the
ship is rushing, of the helpless and hopeless fate
of him who shall be cast into the sea; and when
the fearful word is given in that tone of mingled
fear and pain which the fact extorts, there is a
sinking of the heart as if each one had friend
now perishing. Mr.. Moore, the second mate. had
an assistant in the ships carpenter, who had acted
as seaman during the passage, as we had mis-
cradle crew. He was fine looking young man,
and the only one of all the men who had interest
ed the passengers. He had been down in my
state-room and told me something of his history.
His parents were in Holland, and he was on his
way to visit Them A young woman was on board
to whom he was to be married in May, and they
were to return to America to spend their days.
His manners were very gentle, and he looked and
spoke as if he had left the comforts of home, and
had entered a life for whicn he was not formed
My heart had gone out to him, and in return for
some acts of kindness he had done to me, | was
thinking what-present should make him before
going ashore. when at the instant the shout was
made, and this noble fellow, the pride of the men
was struggling in the pitless waters.
Mr.. Moore was near him, and had given an Or
der 10 bear off the boom from the side of the ship
this man stepped over the bulwarks on the out
side, pushed against the boom, the topping lift
gave way, and he pitched forward, head first into
the sea. The ship shot by him in moment
Nothing thrown over could reach him. His cries
of agony came up cutting the heart, U so bitterly
that it would have been mercy to be deaf. The
mate with admirable promptness gave the order to
put the ship about "Ready about. Luff round.
Hard lee. Tacks and sheets, main topsail haul,
let 60 and haul" Then he leaped into the boat
and cried ''Put the helm hard down. Lower
way the quarter boat" Never shall forget the
look of the mate, as he screamed 'give me knife,
A KNIFE" and taking one from sailor he passed
it through the ropes-"in men, in"-and four
stout fellows leaped in with him, and down it
went upon the ocean, little shell of a thing sent
forth to seek to save that which was lost want
ed to 60 with them, and as they struck out into
the deep under that full moon, at midnight to look
for drowning brother, felt that their errand
was noble, though none of them should live to
tread the deck alive again.
Then we gathered on the stern of the ship, and
looked out into the night and the sea to watch the
event. 1t was light enough to see that tears were
falling fast on the cheeks of some in that anxious
group. Some of us prayed. twas all we could
do. The little boat was soon out of sight. We
could hear the shouts they sent up to reach, if it
might be so, the ear of the ''strong swimmer in
his agony" and then all was silent, save the wind
among the cordage, and the heavy Tapping of the
sails as the ship lay to. A dark spot rose on the
wave; the flash of the dripping oars in the moon
light met the eye, and we knew they were COM
ing. The mate was soon seen standing at the
helm. Our impatience would not brook delay,
and we sent out the cry 'tAll well?" Our hearts
stood still for the answer; half spoken "No'
murmured along the waters, and we knew that
the brave fellow was among the dead. So sud-
denly; so ,fearfully! To be swept from among us,
in the midst of life and hope. There were many,
many tears of sympathy that night, and when
went below and strove to sleep. the vision of a
fellow being struggling in the pillows around me,
drove slumber from my eyelids; and when it did
come, the vision remained among my dreams.