The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-05-26
The ShipWrecked sailors of the
fsOidnn light.

The ShipVPecked Sailors of the
Golden Light.
1t will be remembered that some two
months ago, the ship Golden Light, from
this port for California was struck by lght.
ming, and burnt, when only a few days
out. and that her passengers and crew
took TO the boats, four in number. Those
in two Of the boats were picked up by a
vessel and brought to this port; and af.
terward third boat, with seven Of the
crew on board, succeeded in. reaching
Antigua, one of the West India Islands
Five Of these latter reached this city last
night, in the ship Sarah, from ST. Thomas,
having been forwarded by the U. S. Con.
sui there.
From the lips Of one Of the shipwrecked d
men, we learn the history of their deliv.
erance from death. Before the four boals
left the burning ship, they all having been
provisioned and supplied with barrel oil
water, the captain gave them certain in.
structions as TO their course. The sail
ors of whom we speak were in whale
boat, which was one OF three sent out in
the ship as freight. After starting from
the ship they soon fell to leeward of the
other boats and lost sight of them, the
fourth boat, which is still missing, being
the last one they saw. They tried 10
speak her, but could not make themselves
head. Finding themselves alone upon
the ocean in fral boat, they put it be.
fore wind with many misgivings as to
their fate.
Among them was a young Yankee boy
but i'll prepared for such hardships he
was about TO undergo. He had saved
from the wreck his bible and his mother s
miniature, and he often occupied the
weary hours Of suffering by reading the
former.
Continued vigilance was necessary to
keep the boat from swapping. and the boy
in question calmly performed his allotted
share OF duty. his conduct being in this
respect. striking contrast to that OF two
Portuguese sailors, who, with loud out.
cries and lamentations, declared that
there was no hope, and spent most OF the
time in tears.
Several lines great waves filled their
little boat with water. and il seemed as if
they must 60 down, but by active exer
tons they bailed it out, and pressed for
ward for the land. They had no com.
pass, and steered BY the sun in the day
time and the stars at night The salt wa
ter had spoiled their food, and they found
TO their dlsmay that their precious barrel
of water had half leaked out
After this discovery they were put on
short allowance OF water, and their sufa
ierIIgs from thirst were very great, so
much so, that they could eat but little, as
it increased their desire Tor water. They
were fearful that each would rob the bar
rel during the sleep of the others, and
this, with their inconvenient position, and
the continued call upon them for active
exertion, prevented them from taking
much repose. When they left the ship
they had large sail, and they manufac.
tured from their clothing a small sail.
which they put up in stormy weather.
Twice vessels came across their track.
In one case, the vessel. a schooner,
came within half mile, and their hopes
OF deIiverance rose high; but notwilh.
standing their signals, she put about and
was soon out OF sight, to them most bit.
Ter disappointment, for they feared that
they should never be able to reach the
land.
Atlength, after running before the wind
for seven or eight days, they were of fopin,
ion that they were near some of the W est
India islands, and accordingly put about
ard continued to beat for two or three
days longer. Finally, after having beenS
in the boat for nearly eleven days, they
came in sight of land, which proved to
be Willows Bay, Antigua, where they
were Hospitality received, and forwarded
to ST. Thomas.
The fourth boat, which is still missing,
contained some seven or eight of the
ships crew, among whom were several
boys. They were well provided with pro.
visions and instruments. aud the boat
was good one. II is possible that they
may have been picked up by some out.
ward bound-vessel Boston Traveller.