Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-11

in reaching The shore,-sick and exhausted from
the effects Of the salt water which bad swal-
lowed in passing through the surf.
Many daring acts of heroism, and feats Of un.
parallelcd exeriion, were accomplished by the
officers and passengers. Untiring exertions and
self possession of mind saved many who olher-
wise would have found,a watery grave. The
first care OF the surviving passengers was the
burying of the dead, who had noated ashore
This was done by digging or scraping ont with
our hands, a sufficient hole in the sand, and un-
tremendously depositing the bodies therein
oh! what sorrowfu and affecting task!
Many who had succeeded in reaching the
shore, we're almost entirely destitute of clothes,
having thrown them off upon leaving the ship
Shawls and aprons, and other articles of wearing
apparel were generously contributed BY the wo-
men who we're saved in the boats. szra:P old
spars and sails wcro saved, and sEspgh the
exertions of the passengers convenient shelter
was soon formed to screen the ladies' and child
rem from the scorching heat of the SUM- and the
chilling air Of evening. The remainder sought
shelter behinds the rocks, and in groups along
the beach. After spendinga cheerIess and sleep
less night, we awoke to more fully realize our
desperate situation. Cast upon barren and
solitary island with no shelter, no food, no wa.
ter!
In the morning we found that the ship had
dnlted high and dry upon the beach, Every
thing which could be of any use to the passen-
gers was brought to the beach and distributed.
This consisted mostly of clothing. No provis-
ions could be found but salt beef and salt pork
no fresh water at all. Therefore, in fact, we
were no better off than as though we had no.
thing.
Upon the second day alter our wreck we saw
the steamer Pacific going down the coast, some
distance from Us. The women rushed to an EN-.
inence, and swung their bonnets, aprons, hand.
kerchefs, and in fact everything that would be
likely to attract The least attention. But all was
in vain. She saw not our signals, aud needed
not our distress.
Shortly after she passed, some portion of our
company who had started off in the morning for
further survey of the island, returned bring.
ing the welcome intelligence that some whaling
vessels were lying in the Bay of Magdalene,
about twenty miles from land, and that they had
discovered, some twelve miles distant, small
quantities of brackish walher, oosing from the
crevces of the rocks near the beach. This put
new life into every heart ; and in a few moments
the entire slope of the mountain was covered
with the joyous multitude some for water, and
others to catch distant view OF the vessels,
which seemed to them miracle for their pres
ervation.
AT about ten o'clock that evening, some of
ae pa~seogets TOOK rtorn....zt sas ss cannots.
and some powder, (the magazneN bpowder was
not burnt with the fire, as reported, but remained
safe, and started for the heights overlooking the
Bay. After excessive toll, they succeeded in
reaching the summit at about two O'Clock the
next morning AT daybreak they commenced
building fires, and firing the cannon, 10 attract
the attention of the Whalemen.
This they succeeded in doing, and at about
noon we had communication with the captain
and crew of the Whaleship Meteor from Mystic,
CT. At about sunset, we were all taken aboard
of her, and cared for with the best the ships
stores afforded.
Alter stopping in this Bay two weeks, we
were taken to San Francisco. Thus you see
we were three days upon that desolate island
We arrived at San Francisco on the eve of the
last day Of Apri-having been seventy days
from New York.
The captain was the last man who abandoned
the burning ship, and conducted all the affairs
after she struck, with the greatest degree of
coolncss and determination. He had every ap-
pearance of an honest man and gentleman.
But many of the crew and fremen were the
most abandoned and heartess men | ever saw,
One group refused 10 assist in burying the dead
but spent their time in playing cards, and rob-
bing the bodies which Aoated within their reach,
not even caring for the sorrows of despondng
and weeping friends The captain of the Whale
Ship is deserving of every praise for the interest
he manifested in our welfare.
Yours Respectfully. L.