The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-04-26
From the ~. Q. True Delta Of the 10Th plt.l
Appalling SceAe saa Sea. e

[From the ~. O.. True Delta Of the 10Th ult.]
Appalling sceRe fat Sea.
B The main facts concerning the loss
of the steamer Victoria, have already
been given, but the incidents we, sub
join are very interesting.-The vessel,
it will be remembered, struck the
Cliffs of Howth little to the north Of
Bailey Light, at the entrance of Dub
lin Bay.
THE mate, who was on the lookout
at the starboard bow, was Mortified to
perceive. looming dimly through ehe
snow cloud, at distance of not more
than twenty yards, the dark and rug.
ged Cliffs Of Howth, little to the
north of Bailey Light. He immedi-
ately gave the order to stop, but it
was too late, and the next moment the
doomed vessel went headlong upon
the rock with dreadful and appalling
crash. The captain was instantly up
on the deck, and gave orders to reverse
the engines. This was done, and the
vessel being released from the rocks,
and backed out into deep water, when,
finding that she was rapidly sinking,
the captain attempted to run her
ashore. In the meantime, q soene Of
the most melancholy and heart-rend.
ing description ensued.
"The starboard quarter-boat was
Immediately launched by number of
the wretched passengers; but in the
hurry and confusion Of the mo-
mont proper care was not taken to
secure the ropes, and the boats
weight caused her to slip from her
davits into the sea, where immediate
ly swamped, and all in her perisned.
The larboard quartcr-boat was then
lowered, fortunately with more sue
cess. 1t contained seventeen persons.
On reaching the water, however, it was
fonnd that the boat was leaking fast,
and must have gono down in q short
time, were it not for the coolness and
presence Of mind ola young man, who,
having searched with bis hand found
tat the plug hole was open, land i'm
mediately thrust his fingers into it.
At this time the boat was almost un-
der the side Of the sinking ship, the
bulwarks of which were crowded with
passengers whom the captain was
seen endeavoring to quiet and pacify.
Some of hem, however, leaped' into
the sea, and were Immediately drown
ed. Mr.. Walsh, whom we have mem
toned as being in the boat, saw his
wife elinging to some of the wooden
work Of the vessel, and called upon
her to leap down, but Mr.. Ralph
cried out, "for Gods sake,. don't
jump down, or you will surely be
| drowncd-hold on and we will re.
turn for you in q few minutes" They
had no idea at that moment that
the vessel was so near her final' de-
structfon, but IN few minutes after
wards she went down bodily, bow
foremost, and the unfortunate lady and
nearly all who remained on board
were lost. Seventy lives in all are
supposed to have been lost
4 "The cabin passengers were in
| bed, and being awakened by the
4 shock OF tho -aoll ision, rushei half
dressed, and some almost in state of
nudity, upon the deck, when to their
horror, they found the ship fast 60
ing down. The steerage passengers,
affrighted and dismayed, were run.
ming in wild confusion about the
deck, vainly seeking for some mode
of escape, husbands were looking for
their wives, wives were clirging to
their husbands, and mothers clasp
ing their helpless children to their
breasts, were uttering impassion-
ed prayers to Heaven for succor and
for mercy. The captain, the first mate
and the other officers preserved their
presence of mind and cndeayorcd to
keep order, SO that the passengers and
crew might have a better opportunity
of etfecting their escape; but such was
the alarm and excitement, and so
short the period that elapsed be-
tween the collision and the total des.
tructon Of the vessel that their ec.
forts proved unavailing. The con-
fusion increased every moment, the
cries Of assistance became louder, and
a general rush was made towards the
ships boats.
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There is q vast emigration to Ore