The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-01

breaking over her every few minutes dur
ing the squalls. Some of the headstays
were cut, and every thing got ready to let
the foremost go overheard, but the Captain
gave orders not to cut it, as the sails kept
the ship from rolling. We were then or
dered to lay aft and do what we could to
get the longboat ready to launch, after
which we commenced caulking, tearing up
our quilts to get the cotton to caulk with.
We had been here but a few minutes when
she went off the rock; all expected she
would sink Immediately. Her anchors
were let GO as soon as possible. and after
drifting a few rods she struck again so
heavily that i, Frustrated many on the deck,
and it was evident to all that the ship could
not possibly stand but few more such
shocks.
The scene was now dreadful beyond
description. Some were upon their knees
praying for the Lord to have mercy on
|them-some were crying, others were run
ming, catching hold Of the officers and
crew, begging them to saw them, telling
them they were unfit to die-that they were
u%nprepared to meet their God. Some who
had the ening previous been Boosting OF
their in6delity we're the first upon their
knees, and loudest in their cries for God
to have mercy on them. 1t now seemed
evident to all that the ship would go down
Immediately. Men who before this had
acted their partnobly now ceased to make
any effort to save themselves or others
Some went to a cask of liquor that was be-
tween decks, and there forgot their dangers
and troubles. The mate and myself went
below about twelve to ascertain, if we
could, the amount of water in the ship. Ii
was then but little above the kelson, much
less than was expected. We informed
them on deck Immediately, which seemed
to encourage the hope that the ship might
be kept a1oat until some assistance could
be procured. They labored more earnest
ly at the pumps, and those who were will
ing TO work were kept caulking the long
boat. 1t was almost impossible, in fact,
to get them to work, as they despaired OIL
saving themselves. The mate and myself
again went to the hold to find out whether
the water was gaining, and found thal
there was some seven or eight feet of wat
err. We still endeavored to encourage the
passengers to work at the pumps, hoping
that she might be kept afoat till daylight.
At daylight we looked after the boats
and found that The quarter-boat was stove
The mate, not being aware ofits% condition
got into it and attempted to bail il. but ma.
king no progress, he was finally compelled
to give it up. He then got into the life
boat. not daring to return OIL board the
sinking ship, which was at this time rapid
ly going down. gotinto one ofthe boat.
that was stove, and hauled myself along
by a rope running from the ship to tn.
life-boat, into which | got. | was followed
by John Best, who jumped overheard ano
swan to the boz al, which was now about a.
full as it would hold. The spray wa.
breaking oyer it. The captain was til,
last who got into the life-boat, and ever
then he had to be urged very strongly be
fore he would consent to leave the vessel
When the passengers saw him leave thu
ship, they knew there was no longer an,
hope, and became perfectly frantic will
despair. screaming and calling wildly 70
that assistance which it was impossible Il
render them. As soon as the captain left
six Of the crew, who still renamed in th,
ship, got ready the long-boat, into which
several of the passengers jumped indis
c~riminately. | never saw anything in my
life so fearful. Women and men jumped
overheard from the after part Of the vesse
near where the boat lay, and many wer'
drowned. One ofthe crew who was in tn,
long-boat was compelled, with a Ratchet
to keep offthe passengers who were crowd
ing into the boat, and who. If allowed Il
enter it. would undoubtedly have sunk il
We Gu our boat loose from the vessel
rugged a sort of sail, and ran before tn
wind. The long-boat followed immediate
ly. and we kept company for a short dis
lance, when we separated, but still kept il
sight. We saw the long-boat picked u
between two and three hours after she lei
the vessel. About two hours later we wer,
picked up by the Reuben CAREER, Captain
Cobb.