Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-05-12
INTERESTING INCIDENTS

The following are among the interest
ing incidents related as occurring in con-
nection with the burning Of the California
Steamer. independence.
The following act Of devotion and its
unfortunate result is said to relate: a
Mr.. Taylor swan ashore with his child
upon his back and placed the infant in
safety upon the bank. then through the
masses Of the wreck through floating
sparS and struggling swimmers, he made
his way back to where he left his wife
clinging, in the water TO the rulGer post:
he bore her also TO the beach, but she had
been so much bruised By being repeatedly
dashed against the ships bottom by the
heavy waves, that she did not survive 10
bless her husband for his devotion; she
died on board the Meteor Mr.. Saun-
ders and four others floated three miles
out TO sea upon hencoop, they were
picked up by Captain Sam son, who went
to their relief IN boat. The water was
chilling cold, and they were completely
exhausted and benumbed with ciinging
beneath its surface for several hours to
! the frail raft.
/ Out of a party of eighteen Jews who
were on board. sixteen persisted from the
weight of coin. it was supposed. which
they attempted TO carry with them
through the waves.
Among the incidents of the day after
the wreck child was born on the beach.
and is now healthy and thriving; the
mother was carried across the mountain.
in hammock and even walked part of
the way to the boats. -Many Of the pass
engers. especially among the females.
suffered much from want OF clothing.
Many acts of individual courage were
performed, many that probably will new
er come 10 light. One gentleman after
reaching the shore uninjured. swan out
again TO the wreck and brought off child;
he had no family on board-nothing to
tempt him 10 return to danger once
passed. except the noble desire to pre-
serve human life. Another threw his
three children overheard and followed
after them-they were all drowned.
Senior Lsrco, Of Valparaiso, Chilean
gentleman Of wealth and standing in
Valparaiso, finding himself driven into
the waves by the fumes, turned to a few
who were about him, and offered $50, 900
to any person who would assist him to
save his life, but in such moment none
could think of tn e offer. Seeing that his
end was near. Senior LARGO said Fare
we'll! 1t is only once' and plunged in
the water, He was quickly drowned.
Most of the passengers had assembled
upon bows to escape the driving flames
and sufTocating smoke; group of nine
remained upon the poop until driven to
water bv the heat; one Of their number,
seized with a sudden panic. leared over
board to floating spar, missed Ii and
was drowned; the others, acting more de
iberately. reached the shore. But few
were saved by the boats-but two boat
loads, we understand; most OF those who
were saved 1oated ashore upon spars,
benches and other articles thrown over
board Many of the ladies were saved
by the buoyances of their inflated cloth
ing. which enabled them to float upon the
water.
J One of the fremen, whose name we
did not learn. brought on shore two chill
dren, whose parents were both drowned.
Another fireman brought beautiful boy
ashore to his mother who had been wash
ed 10 the beach; her husband and two
children were drowned, and she supposed
this child had shares the same fa;e; the
meeting may De imagined.
The Purser of the ship, Mr.. James
Freeborn remained upon the deck until
driven off by the fire when sprilging ever
board he clunS to a floating spar and wa
washed ashore insensib.e; he was resusci
tated, but barely escaped with his life.
being attacked with a violent fever.
There were four boats in all, three OF
which were of iron; they were capable
of holding ten persons each. gen
tleman. we did not learn his name, at
tempted to swim on shore with his child
on his back. and supporting his wife by
a handkerchief 10 which she clung; she
was torn away, but managed TO cling 10
a rope, while he proceeded and saved the
child He then returned to his wife and
they both started again. Just then,
person jumped from he ship. and falling,
struck the lady upon the head; she was
stunned and Immediately sank, despite
her husbands efforts; the latter tloated
to sea upon spar; he was an Englishman
and good swimmer, but was exhausted
with his efforts, he was about to let go
in despair. when fellow passenger, hard
by, cried out to him to hold. boat was
coming, he did so, and was saved.
A great number of passengers sustained
themselves in the water by clinging To
the cable stretched to Shore. This cable
was suddenly slackened letting the un
/ fortunate down into the wa ter. Many