Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-02-17
Appalling shipwreels.
THRILLING NARRATIVE

The following is clear aud graphic narrative
by Sifst cabin passenger, a gentleman of great
intelligence and humanity, who exerted himself in
the most pTaiseworthy manner 10 assist the unfor-
tunate sufferers. stl
4 was cabin passenger on board the I'aylenr.
which lett Liverpool with fine breeze and beau
tllul weather, at IL O'Clock on Thursday last, IN
tow OF a /, steamer. We were OH Lynas Point
about 6 o'clock in the evening, when the pilot
LEFT, and almost al the same instant squall came
on, when orders were gwen 10 shorten sail. No
sooner was this done than II became evident TO
those who were at all acquainted with nautical af
fairs thatthe crew were totally incompetent to
manage the ship. The mate could not get one TO
go on the yards TO shorten sail, and the ship was
completely at the mercy Of the waves. Some idea
may be formed of the incompetency Of the crew
when II is known that it took nearly three hoursto
take in the mizen-topsail, and nearly one hour
and three quarters 10 take in the foretopsail, aud
neither the main-to psail the lower sails could
be got in at all.
We. however. struggled through the night, our
sails Tapping and beating in a frightul manner
The boatswhin and third mate iexerted themselves
great deal, but the men did not appear to
know their work. 1t Immediately began to be
" hispered about that we would never reach the
end of our voyage, the crew being mixed medley
OF many nations, having very imperfect acquai-
lance with the English language, and consequent
~ unable 10 understand the captains Orders
About midnight we passed within stones tnrow
OF some light and land, which the passengers sup
posed 10 be Hoyhead. The weather continued
rough, and our confidence III the crew decreased
every minute, though we saw we had asplendid
vessel under us. A more beautiful ship believe
never sailed the seas During the night of Friday
the weather moderated a little, and when we came
on deck next morning we found the ship with two
gallant sails, topsais, and lower sails set per-
son who came from Davenport with us, Nichols
SAID to us, "The captain is doing wrong in hoist
ing SO much sail; we shall have more wind, ami
the crew will be able 10 take in sail should any
emergency atise." AK
The lweathel, as the day wore, became bolster
Gus and hazy, and about, think, 10 o'clock, the
long line was thrown. when it was said we were
gong five knots an hour, steering southwest by
west. About II o'clock, friend came down 10
the cabin where was and said, 'fhere's land
close to us, and they are afraid the ship will 90
ashore.' proceeded on deck, where a horrible
scene OF confusion met my eye. Before us, at
short distance, the bleak aud rocky island of
Lambay, round the base Of which the waves were
dsshing furously, while the vessel, quite unman.
ageable in the hands OF her crew, drifting to-
wards il with fearful rapid'ty. The deck was
crowded with passengers, male and female, who,
perceiving their danger, were in state Of almost
lranti; terror. The CO plain attempted TO The
ship, but she would not pay off, but continued TO
drift towards the rocks. He then ordered the
staysaii and, think, the spanker to be set, which
was done. The mate then directed the man at e
helm to keep her Il II, hut it was no use. Just al
this moment heard the chain running out with
the anchor; the first mate called out "Hold on"
but. both anchors. were let go-they snapped like
glass.
; . AM NOW UeSan u scene OF tue most t[lghtlul
horror-some rushing below 10 get what they could,
others praying, some taking leave of their friends
wringing their hands, and beSeechng them for
help. The vessel, alter striking, lay close upon
the rocks that several persons attempted 10 Jump
ashore. The FIRST person who jumped, struck his
head against the rocks, and fell back into the wa
ter with has had ishiully cut, and, after strug-
CLING short time, sank. The next person who
Jumped from the vessel made good his footing, and
was followed by several olhers-l believe the Chi
nese and LaScars belonging 10 the crew. They
also succeeded in making good their footing, and
as soon us they had done so, scampered with all
hasle up the rocks, attempting 10 assist use
ON board. Several now swung themselves on The
rocks, which were but few leet from US. Imam
aged to swing myself OH shore, aud retained The
rope IN my hand, passed the end of il 10 some Of
those behind, and by this means great many got
OH Shore. 10 attempt 10 paint the heart Tending
scene on board the ship would be impossible
wives cllngng to their husbands, aud children 10
their parents, women rushing wildly about the
deck utterne the most heart-rendng cries, many
Offering all they possessed 10 persons TO get them
on shore. a1..5-..51
Among some of the earliest who attempted to
gel on shore, were some young lrshwolnen. MUSt
vi them los their hold of the rope and leIinto the
sea- The doctor OF the ship, most noble fellow.
struggled hard 10 save his wife aud child; he lad
succeeded in getting about half way 10 shore on
rCpe-holding his child by It's clothes i'll his teeth
but just then the ship lurclel outw8rds By which
| the rope was dragged from the hands of those who
held il on the lower rocks, and was held only by
those above thus running him high in the air, SO
that the brave fellow could not drop tue rocks
Word was now given to lowe, the rope gently, but
men who held it above, let it go by Tie run aud
the poor fellow, with his child, buried in the
waves, but in short time he again appeared OH
the surface, battling manfully with the waves and
The portions oil the wreck that now foaled about
him. He at length swan TO ladder that hung by
Il rope along side the ship, and got upon it. Alter
he had been there minute or two, woman float
ed close 10 him. He Immediately look hold of her
!
| hair from her face, and appeared 10 be encourage
ing her, bat Ill another minute she washed
from his hold, aud sank almost Immediately. He
then got up again IN the ship, aud tried get his
vile on shore, but they both persisted. He deserY-
ed n better fate! iriz i7l lst9t (
The scene was now truly awful. The most des-
perale struggles for life were made by the wretch
ed passengers; great numbers OF women jumped
overheard III the vain hope of reaching land; and
the ropes were crowded by hu ndreds who, in their
eagerness, terror and confusion, frustrated each
| others efforts for sef-preserration. Many of the
women would get half way, and then become I'M
able to proceed further, and after clinging to the
rope or short time, would be forced from their
hold by those who came after them.
Three women only out Of 20U were saved. One
OF these had got part of the way across When
her legs fell, and she hung sometime by her two
hands over the foaming waves; her husband then
came 10 the rope, and manage TO assist her to the
| shore. Two men came OH shore with children tied
10 their backs; but of the whole who lell into the
water, not above five were saved.
saw one fine girl, who, alter falling from one
| rope, managed to get hold of another, which was
hanging from the side of the slip, aud which she
lheld on 10 70. more than quatter of an hour the
sea every moment dushing her against the side of
the ship, butt was impossible for US to lend her
any assistance.
Some one got spar out, by which several got
on shore; but il soon broke, and now might be seen
hundreds hanging to the bulwarks OF the ship,
each struggling 10 get on shore. saw one wo-
man hanging on the middle OF the rome for some
time by hertwo hands, but those pushing to get on
shore soon sent her TO her doom. The ships ster,
now began to sink; the ship made lurch, and all
Inc ropes SNAPPED ESs4v Inc ieshs now was
| at time; we could see them struggle Tor a mo-
ment then, tossing their arms sink lo rse no more