The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-10-31
TWemty-six hours Oh a Raft.
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.

A THRILLING NARRATIVE.
| Peter McCabe, of Ireland, who was rescued
from the raft and brought to New York, pub
fishes letter, in which, after stating that he
remained on the Arctic until the water reached
ing, says:
/ left the door and got upon the raft which
had been partially constructed from the sPars
We took from the vessel. A great many per.
sons were trying to get on the raft. Some
were clingng TO it with one hand, and, although
it was already crowded, others'were striving to
get foothold. Among the number who were
upon it saw four ladies. Their names | did
not know Altogether, there were seventy siz
persons on the raft. The sea, thong not
strong, was rough, and the waves, as they dash
ed overit, washed away portion of its living
freight. shall never forget the awful scene.
There we were, in the midst of the ocean, with
out the slightest hope of assistance, whilst ev-
cry minute one or more Of our unfortunate fel:
Tow passengers were dropping into their watery
grave from sheer exhaustion. Those who had
life spreseryers did not sink, but foated with
their ghastly faces upwards, reminding those
who still remained alive of the fate that await.
ed them.
In the midst of all this, thanks to Heaven, |
never lost hope, but retained my courage to the
last. One by one | saw my unfortunate COM
panions drop off; some fthem hoated off, and
were eaten and gnawed by fishes, while others
were washed under the raft, and remained with
me till was rescued. could see their faces
in the openings as they were swayed to and
fro by the waves, which threatened every mo.
ment to wash me off. The raft at one time
was SO crowded that many had to hold on by
one hand. Very few words were spoken by
any, and the only sound that we heard was the
splash of the waters, or the heavy breathing Of
the poor sufferers, as they tried to recover
their breath after wave had passed over them.
Nearly all were submerged to their arm.pts,
while few could with great difficulty keep
their heads above the surface. The women
were the first to 20. They were unable to
stand the exposure more than three or four
hours. They all fell off the raft without a
word, except one poor girl, who cried out in
intense agony, "Oh, my poor mother and sis.
ters."
Wien was about eighteen hours on the raft
there were not more.than three or four left
One of these gave me what appeared to be
small map, but which l understood him to say
was sort of title deed to his property. In
few moments after took it, he TOO unloosed
his hold, and was added to the number that
foated about the raft.
endeavored to get the paper into my pock-
ct, but found this impossible, on account of my
cramped position, so placed it between my
teeth aud held it there till was overwhelmed
ny "a wave, when lost my hold of it, and it
was washed away. Another. who had an oiled
silk csr.t on, called on nfe, for Heavens sake,
to assist him, as his strength was rapidly fail
ing, and he must fall "ff if not relieved. As he
was about four or five feet from me, it was diff.
fcult to reach him, but after considerable exer
tons succeeded in doing so, and helped him
with one Of my knees until | became quite
faint, when IIvas obliged to leave him to his
fate. Poor fellow, he promised me, if he ever
got to New York alive, he would reward me
we'll. He clung with terrible tenacity to life,
but he too dropped off in his turn.
was now left alone on the raft; not soil
tary being was alive, out of seventy; but still
my hope continued strong. The night Of the
second day was about closing on me, and du.
ring the whole time had been in the water
had not eaten particle of anything or drank
a drop. My strength, found, WAS beginning
to give way, and my sight had become so dim
that could not perceive objects few feet off;
even the ghastly faces of the dead, that looked
up at me under the raft were hardly discerna-
Bile. determined on making one more effort
for life; raised myself on my knees upon the
raft, and through the dusk of the evening | saw,
or thought saw a vessel. My strength seen'
ed to revive, and in few minutes heard the
voices of persons in boat approaching me-
Ten minutes more and too would have gone;
but Providence had mercy on me, and after
twenty-six hours exposure was by its mercy
preserved from watery grave.
Mr.. McCabe is lying in low condition in
New York, and seems, at times, partially de.
ranged Since taken from the raft, large erup-
tions have taken place on his limbs, which, as
well as his hands and arms, are very much
swollen, from the effects, as is supposed, ofbe.
ing immersed in the water so long.
LIFE INsuRANcE.-The following extracts
are from the report of the Georgia Southern
Mutual Insurance Company:
w IT., b,,;r.es or orr jifa denartrnent for