The daily union., 1854-10-14
TwENTY-sM HOURS ON A RATA THRILLING
NARKATINE

Peter McCabe of Ireland, who rescued from the
raft and brought to New York publishes letter. in which
stating that he remained the Arctic until the water
reached the main deck and the vessel commenced sinking
says;
left the door and got upon the raft which had been
partially constructed from the spas took from the yes
sell great many persons trying 10 get ON the raft
Some cnging TO it with hand and although it
already crowded, Others striving TO get loot
hold Among the number who were upon il saw four
ladies. Their names | did know. Altogether, there
seveny-sx persons the raft The sea though not
strong rough and the waves they dashed over IL
washed away portion of its living freight shall never
forget the awful There were in the midst of the
ocean, without the slightest hope of assistance while every
minute of unfortunate fellow passengers
dropping into their waery grave from sheer exhaus-
ton. Those who had e-preseryers did not sink but
oated with their ghasy faces upwards reminding those
who still remained alive of the fate that awaited them
In the midst OF all this thank Heaven never lost hope
but retained my courage TO the last One by one saw
my unfortunate companions drop on some OF them noaed
off and were and gnawed by fishes while Others
washed under the raft and remained with me till was
rescued could their faces in the openings as they
swayed to and fro by the waves which threatened
every moment to wash me OFT The raft AT one time was
crowded that many had TO hold by one hand Very
few words spoken by any, and the only sound that
heard the splash of the waters or the heavy breath
ing of the poor sufferers they tried to their
breath after had passed over them Nearly all were
submerged to their armpts while few could with great
difficulty keep their heads above the surface The women
were the first go. They unable to stand the ex
posure than three four hours They all fell of the
taft without word except poor girl who cried out in
intense agony, "Oh, my poor mother and sistersF
When was about eighteen hours on the ral there We're
not than three or four left One OF these gave me
what appeared to be small map but which understood
hi- of title-deed to his property. In
few after took it, be- too unloosed his hold and
added to the number that foated about the raft
endeavored to get the paper into my pocket but found
this impossible account of my cramped position
placed il between my teeth and held it there till was
overwhelmed by wave when lost my hold of it. and it
was washed away, Another who had oiled silk coat
on called me- for Heaven. sake to assist him, as his
strength rapidly falling and he must fall off if not
relieved As he about four five feet from it was
difficult TO reach him, but after considerable exertons
succeeded in doing so and helped him with one OF my
knees until became quite faint when obliged to
leave him to fate Poor fellow he promised me- if he
got New York alive he would reward we'll He cung
with terrible tenacy to ie but he too, dropped oil in
his turn.
now left alone the raft; not solitary being
was alive out of seventy; but still my hope continued
strong The night of the second day about closing
me and during the whole time had been in the water had
particle OF thing drunk drop Ny strength
found was beginning to give way and my sight had be-
dim that could not perceive objects few feet off
the ghasty faces of the dead that looked up at
from under the raft, hardly discernble. J. de-
termined making effort for life; raised my
self on my knees upon the raft and through the dusk OF
the evening saw, thought saw vessel My strength
seemed to revive and in few minutes heard the voices
of persons in boat approaching Ten minutes more,
aud too would have gope but Providence had mercy
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 at times partially deranged Since taken from
the raft large eruptions have taken place his limbs,
which well his hands and arms very much swol-
enrom the effects is supposed of being immersed in
the water so long