Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-10-28
Narrative Of the Rescued French Sailor.

The following narrative Of the French sailor
who was picked up from the week OF the Arctic
is translated from Tia" Montreal Mi#erye, n
French Canadian paper -
Ny name is Jas~"net Francoi. | am from n
village situated about three lengues di sInnee from
st. Mall. generally employ my sell every year
in fishing at ST. Pierre. | embarked on board
the Nesta to return home when about noon On
the 9th, as CHANGED 10 bc on deck heard the
men who were in charge of the watch and who
were in the fore part of the vessel, sing out.
"Lutf lutf-therc is ship bearing down upon
upon Us " | think to the best of my opinion
that not more than half minute elapsed before
we received the shock, Our ship struck the
Arctic in the stnrbonrd bow. near the wheel; our
forecastle was swept AWAY by the blow.
When we saw this accident, general cnnfu-
sion ensured. and II man ascending from the hold
cried out that the vessel was filling with water,
which created general panic among the pas
sengcrs and crew. 10 lower "a boat and prceipi-
tate ourselves into it to the number Of seven or
eight, the work OF u minute, and we pro
ceoded toward the American vessel, which con.
tinued its course toward land. Cur intention
was to save ourselves on board the American yes
sell for our idea was that own would 60
down immediately. We rowed for some time
before could reach the bow of the vessel but
wave sent rs to distance again.
We then approached the wheel. and owing to
was caught in it, aud upset. | alone was able TO
| catch rope, and got on the deck of the Ameri-
! can vessel; where II general confusion nnd panic
| rcigned. | soon learned TINT the vessel was in
danger, and | cast my eyes around me to find
some of safety. There were near me n
bout thirty bottles; got rope and attached
them to my person, but one of them being bro
ken, | soon that it would not be sble to
| throw myself into the sea with them that is
| why, finding a box near me. | fastened myself on
it with strong cords and threw myself into the
sea.
BY good luck, there appeared To he close I,
| the vessel II floating piece OF the wreck, which
seized hold of, and abandoned my self to the mer
| Cv of the waves. In company with me on thi.
raft was IA young American of from 20 to >.
years of age; this young man died the morn
| ing of the 18th, from the effects of cold and hun
ger. The cold had taken such II hold of him TIM
it became impo ssible for him to utter a singl,
word. took him in my arms and supported hi.
! head on my shoulder. When he breathed hi,
! last sigh, be gave such n violent shock that h,
was near upsctting me into the | attache,
| hip 10 the raft with cords and kept him for a
! bout 20 hours, at the expiration of which, finding
that be really dead, and apprehending til,
! visit e some large sharks. threw him into the
! sea
After being at the mercy of the waves for
1 couple Of days and nights-that Is II say fifty
! ing perceived to the West n sail which seetned
10 be approaching me- ther with the small plank
| which had served me as car | was enabled Ia
snake sgRuis, which did not seem to be
no;o ed by the vessel. | continued Ia swim for
another hour; and then became convinced that
the vessel was coming directly toward me This
gave me little courage, for my strength had be-
| gun to abandon me. | made fresh signal and
| saw that they perceived me, for the vessel
| came straight toward me.
! vSs hoisted on board and | gave them TO
| understand as well | could by signs and few
| words of English. that there we're TO the leeward
great number of persons, awaiting help and the
captain accordingly changed his course x steer
ed in that direction. Wepieked up eleven rer.
sons, who had got ON noating pieces OF wreck, as
aso. Capt. Luce. We hen made sail and procee-
ded to Quebec. 1t in this way | escapcd
the waves which threatened te engulph me every
instant. ! was in the fifty two hours with
out food or water of any sort, with the exception
of one small sailors biscuit. which my compan.
ion in misfortune gave me before he expired
The Cunarders have ordered and taken ont large
bells, which will be rung in the fogs. and the
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