Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-14

Further Particulars Of the Late Disaster.
The most interesting and thrilling statement
concerning the loss of the Arctic, is that Of
Peter McCabe, the man-and the onlyone--who
was saved from those who crowded the raft SO
hastily constructed by the lamented Luce and
his men, amid the confusion Of that terrible
hour He is an intelligent Irishman, and fur
nished the following particulars forthe New
York Times. After describing the collision, he
proceeds:
Every one now prepared himself for the
worst. The life preservers were brought into
requisition, and d portion Of the crew set them
selves to work in the construction of RATS.
The two foreyard arms were cut down and
dashed together, making a raft about forty feet
long and three or four feet wide. was en-
gagged with the rest in making this raft, and
Mr.. Dorian, the third mate, took most active
part in the work. When it was finished, we
launched it on the larboard side, and in few
minutes after there were about seventy persons
clinging to it, four of whom were women.
Several other RATS were made, but none of
them so large as that on which was engaged
Doors, barrels, and, in fact, everything that
foated, was used. On some Of these, there
were two and three, but the largest could not
support more than four or FIVE. =
/ remained on the vessel till she sank,
when l went down with her. ! had been en-
ployed few minutes before with two others,
one Of whom was called "Tom, the store
| keeper in flashing some casks together, when
/ was driven away by the water, which was
now rushing in with fearful impetuosity.
Jumping upon the paddle box, / sprang on
| the saloon deck, and in an instant was en-
gulphed in the surging waters, which soon
closed over our heads. Down, down we sank
with our noble vessel into the bosom Of the
| ocean, and the terrible thought took possession
of my mind that ] was drowning; that should
never see my dear friends and my home again.
! retained my consciousness, however, all
the time l was under the water, and it was
| with feeling of intense JOY that found, after
about half minute, that was rapidly rising
towards the surface. 1t was all darkness be-
fore, but now could see dim light above me-
| and in a few seconds / was on the top of the
water, struggling for life. Being good swim.
mer, and having besides the support ola life.pre
server, succeeded in reaching a door, which
| was floating few feet from where rose.
looked around me, but there was no trace of
the vessel except few loose timbers and the
| RATS which were floating about, some with and
others without passengers. Finding | could
| not retain my hold Of the door with safety
| left it, and swan to barrel which lay a few
| feet from me from this again / swan to the
large raft which had, as said, about seventy
persons clinging to it. The sea, though not
strong, was rough, and the waves, as they
dashed over it, washed away portion of its
living freight. ] shall never forget the awful
xua IN, ba &c fba
ocean, without the slightest hope of assistance,
while every minute one or more Of our unfor.
tunate fellow passengers were dropping into
their watery grave from sheer exhaustion.
Those who had ifepreservers did not not
sink, but foated with their CHASTITY faces up
wards 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 COM
panions drop off; some Of them foated 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 we're swayed to and fro
by the waves, which threatened every moment
| to wash me off. The raft at one time was SO
crowded that many had to hold on by one hand
Very few words we're spoken by any, and the
/
waters or the heavy breathing of the poor suf-
ferers, as they tried to recover their breath after
a wave had passed over them. Nearly all were
submerged to their arm-pits, while few could
with great difficulty keep their heads above the
surface. The women were the first to go.
| They we're unable TO stand the exposure more.
than three or four hours. They all fell off the
raft without word, except one poor girl, who
cried out, in intense agony, ooh, my poor
mother and sisters
When / 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 a
| few moments after / took it, he too Embossed
his hold and was added to the number that
fioated about the raft.
endeavored to get the paper into my pocket,
| but found this impossible, on account OF my
cramped position, so placed it between my
teeth, and held it there till was overwhelmed
| by a wave, when lost my hold Of it, and it
was washed away. Another who had an oiled
| silk coat on, called on me, for Heavens sake
to assist him, as his strength was rapidly fail
| ing, and he must fall of, If not relieved. AS
he was about four or FIVE feet from me, it was
difficult TO reach him but after considerable
exertions, succeeded in doing so, and helped
him with one Of my knees until became
quite faint, when was obliged to leave him
to his fate. Poor fellow, he promised me, if
he ever got TO New York alive, he would re-
ward me well. He chung with terrible tenacity
to life, but he, too, dropped off in his turn.
was now left alone on the raft; not q soli-
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
during the whole time had been in the water
l had not eaten particle Of anything or drank
drop. My strength found was beginning
to give way, and my sight had become so dim
that | could not perceive objects o few feet
off, even the easily faces of the dead that
looked up at me from under the raft were
barely observable. 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, vessel.
My strength seemed 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 ex.