Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-10-20


There were more people trying to get
on the raft than it would hold. Some
were clinging to the raft with one
hand. There we're four ladies on the
raft. Altogether there were seventy
six persons on the raft when it sepa-
rated. All died or were washed from
the raftat81 o'clock the same night but
myself
was on the raft all that night aud
the next day. The third officer, after
he had discharged his boat-load into
the bark. saw me on the raft on my
hands and knees. and came to my re-
lief.
Kept my leg under a rope Of one
Of the spars. to keep from being wash
ed away l ate nothing from Tues
day night until l was taken of.
was just about throwing myself
overheard when he discovered the
bark. Twas worn down with fatigue.
and my eyes were becoming dim.
In consequence ofholding on to the
raft Mr.. M'Cabe's hands were bruised.
and his strength was all but gone
His left leg was squeezed between
the water cask and the yard arm on
the raft, The water was washing over
him most of the time, and the injury
to his ankle grew worse.
Mr.. NJ Cabe felt easier yesterday.
though he is confined 10 his bed.
He saws the Arctic had so many
passengers that they wanted more men,
and he shipped at Liverpool for the
voyage TO New York.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS.
Since preparing the foregoing mar
rative for the press. we have conversei
with two of the passengers who ar
rived here in the Lebanon. They
confirm the statement Of Mr.. Burns
in all its parts. Il was compiled az
ter consul alton among the saved, and
with he aid OF all the facts within the
knowledge OF each. Il will be observ.
led, however. that we have CLEANED
some additional particulars.
The most importlnI of these is in
relation to some of me female passen-
gers having been saved. Mr.. 1'homp-
son, Of New Orleans. says that he saw
six or eight of these in one of the
boats; one of whom. he was informed,
was Miss Schmidt. who, with her faith.
J err, was on board on her return from a
tour in Europe The father was
among those sce;. on the wreck when
J it went down.
The opinion Of both gentlemen is
that all in the boats are saved. The
J first officer, who had been sent in tn,
boat to see il those on the propeller
, were in need Of relief. when informed
that the steamer could not wait fo
! him, was directed as 10 the course i
} was necessary to steer for the land. il
: the hearing OF all those who subse
quently took the other boats, and tn
| inference is that they were fully in
! struc,cd on that head
. The weather was perfectly calm a
. the time ofthe accident, and the oceal
was as smooth as the waters of an in
a land bay. II so continued for abou
{ twenty-four hours. when stiff breez
: sprang up. accompanied by y rougl
: sea. 1t is hoped that before this hap
: pened the boats reached place Q
: comparative safety.
. Both the passengers with whom "
I have converscd were below at the tim
. of the collision. They afierward
heard, however. that the propelle
came stem on TO the steamer. striking
her about twelve or fifteen feet abai
: the stem. 1t was supposed that tn
Arctic had escaped without seriou
a damage, and the only concern felt wa
: for those on board the propeller Thi
was the case until the first officer
boat had LIFT the ship.
Directly after the coils on the stcar
pumps werein motion, and all the ham
/, pumps were manned. The forme
c were kept going as long MS the engin
S worked, aad the later until the ski
n went down. One hole,was discoyere
!, near tho water line, at tho spot wher
n the contact took place, but is believes
that other and more serious injuric
: occurred below, rs II was impossible
$ from the body OF water which game,
Is ingress at this opening 10 account 70
= the rapid sinking Of the ship.
: Every effort was made by those Of
}. board 10 stop these leaks, and up L
r the time our informant went TO worl
5 on the RATS on which both were en-
e rloyed, hands were engaged on tn
: iorecastlc in the endeavor TO draw
sails under the bows around tho YES
( sci,
a One Of our informants Is Of opinion
: that tho lower fires were extinguishel
g in half an hour after tho collision, an,
] the upper within nm hour. The othe
c gentleman thinks that the time was
litllo longer in each instance. Bot
y concurin saying that tho ship Gnall
Q sunk IN about two hours--say ut
: O'Clock. For about IN hour after til
collision the steamer made rapi
. Roadway toward the shore, but ate
Q that her progress was slow until III
J.. fires finally went out, and she driited
c wreck upon the waters.
y Throughout the terrible scene Capl
Luce was selr.possessed, preseryin
G his calmness while doing everything i
Q his power 10 promote the safety {
p those entrusted TO his charge. Iii
p own life he might easily have save
h had he deserted his post Of duty
Whom last soon he was In the immcdI
ME vicinity Of Mrs. and Miss Collins
j. and other female passengers, appa
!. renlly giving directions for their con