Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-09


10 stern with the shock. The woodends opened.
as suppose, from keel 10 deck The main and
mzenmast of the Olympus were struck with such
force as 10 knock them clear of the ship ALTO
gether.
She then swung round fore and al along our
port side, swinging her bow over our quarter boat,
crushing II 10 atoms, after which she dropped
astern clear of u.s. when found the captain, Off.
GERS and crew, and some Of the passengers, on
board the Trade Wind, having jumped on board
al the collision.
Finding the Trade Wind full of wafer in short
time, with foremost hanging to the rigging we cut
AWAY TO clear the wreck forward, and hove the
anchors off the bow TO tighten her forward. The
launch,. and the two small boats we had left were
now got aft, ready for launching over the stern.
PROVISIONS and water were also prepared, so as 10
be conveniently removed if we found it needfu 10
leave the ship.
But as our cargo was composed Of A 657 bales of
cotton we hoped she would float for some time
moderated fast. The ship gradually settled as The
cotton became soaked, so that we waited anx-
iously for daylight
When the day broke we found the olympus
sun anoat iour or hve miles to eastward and as
she showed side high out of water. Cant Wal
lace was permitted TO take our small gig, with as
many of his men as would accompany him. 10 az
certain the condition of his ship and endeavor 10
save his passengers with his own boats if the YES
sci was likely to go down. 8F
About four o'clock, a. M, we launched orr large
boat, and placed all our passengers in her, EXCEPT
Mr. I. d. Newlin with the first and second Off
GERS in charge, and dropped her astern out of the
vortex around the ship, which threatened her de-
struclion every moment. This was done with the
view of Loading from the ship by means of The
quarter boat, but unfortunately just as the quar-
ter boat was launched, three or four frightened
creatures leaped into her and capsized her.
we found II impossible 10 right her in the heavy
sea around the water logged ship. Tn this state
became hat ~ al
permitted to return TO the ship she would become
swamped, and founder alongside, by the mad eff
forts Of the frightened crew TO be first into her.
and all hands would inevitably perish. / was
therefore compelled 10 order her off, and leave us
TO our fate II was melancholy command, but one
deemed ofimperious necessity. Do
AT this time, the boatswan and MANY GOOD
swimmers plunged overheard and swan to the
boat where they were gladly received. The rest
followed the captain up to the mizen-top as the
sea had taken possession of the upper deck.
The launch, with % of the crew and or of
that OF the Olympus, pulled off in the direction Of
the olympus Before reaching her, however she
went down, but not until Captain Wallace had
succeeded in getting every one from on board.
She sank at a. m.
The launch then turned toward our shin, but
while on her way discovered sail to the south,
and gave chase, in hopes of saving themselves,
and obtaining assistance for those left behind Al
half-past six they lost sight of the Trade Wind.
After the boat had left. about rs men with myself
had taken refuge in the mizzentop. Soon after
ward we discovered sail 10 the southwark, stand
ing by the wind to the northward.
The colors were set at the mzen sky-sail mast
head, union down 10 attract attention In The
mean time The work of destruction went rapidly
on in the ships hull.
: The upper deck burst, and commenced break.
ing up the cotton to float out the spare spars,
skyhghts, matches, companion ways, &c. &c.,
We're carried of, whiring and turning over while
within the vortex surrounding ship, to the distance
OF some fifty yards, but making some fine RATS
after getting beyond the circle.
Inc ship settled with every sea that swept her,
till about $50, a. m, while | was on the mizen
top-saii yard, and most of my companions were
on the top, she made her final plunge sinking
very fast, carrying all down with her 10 some
depth, when we Immediately rose again 10 the
surface, surrounded by the planking of the deck
and few bales of cotton.
The expert swimmers Immediately united with
me, and under my orders collected all the floating
planks and spars at hand and formed RATS on
which we divided ourselves 10 the number of six
teen men, while others took 10 the foremast which
had remained by the ship until she sank, and was
still adoat.
The rest sank to rise no more, as the foremast
must have proved but temporary refuge as the
descending ship must have drawn il down as she
settled, as some OF the rigging was attached 10 H.
Alter recovering our strength, (nuc CHI ex hausted
oy our almost superhuman efforts in forming
our rats in the very heavy sea running at The
ume1 we took occasion 10 improve and add
to them from time to time, out of the mass of
wrecked stuff around us, until about 4, 80 p. m
or after ten hours exposure TO our perilous and
exposed situation, we were mercifully rescued by
the boats of the Belgian bark Stadt Antwerpen,
Captain Wyterhoven, the sail before mentioncd.
When we arrived on board, we found one boat
and those Of the Olympus had reached the barque
about nine a. M, and had since been making
pralseworthy efforts 10 reach and rescue us, but
with no sanguine hopes Of finding survivors
among the floating wreck stuff.
Upon mastering, we found Al of 90 from the
Trade Wind, and SO Of S. from the Olympus,
making 96 saved OF 40. Then followed a sue
cession of self denias and generous sacrifices on
the part of Captain Wytenhoven and crew 10
make us comfortable on board his vessel clothing
the naked feeding and providing for us, where
he had over 200 souls before we were added 10
his list.
On Tuesday, July 9TH, being close into Block
Island, with light westerly winds, and the barque
becoming short of provisions, we met whale
boat fishing which we chartered to take us 10
Newport, Captain Wallace and myseIf) so as 10
reach New York, and send steamer TO the barque
for assistance.