The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-28

her, and found her in Q sinking condition. hut
still likely to float some hours longer if nothing
more gave way. On rounding under the
wrecks lee, he saw 1t was next to certain de-
struction to lower boat, although the boat
swain, Edward Bunting, calamity offered to 60
in her. He therefore hove the ship to under
bare poles, in order that he might not drift out
of sight Of the wreck. A light was then set in
both ships, and they lay in sight Of each other
all night. When morning dawned ne bore
down to the wreck again, but was prevented
from giving her any assistance by violent
hail squall that no boat could have withstood.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the weather
moderated little, when he passed to the wind
ward of the wreck and hove to, in order that he
might be able to run down and rescue his boats
crew in case Of their getting swamped. A boat
was then lowered, and the following men volun-
teered to 60 in her:-Edward Bunting, boat
swain; Sturins Purdy, seaman, formerly q
captain in the British merchant service;) James
Smith, John Kesley, and William Hughes, sea-
men. The boat, fortunately, proved staunch
and seaworthy, and, although they had con-
siderable distance to row, the men reached the
wreck in safety, and succeeded in getting on
board about one-haf of the Columbiana's crew
by hauling them through the water. The same
operation was successfully performed second
time and the remainder of the crew of the sink
ing vessel was safely transferred to the Corne-
Illus Grinnell. This gallant feat was effected
under every possible difficulty and disadvau-
tage, night setting rapidly in and the gale in
creasing in fury.
Three days afterwards Captain Fletcher fell
in with another vessel in the same condition
(the British brig Frederick and Bunting and
his gallant shipmates again distinguished them
selves by their readiness to volunteer upon the
same service of danger. The captain and crew
of the disabled vessel were safely taken off from
the wreck
Acts like these deserve some more substan-
tial token Of public approval than passing
commentary in the press If it were right to
award honors and rewards to the saviours of
the sufferers by the San Francisco, it is equally
incumbent upon us to show the gallant sailors
of the Cornelius Grinnell that their conduct is
not the less appreciated because the circum-
stances attending the disasters that called it
forth have created less excitement in the public
mind. We think that some immediate steps
should be taken to manifest that feeling, and
to give to these brave fellows some solid evil
dence oft. Asuggestion Of Captain Fletcher's
seems to us as good mode as any of carrying
out this idea. He proposes that q fund should
be raised for their benefit the interest Of which
thAv cAnu1d ho ontitlod tn draw durinr THAR
lives As each life drops off the lapsing in
terest should 60 to swell the portions of the
survivors. After their deaths the capital fund
might either be made the basis of some general
system Of rewards of a similar character, or be
transferred to one Of our local institutions
There is the germ of philanthropic project in
this idea Win the pulling sentimentalists who
twaddle about imaginary social evils assist to
carry it out?